Promoting Alternative

Transportation for the Increased

Sustainability of WPI
Dusty Cyr, Michael Josephs, Emmit Joyal, Anthony Hannoush, and
Anthony Mikelonis

Goals and Objectives of this IQP

This project aims to encourage and promote
alternative transportation by the WPI community
by:
Researching the current methods of alternative
transportation already existing around WPI
Researching what other colleges and cities have
done to encourage and promote alternative
transportation
Understanding how people travel to and around
campus

Methodology
Objective 1: Research the current methods of alternative transportation already existing around
WPI and the Worcester community.

Methods: 1. Gathered info on SNAP and Gateway Shuttles, Zipcar, Carpool World,
WRTA, etc. through
previous experience and available
handouts/webpages.
2. Took the WRTA several times to different locations to report on the
experience.
Objective 2: Research what other comparable colleges and cities have done to encourage and
promote alternative transportation.

Methods: Researched similar colleges with notable alternative transportation

programs including Clark, Duke, UC Davis, and Rutgers through online reports and
calling/emailing for more information.
Objective 3: Understand how WPI community members travel to and around campus.

Methods: 1. Created zip-code maps of where students, faculty and staff come to
campus from
- zip-code info from Office of the Provost, Office of Student Life,
Human Resources

Preliminary Results:
Where students, faculty, and staff are coming to campus from

Preliminary Survey Results:

Preliminary Survey Results:

Which of the following would change how you travel?

Free/Inexpensive Bike Rental Program

More Frequent/Convenient WRTA Bus Routes

Would DEFINITELY change how I travel

Would DEFINITELY change how I travel

Would POSSIBLY change how I travel

Would POSSIBLY change how I travel

I live farther away/other, please specify:7%12%

I live farther away/other, please specify:4%14%

I live in one of the surrounding communities, near Worcester 9%18%

I live in one of the surrounding communities, near Worcester 7%16%

I live within Worcester (outside of a 10 minute walking distance) 22% 30%

I live very close to campus ( no more than a 10 minute walking distance) 31%
I live on campus

35%

37%
37%

I live within Worcester (outside of a 10 minute walking distance) 25%

23%

I live very close to campus ( no more than a 10 minute walking distance) 13% 31%
I live on campus 19%

44%

Which of the following would change how you travel?

More frequent/convenient Commuter Rail System

Easier to Carpool
Would DEFINITELY change how I travel

Would DEFINITELY change how I travel

Would POSSIBLY change how I travel

Would POSSIBLY change how I travel

I live farther away/other, please specify: 13%

I live in one of the surrounding communities, near Worcester 11%

43%

34%

I live on campus 20%

I live in one of the surrounding communities, near Worcester 9% 20%

I live within Worcester (outside of a 10 minute walking distance) 22% 23%

I live within Worcester (outside of a 10 minute walking distance) 15% 23%

I live very close to campus ( no more than a 10 minute walking distance) 16%

I live farther away/other, please specify: 17% 19%

35%

42%

I live very close to campus ( no more than a 10 minute walking distance) 22%

36%

I live on campus 20%

39%

Some Encouraging Results:

Action Plan:
From our findings we plan to:
Determine which forms of alternative
transportation are not only sustainable for WPI,
but practical as well.
Form a series of recommendations for the WPI
Department of Facilities.

Questions/Comments?