Getting There from Here: Improving Data Collection and Reporting Related to Commuting Impacts

Objectives of the CWG

Develop a clear recommended approach for collecting, calculating and reporting commuting data; ensure that it offers an easy “on-ramp” and accommodates transportation data collection needs for multiple sustainability efforts.

Timeline and Members of the Working Group

• Five monthly calls from March to July 2019
• Members
• Second Nature
• University of New Hampshire SIMAP
• Arizona State University
• California State University, Northridge
• Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station
• Tufts University
• University of Illinois at Chicago
• University of Maryland
• University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Wisconsin-Madison

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Outcomes To Date

1. Data Collection Template
2. Commuter Data Collection User Guidance
3. Commuter Working Group EV Proposal
4. Survey templates

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All of these (DRAFTS) can be found and commented on at:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1j8KfHSmP8FClqug2G_eOtA6qowu1J4XM?usp=sharing

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UIC Project

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• How to go from multi-modal commuting survey to SIMAP
• Excel template
• Journal article submitted

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Comparison of commuting data (process for “alignment”)

SOV = Single occupancy vehicle

New Approach Suggested by Data Alignment Exercise

• Standard definition of commuter universe as EVERYONE (residential plus non-residential, etc)

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• Two distinct options, Basic and Comprehensive, standardized and designed as a progression.

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• Option to account for EVs, telecommuting and other “sustainable” options (as defined by AASHE) for both approaches

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• Suggested “default values” offered in Basic approach.

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• Option to group all modes within types, or split them out separately, in Comprehensive approach

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• Recommendations for distinguishing between S1 or S2 emissions from EVs charged on campus vs S3 emissions from charging at home

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• (Recommendation for calculating emissions from EVs in fleet as well)

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Preview: BASIC

Preview: COMPREHENSIVE

Commuting Numbers and Frequency features optional breakout:

• Part-time/Full-time
• Residential/Remote
• Grad/Undergrad/Summer

Commuting Modes - Optional breakouts:

• Private Transport (Alone) - Conv SOV, TNC, Moped/Motorcycle, EV, EScooter
• Private Transport (In Group) - Carpool, Vanpool, Campus Bus/Shuttle, TNC
• Public Transport - Public Bus, Commuter Rail, Subway or Light Rail
• Active Transport - Walk, Bike, Skateboard
• Telecommuting/distance learning

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Data Guidance

Members: Alex Davis (Arizona State University), Adam Long (University of North Carolina Chapel Hill), Sally DeLeon (University of Maryland College Park), Andy DeMeo (Second Nature)

Deliverables:

• User guidance for finding and processing each data point in the basic and comprehensive data sets (e.g., recommendations for data sources like surveys and zip codes)
• Translation of existing surveys into the new proposed commuting basic & comprehensive data sets (this will overlap with survey group)

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Electric Vehicles Group

Members: Allison Leach, University of New Hampshire; Corey Hawkey, Arizona State University; Nikhil Schneider, California State University - Northridge

Questions considered: How to factor for EVs in Scope 3 commuting emissions, minimizing double-counting

Recommendations:

1. On-campus charging will be recorded in Scope 1 or 2 as appropriate
2. (# of EV Commuters)*(Average miles per week)*(Commuting weeks per year)*(Average EV kWh/100 miles)*(Grid emissions factor)*(% of charging done off campus)

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Electric Vehicles

Other Considerations:

• On-campus charging performed by community members unaffiliated with campus would result in Scope 1 or 2 emissions without impacting the (% off campus charging) figure, since they wouldn’t be surveyed or counted as a commuter. This could potentially disincentivize the installation of new chargers by campuses.
• It is assumed that all off-campus charging is done with grid-purchased electricity. A method of accounting for solar-powered charging stations or residential rooftop solar has not been pursued.
• Power that is sold to commuters via on-campus charging stations is still counted in Scope 1 or 2.
• Should plug-in hybrid vehicles have their own category, or should they be lumped in with standard gasoline-burning commuters? Doing so might impact the emissions factor used for emissions calculation.
• Does separating EV’s from other commuters necessitate developing a different emissions factor for non-EV commuters?

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Electric Vehicles

Feedback requested:

• General thoughts?
• Location-based eGrid or whatever the campus is using (supplier-specific, market-based, etc.)?
• May add another survey question: What is your home charging electricity source (renewable, grid, etc.)? However, users may not be able to know this and may need to sell the RECs.

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Survey Group

Members: Shoshanna Blank, Tufts University; Aurora Sharrard, University of Pittsburgh; Jenn Andrews, University of New Hampshire

Deliverables:

• Translation of existing surveys into the new proposed commuting basic & comprehensive data sets (this will overlap with data guidance group)
• Survey template/s
• Guidance on best practices for surveying (still to be created)

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Survey Features

Breakout of staff/student (overlap?) and characteristics of each

Adjust how we think about “commuting:

• “How many days a week do you (take university classes/work for the university)? Please include the days you take online classes from home/telecommute.” Followed by...
• “Of those, on average, how many days a week do you (participate only in virtual classes/work from home), not travelling to campus?” Followed by…
• “You listed that you travel to campus X days a week. Please list how many days a week, on average, you commute by each mode of transportation.”

For modes, asking about primary mode on average week

• Option for seasonal distinctions
• Does NOT ask for multi-modal detail. That’s because we heard from a number of campuses that having that data hasn’t actually proved terribly helpful.

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Survey Features (cont)

Modal split

• (Display to those who answered “Drive a vehicle alone” or “Carpool”) “Do you drive a zero-emissions vehicle [link to STARS definition) for your commute?” Y/N/Sometimes
• (Display if “Yes” or “Sometimes” answered) “What percentage of your driving commutes do you drive an EV?” Write in
• (Display to those who answered “Bicycle”) “Is the bicycle you ride an electric bike?”

For distance, 3 options (could be just to those who indicated they live off campus)

• How many miles on average (link to Map program that allows for modal distinction)
• Home address
• Zip code

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Outcomes to Date

Recommended new comprehensive approach to commuting data collection, calculation and reporting to create an easy “on-ramp” and a logical, consistent, standardized progression that accommodates transportation data collection needs for multiple sustainability efforts.

• Data Collection Template
• Commuter Data Collection User Guidance
• Commuter Working Group EV Proposal
• Draft survey templates

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Next Steps

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• Draft docs posted for input by broader community: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1j8KfHSmP8FClqug2G_eOtA6qowu1J4XM?usp=sharing

Feedback period ends 11/22

• Breakout groups refine deliverables based on feedback by 12/20
• SIMAP and Second Nature teams identify needed changes by 1/17
• Changes implemented by early March 2020

Continued Discussion Questions:

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