Transportation Survey Results and Findings
In Fall 2019, the Office of Sustainability surveyed the NYU community in NYC on transportation. The survey received over 16,500 responses for an overall response rate of 23%. It is estimated that, during a typical year, 94% of the NYU community uses mass transit or self-powered modes of commuting, with the subway and walking accounting for 68% of commutes. Since 2009, bike commuting has grown seven-fold.
Key findings and next steps that can help improve the sustainability of transportation at NYU are in the table below, or read the full report.
| Key Finding | Next Step |
|---|---|
| Safety concerns deter cycling | Disseminate more bike safety information and examine ways to encourage bike infrastructure improvement around NYU locations |
| More bike parking is desired | Bike parking spaces nearly doubled in Manhattan and Brooklyn; re-evaluate bike parking needs after full return to campus |
| Lack of awareness of NYU's transit programs & benefits | Assist respective unit-owners in publicizing transit benefits/programs |
| Building occupancy varies greatly between weekdays/weekends | Work with schools/units in updating building schedules to reflect actual occupancy |
| Significant local air travel | Encourage policies that discourage NYU-sponsored flights within the Northeast |
Figure 1
Modes of transit
94% of all commutes involved public or self-powered modes of transportation.
Figure 2
Change in mode share since 2009
Since 2009, biking has increased over seven-fold, which can be attributed in large part to the introduction of Citi Bike.
Figure 3
Where NYU commuters depart from
The largest density of community members not living in NYU housing are coming from zip codes surrounding Washington Square and downtown Brooklyn.
Figure 4
Flight frequency by region
NYU traveled an estimated 176 million flight miles in 2019. Over 20% of all NYU flights are within Eastern North America.