University campuses are transportation trailblazers as young people lead shift from driving.

• Position: News & Numbers

As Millennials lead a national shift away from driving, universities are giving students new options for getting around and becoming innovators in transportation policy, according to a new report from the U.S. PIRG Education Fund. The report, titled A New Course: How Innovative University Programs Are Reducing Driving on Campus and Creating New Models for Transportation Policy, finds that the efforts colleges and universities are taking to meet increased demand for transportation options deliver powerful benefits for their communities and the surrounding areas, while saving money for the schools and improving the quality of life on campus.

As Baby Boomers grow older, Millennials have become America's largest generation. Since government investments in transportation infrastructure often last decades, the question of whether current investment will match the needs of future travelers depends largely on how well the preferences of Millennials will be met, according to the report. University and college campuses are at the forefront of encouraging new ways of getting around that don't depend on personal cars--something for public officials to keep in mind.

The report describes how universities are improving their communities by providing a wider range of transportation choices. This includes buses, biking, vehicle-sharing programs that make it easier not to have a personal car, and convenient apps that make it easier to navigate the options. The report also documents how campuses seek to avoid the steep costs of building additional parking facilities.

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