Transportation

• First used in August 2010, "Cybrids" are 12 hybrid buses that account for approximately 17% of CyRide's large bus fleet. Cybrids combine a small biodiesel engine with an electric motor for efficiency and also capture braking energy during stops, releasing that energy for use during accelerations. Cybrids are estimated to save 23,000 gallons of fuel and 464,102 pounds of CO2 every year! Because they are 50% quieter, Cybrids also help cut unwanted noise pollution. Read more information here about CyRide's other sustainability initiatives, including solar-powered bus stations.
• Outdoor Recreation Services offers a plethora of free and reduced-cost services to the avid cycler! Some of those services include giving free bike safety inspections and tune-ups, teaching responsible biking classes, offering minor bicycle repair services, answering questions and providing recommendations.
• The online Ride Share program allows students to find carpool opportunities that can save money related to the costs of fuel and on-campus parking. Participating in this program also reduces fuel emissions that contribute to climate change.
• Transportation Services extensively uses E85, a bio-based fuel that contains up to 85% corn ethanol. This type of fuel is becoming increasingly popular in the Midwest, where corn remains a major agricultural crop. As a result, not only is E85 cheaper than traditional gasoline, it also provides economic support to the many local farmers and businesses who contribute to its production. With its fleet of 550 vehicles driving six million miles a year, E85 provides substantial economic benefit to Transportation Services.
• Transportation Services owns and operates three on-site fuel tanks: an above-ground E85 tank, a below-ground unleaded fuel tank and a below-ground diesel tank. This enables Transportation Services to buy fuel at bulk rates, which brings costs down, saves tax money and allows vehicles to be fueled on campus whenever possible. Additionally, Transportation Services allows local organizations and non-profits such as CyRide, the City of Ames and Main Stream Living to purchase fuel from campus at a small 3-5 cent surcharge. Fuel purchased at Transportation Services is cheaper than normal fuel rates because of joint contracts with other state entities.
• To save money, Transportation Services buys new vehicles in bulk at a decreased price. It also partners with the Iowa Department of Transportation to sell old vehicles at auction, bringing revenue to campus while also ensuring vehicles find a new home with those who need their own form of transportation.
• In partnership with ISU Environmental Health and Safety, Transportation Services recycles engine oil.

• Riding a bicycle is a fun and easy way to stay active and reduce the carbon footprint associated with vehicular transportation. The ISU Online Campus Map includes safe bicycle routes on campus, while the City of Ames maintains its own map displaying the safest bicycle routes for community use. In total, there are more than 6,000 bicycle racks on campus: 3,560 in the general university area and 2,630 in Department of Residence areas.
• Of Transportation Services' 550 vehicles, 200 are low-emission or zero-emission vehicles that discharge little to no pollutants into the atmosphere, significantly decreasing Iowa State's carbon footprint.
• Installed first vehicle charging stations on campus in partnership with ISU Parking. The ISU community is welcome to use the chargers during the day for their personal vehicles. To utilize the chargers for personal use, you must have the ChargePoint App.
• On average, Transportation Services conducts 20-40 car washes per day for its vehicles. To save money and reduce its water use, Transportation Services recently installed an automated car wash system with adjustable settings that better manage water efficiency.
• Due to increasing awareness of sustainability issues at Iowa State, Transportation Services switched to bulk delivery and storage of all fluids, including fuel, oil, antifreeze and washer fluid, to eliminate the unnecessary waste of plastic and metal containers.
• Any and all vehicular parts are recycled if they can not be sold at auction. For example, the Iowa Department of Transportation converts old tires from Transportation Services into paving material for state highways.
• The campus-wide installation of solar trash and recycling compactors (pdf) has reduced the number of pickups by a ratio of 5:1 and has also reduced the resulting fuel and emission costs.

• ISU Facilities Planning and Management (FP&M) routinely looks for opportunities to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety by installing new traffic signals, rerouting traffic lanes close to campus and maintaining the "Walk Your Wheels" initiative, which prohibits bicyclists from riding on campus sidewalks. For example, during peak hours, FP&M limits public access to Osborn Drive to better manage the safety and efficiency of bicycle, pedestrian and CyRide traffic. Campus-wide interest in bicycle transportation continues to increase, and FP&M remains committed to improving its infrastructure to meet this growing demand.
• Iowa State is one of the few universities in the country to offer vehicles to student organizations. As Iowa State is the nation's first land-grant university and has a long history of agricultural research, Transportation Services believes it is extremely important that students have ongoing access to research plots located off-campus. Although this is costly in terms of insurance, it greatly benefits students' professional growth and increases their ability to have cross-cultural connections beyond the Ames community.
• Transportation Services offers a vanpool that provides transportation between Ames and six different communities: Ankeny, Boone, Des Moines, Roland and Story City. After paying a small monthly fee, members share driving duties and decide on a convenient pick-up and drop-off spot that best serves their needs. Vanpool members also receive 10 free parking passes a year and are provided individual vehicles in case of emergencies.
• Through the use of CyBIZ Lab and other campus programs, Transportation Services often collaborates with students for research and internships related to finance management, customer feedback and public safety. Classes also routinely participate in "sustainable ride and drives" in which students can test no-emissions vehicles. One group of students event built a covered bike rack that Transportation Services customers can use for storing their bike while using a university vehicle.
• Transportation Services partners with the Iowa Braille School and the Iowa School for the Deaf to provide transportation to their students.
• Transportation Services Director Kathleen Wellik serves on the board of the NAFA Fleet Management Association, "the world’s premier not-for-profit association for professionals who manage fleets of sedans, law enforcement vehicles, trucks and buses of all types and sizes." This contributes to Iowa State's role as a transportation leader that shares its knowledge and insights across the globe.

"We are known to be one of the most positive and inviting departments on campus, and I am proud of the fact that we are always out there asking, 'What can we do to help you?'" Kathleen Wellik, Transportation Services Director