Is Greener Commuting Possible? A Campus Case Study in Schwäbisch Hall as Contribution to Climate Protection

Abstract

In its recent report, the UNIPCC has described the impacts and possible magnificent disturbances that arise from climate change. Rising temperatures, droughts and heat waves will affect many regions. This brings special attention to cities, where the population density is high and surroundings are characterized by built-up areas that tend to keep the heat. Cities need to take action to secure healthy living conditions in times of transition and change, such as increasing green areas inside the city, reduction of waste and emissions. Thereby, shifting mobility and transport to emission free resources is one major factor. Innovative mobility concepts are necessary that are based on renewable energy supply and offer multimodal mobility solutions that also integrate the rural surroundings. By executing an empirical case study, the authors try to investigate the implementation potentials for green mobility at universities. The campus Schwäbisch Hall, part of the University of Applied Sciences Heilbronn, is located in a rural area and serves as an exemplary setting for a field test. Thereupon a climate-friendly concept that promotes green mobility on the campus will be developed as a contribution to the city’s greening and climate protection activities. The aim of the project is to devise a valuable solution that creates incentives for all parties involved to dispense individual car traffic and switch to public transport or e-bikes instead. The introduction of a new bus line and the possible use of e-bikes will be examined in a test phase. The implementation of the test phase is linked to a quantitative and qualitative collection of mobility data (modal split), current mobility behaviour and the acceptance of green mobility by students. Incentives for other mobility opportunities and potential obstacles are investigated. In a later stage of the project measures and recommendations for action and the potential for CO₂ emissions savings will be derived.