Beirut Arab University Actions to Promote Sustainable Commuting

SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities

THE Impact Rankings indicator 11.4.2 | Beirut Arab University, Lebanon

Response to the indicator

Question: Does your university as a body undertake actions to promote the percentage of more sustainable commuting?

Yes. Beirut Arab University (BAU) promotes alternatives to travelling alone by car through university shuttle transport, digital tools for using the bus service and free bicycle borrowing at Debbieh. BAU also publishes a sustainable travel commitment. Operational services provide the principal evidence; additional policy commitments are identified separately.

Evidence: BAU shuttle service and passenger facilities

Evidence: Debbieh free bicycle borrowing (Debbieh Campus Gym section)

Parking & Transportation

Beirut Arab University is committed to provide a public transportation system that is safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable. This is part of the university's efforts towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

BAU Gym

An on-campus gym can be found in each of Beirut, Debbieh, and Tripoli Campuses. Gyms are free to use for students and generally require a fee for alumni.

Beirut Campus Gym

In Beirut Campus, the gym is located in the main building. The regular opening hours are from 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM from Monday to Friday. Additionally, in the fall and spring semesters, the gym opens its doors from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM on Saturdays.

Equipment

Beirut Campus gym comprises 15 cardio machines, including 6 treadmills, 4 elliptical machines, 4 bicycles, and 1 rowing machine. It also comprises 20 strength-training machines that target various muscle groups. The gym has a stretching area and a bench for dumbbells with weights that range between 2 kgs and 50 kgs. It also includes several barbells and benches (1 incline bench and 2 flat benches).

Lockers & Shower Rooms

The gym in Beirut campus has 45 lockers in the male changing rooms and 40 lockers in the female changing rooms. There are 4 showers situated in the males’ bathroom and 4 situated in the females’ bathroom.

Services & Facilities

The gym in Beirut is equipped with a TV on a stand facing each cardio machine. There are also 4 additional TVs at the gym. A vending machine can also be found. The gym additionally allows students to purchase BAU t-shirts, sports outfits, mugs, hats, athletic belts, and sports gloves.

Debbieh Campus Gym

The gym in Debbieh Campus is located near the green field. It faces the Faculty of Science main laboratories building. The gym operates from 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM from Monday to Thursday and from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM on Friday.

Equipment

Debbieh Campus gym comprises a set of 5 cardio machines, including 4 treadmills and 1 elliptical machine. The gym also has 56 bicycles. Students can borrow a bicycle for free. Bicycles are available for borrowing from 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM each day. The gym has a set of 36 strength-training machines targeting various muscle groups. It also contains various dumbbells, plates, and benches for practice.

Lockers & Shower Rooms

The gym in Debbieh campus has 27 lockers located in the training area. Additionally, there are 20 lockers in each of the males’ shower room and females’ shower rooms.

Services & Facilities

In addition to the borrow-a-bike service mentioned above, students can enjoy several other sports at the gym. Debbieh gym contains 5 ping-pong tables and 3 billiard tables in the second floor.

Tripoli Campus Gym

In Tripoli Campus, the gym is located in Block D - GF. The regular opening hours are from 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM from Monday to Friday during Fall and Spring semester and from 9:00 AM to 5 PM during summer.

Equipment

Tripoli Campus gym comprises 7 cardio machines, including 3 treadmills, 2 elliptical machines, 2 bicycles. It also comprises 15 strength-training machines that target various muscle groups. The gym has a stretching area and 2 benches for dumbbells with weights that range between 2 kgs and 35 kgs. It also includes several barbells and benches.

Lockers & Shower Rooms

The gym in Tripoli campus has 42 lockers located inside the Gym. There are 2 showers situated in the males’ bathroom and 2 situated in the females’ bathroom.

Services & Facilities

The gym in Tripoli is equipped with a 2 TV’s on the wall. The gym additionally allows students to purchase BAU towels.

The evidence supports action to encourage sustainable travel. It does not establish a measured increase in its university-wide percentage. A service being available, people using it and an increase in use over time are distinct claims; the response relies on the first two where documented.

People and campus coverage

The clearest operational provision concerns travel to Debbieh and student bicycle access there. The university’s transport policy addresses students and staff. Campus-specific evidence is retained throughout, rather than extending Debbieh facilities to every BAU campus.

Evidence: Debbieh campus shuttle provision

Evidence: Policy scope for students and staff (Sustainable Transportation section)

Services & Facilities

At Debbieh site, students can enjoy sports activities and can choose from among the various sporting services:

• A basketball court, together with its en-suite bathrooms.

• A multi-activity gymnasium of an area 4,900 m2. It encompasses a multi-purpose playground with bathrooms, changing rooms and administrative rooms in addition to rooms for other sports activities.

• A football pitch meeting the international criteria with racing tracks around.

• A fully equipped suitable site to establish a scouting camp used by nature roamers at the university.

• Non stop shuttle of buses between Debbieh site and Beirut site is offered.

• A bank that offers services for students and staff.

• An observatory is constructed to offer astronomical observations.

• A fully equipped clinic for first aid and emergency.

• Three restaurants are built one outdoor and two indoor that offers hot meals and snacks for students and staff at reasonable prices.

• Four parking lots are set with a capacity of 600 cars.

• A bookstore of an area of 200m2 offers all kind of printing and stationary services for students.

• A Wi-Fi internet for all students.

Climate Action Plan for Beirut Arab University

Beirut Arab University recognizes the urgent need to address climate change and its impacts on Lebanon and the global community. As a responsible institution committed to sustainability and environmental stewardship, BAU is dedicated to implementing a comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CAP) aligned with the university's rules and regulations and in harmony with Lebanon's environmental priorities. This plan outlines the key strategies and initiatives that BAU will undertake to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to climate change, and promote sustainability across its campuses and operations.

Sustainable Transportation:

• Encourage the use of public transportation, carpooling, cycling, and walking among students and staff.

• Provide incentives for electric and hybrid vehicle owners, such as preferred parking spots and charging stations.

• Promote telecommuting and flexible work schedules to reduce commuting-related emissions.

Shared bus services and practical access

University shuttle provision

BAU’s transport service page explains that shuttle provision helps students reach Debbieh without the difficulties of city driving, congestion and parking. It lists reserved seating for people with disabilities, GPS tracking, luggage space, onboard cameras, air conditioning and Wi-Fi. These features support access, comfort and confidence in collective transport. The page also publishes named service contacts for addressing transport concerns.

Evidence: BAU transport service and accessibility features (Transportation Services and Bus Features)

Parking & Transportation

Beirut Arab University is committed to provide a public transportation system that is safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable. This is part of the university's efforts towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Debbieh campus facilities page separately describes a continuous shuttle connection with Beirut. This establishes a practical university-provided alternative for the journey between the two sites. Shared buses can carry multiple passengers in one vehicle; the environmental benefit depends on occupancy and which journeys they replace, so no unsupported emissions saving is assigned.

Evidence: Debbieh campus facilities and Beirut shuttle connection

Promoting the service to prospective students

BAU’s current Why BAU admissions brochure lists transport to and from Debbieh among its facilities and services. Communicating this provision before enrolment helps prospective students consider a shared travel option when planning their studies. The brochure corroborates that transport is presented as a university service; it does not publish a fare, subsidy or ridership total.

Evidence: Why BAU brochure (PDF page 1, Facilities and Services panel)

Bus booking and tracking application

The BAU Bus Shuttle listing describes station maps, timetables, seat reservations and live tracking for Beirut, Saida, Iqleem and dormitory routes. Passengers can check arrival estimates, available seats and card balances, and send feedback. These tools help passengers plan where to wait and when to travel.

Evidence: BAU Bus Shuttle application description

The app is free to download, while booking requires a valid semester card or sufficient prepaid credit. This supports paid booking arrangements, without establishing a fare subsidy. The listing is a standing service description and does not state a recent launch date.

Evidence: Application booking and payment conditions

Additional scheduled transport in 2026

BAU’s 2026 commencement transport notice lists departures from Beirut and Saida to Debbieh for graduates, parents and guests on 12 September 2026. This is a recent example of organised shared travel for a university event. It supports event access, rather than demonstrating everyday commuter use or a free fare.

Evidence: BAU 2026 commencement transport notice (Commencement Day transport arrangements)

Free cycling access and sustainable travel policy

Bicycle borrowing at Debbieh

The Debbieh gym lists 56 bicycles that students may borrow free of charge, with borrowing available from 8 am to 3 pm each day. This is direct evidence of university-supported access to bicycles. Removing the purchase or hire cost can help students try cycling and make short journeys by bicycle.

This is free student bicycle borrowing at Debbieh, with potential relevance to campus mobility. The description does not establish off-campus use, employee eligibility or a measured shift in journeys from home to university.

Evidence: BAU gym bicycle loan service (Debbieh Campus Gym, Equipment section)

BAU Gym

An on-campus gym can be found in each of Beirut, Debbieh, and Tripoli Campuses. Gyms are free to use for students and generally require a fee for alumni.

Beirut Campus Gym

In Beirut Campus, the gym is located in the main building. The regular opening hours are from 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM from Monday to Friday. Additionally, in the fall and spring semesters, the gym opens its doors from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM on Saturdays.

Equipment

Beirut Campus gym comprises 15 cardio machines, including 6 treadmills, 4 elliptical machines, 4 bicycles, and 1 rowing machine. It also comprises 20 strength-training machines that target various muscle groups. The gym has a stretching area and a bench for dumbbells with weights that range between 2 kgs and 50 kgs. It also includes several barbells and benches (1 incline bench and 2 flat benches).

Lockers & Shower Rooms

The gym in Beirut campus has 45 lockers in the male changing rooms and 40 lockers in the female changing rooms. There are 4 showers situated in the males’ bathroom and 4 situated in the females’ bathroom.

Services & Facilities

The gym in Beirut is equipped with a TV on a stand facing each cardio machine. There are also 4 additional TVs at the gym. A vending machine can also be found. The gym additionally allows students to purchase BAU t-shirts, sports outfits, mugs, hats, athletic belts, and sports gloves.

Debbieh Campus Gym

The gym in Debbieh Campus is located near the green field. It faces the Faculty of Science main laboratories building. The gym operates from 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM from Monday to Thursday and from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM on Friday.

Equipment

Debbieh Campus gym comprises a set of 5 cardio machines, including 4 treadmills and 1 elliptical machine. The gym also has 56 bicycles. Students can borrow a bicycle for free. Bicycles are available for borrowing from 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM each day. The gym has a set of 36 strength-training machines targeting various muscle groups. It also contains various dumbbells, plates, and benches for practice.

Lockers & Shower Rooms

The gym in Debbieh campus has 27 lockers located in the training area. Additionally, there are 20 lockers in each of the males’ shower room and females’ shower rooms.

Services & Facilities

In addition to the borrow-a-bike service mentioned above, students can enjoy several other sports at the gym. Debbieh gym contains 5 ping-pong tables and 3 billiard tables in the second floor.

Tripoli Campus Gym

In Tripoli Campus, the gym is located in Block D - GF. The regular opening hours are from 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM from Monday to Friday during Fall and Spring semester and from 9:00 AM to 5 PM during summer.

Equipment

Tripoli Campus gym comprises 7 cardio machines, including 3 treadmills, 2 elliptical machines, 2 bicycles. It also comprises 15 strength-training machines that target various muscle groups. The gym has a stretching area and 2 benches for dumbbells with weights that range between 2 kgs and 35 kgs. It also includes several barbells and benches.

Lockers & Shower Rooms

The gym in Tripoli campus has 42 lockers located inside the Gym. There are 2 showers situated in the males’ bathroom and 2 situated in the females’ bathroom.

Services & Facilities

The gym in Tripoli is equipped with a 2 TV’s on the wall. The gym additionally allows students to purchase BAU towels.

Policy covering public transport and active travel

The Climate Action Policy’s Sustainable Transportation section calls for encouraging public transport, carpooling, cycling and walking among students and staff. It also sets out incentives for electric and hybrid vehicles, including preferred parking and charging stations, and support for telecommuting and flexible schedules to reduce travel emissions.

Evidence: BAU Climate Action Policy (Strategies and Initiatives, Sustainable Transportation)

Climate Action Plan for Beirut Arab University

These are policy commitments. The page alone does not establish that charging stations, preferred parking bays or specific flexible working arrangements are operational.

Evidence: Published transport commitments

Cycling and walking within the response

Policy encouragement and bicycle loans provide a basis for supporting active travel. A detailed bicycle and pedestrian plan would additionally need mapped routes, responsibilities and delivery milestones. Those details require separate documentation.

Evidence: Active travel commitment

Evidence: Implemented student bicycle access

Student and employee participation

Students are the expressly identified beneficiaries of the bicycle scheme. The bus service and the wider travel policy are relevant to the university community, while the 2024 travel assessment includes students, employees and academic staff. These sources show institutional involvement in travel choices without requiring every initiative to cover every user group.

Evidence: University record of the campus travel assessment (Abstract)

Recent research and responsible reporting of results

Campus travel assessment published in 2024

Published on 23 September 2024, the campus travel study analysed 400 student and staff responses from Beirut and Debbieh during academic year 2023 to 2024. BAU lists it in its engineering research record.

Evidence: Original campus travel study (Sections 5 and 6)

Evidence: BAU engineering publication record

These overlapping rates must not be added into a sustainable commuting percentage. The unweighted two-campus sample overrepresents Debbieh. The table follows Figure 6, including its more precise active travel and solo-driving figures, rather than the rounded prose.

Evidence: Publisher PDF with the original chart (PDF page 14, Figure 6; sample discussion on page 13)

Using research to inform practical action

The study recommends better bus schedules and routes, awareness and ride-sharing tools; implementation requires separate evidence. Its comparison with another study is not a before-and-after assessment of BAU.

Evidence: Study recommendations and comparison (Sections 6.4 and 7)

Submission response and evidence boundaries

Recommended submission wording

Yes. Beirut Arab University undertakes actions to encourage more sustainable commuting through shared shuttle services and practical support for their use. BAU advertises its Debbieh transport connection and provides information on accessible seating, tracking and passenger facilities. A dedicated application describes route information, seat booking and arrival tracking.

Evidence: University shuttle connection

Evidence: Bus information and booking application

At Debbieh, students can borrow bicycles free of charge. BAU’s Climate Action Policy complements these practical services. Together they provide the basis for the affirmative response. Research on campus travel supplies supporting context; it is not used to claim a verified increase in the university-wide sustainable commuting percentage.

Evidence: Free student bicycle borrowing

Evidence: Institutional travel commitment

Status of other examples in the question

BAU’s entrepreneurship centre describes Carpolo as an alumnus’s carpooling venture. That supports an innovation connection, but does not by itself establish a currently university-operated commuter scheme, reserved carpool parking or discounted parking fees. These separate claims require their own operating records.

Evidence: BAU entrepreneurship centre description of Carpolo (Success Stories)

Priority records to strengthen the evidence

The most useful additions would be a current approved bus fare and subsidy statement, route and ridership records, bicycle loan logs and dated records of any newly commissioned facilities. Where applicable, include the rules and user eligibility for carpool incentives, transit discounts or charging access. These are proposed evidence improvements, not activities asserted as completed. Retain campus, date, responsible unit and original source beside every claimed measure, and select the applicable reporting year without discarding relevant policy context.