Transportation Report 1

Transportation Lab
Kirsten Commesso, Valentina Fiero, Sean Lavender, Zachary Nixon, Andrew Barney
Stockton University
Environmental Issues
Transportation Report 2

Table of Contents
Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………………………..3
Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………4
Method……………………………………………………………………………………………………...4
Results………………………………………………………………………………………………………5
Policy Recommendations…………………………………………………………………………………..8
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………………...10
References…………………………………………………………………………………………………11
Appendix…………………………………………………………………………………………………..12
Transportation Report 3

Abstract
Transportation is a necessity in a working society, yet introduces many problems to the climate. For those
who live outside of the cities, it makes travel much more of a necessity to get to work, school, or even to
get basic essentials like groceries. The goal of this report is to gauge the traveling habits of the fellow
Stockton University population to find their fuel consumption. From the surveys, it seems that more
people are taking public transportation or walking to the campus than individually commuting. There is
also the statistic of how many days during the week people are on campus, which was rather low. There
are many ways to possibly reduce these numbers using policy changes, shifting of public transit, and
encouraging the population to engage in green travel, such as biking and walking.
Transportation Report 4

Introduction
While there are many contributors to the growing climate change issue, none are as criticized as
that of transportation. The use of fossil fuels is well documented creating CO​2​ when burned, and burning
this in massive quantities every year is known to be a major contributor to the climate change issue (Yu et
al., 2020). Not only is there the creation of CO​2​ through this combustion process, there is also the added
problem of other pollutants being introduced to the air which are harmful to humans (Peitzmeir et al.,
2017).
College and university campuses have become a major source for carbon emissions. A study
based in a Brazilian University found that 90.67% of instructors travel in their own vehicles to campus
and 63.32% of students take public transportation (Barros et al, 2018). The study also discloses that the
breakdown of carbon that is being added into the atmosphere is 51.91 kilograms per instructor and 6.97
kilograms per student (Barros et al, 2018). These statistics show a dangerous precedent for individual
travel among the population of individual universities.
This paper focuses on the transportation patterns of students, faculty, and staff at Stockton
University. Surveys were taken to better understand how this population treats travel to and from campus,
thus better understanding how we can educate and influence people in their habits. One important variable
to note, however, is the current state of transportation. Due to a global pandemic, there are policies in
place which reduces the amount of time needed to be on campus. While this may go against the
previously researched protocols, these policies may help the reduction of CO​2​ emissions if kept or
modified for the long term.

Method
In an effort to better understand how members of the Stockton community affect today’s most
prominent environmental issues through the use of transportation methods to and from campus, a survey
of 100 people was conducted. Those who participated in the survey were either asked at random to
participate while on campus, or could access the survey online and submit electronically. Likewise, the
results of the online data are random, with all those surveyed defined as individuals attending or working
within the Stockton University campus. The survey asked a number of questions regarding the methods
and practices of transportation to and from campus for the 100 individuals. First, they were asked whether
or not they commute to campus, or if they are a resident. The surveyors asked the 100 individuals how
many days per week they commute, if applicable, and where they were commuting from. The year, make,
and model, as well as average gas mileage of their vehicle is also used to calculate fuel efficiency. The
Transportation Report 5

total collected data would be used to determine the environmental impacts that the Stockton community
could have, as well as allow a space to put forth policy recommendations to mitigate these issues.

Results
Based on the results of the survey, 83% of the people surveyed were students, 16% were staff,
and 1% faculty (Figure 1). This is important to note because a majority of the surveyed population were
students, making this an acceptable representation of the larger university population, considering the
student-faculty ratio at Stockton which is 17:1 (Stockton University).

Figure 1
Breakdown of the 100 individuals surveyed from Stockton University Student, Staff, and Faculty.

Data from Figures 2 and 3 represent the breakdown of the 100 surveyed as commuters or
non-commuters; non-commuters being defined as residents or online students. Figure 2 displays that 57
percent of the individuals identified as commuters to campus. More than half of the students and staff
travel to campus by car at least once a week. Interestingly, of the 43 non-commuters surveyed, 35 of them
still drive on and off campus at least once a week. This behavior is conducive to the lack of public
transportation that is available to residents, and online students whether they reside on campus or not.
Transportation Report 6

Figure 2
Breakdown of 100 surveys depicting which category these respondents fit into, either
Non-Commuters & Commuters.

Figure 3
This figure shows the number Non-Commuters who still use transportation and those who do not
use transportation to go to campus.
 Transportation Report 7

Total Gallons of gas Total Gallons of Total Cost in

used in a week gas used in a Fuel per Week Total Cost in Fuel per 16 Total Cost in fuel per
(commuters) year (32 weeks) (Commuters) week Semester year (32 weeks)
141.18gal 4,517.72gal $314.83 $5,037.26 $10,074.52

Figure 4
This figure shows Non-Commuter VS. Commuter statistics on consumption and costs of fuel such
as total fuel and cost used in a school year.

Figure 5
This figure shows the difference in cost between a resident or online student and a commuter.
Transportation Report 8

Figure 6: A map of Atlantic County separated by zip codes, the range of blue showing the number of
survey respondents. The two dots show Stockton University’s campuses with housing.

Policy Recommendations
Due to the high demand of faculty and the student body that are required to drive to campus every
day; many institutes have developed a plan to help reduce their carbon footprint. In Furman University,
four students conducted a study to determine their transportation plan to help reduce carbon emissions. In
the study they recommend there be a transportation board, transit fund and improvements to
infrastructures (Prunkl et al, 2020). Other universities are also implementing new ways to help reduce
their carbon footprint. Many universities such as UCLA and the University of Florida have introduced zip
Transportation Report 9

cars and other electric vehicles to help reduce their carbon emissions (York 2008). They also are
implementing a more “green friendly” campus by offering more bike transportation as well as converting
their buses so they can use biofuel (York 2008).
Since Stockton has a campus both near and in Atlantic City, transportation between and through
the city can cause an increase in carbon emissions. One recommendation that was introduced was to
decrease bus routes and to encourage biking and walking between buildings (Ribeiro et al, 2020). The
study also recommends an increase in street lights and to expand the roads to put in a bike lane to allow
commuters feel safer when they travel (Ribeiro et al, 2020). If decreasing the bus routes becomes
overwhelming then a possible solution would be to introduce hydrogen powered vehicles. A study that
took place in 2009 based in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal shows that introducing hydrogen powered vehicles
can help 700,000 tons of carbon emissions by 2020 within the city (Ale et al, 2009).
As the demand for transportation increases, so does the carbon that is being emitted from the
vehicles. In order to reduce the amount of carbon emissions from Stockton’s campus, some policies must
be implemented. One of these policy recommendations is to add more trees and vegetation to campus.
Trees and vegetation are a great way to reduce carbon emissions because trees take in carbon for
photosynthesis. In order for the trees to have maximum effect they must be placed in areas where carbon
exhaust is the highest. That would be close to the roads and parking lots where vehicles are most likely to
occur (Jung et al, 2016).
Another recommendation that could be implemented at Stockton University would be to increase
the amount of parking that is available to students and faculty. One study discovered that traffic jams and
car accidents have an increase in greenhouse gas emissions compared to normal flowing traffic
(Fernandes et al, 2019). With the current situation at Stockton, students can be seen sitting idle in the
parking lot waiting for other students to leave so they can take their parking spot. Eventually there will be
a traffic line of vehicles trying to enter campus and find parking. By extending the parking lot to allow
more spots, more vehicles will be able to park quickly and reduce the amount of time the vehicle is idle.
However, before any policies could be implemented the public must understand the importance of
the issue. One case study based on the University of Kebangassn Malaysia (UKM) showed that the
majority of the students did not understand how much carbon is being emitted into the atmosphere. Out of
100 students surveyed, about 45% did not know that their campus was discussing possible policy changes
(Abd-Razak et al, 2014). This shows that the student body must first understand the problem so they can
feel more comfortable about making the jump to a more sustainable transportation policy.
Transportation Report 10

Conclusion
Transportation is one of the largest contributors to the increase in air pollutants causing negative
effects on the environment. Based on the survey conducted by students at Stockton University, the study
found that a large number of students and faculty, 57% of the survey respondents, were active commuters
to Stockton University’s campus. Based on the sample size, 4,517 gallons of gas were used every
semester with a cost of $10,074 USD. Proper planning and policy changes at larger institutions, such as
universities with large commuter populations and running shuttles, can help this increasing problem. Such
proposals include electric vehicles, increased bicycle paths, more abundant trees and other vegetation on
campus, and increased public understanding on the topic. Increasing public transportation compared to
drive alone transportation mode would help New Jersey and Stockton University move toward more
environmentally friendly and stress-free commutes (Ercan et.al 2016). Ideally, public transportation
policies would be adopted by policy makers or urban planners to help this environmental issue.
Transportation Report 11

References
Ale, B. B., & Bade Shrestha, S. O. (2009). ​Introduction of hydrogen vehicles in Kathmandu Valley: A
clean and sustainable way of transportation.​ Renewable Energy: An International Journal, 34(6),
1432–1437.​ ​https://doi-org.ezproxy.stockton.edu/10.1016/j.renene.2008.10.015
Abd-Razak, M. Z., Che-Ani, A. I., Nawi, M. N. M., Tawil, N. M., & Yahaya, H. (2014). ​Students
feedback in selected campus facilities: a case study of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).​
Advances in Environmental Biology​, 49+.
https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A417895364/GRNR?u=richstockcol&sid=GRNR&xid=08f22278

Barros, M. V., da Silva, B. P. A., Piekarski, C. M., da Luz, L. M., Yoshino, R. T., & Tesser, D. P. (2018).
Carbon footprint of transportation habits in a Brazilian university​. Environmental Quality
Management, 28(1), 139–148. ​https://doi-org.ezproxy.stockton.edu/10.1002/tqem.21578

Ercan, T., Onat, N., & Tatari, O. (2016). Investigating carbon footprint reduction potential of public
transportation in United States: A system dynamics approach. Journal of Cleaner Production, 133,
1260–1276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.06.051
Fernandes, P., Vilaça, M., Macedo, E., Sampaio, C., Bahmankhah, B., Bandeira, J. M., Guarnaccia, C.,
Rafael, S., Fernandes, A. P., Relvas, H., Borrego, C., & Coelho, M. C. (2019​). Integrating road
traffic externalities through a sustainability indicator​. Science of the Total Environment, 691,
483–498.​ ​https://doi-org.ezproxy.stockton.edu/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.07.124
Jung, J., Ha, G., & Bae, K. (2016). ​Analysis of the factors affecting carbon emissions and absorption on a
university campus – focusing on Pusan National University in Korea​. Carbon Management,
7(1/2), 55–65.​ ​https://doi-org.ezproxy.stockton.edu/10.1080/17583004.2016.1166426
Peitzmeier, C., Loschke, C., Wiedenhaus, H., & Klemm, O. (2017). Real-world vehicle emissions as
measured by in situ analysis of exhaust plumes.​ Environmental Science and Pollution Research
International, 24(​ 29), 23279-23289.
doi:​http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.stockton.edu/10.1007/s11356-017-9941-1
Prunkl, L., Jones, D., Goldsmith, M., Douglass, B., Habron, G., & Dripps, W. (2020​). Transportation
Plan for Furman University.​ Sustainability: The Journal of Record, 13(1), 39–45.
https://doi-org.ezproxy.stockton.edu/10.1089/sus.2019.0019
Transportation Report 12

Ribeiro, P., Fonseca, F., & Santos, P. (2020​). Sustainability assessment of a bus system in a mid-sized
municipality​. Journal of Environmental Planning & Management, 63(2), 236–256.
https://doi-org.ezproxy.stockton.edu/10.1080/09640568.2019.1577224
York, J. (2008). ​Sustainable Transportation Initiatives: Bikes, Buses, Biodiesel—and a Zipcar or Two.
Sustainability:​ The Journal of Record, 1(4), 252–255.
https://doi-org.ezproxy.stockton.edu/10.1089/SUS.2008.9946
Yu, W., Wang, T., Xiao, Y., Chen, J., & Yan, X. (2020). ​A carbon emission measurement method for
individual travel based on transportation big data: The case of nanjing metro​.​ International
Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17​(16), 5957.
doi:​http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.stockton.edu/10.3390/ijerph17165957

Appendix A

Transportation Survey given to 100 people on Stockton University’s Campus.

Transportation Report 13

Appendix B
Data From 100 Person Survey.
Are you a
Student,
Faculty, or
Staff Awesome! What's your How many
working at What is gas mileage What's your year, days do you
Stockton your zip Do you commute to for your make, and model of travel to
University? code? Stockton? vehicle? your vehicle? campus?
Transportation Report 14

Yes, I commute from

Student 07762 Home 30 2014 Jeep Patriot 2

Yes, I commute from

Student 08223 Home 27 2012 Honda CRV 1

Yes, I commute from

Student 08205 Home 23 2019 ram 1500 2

Yes, I commute from

Student 08205 housing 20 2002 Chevy s10 1

Yes, I commute from

Staff 08205 Home 26 2019 Kia Sportage 5

Highly modified 2014

Student 08041 Online classes 14 mustang gt 1

Yes, I commute from

Student 07980 Home 30 2017 jeep renegade 1

Yes, I commute from 2017 Ford Fusion

Student 08088 Home 66 Energi 1

Student 17331 No, I live on campus 20 2002 Subaru Legacy 1

Yes, I commute from

Student 08087 Home 28 2019 Jeep Renegade 1

Yes, I commute from

Student 08205 Home 20 2004 Mercedes e320 1

Yes, I commute from

Student 08234 Home 22 2012 Toyota Sienna 2

Student 07607 No, I live on campus 25 2008 Ford Fusion 1

Yes, I commute from

Student 08401 Home 22 Toyota Sienna 2

Student 07747 No, I live on campus 30 2016 Toyota Camry 1

Student 07646 No, I live on campus 25 2003 Subaru Outback 1

Transportation Report 15

Yes, I commute from

Student 08210 Home 25 1998 Buick century 3

Porsche Cayenne
Student 08080 No, I live on campus 20 2011 1

Yes, I commute from 2009 Mitsubishi

Student 08240 Home 32 Eclipse GS 1

Yes, I commute from

Student 07748 Home 34 1999 Honda Civic lx 1

Yes, I commute from

Student 08520 housing 30 2009 Hyundai elantra 4

Yes, I commute from

Staff 08204 Home 31 2015 Nissan Juke 5

Yes, I commute from 2018 Subaru

Staff 08205 Home 35 crosstrek 5

Yes, I commute from

Staff 08234 Home 14 2005 nissan frontier 5

Yes, I commute from

Staff 08221 Home 35 Mazda 3 2016 5

Yes, I commute from

Staff 08204 Home 40 2013 Ford Edge 3

Yes, I commute from

Staff 08330 Home 25 2020 VW tiguan 1

Yes, I commute from

Staff 08215 Home 18 Honda Pilot 2012 5

Yes, I commute from

Staff 08232 Home 27 2017 Mazda CX-5 5

Yes, I commute from

Student 08234 Home 30 2010 Hyundai Elantra 3
Transportation Report 16

2017 4-door Honda

Student 08085 No, I live on campus 37 Civic 3

Yes, I commute from Audi 2019 A5

Faculty 08225 Home 25 convertible 3

Yes, I commute from

Student 08041 Home 37 2020 Hyundai Elantra 2

Yes, I commute from

Staff 08205 Home 19 2011 Nissan frontier 2

Yes, I commute from

Student 08087 Home 25 2014 bmw x5 1

Yes, I commute from

Student 08234 Home 39 2000, Honda, Civic 5

Yes, I commute from

Staff 08203 Home 18 2017 Cadillac 2

Yes, I commute from

Student 08016 Home 39 2018 hunda civic 4

Yes, I commute from

Student 08330 Home 27 2008 Saturn Aura 3

Yes, I commute from

Student 08201 Home 22 2012 chevy malibu 3

Student 08205 No, I live on campus 29 Ford focus 2010 3

Student 08205 No, I live on campus 23 Volts tiguian 2009 2

Student 08723 No, I live on campus 18 1999 Ford F-150 3

Yes, I commute from

Student 08016 Home 36 2018 hyundai elantra 3

Yes, I commute from

Student 08022 Home 30 2008 Honda civic 2

Student 08401 No, I live on campus 0 N/A 5

Transportation Report 17

Yes, I commute from

Staff 08234 Home 20 2010 Toyota 4runner 5

Yes, I commute from

Staff 08234 Home 23 2017 Acura MDX 2

Student 07876 No, I live on campus 28 2017 Chevy Trax 5

2006 Chevy
Student 07737 No, I live on campus 16 Trailblazer 5

Student 08205 No, I live on campus 31 2006 mazda 3 5

Student 08641 No, I use the shuttle 0 N/A 5

Student 08205 No, I live on campus 0 N/A 3

Student 08401 No, I use the shuttle 0 N/A 5

Student 08401 No, I use the shuttle 0 N/A 5

Student 08205 No, I live on campus 28 2011 Honda Accord 6

Student 08205 No, I live on campus 30 2016 Ford Fusion 5

Student 08205 No, I live on campus 28 2012 Honda Accord 5

2019 Honda Civic

Student 08205 No, I live on campus 33 Sport 5

Student 08205 No, I live on campus 32 2016 Volvo S60 5

Student 08205 No, I live on campus 0 N/A 5

Student 08205 No, I live on campus 24 2016 Acura RDX 5

Yes, I commute from

Student 08088 Home 31 2009 Chevy Cobalt 1

yes, I commute from

Staff 08241 Home 24 2015 Chevy Colorodo 5

yes, I commute from

Student 08201 Home 32 2014 Ford Focus 2

Student 08205 No, I live on campus 0 N/A 5

Transportation Report 18

Yes, I commute from

Student 08225 Home 36 2016 Honda Civic 1

Student 08401 No, I use the shuttle 0 N/A 5

Yes, I commute from

Student 08205 Home 18 2003 Ford Explorer 3

Student 08210 No, I live on campus 25 2010 jeep cherokee 4

Yes, I commute from

Student 08022 housing 30 2012 Hyundai Elantra 3

Yes, I commute from

Student 08201 housing 33 2014 Honda Accord 5

Yes, I commute from

Student 08260 Home 34 2016 Toyota corolla 2

Student 08016 No, I live on campus 28 2004 jeep liberty 5

Yes, I commute from

Student 08053 housing 31 2006 Nissan Altima 4

Yes, I commute from

Staff 08401 home 19 2006 BMW X5 5

Student 07032 No, I live on campus 33 2019 Nissan Sentra 1

Student 07032 No, I live on campus 19 2016 Jeep Wrangler 0

Student 08551 No, I live on campus 35 ?? 0

Student 18041 No, I live on campus 28 1998 Ford Contour 0

Student 08205 No, I live on campus 0 N/A 0

Student 08205 No, I live on campus 0 N/A 0

Student 08205 No, I live on campus 31 2014 Honda Accord 0

Yes, I commute from

Student 08077 home 29 2009 Hyundai Elentra 1

Student 08876 No, I live on campus 28 2016 Mazde CX3 2

Transportation Report 19

Student 08033 No, I live on campus 0 N/A 0

Yes, I commute from

Staff 08401 home 28 2009 Nissan Altima 5

Yes, I commute from

Student 07731 home 30 2010 Nissan Sentra 1

Student 08352 No, I live on campus 19 2003 Toyota Camry 3

Yes, I commute from

Student 07728 housing 37 2020 Honda Civic 4

Yes, I commute from

Student 08153 home 38 ??? 1

Student 08611 No, I live on campus 0 N/A 0

Yes, I commute from

Student 08087 Home 32 Toyota Prius 3

Student 08087 No, I live on campus 26 2006 ford explore 4

Yes, I commute from

Student 08204 housing 27 2011 Jeep Cherokee 5

Yes, I commute from

Student 08087 Home 33 2007 Honda Accord 3

Student 08022 No, I live on campus 26 2011 Ford Explorer 5

Yes, I commute from

Student 08087 Home 33 2012 Chevy Malibu 2

Student 08016 No, I live on campus 29 2015 Ford F-150 5

Yes, I commute from

Student 08530 Home 27 2005 Saab 9-3 1