There is a common problem facing many colleges and universities across the nation – campus transportation systems are overburdened and need relief. The campus environment combines a student population living and learning in a designated area, staff that support the institution and vehicle traffic that maneuvers through the campus. This, coupled with normal maintenance and continually increasing levels of new construction in already tight confines, underscores the seriousness and potentially dangerous situations that are created when commercial vehicle travel across the campus.
Our goal is to reduce or eliminate traffic of large trucks on our central campus for the safety of the campus inhabitants and the efficiency and maneuverability of all parties involved. Other campuses with similar environments have eliminated truck accessibility altogether. However, we do not feel that doing this would be in the best interests of all the parties. Cornell, one of the largest research institutions in the world, has diverse operational needs that must be met. To address the safety concerns created by commercial vehicular traffic:
- We ask that vendors use the smallest delivery vehicle practical to make all deliveries to the Cornell Campus.
- If a delivery is made regularly, Cornell Police would like to discuss possible ways to use smaller vehicles and determine the safest and most beneficial route.
- There are no designated or access highways in the immediate Cornell area. No 53′ cargo trailers are legal on the Cornell campus.
- The Cornell Police enforce all local, state and federal commercial regulations. Please be aware of the regulations associated with legally and safely picking up and/or delivering with these vehicles.
New York State Dimension Guidelines For Commercial Vehicles
All commercial vehicles making pickups or deliveries on the Cornell campus must not exceed the following dimensions:
- Width: 96″ unless the traffic lane is ten or more feet wide, then 102″ is allowed.
- Height: 13′ 6″. Note: There is one overpass in the area: 12′ 8″ on New York State Route 366.
- Length: Single vehicle: 40′ maximum. Combination of vehicles, semi-trailer or trailer: 65′ overall length, 48′ trailer maximum. No 53′ trailers allowed.
- Exceptions: Fire vehicles, Public utility vehicles or vehicles hauling poles, girders, columns or other similar objects of great length provided the vehicles meet state and federal safety requirements.
We are confident that by all parties working together we can effectively reduce the amount of large truck traffic on our campus and make our campus a safer place.
The Cornell Police Commercial Vehicle Escort Policy
- The Cornell Police will escort all properly permitted over-sized commercial vehicles to job sites and buildings on the Cornell campus. This includes cranes, girders, poles and other objects of great length. It does not include 53′ cargo trailers.
- 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. arrival times should be avoided, as these are peak traffic times on campus. Please try to arrange escorts in advance.
- All commercial vehicles and their drivers escorted onto the Cornell campus by the Cornell Police are subject to a safety inspection.
- At NO time will the Cornell Police knowingly escort a commercial vehicle, which is operating in violation of any local, state or federal law.
To arrange for an escort or for further information on commercial regulations in our area please contact the University Police at (607) 255-1111.