TRANSPORTATION

Across the country, use of public transportation continues to grow. One big reason: concern for the environment. After all, public transit usage reduces carbon dioxide emissions by more than 37 million metric tons every year in the United States. That’s equivalent to the electricity used by 4.9 million households. Here are some ways Binghamton faculty, students and staff are doing their part

• Binghamton University Police have incorporated the use of electric cars, bike patrols, solar- and battery-powered parking meters, interactive speed signs and computer-based reporting systems into their sustainability efforts.

• The University is phasing out gasoline- and diesel-operated campus vehicles and replacing them (where appropriate) with electric vehicles or those that use alternative-energy sources.

• Binghamton’s Off Campus College Transport student-operated buses provide transportation for University students and community members to and from both campuses as well as other destinations throughout Greater Binghamton. These blue buses log in more than 500 hours of service each week.

• The University also strongly encourages the use of public transportation for all students, faculty and staff.

• Binghamton University offers designated preferred parking spaces for those driving qualified, fuel-efficient vehicles as well as those who carpool.

• In the not-too-distant future, traffic patterns entering and exiting Binghamton University will change as the result of a multi-agency effort to provide a safe, attractive bicycle/pedestrian greenway from the eastern end of Broome County into Tioga County. A greenway is a linear park that connects people and places and is primarily used for pedestrian and bike trails. Parts of the greenway already exist — Otsiningo and Confluence parks in Binghamton and the Vestal Rail Trail, for example — while several other sections are in planning and design stages with funding already committed.