Students cover a total of more than 150,000 kilometres between study buildings within one semester

In autumn 2023, the University of Tartu Mobility Lab in cooperation with the University of Tartu Research Group of Physical Activity for Health carried out a mobility survey to get an overview of the daily and work travel-related mobility needs of the university staff and support sustainable mobility at the university.

The mobility survey analysed the mobility needs and behaviour of the university family based on an online questionnaire, individual timetable data, gate and barrier logs and data from work trips. In addition, the bicycle and car parking data available to the university was examined.

According to Age Poom, Associate Professor in Urban Environment and the person responsible for the survey, the movement of university students has a significant impact on the pulse of the city of Tartu. "Moving and concentrating in university buildings fills city streets with people and creates demand for sustainable mobility services. The results of the mobility survey strongly supported the need to encourage cycling, modernise public transport, improve winter maintenance and take more account of student travel routes when planning timetables," said Poom.

The survey found that within one semester, students cover more than 150,000 kilometres between study buildings from a bird’s-eye view. "If a student has to go to another study building, they run the risk of being late for class every sixth time because of the long distance and the fact that the bus schedule does not correspond to the timetable. The university needs to find a solution to such situations that foster car ownership, both through its own activities and through cooperation with the City of Tartu," Poom added.

At the same time, the survey showed that only 14% of students and 31% of employees who responded to the questionnaire are frequent car users, while 67% of students and 52% of employees are frequent users of sustainable modes of transport. The remaining respondents go to university buildings or use a specific form of transport less than three times a week. This is due, among other things, to remote working, distance learning and block mode study.

An analysis of work travel showed that over the course of a year and a half, the university's staff made a total of nearly 800 circuits around the globe, or travelled 33 million kilometres from a bird’s-eye view, and visited 88 countries.

According to Vice Rector for Development Tõnu Esko, the results of the survey provide a good starting point for formulating environmental principles related to mobility and for drawing up a mobility plan for the university. "As a university, we need to reduce our environmental impact and create a good learning and working environment for students and staff. The survey team's suggestions are broad. Some are already underway, while others will require long-term cooperation with the municipalities of Tartu, Viljandi, Pärnu, Narva and Tallinn, as well as with the state. It is good to see that we have strong support from the university community to develop sustainable forms of mobility," said Esko.