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With more than 30,000 employees, thousands of students, and tens of thousands of visitors, Duke University and Health System generate significant demand for transportation. Meeting that need requires the use of public transit and alternative modes of transportation. Vehicle use contributes to traffic congestion, high infrastructure costs, and pollution. At Duke, we are striving to increase the convenience and incentives for commuters using alternative modes of transportation in order to achieve carbon neutrality, preserve green space and prevent congestion.
Alternative Transportation @ Duke
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Duke has a variety of ways to get around campus. Whether it is one of the buses that service a dozen routes or carpooling/vanpooling options, you are likely to find an alternative way to and from campus. For a complete list of alternative transportation options, see the list below:
- On-campus buses
- Discounted local bus routes
- Carpooling
- Vanpooling
- Occasional parking
- Telecommuting
- Bicycling
- Walking
To help navigate local on and off campus alternative transportation, please download the Transloc and other mobile apps, which provides real-time location of buses and their schedules.
Transportation Goals in the Climate Action Plan
Duke continually works to influence employee decisions on how they commute to campus. However, drive-alone rates often float up and down in conjunction with external factors such as gas prices, housing options, and regional transportation options. In FY19, drive-alone rates steadied at 79%.
In FY19, Parking and Transportation (PTS) broadened their efforts to provide robust alternative transportation options across all modes. PTS supports carpool, vanpool, bus, bike, walk, car-share, and scooter trips. More than 2,350 people are registered for UnPark Yourself benefits, not including the 5,200 GoPass transit pass holders. Combined, Duke's carpool and bike programs annually reduce 300,000 vehicle miles traveled.
PTS has also been transitioning to electric buses for its on-campus fleet, which will reduce both costs and emissions over the coming years.
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Despite concerted efforts, Duke has struggled to significantly expand the campus community of non-single occupancy vehicle commuters. Increased focus and investment in this area will be necessary over the next several years to meet 2024 targets for emission reduction in transportation.