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We've shared data and recommendations here previously from research conducted by Jessica S. Becker in her paper "Understanding Commuting Decisions: a case study of student and staff at McMaster University" 2007.

Time for some more:
  • Of parking permit holders at McMaster, 27% live within 4 kilometres of campus 
  • 37% live within 5km 
  • Over 1/3 of staff are parking permit holders living within 5k of campus.
Becker suggests that "cost or distance has no bearing on whether or not a staff member will choose to drive, so long as s/he has access to a vehicle and a parking permit."
Obviously room for improvement here, and Becker's warning against "focusing only on the needs of those that drive" needs more attention. If we link decreasing demand for parking with a concern for ecology, we create more opportunity for rehabilitation of west campus.
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