Western Michigan University Transportation Master Plan

Western Michigan University (WMU) has embarked on a series of exciting projects that will transform its Kalamazoo, Michigan, campus and position it for the next generation of users. As its plans took shape, the need for a comprehensive assessment of campus transportation issues and opportunities became clear. To facilitate this assessment, WMU commissioned a TMP to address challenges connected to travel safety, congestion, internal connectivity, parking management, shuttle bus operations, transportation financing, and administrative policies. The TMP will guide holistic, strategic, and practical improvements for near-, mid-, and long-term implementation.

Nelson\Nygaard began the project with a thorough assessment of existing mobility conditions, including analysis of existing parking, traffic, transit, and multimodal network data, plus walking, bicycling, and driving audits with WMU and community leaders. The team also executed a campus transportation survey and held a series of engagement activities—including open houses, focus groups, and event tabling—to inform the TMP vision and goals. These steps informed a series of strategies and recommendations aimed at reinforcing a “walk first” campus and supporting multimodal access to campus from the surrounding communities and broader region.

The TMP strategies and recommendations were reviewed and prioritized by the project steering committee and campus stakeholders to ensure alignment with TMP and broader WMU and community objectives. The team developed an action plan that synthesized key multimodal recommendations and implementation steps into near-term actions and “quick wins” to make an immediate impact and help build momentum toward longer term goals. The TMP will serve as a standing resource and valuable guide in support of campus growth and development for all community members.