UC San Diego Receives
SANDAG’s Diamond Award for
Transit Programs Improving Air Quality

March 30, 2009

By Pat JaCoby

Supplementing its credentials as a leading “green” campus, the University of California, San Diego has received two Diamond Awards from the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) for its outstanding contributions to reducing traffic congestion and improving mobility in the San Diego region.

The “Program Excellence Diamond Award” to UC San Diego was accepted by Brian d’Autremont, director of Parking and Transportation, during a March 27 meeting. In making the presentation, SANDAG Board Chair Lori Holt Pfeiler, Escondido Mayor, noted that “UCSD serves as a leader and strong partner in reducing traffic congestion, energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and improving air quality throughout the region.

“More than 15,000 students and 51 percent of employees participate in the alternative transportation program,” she said, “which collectively saves an estimated 18,972 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.”

UC San Diego also received a Diamond Award for Innovation during the SANDAG meeting for its car-sharing program, in which the campus provides staff and faculty rideshare members with free annual Zipcar memberships and an annual driving credit to help with their mobility needs. Along with offering car-sharing, carpooling/vanpooling, and a free bus service, the program includes a Pedal Club for cyclists.

The campus alternative transportation program recently received a SANDEE (San Diego Excellence in Energy) award from the California Center for Sustainable Energy, and was recognized nationally for its creative transportation activities by the Clinton Global Initiative University.

Media Contact: Pat JaCoby, 858-534-7404 or pjacoby@ucsd.edu