Shift:Mobility sustainable transportation plan

Two cyclists talking with another person in front of bike racks and a group of two people walking in the background

Overview

Shift:Mobility is University of Waterloo's first institutional sustainable transportation plan, which has been developed through research, community engagements, and group planning efforts. 

The plan establishes key directions and a framework of action for how Waterloo can support and reduce barriers to sustainable transportation, such as biking, walking, transit, carpooling, and electric vehicles, across our campuses.

Core pieces of the plan include:   

  • Five outcomes which aim to create a more vibrant and sustainable campus    

  • Five bold targets that guide actions and inform future decision-making   

  • 63 recommendations which support change over the short, medium and long term across our four campuses organized by four pillars 

  • A review framework to track progress and outcomes    

Background

Through Waterloo at 100 and the Campus Plan, the University community has mapped out a vision for its next phase of development which acknowledges the urgency and importance of acting upon the climate crisis. The Environmental Sustainability Strategy (ESS) establishes short-term actions and accountabilities while reinforcing a long-term vision for campus sustainability. From the ESS, three specific sustainability plans and strategies have been created for transportation, climate action (Shift:Neutral) and waste (Shift:Zero).   

Pillars

Shift:Mobility establishes key directions and a framework of action for how Waterloo can support and reduce barriers to sustainable transportation choices over the short, medium, and long term across our campuses. These actions are organized into four pillars: 

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Commuting

Improve choices and quality for students, employees, and visitors to get to and from our campuses using sustainable modes of travel.   

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Circulation and Movement

Move people and goods around and between campuses, which includes a focus on walkways, roadways, and inter-campus transportation options.  

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Fleet

Decarbonize and ensure efficiency of University-owned vehicles.

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Parking

Provide parking areas and services that are safe, accessible, and convenient, while supporting the shift towards sustainable transportation choices. 

Outcomes

Through implementation of Shift:Mobility, Waterloo is working toward five core outcomes to create a more vibrant and sustainable campus: 

  • Improve the quality of sustainable transportation options to enhance community members’ wellness and satisfaction. 

  • Optimize effective and efficient use of University assets including land and fleet. 

  • Effectively deliver core operations and logistics.  

  • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impacts from transportation.  

  • Strengthen safe and accessible use of campus for all users. 

Community Collaboration 

This development of this plan was co-led by Sustainable Transportation and the Sustainability Office. It was informed by a wider Sustainable Transportation Planning Group, comprised of students, staff, and faculty, who provided support, input, and feedback through the project. Broad community engagement included the 2024 campus-wide Travel Survey, open houses, and targeted discussions with campus partners. 

Progress 

Shift:Mobility will be updated every 5 years, with forward-looking actions identified for the next 10 years. Waterloo’s progress across all three Shift plans is tracked in our annual Environmental Sustainability Report. 

Please refer to other key and related initiatives to climate action across Waterloo: