Faculty/Staff Commuter Habits William T. Weller Alex Gates Eric Friederichsen Geology 214

Introduction In conjuncture with the President’s Climate Commitment our group has chosen to collect information regarding the transportation habits of the Rhodes faculty and staff. For our research, we conducted a survey which gathered 210 responses from Rhodes employees. In doing so, we were able to cite a number of trends and make a number of conclusions based on our results.

Methods In order to determine the necessary information, we created a seven question survey which was both ed out, and delivered in paper form to staff. The survey determined the ways in which Faculty and Staff commute to work, how many trips are made, the distance traveled, and the fuel efficiency of their car. We received 210 responses out of a total of 473 Rhodes employees. Out of these 210 responses, 127 were from staff, and 83 were from faculty.

From: Ekstrom_Carol Sent: Monday, April 07, :55 PM To: FACSTAFF Subject: Fac/Staff Commuter Habit Survey Faculty/Staff, In accordance with the Presidential Climate Commitment, signed by President Trout in August 2007, the Environment Planning Cooperative has undertaken the task of calculating the College’s Carbon Footprint. This survey, which is part of my project for Geology 214, is meant to determine the commuter habits of Faculty and Staff, and is essential to completing the inventory of the College's carbon emissions. Please take 2-3 minutes to fill out this quick survey, your participation is both important, and appreciated. Link to the Survey: d_3dhttp:// d_3d Thank you, William Weller Geology 214

Faculty and Staff Results

Faculty and Staff Statistics 1.18 Trips per day days per year estimated total trips per year miles average roundtrip mpg average fuel efficiency

Faculty Specific Results 1.13 trips per day days per yearResponse from 83 faculty total trips per year miles average roundtrip

Staff Specific Results 1.23 trips per day days per year response from 127 staff total trips per year 19.8 miles average roundtrip

Carbon Emissions We used the following formula to determine an estimate of Carbon Emissions created by Faculty and Staff commuting habits: 1.Average Roundtrip / Average Fuel Efficiency= Gas Usage per trip / 24.63=.65 gallons per trip 2.Average Trips per day X Days per year= Average trips per year 1.18 x = trips per year 3.Average Gas Usage per trip X Average Trips per year= Gas Usage for one person.65 x 270.8= gallons per year 4.Gas Usage for 1 X Number of College Employees= Total Gas Usage for Faculty and Staff x 473= 83, total Gallons per year 83, Gallons of Gas produces 733 Metric Tons (1.62 Million Pounds) of CO2 Equivalent PER YEAR.

Alternative Transportation Our research shows that out of the 210 people surveyed only 2 use the public transportation system, and only 13 carpool. In order for Rhodes to achieve the goals set forth by the President’s Climate Commitment, the employees of the college need to strive to find more environmentally friendly modes of transportation. Although roughly 50% of the Rhodes faculty/staff have stated an unwillingness to consider alternative transportation means, the other 50% which has expressed a desire to learn more about the possibility of bike or carpooling programs which could be sponsored by Rhodes.

Conclusions This survey has shown that Rhodes employees have done little to address environmental change in their transportation habits as nearly 75% of the employees drive alone. We attribute these results to the lack in alternative programs, and a failure to encourage their application and use. Hopefully, the desire to achieve goals set forth in the President’s Climate Commitment as well as to create a smaller Rhodes College carbon footprint in general will motivate the employees of the college to pursue more environmentally friendly transportation.