Description
Requiring freshmen and sophomores to live on campus eliminates the daily commute trips of the student population. Locating students near campus will encourage more walking, biking, or transit use, which can substantially reduce the reliance on single-occupancy vehicles.
Implementation Details
- Adopt an on-campus living policy with clearly defined exemptions.
- Verify student housing has sufficient capacity to house students.
Mitigation Potential
While mitigation potential varies on the location of student housing, requiring freshmen and sophomores to live on campus can directly convert commuter trips into walking, biking, or transit. Given the unique trip making characteristics of colleges and universities, this TDM can produce substantial trip reductions.
Linked Strategies
Equity Considerations
Campus-based TDM supports equity by offering alternatives to car ownership for students, especially low income youth who may not have access to a personal vehicle. Ensure programs are clear and provide ample exemptions as to not disadvantage groups.
Funding Sources
Funding needed for administration, compliance, and monitoring. Funding for this measure will be a direct cost of the university operating funds.
Implemented in TAM Area
Current TDM Implementation
Only the Dominican University of California provides on campus housing and encourages students to live on campus for at least their freshman year. The College of Marin is commuter only and most students at the Presidio Graduate School arrange off-campus housing.
TDM Benefit Locations
The College of Marin could implement this TDM measure or provide more resources for students to secure housing close to campus, to minimize commute trips.