More U-PASSes = Less Traffic and Lower Emissions

U-PASS Survey and Annual Report Shows More UW Commuters Left Their Cars at Home in 2006

Thank you to everyone who participated in the U-PASS survey conducted by the Northwest Research Group during the fall 2006.

How today's peak hour traffic is distributed.

Every two years, the University of Washington and King County Metro commission an outside group to survey a random sample of faculty, staff, and students working or attending classes on the UW Seattle campus. Survey results help the University fine-tune the U-PASS program and meet the requirements of the state Commute Trip Reduction law, and help the transit agencies develop program pricing and transit ridership models.

U-PASS uses survey results to help assess the success of the program in light of the changing needs of the University community: How do employees and students commute to campus? Are people aware of the different features of the U-PASS program? Are they taking advantage of the benefits? What is the level of satisfaction with the U-PASS program?

The 2006 U-PASS Survey results are in, the U-PASS Annual Report is out, and the news is good. An increasing number of UW commuters are leaving their cars at home. While the campus population has grown by 22 percent in the last 15 years, University-related peak hour traffic remains below 1990 (pre-U-PASS) levels.

In 2006, more than three quarters of UW faculty, staff and students chose a mode other than driving alone to get to campus. (See pie chart). While carpool parking has declined in the last two years following the addition of carpool fees for U-PASS holders, the number of single occupancy vehicle (SOV) parking permits has declined as well, and the number of bicycle commuters and telecommuters is on the rise.

Since U-PASS was created in 1991 to address traffic and congestion problems in the U-District, lighten the University’s impact on its community neighbors, and respond to trip reduction legal requirements, the program has met its goals. U-PASS is also working for the 44,000 plus UW Faculty, staff, and students who used it last year. In 2006, 84 percent of survey respondents reported being either very or somewhat satisfied with the U-PASS program, with 68 percent reporting being very satisfied.

For more detail, see the 2006 U-PASS Survey Final Report and the 2005-2006 U-PASS Annual Report.

The U-COMMUTE News is published twice a year for staff and faculty. For additional information, visit our web site at http://www.washington.edu/commuterservices/index.php. Your suggestions and comments are welcome. Please contact the Transportation Office at upass@u.washington.edu, 206.543.0450 or Box 355212.