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Site selection makes all the difference
Site selection is the key factor in determining how easily a project can qualify for this credit. If your project is located in a densely populated area that is well-served by public transportation, it should be very easy to meet the requirements.
An all-around good idea
Facilitating access to public transportation not only brings environmental benefits in the form of reduced greenhouse gas emissions and fewer cars on the road, but it can also reduce commuting costs for building occupants and help attract new hires and retain employees.
Options for larger projects
Larger-scale projects may want to consider working with local transit authorities to bring public transportation access near the project site if none already exists. You may not need to ask...
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9 Comments
ADA Accessible
"This path must follow sidewalks and other walkable areas. Crossing highways, lawns or other private areas is not considered an acceptable part of pedestrian access."
I don't see anything about the path having to be ADA Compliant. We have existing sidewalks along our route (but not on our property) that probably don't meet current ADA standards. Is this acceptable to LEED?
Tristan Roberts replied Editor – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, LLC Apr 15 2010
I doubt that your Certification Body would look this closely at the sidewalks, or that they would require ADA compliance, as long as the sidewalks are relatively usable.
LEED requirements that you meet applicable laws in the Minimum Program Requirements, but I don't see that coming into play in this situation.
exemplary performance: 200 rides per 24hrs
I would assume this is Mon-Fri, but would think about otherdays if my building is operational on holidays and weekends.
Tristan Roberts replied Editor – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, LLC Apr 23 2010
You're referring to the EP requirement that the transit stops used provide at least 200 rides per day.
I would also assume this is Mon-Fri, particularly if it's a typical office building with weekday occupancy. If it's an institutional or residential building, it could get a bit more complicated. Most residences would also use transit less on a weekend, but in some building types use might be just as intensive.
Nothing is as simple as it might first look!
1/4 radius vs walking distance
The language seems a little confusing whether the bus stops need to be within 1/4 mile walking distance or radius from the main entrance. If the walking distance is more important I don't understand why the radius needs to be shown on the documentation map.
Dave Intner replied Firmitas Architecture & Planning May 18 2010
The radius is helpful for illustrative and planning purposes, but is effectively irrelevant for documenting credit compliance. The actual walking path must be used. The "Ruler" tool in Google Earth is very helpful to demonstrate path distance on a site map.
exemplary credit: two commuter train, light rail, or subway line
Would a BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) line qualify as a light rail line? The Greater Cleveland RTA opted to use articulated 2-car-long, wheeled buses in lieu of installing rails for light rail, modeled on the system in Curitiba, Brazil; however, it works just like light rail, with platforms with wheelchair access where tickets are purchased, all the doors on one side open just like light rail cars, and the vehicles run on a schedule that is more frequent than the rapid transit lines in the RTA system.
Mara Baum replied Sustainability Coordinator, Anshen + Allen Architects May 24 2010
Great question. By the literal LEED language, this would obviously qualify as a bus, not a rail line. However, based on intent and function, the BRT should act as a rail or subway line. Are you able to prove that the BRT line(s) in question have the speed and capacity of an average subway? If so, then you may have an argument for categorizing the BRT as a subway. From what I know, however, BRT statistics fall somewhere between subways and regular buses. I don't know how GBCI will respond.
Pittsburgh, PA has both a old bus rapid transit system (its "busways") and a lot of LEED certified projects. You may be able to find out if any of those projects have crossed this bridge before.
Public transit and military bases
I often work on military projects where they have one bus line to the nearest town/city, but not always a second route internal or external to the base. Troops are regularly transported by bus, but this does not include civilian visitors on the base, and it does not operate like a municipal bus with specific routes and timelines. Has USGBC addressed this issue? It seems they should encourage/recognize non-traditional bus transit too?
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