Lower Barriers to Eco-Friendly Mobility
While we cannot directly control commuter choices, we do have the means to lower many barriers that prevent commuters from choosing alternative transportation.
Our Campus Master Plan calls for campus transformations that improve parking and traffic challenges while “greening” the campus. As part of planning, the University conducted a transportation assessment that considered traffic circulation and access, parking, regional transportation, and pedestrian facilities. The findings informed the “gray to green” objective of the plan, which aims to transform surface parking lots to open spaces and improves pedestrian and bicycle connections throughout the campus.
New multi-story parking structures such as the College Park parking garage built in 2011 saves parking space while reducing vehicle traffic on campus.
The College Park District development is a catalyst for the revitalization of the adjacent downtown Arlington district, creating a hub that attracts more students and faculty to live on and near campus than ever before.
CAR SHARING
Car sharing is changing the way millennials get around, and the way they think about car ownership. This program is valuable for students without access to personal vehicles, and provides the added benefit of avoiding the financial costs associated with car ownership such as insurance and maintenance. It encourages and supports multi-modal communities by providing an additional transportation option and demonstrating that “mobility” in a city does not require personal vehicle ownership.
Car sharing reduces vehicle miles traveled and motivates to walk, cycle and take buses and trains, while decreasing dependence on fossil fuels and reducing the emission of greenhouse gases. Car sharing can also help reduce congestion and pollution.
UT Arlington offers a car-sharing program as part of its commitment to creating a more sustainable campus for students, faculty and staff.
Zipcar, the world’s leading car sharing network, is open to those over 18 years of age and who have been licensed for at least one year (domestic and international). Students, faculty or staff may join the membership program for $25, then pay $7.50 per hour or $69 a day to reserve one of four vehicles parked on campus. The cost includes gas, insurance, 24-hour roadside assistance, wireless technology, and other features.
Visit www.zipcar.com/uta for more information.
THE BIKE SHARE PROGRAM
Today’s university campuses include bike sharing as a critical part of their multimodal transportation strategy and as a visible representation of their commitment to sustainability, economic vitality, public health, and innovation.
In the heart of a city at the heart of the North Texas region, The University of Texas at Arlington is rapidly becoming the model for what a 21st century urban research university should be: focused on community engagement, teaching, and research discoveries offering big solutions with global impact.
Our success is powered by our faculty, staff, alumni and many stakeholders – and especially, our students. Over 40,000 students – 12% of whom are international students – are all seeking ways to connect with their campus and the greater community. The number of students residing on campus is increasing and growing number of students live in the 1-2 mile radius. Mobility is vital to making those connections.
You’re invited to be a part of UT Arlington’s forward motion and accelerated momentum. UTA Bike Share program strengthens the University’s commitment to sustainability and enabling the modern megacity.
Forty Zagster bikes will be located at seven stations across the UTA campus. The cruiser-style bikes feature built-in locks, automatic lights, reflectors and a spacious basket. UTA students, faculty and staff can join the bike-share program for a $25 annual fee. Bikes are then free for the first two hours of use and $1 for every hour after. Zagster Inc., the largest and fastest growing bike-share provider in North America, will support bike implementation and maintenance.
The Bike Share program on campus is funded in large part by a donation from Green Mountain Energy Sun Club, a non-profit that supports organizations looking to become more sustainable through renewable energy, energy efficiency and resource conservation. The program received partial funding from Look Out Texans, a regional bicycle and pedestrian safety campaign developed by the North Central Texas Council of Governments. The Look Out Texans campaign encourages North Texans to watch out for one another and offers specific tips to bike, walk and drive safely.
Anti Idling Policy
Idling engines create exhaust that impacts air quality and increases health risks to faculty, students, staff, drivers, operators, and the community at large. The City of Arlington prohibits idling for more than five minutes from April through October. The University’s Anti-idling policy, which is based on the City’s codes, applies year-round to all UT Arlington fleet vehicles and visiting vehicles over 14,000 pounds. The campus police fine all violators.
Getting To and Around Campus
Learn better ways to get to and around campus.
Bike Repair Stations
Riding your bike on campus has never been easier! The University of Texas at Arlington now offers bike repair stations on campus, so you can feel safe and secure while you save the environment!
Bike Repair Stations are Located at:
- University Center
- Between Fine Arts and Music
- Between PE and MAC
- The Heights on Pecan – 1st floor garage
- Nedderman Hall
- Meadow Run Apts.
- CRB South Side
- MAC South Side
- West Hall
PARK AND RIDE
UT Arlington Parking and Transportation Services operates a free campus shuttle bus system for all UT Arlington students, faculty, staff, and guests. Special express routes connect Maverick Stadium and the Central Library. The last shuttles of the day leave from the stadium at 5:30 p.m. and the Business building at 6 p.m. Buses run on a limited schedule when classes are not in session. Routes and hours of operation may be altered to meet changing University needs. For up-to-date information on routes and the shuttle schedule, check the shuttle map.
RIDE SHARING
Every day the commuting choices you make have an impact on our air. It is our responsibility to ensure the air is safe for all. That’s why UT Arlington is encouraging the community to share a ride to campus. And now, it’s easier than ever. Register on tryparkingit.com to find carpool or vanpool matches near you.
On the site you can also log your shared commutes and receive an estimate of the miles you’ve saved and harmful emissions you’ve helped reduce. ISGI will track the new registration, number of registrants logging rideshare, number of vehicle trips reduced, number of vehicle miles travel reduced, and an emissions breakdown by vehicle type. Those numbers will be used to calculate the amount of air quality emission reduced and the number of miles saved by faculty and staff.
Via- On-Demand Rideshare Program
The City of Arlington, in partnership with Via, is among the first cities in the nation to offer on-demand ride sharing as a public transportation solution. Riders can book a seat in a six-passenger Mercedes-Benz van through the Via app, and Via’s sophisticated technology will match them with others going their way. Rides are just $3 per trip. The Via rideshare service is available in Arlington Monday through Saturday, with service hours from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays. Accessible vehicles are available for customers who use wheelchairs.
The Via service area will encompass Downtown and the City’s vibrant Cultural Arts District, the University of Texas at Arlington, the Entertainment District, and the area around Arlington Memorial Hospital. Riders can also connect to the TRE Centreport/DFW Airport Station, where they can then catch a commuter train to Dallas or Fort Worth.
Up-to-date service area maps and operating hours will always be available through the free Via app or the Via website at www.ridewithvia.com/arlington.
Shuttle Bus Service Across Campus
UTA Parking and Transportation has expanded routes to include every major retail/dining/entertainment location in Arlington/Grand Prairie, and operate shuttle bus service to students 5 evenings a week.
Below, are the stops for the Shopping Shuttle. Our students have responded to these changes by increasing ridership by almost 1,000%! That translates to many less vehicles on the roads.
Parking and Transportation also operates a night time golf cart service that provides rides to students around campus from 7 pm- 3 am, 7 nights a week.
New app for real-time shuttle tracking
UTA’s new real-time tracking app for shuttle buses is TapRide by DoubleMap. The new app will provide more accurate arrival times. Download for free fromGooglePlay or iTunes. The Transloc tracking app will be active until Wednesday, Jan. 31.
You also can use the TapRide by DoubleMap app to request courtesy escort rides, similar to Uber. This on-demand, point-to-point service operates on campus 7 p.m.-3 a.m. seven days a week. The service is available to all UTA students, staff, and faculty with an active NetID.