Greening Operations: Transportation

BCIT’s Burnaby Campus Master Plan (2007) calls for the further development of bicycle paths and storage, and improved pedestrian walkways within and linking off the campus, as well as incentives for carpooling. Transportation alternatives to solo driving are also necessary because BCIT has committed to protect the current green space on campus. No more campus land can be used for additional parking; BCIT signed a formal memorandum of understanding on this issue with the City of Burnaby in 2001.

Choosing an alternative to a single-occupant car can make a bigger difference than you think -- for you, your community, and our planet.

Staff travel is responsible for 8% (1,278 ha) of the total Ecological Footprint of the Burnaby campus of BCIT. Surprisingly, driving to work (641 ha)
has only slightly more impact than staff air travel (636ha)! Reducing air travel is a very effective way to reduce BCIT's environmental impact.

Student travel is responsible for 28% (4,733 ha) of the total Ecological Footprint of the Burnaby campus of BCIT. Car travel has the most impact (3,252ha), followed by public transit (1,480 ha), biking (0.3ha), and walking (0 ha).

In 2005, on average, the average Metro Vancouver resident spent 13% household expenditures on transportation (over $9000/yr.), the largest item after shelter, and more than on food. Residents spent 67 minutes round-trip commuting to and from work.

In BC, transportation is:

• Responsible for 36% of all greenhouse gas emissions, and the largest source of personal emissions for most people, at 44% (2005).
• The largest source of air pollution in BC (1995), and of greenhouse gas emissions (2000), which increased 20% from 1990-1997.

Save time, save money, save your health, save the environment – choose alternatives to the single-occupant vehicle. Cycle, use transit, or ride-share on your trips to BCIT. Find out how BCIT supports your adoption of a more sustainable commute.

What we aspire to achieve:

Become greenhouse gas neutral