In the United States we are heavily dependent on automobiles. This sort of transportation design has an impact on not only air quality but on the physical character of our environment. Cornell’s efforts to promote sustainability address the issues generated by our transportation systems in a variety of ways. This page explores initiatives to reduce emissions from Cornell-owned vehicles, as well as opportunities to mitigate the impact of employees traveling to and from campus.

Natural Gas Vehicles (NGVs)
Cornell’s Transportation and Mail Services has begun reducing air pollution by converting a portion of Cornell's mail truck fleet to bi-fuel NGVs. This project not only reduces harmful emissions, but has also served to lower operation and maintenance costs for the fleet.

Red Runner
Cornell’s courier service, Red Runner, provides a more efficient and cost effective way to move people, packages and documents across campus, around town, and even out of town.

Transportation Demand Management Program
This national award-winning program reduces commuter demand for parking spaces by providing efficient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternatives to commuting via single-occupancy, personal vehicles (SOVs). Some examples of the alternatives include partially or fully subsidized public transit, carpooling incentives, park and ride lots, and a variety of flexible services to create a system that works for everyone.

Electric Vehicles
In coordination with Global Electric Motors (GEM), Cornell has tested and purchased 7 electric vehicles for use around campus. The 2-person vehicles are restricted to 35mph zones, but have the huge benefit of no direct emissions.