The impact of mobility of our CO2 footprint is substantial. Commuting and business travel together contribute around 10.000 tonnes CO2. This is 31% of the entire UT CO2 footprint. UT aims to reduce its CO2 footprint by 15% in 2023, thus we have to develop guidelines and implement measures so employees and students of UT can achieve this target together.
Guidelines
Elements of UT’s Corona mobility framework (all details on the corona portal) that we will continue to promote (also after we have a vaccine and we have returned to a stable commuting situation):
- Use the bike for distances up to 15km
- Work trips < 800km, take the train
- Work from home
- Avoid travelling during rush hour
Cycling mission: 10% more people come to the UT by bike
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management is launching a mission for Higher Education to get 10% more people to work by bike. Using a bike as part of the commute (to get to a train station) is also encouraged. Have a look on: www.kiesdefiets.nl or https://www.rij2op5.nl/.
Business travel
As stated in the UT strategy Shaping 2030, for journeys below 800km the train is the preferred mode of travel. We will work to develop a travel map and a decision tree to assist people in making the choice that is most sustainable and that fits their situation. Have a look at the UU Train Zone Map and UU travel check for the time being.
Movements on campus
UT stimulates measures that reduce the number of transport movements on campus.
Post and logistics
All non-food items ordered by University employees are received centrally, at Central Reception Goods. After checking the number of packages and checking for external damage, the item is signed for receipt. Daily the packages are distributed to the various departments.
Waste collection
In 2013 semi-underground waste containers were installed on campus. Most of these bins have a capacity of 5000 litres, a few have a capicity of 3000 litres, and they only have to be emptied two times a week compared to three times a week when smaller containers were used. Reducing movements of big trucks also improves safety on campus.
De Buren
Online purchases can be delivered to unmanned lockers at ‘De Buren’ in building Sky. Repeated delivery attempts are thus avoided.
Healthy Campus
A plan is developed to stimulate a healthy mind and a healthy body. Some aspects of this are regular exercise and regular breaks from work. Lunch walks (make regular appointments with your colleagues), taking the stairs (at least till floor 4-5 or always walk down) and cycling or walking between buildings are recommended. Besides these options, the Sport Centre offers a wide variety of sports contributing to a healthier lifestyle.
Coherence through a mobility plan
Being able to use a bike-friendly route influences the pleasure in cycling to work as is the option to use the optional model for buying a bike more cheaply. The bike storage facilities and available car parking spaces influence people’s commuting behaviour.
Therefore, we will develop a mobility plan where the connections of the various elements of mobility are brought together and weak links are identified which inhibit people choosing sustainable mobility options.
Part of the mobility plan is a survey on commuting pattern which we will conduct once there is a stable commuting pattern after Corona.
Current mobility related plans
30km/h zone on campus
A survey was conducted in summer 2020 to assess the design options for infrastructural changes to the campus needed to turn the campus into a 30km/h zone (currently this is a 50km/h zone). These plans are included in the Long Term Housing Strategy.
In 2021 it is expected that the design will be implemented.
Bike-free O&O square
An assessment of the bike facilities at the UT campus has been conducted. One result was that the bike parking facilities at the O&O Square need to be improved and that the O&O square could become bike-free. A bike-free O&O square would have added value to provide for a calmer and safer outdoor recreation space. These plans are included in the Long Term Housing Strategy. Bikes could be parked at nearby locations where capacity can be increased through the use of double level bike racks.
Current measures and facilities
Electric vehicles
The company taking care of the green maintenance uses electric vehicles as well as the company cleaning our buildings. The mail is also distributed using an electric minivan.
Bike sharing schemes
The Go About bicycle sharing system lets you pick up bikes from (and return them to) several locations on campus, such as the station, in front of the Coop, the Witbreuksweg, O&O square and Spiegel. To find out where you can pick up these bikes, check here and for info on the app look here.
Charging stations electric cars
There are 31 charging stations for electric cars. These are charging at a rate of 11kWh, 21kWh and 22kWh. There are various places to charge your electric car on campus, and you can find charging stations at the GP practice, the Linde, Faculty Club, Spiegel and Garage buildings, P2 at Cubicus and carpark The Es. In order to charge your car, you will need a charging card. Charging costs € 0.25 per kWh. Visit New Motion’s website to find out the exact location of the charging stations, their charging rates and to check which one is available.
Charging points electric bikes
If you use your electric bike to commute and would like to charge it on campus, you can find charging stations for e-bikes in several bike parking facilities. Employees of the UT can charge their bike at the employee bike parking areas at the Sportcenter, Vrijhof, Spiegel, Paviljoen, Citadel, Waaier and Horst. Outside at the Spiegel building, everyone can even charge their bike with solar energy.
NS business card
Work travel by train is facilitated and encouraged by providing a NS Business card. For commuting public transport is also encouraged.
Optional model (KAT)
The optional model for employment conditions also offers tax benefits related to mobility. There are fiscal advantages to buy a bike, for bike maintenance and - under certain conditions - you can opt for a tax exchange for commuting expenses. The tax-benefit amounts to € 0.19 per kilometre.
Parking sensors
UT is testing parking sensors and vehicle detection loops at several car parks at the campus. The sensors work better but not all car parks are equipped with these sensors, some have detection loops and others do not (yet) have any form of measurement. The idea behind using sensors or loops is to avoid unnecessary vehicle movements looking for spaces as vacant parking spaces could be made visible in the campus app.
Bike repair shop
The UT campus has a bike repair shop called “De Versnelling” (Building Box). This bike repair shop is a place where young people with an intellectual impairment learn and work in the workshop under supervision.
Past initiatives
Electric car
From October to November 2019 a pilot was conducted together with UT’s car rental supplier Munsterhuis to provide an all-electric car for UT staff that regularly rent a car for work. These employees were provided with an account for the app which they could book and open a Renault Zoë which has a radius of 275km.
Try out a speed pedelec – October 2019
In collaboration with Twente Mobiel and Munsterhuis Lease, we offered employees that commute by car and live more than 15km from work the opportunity to test a speed pedelec for one week. A speed pedelec is an electric bike with a maximum speed of 45km/h with the obligation to wear a helmet. Most people that joined this pilot lived between 15-20km or 20-40km from UT.
Mobility battle - 2017
June 2017 a group of UT employees joined the mobility battle. The cars of all participants were fitted with a box that monitored driving behaviour for four months. Thanks to this Ecobox it was possible to see whether people pulled up too fast or took the bends with a too high speed. Participants had access to this information through an online dashboard. The conclusion was that this kind of feedback on driving behaviour does result into changes in driving style.
