Abstract
Many universities nationwide have been significantly impacted by the use and dependence on the automobile. However, the focus on active transportation in university campus environments has significantly increased over the last two decades. With a growing interest in promoting sustainable modes of transportation within academic settings, this thesis aimed to examine the university campus members’ travel behavior and attitudes towards walking and bicycling and identify factors influencing the campus community’s perceptions of walking and bicycling on and around the California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) campus. Two subjective indices were developed based on a comprehensive literature review and results from a self-administered survey to assess the perceptions of the built environment among the university campus members. Descriptive analysis was used to determine travel behavior, habits, attitudes towards walking and bicycling, and perceptions of the campus built environment. Furthermore, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was utilized in the analysis to examine the relationships between different walkability and bikeability variables. The results indicated notable gender disparities in the walkability and bikeability scores. This discrepancy was primarily attributed to the safety concerns encountered by female students while walking and bicycling on and around the CSUS campus. Furthermore, clear and unobstructed pathways, well-marked bike lanes, appropriate lighting conditions, and visible traffic control devices emerged as significant factors impacting the perceived walking and bicycling conditions on campus. In addition, the SEM analysis highlighted a positive correlation between walkability and bikeability scores, indicating that improvements in one domain benefit the other. Therefore, it is crucial to focus on factors that positively influence walkability and bikeability to support and encourage the growth of walking and bicycling on campus. By prioritizing these factors, campus planners and policymakers can work towards fostering a culture of active transportation and improving overall mobility and well-being for the campus community.