campus
Campus Route Planning
A simple guide for safer walking routes across large campus environments.
campus safety
SAFETY PLANNING
Campus Route Planning
Lighting
Options for using better-lit routes on and around campus:
- Identify main walkways, building entrances, and parking areas that stay well-lit after dark.
- Walk your usual routes in daylight first to check where lights are located and where shadows or dark spots appear.
- Note any path sections with broken or inconsistent lighting that you may want to avoid at night.
- Save campus maps or online tools that mark “safe walk” or “preferred” evening routes, if your school offers them.
- Plan pick-up and drop-off points in well-lit, visible locations rather than side or rear entrances.
- Consider adjusting class, work, or activity schedules to reduce time walking alone after dark when possible.
Some campuses have maintenance request systems. If you notice broken lights on a route you use often, you can consider reporting them through that system.
Traffic areas
Ways to use busier, more visible areas when planning your route:
- Favor paths that pass through central quads, main lobbies, or common areas where other people are usually present.
- Include security posts, residence hall desks, or staffed buildings as “checkpoints” along your route.
- Note where cameras are installed, such as around main entrances, parking structures, and transit stops.
- Plan walking times that match class changes or shift changes when foot traffic is heavier.
- Identify public indoor cut-throughs (libraries, student centers) you can walk through instead of isolated outdoor shortcuts.
- Map out nearby businesses or public spaces off-campus that stay open late and have regular foot traffic.
Escort programs
Options for integrating campus escort and transport services into your routes:
- Look up whether your campus offers:
- Walking escort programs
- On-demand campus shuttles or vans
- Late-night ride zones or pick-up points
- Save key contact details:
- Escort program phone number or app
- Hours of operation
- Where pick-up and drop-off locations are
- Build routes that start and end at designated escort stops or shuttle hubs when traveling after dark.
- Check whether escorts will accompany you:
- Between buildings on campus
- To parking lots or residence halls
- To nearby off-campus housing
- Practice using the escort or shuttle system at a lower-stress time so you are familiar with how it works.
Some campuses list escort and transport options, along with other safety tools, through student services or external directories such as https://www.dv.support.
Alternate paths
Planning back-up routes and options if you want to avoid specific locations or people:
- Map at least two routes for:
- Classes you attend regularly
- Your residence or dorm
- Work-study or campus jobs
- Parking areas or transit stops
- Identify exit options from large buildings (side doors, other stairwells) that connect to different outdoor paths.
- Note places along your route where you can safely wait or pause if you need to change direction (library, café, staffed office).
- Adjust routes to avoid:
- Known gathering spots for the person you are concerned about
- Isolated shortcuts such as alleys or narrow paths
- Areas without nearby buildings that are open
- Consider time-based alternates—for example, one route during busier hours and a different one when campus is quieter.
- Share general route plans with a trusted person if you find it useful (for example, “I usually walk by the library, but if that feels uncomfortable I’ll go through the science building instead”).