Transportation
GOAL: 35% of employee commutes are walk, bike, transit, or carpool.
Goal update
Baseline: 12.7%
December 2017: 22%
2030 Goal: 35%
The Medical Center’s approximately 10,000 students and employees at the 42nd and Dewey campus commute to work using a variety of methods. In 2010, 12.7% of employees walked, biked, bused, and carpooled to work rather than driving a single-occupancy vehicle. This proportion ranked lower than the average for Omaha and for the United States.
Travelsmart.
Travelsmart, a program aimed to increase participation in more sustainable modes of transportation, was launched in June 2015. Travelsmart continues to be a fundamental program to increase transit ridership, carpooling, biking, and walking. The Metropolitan Area Planning Agency recognized the Medical Center for its TravelSmart efforts toward innovative and sustainable transportation solutions, with the Regional Service Award in 2018.
In 2017, the Medical Center surpassed its original goal of 20% of commuters using modes other than single-occupancy vehicles six years ahead of schedule. The goal was revised to 35% of commuting trips using active transportation by 2030.
2018 Efforts
Daily Rate Parking.
Thirty-five additional daily rate parking spots were added to accommodate Medical Center employees who do not have a parking permit. This allows flexibility to use other modes of transportation on a regular basis while also having the option to drive if necessary.
B-Cycle Stations.
Four Heartland B-Cycle stations were constructed across the Medical Center campus as part of the Metro area’s bikeshare program, facilitating an increased use of active transit by Medical Center employees and the public.
2019 Projects
ORBT (Omaha’s Rapid Bus Transit).
The Medical Center continues to work with Metro Transit as Omaha Rapid Bus Transit/ORBT construction will begin in 2019, including a station that will serve the campus. ORBT will run on Dodge St. arriving at stations every ten minutes during peak time and making fewer stops than traditional buses for faster travel for students and colleagues.
Outreach.
Travelsmart regularly provides employees with information on sustainable alternatives to single-occupancy commuting. The Medical Center plans to expand outreach and improve information-sharing to help employees explore multi-modal commuting options in 2019.