Mobility

The "Concepts and measures for sustainable mobility" project aims to develop new comprehensive and holistic strategies and approaches. As a first step, we conducted a comprehensive data collection on the mobility behavior of all university members. This enables us to understand the demand for transportation as well as the requirements and wishes regarding mobility. The second step is to use this data to develop a concept for sustainable campus mobility and logistics. This includes measures to improve the bicycle infrastructure and promote e-mobility. Once these measures have been implemented, the success of the concept will be reviewed in a third step by collecting data again. The aim is to ensure that the targeted improvements have been achieved.

The outcome of this project not only aims to achieve more sustainable mobility and logistics at the University of Kassel, but also to produce a scientifically sound guide in collaboration with the Department of Transport Planning and Systems. This guide will contain recommendations for the implementation of sustainable transport concepts for other universities.

How do students and employees get to the university from their homes? Do they walk, cycle, use public transport or drive? These questions were investigated by the Department of Transport Planning and Transport Systems at the University of Kassel under the direction of Prof. Dr.-Ing. The results of this mobility survey are now available.

The detailed results of the student survey can be downloaded here.

The detailed results of the employee survey can be downloaded here.

Low on air in the tires, loose screw on the luggage rack? No problem, because on the Holländischer Platz campus, in Nordbahnhofstraße in Witzenhausen and in Heinrich-Plett-Straße there are now bicycle repair stations!

Repair stations are in preparation for the other locations.

Sustainability principles for business trips at the University of Kassel

Based on its self-image of protecting nature and the environment, the University of Kassel strives for sustainable mobility. The sustainability guidelines and principles laid down in the resolution of November 20, 2023 must therefore be observed when carrying out business trips.

https://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/files/Universitaet/Profil/Umwelt_Nachhaltigkeit/Relaunch/Green_Office/6_Infothek/News_Projekte/p0908b155.pdf

In July 2022, as part of the Green Office initiative, a project to promote sustainable mobility at the University of Kassel was launched, with the aim of advancing environmentally friendly and climate-friendly mobility. Since February 2022, employees have been able to securely park their bicycles at two locations on the Holländischer Platz campus. Three bicycle parking facilities are located in the library’s underground parking garage (access via Georg-Forster-Straße, the same route cars use to reach the garage) and another one in front of the administration building at Mönchebergstraße 19. These facilities are equipped with an electronic door lock system that allows access via the campus card. The campus card can be activated without submitting an application at the key depot at Georg-Forster-Straße 7.

Additional secure parking facilities, including those for students, have now been set up at four locations on campus—as indicated on the map above. Another bike locker for the Georg-Forster-Straße location is currently in the planning stages. By providing additional lockable parking spaces, the university aims to encourage people to switch to bicycles. The “Sustainable Mobility” project was one of a total of six funded projects under the Green Office initiative that contribute to climate protection and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

The University of Kassel strives to increase the attractiveness of bicycles compared to other means of transportation and to further improve the bicycle infrastructure. There are plans to double the number of bicycle racks at all locations and to install lockable bicycle lock systems to meet demand. Various campaigns and information about cycling, especially for new employees and students, are intended to raise awareness of the use of bicycles.

The Cargo Bike Rental Service VELOAD at the Green Office will end on August 1, 2025.
The option for University of Kassel employees to rent a large cargo bike was very well received and proved to be a great success. The trial period, originally set for 6 months, was extended by another 6 months until the end of July 2025, but unfortunately cannot be extended again.

As a consolation for anyone who would still like to rent a cargo bike: in cooperation with the AStA and KARLA – KAsseleR LAstenrad, a cargo bike has recently become available in Nordstadt, parked on campus in front of the student union building.

The University of Kassel is planning to set up new shower and changing facilities for all those arriving by bike. Various requirements need to be taken into account and suitable facilities need to be found.
We are working on it! More details will follow.

In addition to individual mobility, the university's internal processes, such as business trips and the vehicle fleet, are also being examined more closely. Measures are to be taken to promote climate-friendly mobility behavior. The vehicle fleet is to be gradually converted to climate-friendly vehicles, provided that appropriate vehicles with environmentally friendly drive systems are available.

The first goal is to set up a charging infrastructure with an initial 10 charging points for electric vehicles at all locations.

With the help of the "COME-Mobility" funding program, the plan is to set up a charging infrastructure for electric vehicles that is also accessible to private transport. The declared aim of this funding program is to equip all of the state's offices with charging infrastructure for electric vehicles in line with demand by 2030.