What We Plan To Do
Objective
Nearly double the percentage of alternative commuters by mid-century and expand the use of campus as an incubator for lifelong sustainable transportation habits.
Targets
Alternative commuters (% of all commuters)
- Baseline
- Current Performance
- Future Targets
Short and Long Term Objectives
Princeton’s strategies support commuters in transitioning toward more sustainable transportation modes through an expanded transportation demand management (TDM) program called Revise Your Ride. The University also is expanding access to on-campus and regional transportation services and supporting more widespread availability and use of electric vehicles.
Global Context, Local Action
Fossil fuels burned for road, rail, air and marine transportation together comprise the fourth-largest contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions1, with significant climate change and human health implications, particularly for overburdened communities.
In the United States, and in New Jersey, transportation activities are on par with electricity production as the largest sources of emissions2,3, making the transition to green transportation solutions a top priority.
The University has responded with a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program to promote ridesharing and the use of public transportation, increasing the number of commuters using these and other alternative modes.
How We Plan To Get There
Campus Action Items
- Expand transportation demand management strategies, including increased access to on-campus and regional transit services, and enhanced on-campus and regional cycling and pedestrian infrastructure.
- Track and reduce, where possible, greenhouse gas emissions from all campus transportation and fleet operations.
- Advance evidence-based transportation solutions by encouraging students, faculty and staff experts to engage as advisors and researchers using the campus as a lab.
- Encourage lifelong sustainable transportation habits by promoting walking, biking, videoconferencing, vehicle sharing, consolidated trips and other alternatives.
- Scale action beyond Princeton through information-sharing and partnerships with, for example, local municipalities, regional transit authorities, and peer networks.
Revise Your Ride
Revise Your Ride is a new TDM program informed by behavioral science to increase commuters using alternative modes of transportation, and to decrease single-occupancy vehicles.
The program has contributed to shifting the behavior of hundreds of former SOV drivers toward alternative modes, including rail and bus transit, carpools, vanpools, and biking or walking. As of 2021, 593 faculty and staff members and graduate students— or 6 percent of all eligible commuters — use more sustainable alternatives to SOVs, contributing to improved regional air quality, reduced traffic congestion and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Princeton also offers affordable car share programs.
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