Travel and transport cost institutions money but much of the cost is not immediately evident. Mileage claims and vehicle fleet management are only the visible tip of the iceberg. Under the surface there are many hidden costs. For example, there are costs associated with staff time spent travelling for business and the surprisingly high average annual cost of providing car parking spaces meaning many institutions spend thousands of pounds on parking every year. In addition, there are the costs of travel delays and unreliability due to congestion.
If the impact on the balance sheet is worse than it first appears, the same is true of the impact on the environment. Transport is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions and cause of climate change, with commuter and business travel constituting nearly 40% of miles driven by car each year. Therefore, measures to reduce excessive vehicle use are vital for any university that seeks to achieve the aims of its Carbon Management Plan.
If you would like to connect with other EAUC members interested in this area of sustainability, join the EAUC's Transport Community of Practice. This group is for EAUC members only. Find out more.
EAUC-Scotland's Travel and Transport Topic Support Network (TSN) is open to all, providing an opportunity for those working in or with the further and higher education sector to share ideas and questions and to get together to hear from particular speakers or discuss topics of interest. Find out more about the TSNs here.
Transition University of St Andrews is part of the UK-based Transition Network, and a long-lasting example of a Transition University. Launched in 2009 by a group of...
See the UCC's Commuter Plan, giving advice on sustainable ways to get to work.
A report commissioned by Nottingham Trent University’s business support project, 'Working with you' and part funded by ERDF. "As Nottingham’s largest...
Nottingham City Council's draft specification for a joint sustainable taxi tender with fellow Nottingham organisations.
Sara Wilkes, Energy, Environment and Sustainability Assistant, Aston University emailed the Transport Planning network asking, “Has anyone set up a fleet of Enterprise...
On Friday 26th August 2016, the Community Engagement Topic Support Network met to explore the use and value of mapping ways to engage with sustainability in and...
The University of Winchester Sustainable Transport Initiatives.
The University of Winchester Student Environment and Travel Guide 2016/17.
The University of Winchester Staff Travel and Transport Guide 2016/17.
Brum brum: Driving greener fuels at Birmingham Turning scientific research into reality, the University of Birmingham is leading the way in greener vehicles, fuel technology...
The incredible journey Building a brand new campus six miles from the existing estate, needn’t mean increased unsustainable and detrimental driving. ‘The...
A decade of driving sustainable transport The University of Nottingham has, over the past decade, delivered a suite of creative projects mainstreaming sustainable, healthy,...
Lower mileage; lower carbon; lower costs The University of Cumbria has reduced its reliance on travel and vehicles through an extensive change programme. This has involved...
UL Smarter Travel This project aims to open people’s eyes to alternatives to single-occupancy driving. The University of Limerick (UL) Smarter Travel has implemented a...
The National Business Travel Network (NBTN) have published an Essential Guide to Travel Planning.
Ed Nelson, Facilities Manager – Transport, University of Surrey emailed the Transport Planning network asking, “The University of Surrey is currently reviewing...
James Morvan, Travel Plan Coordinator, University of the West of England emailed the Transport Planning Network asking, “I’m trying to ignore the news today and...
John McCann, Transport Services Manager at Queen’s University Belfast emailed the Transport COP to ask: We are currently designing new student accommodation and the...
Cycling Scotland's Cycle Friendly Campus Award is aimed at encouraging and supporting colleges and universities across Scotland to take a leading role in increasing the...
On 19th May 2016 the EAUC-Scotland Travel and Transport Topic Support Network and ACT TravelWise group met together at the University of Dundee for discussions on parking...