Transportation
GOAL: 35% of employee commutes are walk, bike, transit, carpool, or work from home.
Goal update
Baseline: 12.7%
December 2019: 24%
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.
Recent Efforts
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations
Two stations (four stalls) of EV charging capacity were added.
- 1 station, 2 stalls in Lot 34 on Emile between Shackelford Hall and the Central Utility Plant
- 1 station, 2 stalls in Lot 21 by the entrance to the middle level of the Lauritzen Outpatient Center
B-cycle Stations.
Six Heartland B-Cycle stations were constructed across the Medical Center campus as part of the Metro area’s bike share program, facilitating an increased use of active transit by Medical Center employees and the public.
Upcoming Projects
ORBT (Omaha’s Rapid Bus Transit).
The Medical Center continues to work with Metro Transit as Omaha’s Rapid Bus Transit (ORBT) construction has begun, including a station that will serve the campus. ORBT will run on Dodge Street arriving at stations every ten minutes during peak times and making fewer stops than traditional buses resulting in faster travel for students and colleagues.
Outreach.
TravelSmart regularly provides information to colleagues and students on sustainable/active transportation. The Med Center is exploring new ways to match carpoolers, hosting events for National Active Transportation Week, and finding new ways to reach potential bus riders.