Jones, A.C. and *S.A. Hageman.  Department of Natural and Physical Sciences, Park University.  USING GIS TO CALCULATE THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF PARK UNIVERSITY COMMUTERS. 

Calculating car emissions is difficult because of variables such as composition of fuel, engine type, and driving style.  The purpose of this study is to analyze the commuter emissions at Park University.  The amount of emissions from commuters (1,471 students, 279 staff, and 98 faculty) was established using the travel distance for each individual by their zip code.  Address data for 2,078 individuals was geocoded using ArcGIS.  The addresses were then analyzed and any students were removed living on campus or outside of a 50 mile radius.  The average commute at Park University is 30.6 miles with students commuting the most at 31.7 miles, faculty at 30.3 miles, and staff at 25.0 miles.  Using the Department of Transportation’s 2002 baseline for in-use emissions; VOC (1.4g/mi), CO (14.2 g/mi), and NO (1.2g/mi) emissions would total 16.8 grams/mile or 514.08 grams (1.13 lbs) for the average Park University commute.  Based on daily commutes for faculty and staff and with a conservative estimate of students commuting only twice a week, the emissions would result in 5,476.76 lbs/week or 87,628.16 lbs/semester.  This study is not accounting for fuel consumption which would greatly increase the carbon footprint.

 Powerpoint:   USING GIS TO CALCULATE THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF PARK UNIVERSITY COMMUTERS.