UC San Diego Receives National Recognition for Innovative Transportation Program

February 27, 2009

By Pat JaCoby

Adding to its status as one of the country’s greenest universities, the University of California, San Diego was recognized for its creative campus transportation program at the recent Clinton Global Initiative University (CGIU) held in Austin, Tex.

Chancellor Marye Anne Fox was on hand to receive the certificate of recognition at a special session for university presidents and national youth organization leaders.

UC San Diego’s Commitment to Action proposal to CGIU was based on the campus sustainable transportation plan to lower campus greenhouse gas emissions and change the transportation paradigm by providing a cost- effective, efficient transportation model. UC San Diego serves as a leader for other campuses and communities worldwide in managing growing transportation demands while reducing its carbon footprint and dependency on fossil fuels.

As an initial component of the sustainable transportation plan, the campus will be the first in the country to deploy compressed natural gas (CNG) hybrid bus technology that will nearly eliminate carbon emissions from campus shuttle routes. To support this effort, an alternative fueling infrastructure and transit hubs will be built, integrating renewable sources of energy and expanding the support of varying modes of alternative transportation.

Over the next five years the program will substantially decrease single occupant vehicle use and provide convenient, cost-effective, multi-modal alternatives that are exciting and visibly more earth-friendly.

Media Contact: Pat JaCoby, 858 534-7404