SDSU and SDSU Mission Valley Recognized for Sustainable Transportation Efforts
SDSU and SDSU Mission Valley drew plaudits for programs that reduce solo commuting, encourage alternative modes of transportation, and support transit-oriented development.
San Diego State University and SDSU Mission Valley’s efforts to promote alternative commuting and sustainable transportation options have been recognized with awards and acknowledgement from San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) iCommute and Circulate San Diego.
iCommute, the Transportation Demand Management program for the San Diego region managed by SANDAG, recognized SDSU for excellence in commute options for its employees. Circulate San Diego, a nonprofit that works to promote public transit, safe streets and sustainable growth in our communities, spotlighted the transit-oriented and sustainable plan for SDSU Mission Valley.
SANDAG iCommute Diamond Award
The SANDAG iCommute program gave Diamond Awards to 138 employers in 2020 for outstanding efforts to provide and encourage environmentally sustainable transportation options for employees. SDSU was one of only 29 employers to receive a Platinum award, the program’s highest tier.
“We should be proud of this accomplishment as it shows we are taking strides to provide transportation benefits to our students and employees,” said Debbie Richeson, director of Parking and Transportation Services.
The Diamond Awards program is based on a points system having to do with the elements of an employer’s commute program, their annual commuter events and activities, as well as shifts in their employee’s transportation choices.
“SDSU is benefiting by having alternatives for sustainable transportation, and through our efforts, we are working toward reducing our carbon footprint on campus,” said Richeson.
“Some of the commitments and improvements made by our university are programs such as vanpool; offering services such as shuttles, carsharing, and ridesharing; encouraging the use of bikes; and the opportunity to receive pre-tax enrollment in MTS trolley passes.”
Circulate San Diego Award and Nomination
SDSU Mission Valley was nominated for a Circulate San Diego Momentum Award this year in the Complete Streets award category.
“Being nominated for this award means we were successful in designing streets that encourage biking and walking,” said Laura Shinn, director of planning for the Planning, Design and Construction department.
While SDSU Mission Valley did not receive this award, the nomination acknowledges its well-designed streets for all modes of transportation, which also includes aesthetically appealing and safe environments for bikers and pedestrians.
SDSU Mission Valley was previously awarded the Circulate San Diego Mobility Certification for its transit-oriented, sustainable, smart growth plan.
“The certification was validation of our multi-modal approach to transportation planning at SDSU Mission Valley,” said Shinn.
The mixed-use, walkable, and bikeable community plan will allow the university community and greater San Diego community to experience a live-work-play environment that emphasizes the use of active transportation and leverages the presence of the trolley station, which will connect SDSU Mission Valley to other destinations in San Diego County.
“We were recognized for the connectivity of our plan to the adjacent sites and the rest of Mission Valley,” said Shinn. “This certification represents the community's recognition of our efforts.”
Building a resilient and sustainable university is a priority in SDSU’s five-year strategic plan, "We Rise We Defy: Transcending Borders, Transforming Lives[BROKEN LINK]," which seeks to update the University Climate Action Plan, for all locations, with defined benchmarks.
