-
Promote use of high-efficiency vehicles
This credit is focused on limiting environmental impacts from automobile use. It targets commuting specifically, but also addresses company vehicle fleets, maintenance vehicles, and buses.
Projects that have substantial parking area may find the requirements of this credit to be low-hanging fruit, because they should easily be able to designate preferred parkingPreferred parking, available to particular users, includes designated spaces close to the building (aside from designated handicapped spots), designated covered spaces, discounted parking passes, and guaranteed passes in a lottery system. for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehiclesFuel-efficient vehicles have achieved a minimum green score of 40 according to the annual vehicle-rating guide of the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy., which is one option. There are two other options for compliance, both of varying difficulty and requiring varying levels of commitment from the project owner.
Pick a path and go with it
It’s wise to choose your compliance path early in the process, especially since some of the options require infrastructure development such as alternative fueling stations.
Make sure that you base your choice on the likelihood that building occupants will take advantage of the resources you provide. While this is not often done, surveying occupants or prospective occupants is a good way to determine which strategy is likely to have the highest impact.
A range of options
Option 1: Providing low-emitting or fuel-efficient vehicles for 3% of FTE occupants along with preferred parking for these vehicles may be the most expensive approach to this credit. If a project already maintains a fleet of vehicles, however, then low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles can be substituted at no added cost—possibly even a cost savings.
Option 2: Providing preferred parking for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles for 5% of total parking capacity is by far the most cost-effective option for projects that have onsite parking managed by the building ownership. “Preferred” is defined as easy to access (such as close to building entrances), or available at a discounted price.Option 3: Providing onsite alternative fueling stations for 3% of total vehicle parking capacity is a bit more involved and potentially more expensive. The most readily accessible strategy here is providing plug outlets for electric cars.
-
Don't double-count parking spaces
If your project is pursuing both SSc4.3 and SSc4.4, be careful not to double-count preferred parkingPreferred parking, available to particular users, includes designated spaces close to the building (aside from designated handicapped spots), designated covered spaces, discounted parking passes, and guaranteed passes in a lottery system. spaces allotted for those credits. The total number of preferred parking spaces must be equal to those required for SSc4.3, plus those required for SSc4.4. The same parking space cannot count for both credits (although they do not have to be distinguished through signage).
-
FAQs for SSc4.3
Do all hybrid vehicles automatically qualify for this credit?
No. The qualifying list rates vehicles for fuel efficiency as well as emissions. Most—but not all—hybrids meet the criteria. There are also non-hybrid cars that qualify for the credit. Always check the most up-to-date list for qualifying vehicles. The list is long and inclusive.
Can a project pursue this credit via a combination of Option 1 (preferred parking) and Option 2 (alternative fueling stations)?
This would probably be approved by LEED, depending on specifics, but you would need to get an official ruling—either a CIRCredit Interpretation Ruling. Used by design team members experiencing difficulties in the application of a LEED prerequisite or credit to a project. Typically, difficulties arise when specific issues are not directly addressed by LEED information/guide or LEED InterpretationLEED Interpretations are official answers to technical inquiries about implementing LEED on a project. They help people understand how their projects can meet LEED requirements and provide clarity on existing options. LEED Interpretations are to be used by any project certifying under an applicable rating system. All project teams are required to adhere to all LEED Interpretations posted before their registration date. This also applies to other addenda. Adherence to rulings posted after a project registers is optional, but strongly encouraged. LEED Interpretations are published in a searchable database at usgbc.org..
How should the signage read for preferred parking spaces?
Neither USGBC or GBCI has provided a mandatory signage design, but there has been consistent guidance indicating that one or more of the following terms must be on the sign:
- Low-Emitting
- Fuel-Efficient
- Zero Emissions
- ACEEE 40+
Some project teams have struggled with this because they think it does not clearly convey the concept to occupants, but nonetheless, this has been the pattern of review comments from GBCI. For projects that want to use additional terms, they may use one of more of the above terms, in combination with any of the following terms.
- Alternative Fuel Vehicles
- Hybrid Vehicles
- Electric Vehicles
These terms are not sufficient on their own, however, as not all hybrid vehicles are low-emitting, for example.
For electric vehicle charging stations, how are the parameters established for fueling capacity?
Typically credit is given for each available preferred parking spot with a separate charging plug. If a charging station provides a fast charge and the project wants to have that reflected in its credit calculations, then the project team should provide evidence from both the charging system manufacturer and the building or parking management showing that the logistics of allowing multiple vehicles to share a single charging station will be managed accordingly.
I am working on a project with no parking spaces allocated. Can I earn this credit?
Yes, some projects have earned this credit with a regional car-sharing program that locates a publicly accessible car share vehicle adjacent to the project site.
Our project is outside the U.S., and the LEED-approved ACEEE Green Score and CARB ratings and classifications don't apply to many vehicles. Is there another approach that is accepted?
Only in Brazil, where projects can benefit from the approval of a regional program in LEED Interpretation #10230. GBCI's policy is that until a Global alternative compliance path (ACP) or LEED Interpretation comes out, proposals for non-standard approaches must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by individual review teams. This means that some LEED projects may be able to create a successful approach, and some might have difficulty—a situation that is consistent with what LEEDuser has heard about LEED review comments.
Should I consider motorbikes and parking spaces for them under this credit? What about fleet vehicles?
Fleet vehicle and storage spaces—for example, spaces for school buses, military vehicles, rental cars, or tractor trailers—are not counted in the number of total parking spaces, but commuter spaces are counted, including those dedicated to atypical vehicles such as motorcycles.
According to GBCI, an "atypical" vehicle used for commuting, such as a motorcycle, should be counted the same as a "standard" passenger car parking space. The amount of preferred parking provided should be distributed evenly among the various parking space types.
For example, if 40% of the project’s parking is for motorcycles, 60% of the total parking is for standard passenger vehicles, and 10 preferred spaces are required to earn the credit, the preferred spaces should be distributed such that four preferred spaces (40%) are provided for motorcycles and six preferred spaces (60%) are provided for passenger vehicles.
Legend
- Best Practices
- Gotcha
- Action Steps
- Cost Tip
USGBC
Excerpted from LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations Version 2.2
SS Credit 4.3: Alternative transportation - low emitting and fuel efficient vehicles
1 Point
Intent
Reduce pollution and land development impacts from automobile use.
Requirements
Option 1
Provide low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehiclesFuel-efficient vehicles have achieved a minimum green score of 40 according to the annual vehicle-rating guide of the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. for 3% of Full-Time EquivalentFull-time equivalent (FTE) represents a regular building occupant who spends 40 hours per week in the project building. Part-time or overtime occupants have FTE values based on their hours per week divided by 40. Multiple shifts are included or excluded depending on the intent and requirements of the credit. (FTEFull-time equivalent (FTE) represents a regular building occupant who spends 8 hours a day (40 hours a week) in the project building. Part-time or overtime occupants have FTE values based on their hours per day divided by 8 (or hours per week divided by 40). Transient Occupants can be reported as either daily totals or as part of the FTE. Residential occupancy should be estimated based on the number and size of units. Core and Shell projects should refer to the default occupancy table in the Reference Guide appendix. All occupant assumptions must be consistent across all credits in all categories.) occupants AND provide preferred parkingPreferred parking, available to particular users, includes designated spaces close to the building (aside from designated handicapped spots), designated covered spaces, discounted parking passes, and guaranteed passes in a lottery system. for these vehicles.
OR
Option 2
Provide preferred parking for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles for 5% of the total vehicle parking capacity of the site.
OR
Option 3
Install alternative-fuel refueling stations for 3% of the total vehicle parking capacity of the site (liquid or gaseous fueling facilities must be separately ventilated or located outdoors).
For the purposes of this credit, low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles are defined as vehicles that are either classified as Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVZero-emission vehicles.) by the California Air Resources Board or have achieved a minimum green score of 40 on the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) annual vehicle rating guide.
"Preferred parking” refers to the parking spots that are closest to the main entrance of the project (exclusive of spaces designated for handicapped) or parking passes provided at a discounted price.
Potential Technologies & Strategies
Provide transportation amenities such as alternative fuel refueling stations. Consider sharing the costs and benefits of refueling stations with neighbors.
Web Tools
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
ACEEE is an online, searchable green car guide based on an evaluation of fuel efficiency and tailpipe emissions. It also offers hardcopies of Green Guide to Cars and Trucks, an annual publication of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
Publications
California Air Resources Board, Cleaner Car Guide
CARBThe California Air Resources Board, part of the state government, is charged with maintaining clean air. This agency is unique at the state level: California was the only state that had such an agency before the passage of the federal Clean Air Act, and was allowed to keep it. has developed a comprehensive, searchable buyer’s guide to finding the cleanest cars on the market. The guide also lists advantages clean vehicles offer.
Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology
The Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology offers a useful guide to fuel cells and hydrogen in vehicles.
Rocky Mountain Institute Transportation Page
This website offers information on the environmental impact of transportation and extensive information about Hypercar vehicles.
Union of Concerned Scientists, Clean Vehicle Program
This site provides information about the latest developments in alternative vehicles, the environmental impact of conventional vehicles, and documents such as the guide Buying a Greener Vehicle: Electric, Hybrids, and Fuel Cells.
U.S. Department of Energy, Fuel Economy
This website offers comparisons of new and used cars and trucks based on gas mileage (mpg), greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution ratings, and safety information.
American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) annual vehicle rating guide
A comprehensive list of vehicles that score 40 and above in the rankings. These vehicles are considered LE/FE vehicles.
List of alternative fuels
A summary of common available alternative fuels in production.
Technical Guides
Clean Cities Vehicle Buyer’s Guide For Fleets
The Vehicle Buyer’s Guide for Fleets is designed to educate fleet managers and policymakers about alternative fuels and vehicles to help them determine whether the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992 affects them. Use the site to determine whether your fleet is covered under EPAct; obtain pricing and technical specifications for light and heavy-duty AFVs; find an alternative fueling station in your area; or research information about state AFV purchasing incentives and laws.
Organizations
Electric Auto Association
This nonprofit education organization promotes the advancement and widespread adoption of electric vehicles.
Electric Drive Transportation Association
Through policy, information, and market development initiatives, this industry association promotes the use of electric vehicles.
National Biodiesel Board
This trade association, representing the biodiesel industry, serves as the coordinating body for biodiesel research and development in the United States. The website provides information on the purchasing, handling, and use of biodiesel fuels.
Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition
The Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition consists of natural gas companies, vehicle and equipment manufacturers, service providers, environmental groups, and government organizations.
City Car Share
Car Share program in the BayA bay is a component of a standard, rectilinear building design. It is the open area defined by a building element such as columns or a window. Typically, there are multiple identical bays in succession. Area – partnering with a program like Car Share may help meet the requirements of a vehicle sharing program.
Zip Car
Car SharingA system under which multiple households share a pool of automobiles, either through cooperative ownership or through some other mechanism. Service – partnering with a company like Zipcar may help meet the requirements of a vehicle sharing program.
Site Plan with Preferred Parking
Document preferred parkingPreferred parking, available to particular users, includes designated spaces close to the building (aside from designated handicapped spots), designated covered spaces, discounted parking passes, and guaranteed passes in a lottery system. for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehiclesFuel-efficient vehicles have achieved a minimum green score of 40 according to the annual vehicle-rating guide of the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. with a site plan like this example.
Vehicle Calculator
Option 4
Use this spreadsheet to help calculate the number of low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehiclesFuel-efficient vehicles have achieved a minimum green score of 40 according to the annual vehicle-rating guide of the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. you need to provide based on the FTEFull-time equivalent (FTE) represents a regular building occupant who spends 8 hours a day (40 hours a week) in the project building. Part-time or overtime occupants have FTE values based on their hours per day divided by 8 (or hours per week divided by 40). Transient Occupants can be reported as either daily totals or as part of the FTE. Residential occupancy should be estimated based on the number and size of units. Core and Shell projects should refer to the default occupancy table in the Reference Guide appendix. All occupant assumptions must be consistent across all credits in all categories. occupancy.
Tools
LEED Online Sample Template – SSc4.3
This template is the flattened, public version of the dynamic template for this credit that is used within LEED-Online v2 by registered project teams. This and other public versions of LEED credit templates come from the USGBC website, and are posted on LEEDuser with USGBC's permission. You'll need to fill out the live version of this template on LEED Online to document this credit.
Design Submittal
Documentation for this credit can be part of a Design Phase submittal.
LEEDuser is produced by BuildingGreen, Inc., with YR&G authoring most of the original content. LEEDuser enjoys ongoing collaboration with USGBC.
51 Comments
shuttle bus
I am recently working on an industrial project for a new factory. The client wants to put in place a shuttle bus specially for the managers of the factory. As the other employees live near the site, they can come to work by bicycles. My question is if we could earn this credit in this way ?
Not likely. In a situation like this, the shuttle would need to be accessbile to more than just the management and would need to be linked directly with a public transportation system that is close to your quarter mile radius.
Ellen,
Thanks for your reply!
Preferred parking also equipped with charging station
I would like to know if the preferred parkingPreferred parking, available to particular users, includes designated spaces close to the building (aside from designated handicapped spots), designated covered spaces, discounted parking passes, and guaranteed passes in a lottery system. for low emitting and fuel efficient vehicles are also equipped with electric car charging station, is that a problem with compliance. In this case, I am going for the option of providing 5% of total parking capacity with preferred parking. However, electric car charging stations will also be installed at a few of the preferred parking lot as I am going to target for comprehensive transport management plan for Innovation. Is that a problem, do I have to designate the electric car charging station at other parking lots instead of at the preferred parking lot which actually makes more sense.
Regina,
There are separate compliance path options under each credit. Providing 5% preferred parkingPreferred parking, available to particular users, includes designated spaces close to the building (aside from designated handicapped spots), designated covered spaces, discounted parking passes, and guaranteed passes in a lottery system. for LEFE vehicles and using electric car charging stations fall under different options (not credits, they are both under SS 4.3). Thus, your approach will not cause any issue with compliance with credit SS 4.3.
However, if you are thinking that this will get the EP credit for a comprehensive TMP, it probably won't make the cut. You will need more material to back it up as a "comprehensive" TMP for the EP credit.
Lockable outlet covers or seperate breaker?
Hi, we have a project where the EV parking space outlets are on a separate breaker that is turned on when they are required. Does anyone know if this will this meet the requirements for controlling access to power?
Thanks!
Shevaun, who controls the breaker? If I pull up with my EV to charge, how do I know it it's going to be on? Without more information, I couldn't really answer your question, but I'd be concerned about added steps.
You would ask the front desk assistant to turn it on. To me this is about the same amount of extra steps as asking the front desk for the key to unlock a locked outlet cover, except no one could steal the key.
What requirement for "controlling access to power" are you referring to? I know of no such LEED requirement... If it is a non-LEED requirement, I would think a narrative describing how such a requirements doesn't prohibit visitors and occupants from using the charging stations would be essential. Personally, the strategy you describe seems rife with the possibility for someone to be stranded at the end of the day because no one switched on the breaker...
Hi, thank you for both responses. This is a LEED Canada 2009 requirement and is outlined in CIRCredit Interpretation Ruling. Used by design team members experiencing difficulties in the application of a LEED prerequisite or credit to a project. Typically, difficulties arise when specific issues are not directly addressed by LEED information/guide 134, 398 & 943 and applies to NC v1.0 as well.
CIRs state: "Electrical outlets that may or will be used for block heaters are not acceptable for this Credit. The proponent must provide documentation on the measures that will be taken to ensure that the electrical outlets cannot be used for block heaters."
We have received the credit on another project that used a lockable outlet cover, so maybe we will have to go that route and leave the breaker on. And I see your point about being stranded.
Here in the US EV vehicles require quite a different "plug" than any block heater would -- is that not the case in Canada? Is there no way to install a station that will only accept EV plugs and be incompatible to block heaters?
My understanding is that current electrical charging stations have special plugs that are not suited for regular plug loads like block heaters.
Are block heaters still common in Canada? They've become rare in the U.S.
They are common here but we get milder winters in southern B.C. so they aren't used much. I know there are adapters for 120v to J1772, I've read that the Volt, Leaf, and electric Smart car come with them.
Maybe they could convert the receptacle to a J1772 (I think that's the norm) but I don't know if its difficult/expensive?
Off-Site Parking for LE/FEV
We are not adding any new parking, so we are obtaining that credit. However, we want to designate spaces in the nearest parking garage (outside of the project boundary) for LE/FEV for this project. Two questions:
1) Is this acceptable and how do we document this? AND
2) Is it confirmed that in such a case , the signage put in place would have to read, as questioned above, LE/FEV Parking for XYZ Building?
Thanks!
Erica, the best guidance I can think of for this question is MPR3, which is not applicable to v2.2 since it came in with LEED 2009. However, I think this is a useful indicator in answering your question. Check out the guidance on our MPR3 page, and I'd suggest posting more specific questions there.
What is ZEV?
Hi all, I am trying to know what is the exact definition of ZEVZero-emission vehicles. by CARBThe California Air Resources Board, part of the state government, is charged with maintaining clean air. This agency is unique at the state level: California was the only state that had such an agency before the passage of the federal Clean Air Act, and was allowed to keep it.. As the Resources of LEED NC, I try to get it on http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/ccvl/ccvl.htm, but "got document not found". I knew, Hybrid Electric,Battery Electric, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) ,Ethanol (E85),Plug-in Hybrid,Hydrogen ,Fuel Cell,Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (ICE),Biodiesel vehicle could be ZEV vehicle, but where could i find the offical definition or classification from CARB? How you deal with these questions. Thank you very much in advance.
Jennifer, I think this website will be more useful: http://www.driveclean.ca.gov/
Shared Parking Lot
We have a project which has a potential future building planned on the same property. We have provided the correct number of preferred LE/FEV spaces. Our review comment states that we must provide additional signage to designate these preferred spaces for users of this specific project. Can we make the argument that "If/when the new building is constructed we will add appropriate signage to designate the preferred spaces to this project"? The timeline of the potential future project is unknown - if it happens at all. Thanks.
We have a similar issue In our case, a big campus lot was put in next to the university dormitory that is the LEED project. The parking lot is not within the LEED project boundary. We based all of our calculations on the notion that only a portion of these spaces (we had a precise formula for this) would be used for the LEED project. LEV spaces and signage were required for 12 parking stalls and 16 such stalls were provided.
Now, as it turns out, very few residents have cars, and LEV owners who drive in from off campus are taking advantage of the spaces The owner does not want to restrict the LEV spaces to residents,as they will not be filled, and cannot take more stalls to provide 5% of all spaces in the lot as LEV spaces.
It seems like an unfair burden on the LEED project, to provide LEV spaces for all of the other buildings using this lot. Any thoughts? Ways out? Precedents that I can use?
Places of parking for carpool and LEV
Hi,
We are working on an airport terminal project located in saudi arabia, the project requirements defines 1000 parking places (300 for car rental, 300 for airport staff and 400 for visitor), We would to confirm if LEV (SS4.3) and Carpool (SS4.4) place numbers (5%) has to be calculted based on total parking place or only airport staff parking. if we calculte based on 1000 parking places, we will need 50 places for LEV and 50 for carpool which is not suitable for such project and even in the region.
Carpool parking would only be required for the staff parking. The LEV requirements definitely apply to the staff area, but its not clear if rental cars and public parking are excluded - see interpretations #2612 and 5940.
You can search the LEED interpretations database at
https://www.usgbc.org/leedinterpretations/lilanding.aspx
for credits 4.3 and 4.4 using the keyword "airport."
Or, just search for ruling ID #s 2027, 2612, 5940, 5935 for relevant rulings on this question.
David,
Thank you very much for the help.
We have decided to send a leed interpretationLEED Interpretations are official answers to technical inquiries about implementing LEED on a project. They help people understand how their projects can meet LEED requirements and provide clarity on existing options. LEED Interpretations are to be used by any project certifying under an applicable rating system. All project teams are required to adhere to all LEED Interpretations posted before their registration date. This also applies to other addenda. Adherence to rulings posted after a project registers is optional, but strongly encouraged. LEED Interpretations are published in a searchable database at usgbc.org..
We are waiting for the response.
For your information the CIRCredit Interpretation Ruling. Used by design team members experiencing difficulties in the application of a LEED prerequisite or credit to a project. Typically, difficulties arise when specific issues are not directly addressed by LEED information/guide says that we can exclude the car rental parking spaces from the total parking capacity count.
What if you have no new parking?
Can we earn option 2 for this credit if we are also pursuing option 4 for SSc4? We are not adding any new parking for our LEED project because there are already lots of existing parking lots near the site. The existing parking is also owned by the owner of our project, so we could designate the spots closest to our building as preferred parkingPreferred parking, available to particular users, includes designated spaces close to the building (aside from designated handicapped spots), designated covered spaces, discounted parking passes, and guaranteed passes in a lottery system. for fuel-efficient vehiclesFuel-efficient vehicles have achieved a minimum green score of 40 according to the annual vehicle-rating guide of the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy.. Not sure whether this would qualify for this credit or not though since it would be outside our LEED site boundary.
You can only earn 1 point for SS4.4 and you qualify under option 4 - no new parking. However, if you want to designate those spaces as LowE/FEV you may want to try for SS4.3 Low-ELow-E or Low-Emissivity Coating: Very thin metallic coating on glass or plastic window glazing that reduces heat loss and heat gain through the window; the coating emits less radiant energy (heat radiation), which makes it, in effect, reflective to that heat. In that way it boosts a window's R-value and reduces its U-factor./FEV as an "alternate compliance path" and write a good narrative with supportive plan. It's a design credit, so if you're submitting for a design review you should have a response prior to construction of that portion of work.
So, based on this, if we add no new parking within our site to comply with Credit 4.4, and then want to go for credit 4.3 LE/FEV preferred parkingPreferred parking, available to particular users, includes designated spaces close to the building (aside from designated handicapped spots), designated covered spaces, discounted parking passes, and guaranteed passes in a lottery system., do I understand correctly that we CAN designate spaces in the nearest parking garage (this is a University Campus) as long as we provide a narrative and our signs say "LE/FEV parking for XYZ building" and meet the appropriate counts?
Thanks in advance for clarifying.
Exact wording on signage
The reviewer commented on the wording of the signage
Signage reads Parking for Fuel Efficient Vehicles rather than
FE and LEV. Is there an inexpensive fix for this anyone? The signage is
in place
Add on a smaller sign with the added wording?
I've used pavement marking in lieu of signs and had it approved. We used a wide colored stripe at the entrance to the spaces and since we had groups of spaces we could span the wording across 3 spaces in a large font and repeat "Low Emitting Fuel Efficient" down the band. The green band easily identifies the spots, we used white band and same strategy for strings of compact spaces, blue for visitors, etc. It was very affordable!
Parking outside the campus Boundary
This particular project has its car parking outside the campus boundary, will it be an issue? The car park is strictly for the campus.
I don't believe this is an issue.
Car and Motorcycle Parking
Hello,
Our parking is designed for 200 cars and 20 motorcycles. To meet the credit by Option 1 (5% preferred parkingPreferred parking, available to particular users, includes designated spaces close to the building (aside from designated handicapped spots), designated covered spaces, discounted parking passes, and guaranteed passes in a lottery system. for LE and FEV) sould we reserve preferred parking for 10 cars and 1 motorcycle? Or is it possible to provide 11 car parks? Or motorcycle doesn't count like a vehicle, and then with only 10 preferred car parkings is enough?
Thank you very much!
Helena,
I have not seen specific guidance on Motorcycle parking related to this credit. I would probably designate 11 car parking spots just to be safe. I would not think that designating a specific spot for an alternative feul motorcycle would be beneficial, as I do not know of any alternative feul motorcycles.
Perhaps someone else has experience with this?
That's really unfortunate... there's a number of hybrid maxiscooters (they'd require motorcycle parking and are treated as motorcycles by most DMV's) including a few fuel cell motorcycles / maxiscooters. Even without alternative fuels, most motorcycles under 900cc's get between 45-68 mpg.
Karen, we had a good discussion on this question over on the EBOM SSc4 forum. There are some good points both for and against motorcycles. I think if you could address some of the negatives you might be able to get a favorable CIRCredit Interpretation Ruling. Used by design team members experiencing difficulties in the application of a LEED prerequisite or credit to a project. Typically, difficulties arise when specific issues are not directly addressed by LEED information/guide. Let us know if you learn anything more.
I just received this comment very recently from USGBC reviewer for my project which is Core and Shell Version 2.0:
For future submittals, note that the total parking capacity must exclude motorcycle parking and include only spaces for automobile parking. In this case, the more stringent value has been used to determine the preferred parkingPreferred parking, available to particular users, includes designated spaces close to the building (aside from designated handicapped spots), designated covered spaces, discounted parking passes, and guaranteed passes in a lottery system., therefore this issue does not affect credit compliance.
So I guess from this reply, it seems that motorcycle parking should be excluded from the total parking capacity.
FTE calculation
I found CIRCredit Interpretation Ruling. Used by design team members experiencing difficulties in the application of a LEED prerequisite or credit to a project. Typically, difficulties arise when specific issues are not directly addressed by LEED information/guide (dated on 5/28/2008)-Inquiry Number 2125, ‘providing 5% of the FTEFull-time equivalent (FTE) represents a regular building occupant who spends 8 hours a day (40 hours a week) in the project building. Part-time or overtime occupants have FTE values based on their hours per day divided by 8 (or hours per week divided by 40). Transient Occupants can be reported as either daily totals or as part of the FTE. Residential occupancy should be estimated based on the number and size of units. Core and Shell projects should refer to the default occupancy table in the Reference Guide appendix. All occupant assumptions must be consistent across all credits in all categories. numbers with preferred parkingPreferred parking, available to particular users, includes designated spaces close to the building (aside from designated handicapped spots), designated covered spaces, discounted parking passes, and guaranteed passes in a lottery system. is acceptable’. For the specific project, the FTE number was calculated base on staff, patients and visitors at the maximum occupied shift. Well, I am using only faculties and staffs for FTE calculation and only students and visitors for transient occupant calculation for SS c4.2 Bicycle Storage and Changing Rooms. I have been told that FTE number has to be consistent throughout the LEED submittals. Could I just count faculties and staffs for FTE calculation to determine the number of required preferred parking spaces? How do you get FTE for visitors or students? The team is proposing to provide preferred parking spaces at existing parking lot on campus, outside the project boundary.
Yes, you'll want to use faculty and staff for the FTEFull-time equivalent (FTE) represents a regular building occupant who spends 8 hours a day (40 hours a week) in the project building. Part-time or overtime occupants have FTE values based on their hours per day divided by 8 (or hours per week divided by 40). Transient Occupants can be reported as either daily totals or as part of the FTE. Residential occupancy should be estimated based on the number and size of units. Core and Shell projects should refer to the default occupancy table in the Reference Guide appendix. All occupant assumptions must be consistent across all credits in all categories. numbers and treat students and visitors as Transients when you define these numbers for all the related credits. Page 55 of the NC 2.2 Reference Guide has a good example of how these are calculated for a campus building with full and part time faculty and staff, and transient students.
The number of students and visitors can be hard to know, so you'll need to work with the owner or space planning team to estimate these numbers. These are the transients, and you'll need to estimate the peak number at the busiest time of day.
Signage requirements
Is a physical mounted sign required per space or can it be painted signage on the ground per space?
Christi, there are not specific requirements. I would consider a mounted sign a better practice since it's more visible and permanent, but painted signs, if maintained, should also work.
Painted markings have been approved for credit, but be realistic about maintenance and effective in your graphic design to influence user behavior.
Preferred Spaces in a Parking Garage
In the case of a multi-leveled parking garage, is it okay to spread the LEV spaces out over a number of floors, but still maintain a "preferred" location such as adjacent to the elevator lobbies, as opposed to all the spaces on the level adjacent to the building entrance or main lobby?
Linda, I think this is up to your interpretation (and your reviewer's), but in my opinion your plan is sound. If you need, let's say 100 preferred parkingPreferred parking, available to particular users, includes designated spaces close to the building (aside from designated handicapped spots), designated covered spaces, discounted parking passes, and guaranteed passes in a lottery system. spaces, that will push many of them farther away from the main lobby if you chose to put them all on one floor. By dividing them up between floors you can keep them all close to the main lobby and elevator lobbies, which is "preferable." Or at least, it sounds like a good argument.
Linda, I'm sure you've already submitted this credit but I've used the same approach and the LEED Reviewer approved the credit.
Was your project a parking garage or where you using a garage in close proximity to your project (but outside of your project boundary) in which to designate the required LE/FEV spaces?
If you were using a nearby garage, not on your site, can you share how you documented this to get compliance?
thanks for any help.
Motorbike parking
I'm following up on an earlier post by Fabio Frescia. Our projects are in Vietnam, where car useage is still very low; it has the largest percentage of motorbike users in the world. I've been complying on the few number of car parking spaces with all the LEED credit requirements, but because doing so doesn't really fulfill the intent of the credit, I've also been creating as close an equivalent as I can for the much larger motorbike parking zones. When Fabio posted his comment the reply was that motorbikes can't be counted as fuel-efficient vehiclesFuel-efficient vehicles have achieved a minimum green score of 40 according to the annual vehicle-rating guide of the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy., but I realized it was a semantic issue as these are not technically motorbikes: Vietnam's popular ride is not a Harley, its a little Honda 125cc scooter. So the vast majority of our car parking is for scooters. I'm very happy to supply electric scooter spaces in the scooter parking lot but our approach is a gamble, since we can't find any relevant advice on this situation. Does anyone know if there is a suitable precedent on this credit?
I am also not aware of any precedent for this issue. To avoid taking a gamble, I would recommend submitting a CIRCredit Interpretation Ruling. Used by design team members experiencing difficulties in the application of a LEED prerequisite or credit to a project. Typically, difficulties arise when specific issues are not directly addressed by LEED information/guide to get an official ruling from GBCI. I know new alternate compliance paths are being developed for international projects, which may or may not include provisions for motorbike parking.
Thanks, Ryan, we've been thinking a CIRCredit Interpretation Ruling. Used by design team members experiencing difficulties in the application of a LEED prerequisite or credit to a project. Typically, difficulties arise when specific issues are not directly addressed by LEED information/guide is the way to go, we'll probably submit one.
Can parking be designated for both credits?
Can the parking sign read that either fuel-efficient or carpools can park here as long as the total available parking spots is not diminished? E.g. if one has to provide 20 for fuel-efficient and 20 for carpools, can one provide 40 for either?
Good question. Although I am not aware of specific language in LEED that prohibits preferred parkingPreferred parking, available to particular users, includes designated spaces close to the building (aside from designated handicapped spots), designated covered spaces, discounted parking passes, and guaranteed passes in a lottery system. spaces from being shared between carpool and low-emitting vehiclesLow-emitting vehicles are classified as zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by the California Air Resources Board. (as long as the total number of spaces is correct for each), I do not believe this approach would work for other reasons. For example, if you have a total of 40 preferred spaces, there is a chance that 38 of them could be taken by low-emitting vehicles, leaving only 2 spaces for carpool vehicles. In this case, there would not be enough spaces available to satisfy the intent of SSc4.4. With that said, an official answer may be obtained through the Credit Interpretation Request process.
Does implementing Option 2 and 3 qualify as exemplary performanceIn LEED, certain credits have established thresholds beyond basic credit achievement. Meeting these thresholds can earn additional points through Innovation in Design (ID) or Innovation in Operations (IO) points. As a general rule of thumb, ID credits for exemplary performance are awarded for doubling the credit requirements and/or achieving the next incremental percentage threshold. However, this rule varies on a case by case basis, so check the credit requirements.?
It does not appear so... but I though I would ask anyway.
Start a new LEED comment thread