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JHU OPIN Case Study
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Case Study: Operation Plug-‐in (OPIN)-‐Johns Hopkins University Interns: Megan Morrow, Eudora Zhang Mentors: Davis Bookhart, Ashley Pennington Objective
The purpose of the summer 2013 Operation Plug-‐In campaign is to improve
electric vehicle education and outreach starting with improving signage and way
finding for existing electric vehicle infrastructure, including charging stations, signs,
policies and information (EVI) on campus.
Findings
In 2011, The Johns Hopkins University installed 5 Level 2 ChargePro
Semaconnect EV Chargers through the Baltimore-‐Washington Electric Vehicle
Initiative (BEVI) in the JHU South Garage at the Homewood Campus. Both visitors
and university employees use this garage. Its close proximity to the Homewood
Parking Office and Mason Hall, the undergraduate admissions building, make it an
ideal location for showcasing Hopkins’ commitment to clean energy initiatives.
Awareness of the presence of EV chargers on the Hopkins Campuses is greatly
lacking. Besides a few press releases from the time when the chargers were
installed, no literature exists on Hopkins’ websites concerning the location of these
chargers. The typical student is probably unaware that these 5 chargers even exist.
In addition, signage directing people to the chargers and outlining their parking
regulations is insufficient. Metal signs indicating “Electric Vehicle Charging” and
laminated signs reading “Electric Vehicle Parking Only” hang above the EVSEs,
however no other signs exist directing drivers to their location. Finally, the EV spots
are commonly occupied by non-‐EVs and lack the monitoring to uphold the parking
restrictions.
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Existing signage in South Garage Existing Five Chargers in South Garage
Existing Homewood Campus Map
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Methodology
To change the current status of EV charging signage and promotion on the Johns
Hopkins Campus, we, the BEVI interns at Hopkins, set about contacting employees
in the Office of Facilities and Real Estate to discuss boosting the EV web and signage
presence. We contacted the Sustainability Coordinator, Ashley Pennington, and the
Transportation Manager, Roman Steichen, and gave them these suggestions:
• The addition of an “Electric Vehicle Charging Stations” section on the JHU
Sustainability Network’s “Transportation” webpage
• The addition of EV charging information on the JHU Parking and
Transportation website
In regards to signage, we set up a meeting with the University Architect and
Director, Jim Miller, and the Director of Parking and Transportation, Greg Smith. To
them we presented these ideas:
• The installation of signs on Wyman Park Drive, the road leading to the South
Garage, indicating the presence of EV charging stations
• More signage within the South Garage pointing EV drivers immediately to
the left when they enter (towards the charging stations)
• Sturdier signage indicating “Electric Vehicle Parking Only” to better deter
non-‐EV drivers
• Additional signage in other Hopkins parking garages telling drivers that if
needed, EV charging stations are located in the South Garage.
• Increased EV information available through the Parking Office located in the
South Garage
Finally, we contacted the Director of Admissions, Ellen Kim, requesting that the
admissions desk add a small sign indicating to visitors the presence of EV chargers
in the garage below.
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SWOT Analysis
Table – Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats Analysis
Recommendations
Based on what we have done and the barriers we have faced, we have several
recommendations for further work on the Operation Plug-‐in initiative.
• Push for the installation of more EV chargers on the Homewood campus and
even at other Hopkins campuses or buildings that would be free of charge to
faculty or visitors.
• Encourage student organizations to create events related to EVs, helping to
provide EV education and to raise EV awareness on campus. This knowledge
could spread from peers to friends and family.
• Coordinate with an EV manufacturer or EV initiative to offer a test drive
around campus. This could give students a chance to see an EV up close and to
S • Focus is on a central location • Level 2 chargers already exist • A signage format is already in use • Hopkins has an established
commitment to sustainability
W • Lack of time • General lack of awareness of EVs
on Hopkins Campuses • Charging infrastructure requires
substantial funding • Monitoring system is not
developed to prevent non-‐EV drivers from parking in EV spots
O • Student-‐run event • Creating “swag” to promote EVs
and charging infrastructure • Test-‐drive event • Promoting awareness of existing
chargers boosts Hopkins’ reputation as a sustainable institution
• OPIN could help the city of Baltimore reach its EV goals
T • Signage restrictions exist on
campus and on city streets • There is a lack of understanding
about the need for charging infrastructure
• The EV initiative gets lost in a sea of other initiatives; not everyone can get their own signs
• Chargers aren’t in use very often, causing people to think they aren’t needed
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learn about the difference EVs could make.
• Make a short and inspiring EV introduction video for the JHU Sustainability
Network website to promote the awareness of EVs.
• Look into Level 1 charging options on campus.
• Continue to increase way finding and signage for the existing Level 2 chargers.
Action Taken
Operation Plug-‐in succeeded in the following ways at the Johns Hopkins
Homewood Campus:
• An “Electric Vehicle Charging Stations” section was added to the
“Transportation” page of the JHU Sustainability Network’s website. This
section described the number and location of the chargers and linked readers
to the Maryland EV webpage for more information.
• Information regarding the chargers will be added to the JHU Parking and
Transportation website when it is updated. We hope the EV parking spot and
charging station information can be mentioned either under the “Parking”
section for the South Garage, or under “General Information.”
• We encouraged the Vice President of Facilities, Alan Fish, in his mission to
convert the campus fleet to electric vehicles.
• Jim Miller agreed to pursue the addition of signage and way finding for the
chargers within the South Garage, staying consistent with the existing signage.