Hasselt (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – UHasselt launched the “Smart to Campus” app for students and staff, led by Professor Tom Brijs, offering the fastest, cheapest, and greenest travel across Hasselt and Diepenbeek campuses.
As VRT News reported, UHasselt has launched a new mobility tool that helps students and staff find the fastest and cheapest ways to reach campus. The tool is also available to people from UCLL and PXL.
It covers all campuses in Hasselt and Diepenbeek and shows different travel options from home or student housing. Professor Tom Brijs says the tool even points out free parking areas, such as Park H, where commuters can leave their cars and continue by bike or bus.
What is UHasselt’s “Smart to Campus” App?
The tool is part of UHasselt’s plan to encourage more people to use bikes and public transport. It gives students and staff a clear view of travel times and expenses. Professor BriJs says the goal is to offer a practical and user-friendly solution that supports sustainable commuting.
Brijs said,
“We also want to show that it may take a little longer to come by bike, but that it is often cheaper or that you don’t have parking problems.”
The “Smart to Campus” app also calculates how many calories a user will burn, the environmental impact of the journey, and how quickly they will arrive. Professor Tom Brijs says the tool offers transportation options tailored to each student or staff member. This way, users can pick the option that works best for them.
The app mainly targets new students and staff starting at the university.
“People undergoing a life change, such as a new program or a new job, are more receptive to information that can help them get to that location,”
says Brijs.
“Of course, we want to reach everyone, but we know it’s harder to change behaviour if you’ve been using the same transportation plan for years.”
Similar initiatives have been implemented at other universities in Belgium to promote sustainable campus mobility. The University of Leuven (KU Leuven) has introduced the “Leuven Mobility App,” which integrates various modes of transportation, including public transit, cycling, and walking, to help students and staff plan their journeys. The University of Ghent (UGent) has partnered with local authorities to provide students with discounted public transport passes and bike-sharing programs.
