The university’s 2030 Sustainable Transportation Strategy aims to lower the percentage of drive-alone trips to the Corvallis campus from 30% in 2019 to 20% by the year 2030. To achieve this goal, the strategy identifies 15 actions that respond to the diverse transportation needs of OSU students and employees and support individual flexibility and daily choice in commuting. Over the past year, Transportation Services and other operational units on campus have made progress in implementing these actions by expanding micromobility access, connecting Beaver Bus and city bus routes and exploring options for the future of NW Monroe Ave.
Micromobility pilot launches & Beaver Bus expands service to LBCC
As fall term begins, there are two new ways to roll at OSU. The Associated Students of Oregon State University (ASOSU) and Transportation Services recently launched a one-year micromobility pilot program, bringing seated electric scooters and pedal-powered bicycles to the Corvallis campus for short-term rental.
OSU selected micromobility vendor Veo based on their track record of successfully managed programs at other universities. Safety is a top priority for the pilot and local Veo staff will be monitoring and servicing the vehicles as needed. Speeds will be capped at 15 mph, and certain campus zones will limit scooter speeds to walking pace to maintain pedestrian safety. Speed is monitored and controlled in different areas of campus via geofencing. When entering posted dismount zones like the Memorial Union quad, scooters will automatically stop safely. Veo will give away one free helmet for each vehicle in the fleet, in addition to fall helmet giveaways hosted by Transportation Services.
Image: OSU staff testing out the new Veo scooters.
Photo credit: Comet Robinson
Transportation Services will lead a Micromobility Advisory Group to evaluate ridership, parking, safety and customer satisfaction.
After completing STS action 7 by connecting the Central and Northeast Beaver Bus routes with Corvallis Transit System stops on campus, Transportation Services added the LBCC Corvallis Route in the fall of 2023. The new route establishes a transportation option between OSU Corvallis Campus and the Linn Benton Community College Campus in Corvallis, which is especially important for dual-enrolled students and others traveling between campuses regularly.
The LBCC Corvallis route runs Monday through Thursday during the fall, winter and spring terms, and logged 17,904 rides in the first year. The route has changed slightly for fall 2024, with a new stop on NW Monroe Ave. near the newly completed upper division and graduate student apartments at 1045 SW Madison Ave.
University & community stakeholders discuss the future of NW Monroe Ave
STS Action 10 recommends a redesign of NW Monroe Ave., which borders the north side of campus. OSU and the city of Corvallis are developing a vision for how this street could better accommodate travelers and create stronger connections between the community and the university.
Over the past year, OSU and city staff have engaged with stakeholders through meetings, walks along the street and online mapping tools and surveys to develop and evaluate possible improvements. A preferred concept has been identified and will be shared during a community open house on September 25.
While a final design has not yet been approved or funded, gathering community input and developing a design concept is an important first step in determining the future of this important campus and community corridor.
