Changes to parking and transit services during 2025 Thanksgiving break – Penn State University

Report on University Park Transportation Service Modifications for the Thanksgiving Holiday Period

Introduction: Aligning Campus Mobility with Sustainable Development Goals

This report details the modifications to transportation and parking services at the University Park campus during the Thanksgiving holiday break. These adjustments are implemented not only for operational efficiency but also to align with the university’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, these changes support SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by managing transportation systems effectively and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by optimizing resource use to reduce the campus’s carbon footprint during a period of lower demand.

Parking Management and Resource Optimization

Parking regulations will be adjusted to consolidate vehicle locations and provide flexibility, contributing to efficient land use and reduced vehicle circulation, which directly supports SDG 11.2 by promoting organized and sustainable access to campus facilities.

Core Faculty/Staff Permit Holder Accommodations

1. Period: Monday, Nov. 24 – Thursday, Nov. 27
2. Details: Core faculty/staff permit holders (Brown, Green, Orange, Red, Silver, Yellow) are permitted to park in student lots, including:
   • Lot 11
   • Lot 22
   • Lot 81
   • Lot 82
3. Note: Standard weekday parking regulations for all other permit holders and visitors remained in effect on Monday, Nov. 24, and Tuesday, Nov. 25.

General Permit Holder Provisions

1. Period: Wednesday, Nov. 26 – Friday, Nov. 28
2. Details: All faculty/staff and student permit holders may park in the Eisenhower Deck and all surface lots normally available during evening/weekend hours. This measure enhances convenience while ensuring that critical parking restrictions, such as overnight commuter lot rules and reserved ADA spaces, are maintained to ensure accessibility and safety, a key component of SDG 11.

No-Cost Parking Period

1. Period: Thursday, Nov. 27 – Friday, Nov. 28
2. Details: Parking will be provided at no charge in designated on-campus parking decks and commuter lots to support the well-being (SDG 3) of community members remaining on campus during the holiday. Locations include:
   • East Deck
   • Eisenhower Deck
   • HUB Deck
   • Nittany Deck
   • West Deck
   • Stadium West Lot
   • Jordan East Lot
   • Porter North Lot

Sustainable Public Transit Service Adjustments

Modifications to public transit schedules reflect a strategic approach to resource management. By aligning service levels with rider demand, the university actively contributes to SDG 13 (Climate Action) by minimizing unnecessary fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from transit vehicles.

CATABUS Service Schedule

• Monday, Nov. 24 – Sunday, Nov. 30: Reduced service will be in effect. This includes the suspension of the White Loop and Red Link services to optimize operational efficiency.
• Thursday, Nov. 27: No service will be provided in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Campus Shuttle Operations

• Monday, Nov. 24 – Wednesday, Nov. 26: Service will be reduced, with each Campus Shuttle route operating with two vehicles instead of three.
• Thursday, Nov. 27 – Friday, Nov. 28: No service will be provided.

Operational Hours for Transportation Facilities

The operational hours for key transportation facilities will be adjusted for the holiday period. Continued support for active transportation, such as cycling, through the Bike Den’s operational hours underscores a commitment to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Communities).

Transportation Services Office and Fleet Operations

• Monday, Nov. 24 – Wednesday, Nov. 26: Normal hours of operation.
• Thursday, Nov. 27 – Friday, Nov. 28: Closed.

Bike Den Hours

• Monday, Nov. 24 – Wednesday, Nov. 26: Normal hours of operation.
• Thursday, Nov. 27 – Saturday, Nov. 29: Closed.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article is primarily connected to the following Sustainable Development Goal:

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • This goal aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The article’s focus on public transportation (CATABUS, Campus Shuttle) and parking infrastructure is a core component of urban and community planning, directly aligning with the objectives of SDG 11. The announcement details the operational status of a transport system designed to serve a specific community (the University Park campus).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the connection to SDG 11, the following specific target can be identified:

• Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons.
  • The article directly addresses the provision and accessibility of public transport systems. It outlines specific changes to the CATABUS and Campus Shuttle services, such as “Reduced service (including no White Loop or Red Link service)” and periods of “No service.” These details are fundamentally about managing the community’s access to public transit, which is the central theme of Target 11.2.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article implies an indicator that can be used to measure progress towards the identified target:

• Indicator 11.2.1: Proportion of population that has convenient access to public transport, by sex, age and persons with disabilities.
  • While the article does not provide quantitative data, it offers qualitative information that directly relates to this indicator. The statements about “Reduced service,” the suspension of specific routes like the “White Loop or Red Link,” and the reduction of Campus Shuttle vehicles “from three vehicles running to two” are all factors that decrease the “convenient access to public transport” for the campus population. These service-level descriptions are the raw information used to assess and measure the availability and convenience of the public transport system for its users during the specified holiday period.

4. SDGs, Targets and Indicators Table

Source: psu.edu