Breakdown of Carbon Emissions
(tons/year) through Student Short
Distant Transportation
21% 1%
0%
1%
1%
76%
Bus
CWS vehicles
escort vans
athletic vans
zipcars
cars
Environmental Economics
Ellen C. Campbell & Geraldine K. Ng
Wellesley Student Short Distance Transportation Analysis
Project Overview
An analysis of short-distance student
transportation, to determine policies to increase
sustainability without severely increasing costs.
Project Process
A random survey was conducted online 264
students responded. We assume they are
representative of the student body.
Recommended Policies
§ Increase parking permit prices by $10 and
use proceeds to buy offsetting carbon credits
§ Improve coordination of shared rides through
improving Rides Conference
§ Encourage Peter Pan to switch buses to
biodiesel blend B-20
§ Increase Zipcars on campus
§ Long Term: Phase out older vehicles and buy
hybrid cars
Further Analysis (long distance)
When long distance transportation is accounted
for, there is an added 9315 metric tons of carbon
emitted per year by student transportation. It
accounts for 87% of the total annual carbon
emission.
Conclusion
Additional costs to college/year:
First year: $5447.60 Subsequent years: -$3604
Payback time: 1.5 years
Maximum additional costs to students/year: $35
Maximum additional costs to Peter Pan/year
(assuming increase in price of B-20): $3357.30
PROJECT SNAPSHOT
Description:
Survey of Wellesley students’
transportation choices and their resultant
carbon footprint
Annual CO2 emission
- 1423.5 metric tons
- Equivalent to 33,133 tree
seedlings grown for 10 years
Results
- Carbon pollution is primarily caused
by students’ cars and secondarily by
Peter Pan buses
- To maximize bang-for-buck, policies
should focus on cars and buses
