TDM Excellence Awards - Emory University
Congratulations to Emory University, the 2025 TDM Excellence Award winner for the Higher Education category.
It’s an honor to recognize and celebrate Emory University, a national leader in advancing TDM. Emory’s commitment to sustainable transportation is not only comprehensive, it’s deeply embedded in the university’s operations, values, and vision for the future.
Located in Atlanta, Georgia, Emory University supports more than 30,000 students and employees with a robust suite of commuter benefits. These include fully subsidized regional transit passes, a free shuttle system providing 2.6 million annual trips, carpool and vanpool incentives, bike and pedestrian infrastructure, and flexible parking options. These programs make sustainable commuting practical and attractive.
Emory’s leadership in innovation is evident in its recent pilot program offering subsidized mobile transit passes to over 100 graduate students, many of whom are international and without access to personal vehicles. The university also distributed round-trip transit passes and ride guides to 1,500 incoming students, integrating short-form transit tutorials into its orientation app to help students navigate Atlanta’s public transit system with confidence.
In 2023, Emory launched its first Sustainable Transportation Fair during TDM Week, attracting over 1,000 attendees and 30+ organizations, a powerful example of how to build awareness and community around sustainable mobility.
Emory’s targeted outreach to second- and third-shift employees reflects a strong equity focus. Through in-person engagement and surveys, the university identifies barriers to access and tailors solutions to meet the needs of frontline staff. This approach not only improves transportation equity, it strengthens recruitment and retention.
The results speak for themselves. According to a 2025 commuter survey of over 15,000 employees, 40% of Emory employees commute via sustainable modes or work remotely.
Emory’s data-driven approach is another standout. The university employs a dedicated data analyst and is developing cloud-based forecasting models to optimize shuttle routes, parking, and program design. This analysis has directly informed the planned addition of six battery-electric shuttles in 2025.
Emory’s leadership extends beyond campus. As a founding member of the Clifton Corridor TMA, Emory staff support regional TDM efforts through partnerships with Georgia DOT and the Atlanta Regional Commission. They serve on national boards and committees, including ACT’s Higher Education Council, and regularly present at regional and national conferences.
Internally, Emory’s Transportation and Parking staff are deeply engaged in university governance, sustainability planning, and professional development.
Emory University’s TDM strategy is replicable, inclusive, and impactful. It aligns transportation with institutional goals in sustainability, equity, and student success, which makes Emory a model for higher education institutions nationwide. Congratulations, Emory University, on this well-deserved recognition!