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Primarily for larger multifamily projects
Efforts to reduce vehicle miles traveled, via encouraging bicycling and other forms of alternative transportation, are rewarded by USGBC in the commercial LEED rating sys-tems. This credit is primarily appropriate for larger multifamily projects. Carbon emissions associated with private vehicle travel is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and around the globe.
Additional Questions
- Did the project team meet this credit in more than one way? If so, which options were met, and why did the project team choose to submit one as the primary path for credit achievement?
Credit Submittals
General
- Register for Pilot Credit(s) here.
- Register a username at LEEDuser.com, and participate in online forum
- Submit feedback survey; supply PDF of your survey/confirmation of completion with credit documentation
Credit Specific
- Option 1: Provide calculation showing the number of occupants compared to the number of bicycle storage spots & photographs that adequate covered, secured bicycle storage spots were installed
- Option 2: Provide calculation showing the number of occupants compared to the alternative vehicle parking capacity & photographs or drawings of 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. spots installed, OR
- Option 2: Provide information on minimum local zoning requirements for parking and documentation that parking provided does not exceed local zoning requirements, OR
- Option 2: Provide pictures of the site demonstrating that no new parking spaces were provided.
USGBC
Excerpted from LEED 2009 for New Construction and Major Renovations
COPYRIGHT © 2009 BY THE U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVEDPilot Credit 30: Alternative Transportation
Intent
To reduce pollution and land development impacts from automobile use.
Requirements
For Multi-Family Projects Only
Option 1: Bicycle Storage
Provide covered storage facilities for securing bicycles for 15% or
more of building occupants. Expect 2 persons for a studio or 1-bedroom
apartment, with one additional person per additional bedroom.AND/OR
Option 1: Bicycle Storage
Provide covered storage facilities for securing bicycles for 15% or more of building occupants. Expect 2 persons for a studio or 1-bedroom apartment, with one additional person per additional bedroom.
AND/OR
Option 2: Parking Capacity / Low Emitting and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles
Provide one of the following:
- 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 the total vehicle parking capac-ity 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.
- Preferred parking for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles for 5% of the total vehicle parking capacity of the site.
- Install alternative-fuel refueling stations for 3% of the total vehicle parking capac-ity of the site (liquid or gaseous fueling facilities must be separately ventilated or located outdoors).
- Size parking capacity to not exceed minimum local zoning requirements, AND, provide infrastructure to facilitate shared vehicle usage such as carpool drop-off areas, designated parking for vanpools, or car-share services, ride boards, and shuttle services to mass transit.
- Provide no new parking.
Potential Technologies & Strategies
Organizations
LEED Pilot Credit Library
The homepage for the LEED Pilot Credit Library. The LEED Pilot Credit Library is intended to facilitate the introduction of new prerequisites and credits to LEED. This process will allow USGBC to test and refine credits through LEED 2009 project evaluations before they are sent through the balloting process for introduction into LEED.
Articles
Foundations of LEED
Background for the LEED Pilot Credit Library is provided in this foundational document.
LEEDuser is produced by BuildingGreen, Inc., with YR&G authoring most of the original content. LEEDuser enjoys ongoing collaboration with USGBC.
6 Comments
Bicycle Network
I guess there are a few clarifications necessary for me to see if the project meets. It says that 'Homes' is an applicable rating system - does this apply to single family - I would assume yes. What constitutes a bicycle network? I've looked up the area that my project is located in, and there are defined trails, as well as defined bike lanes on some roads. Other roads have been classified as 'bike friendly' does that count as being a part of the network. There are a number of roads/paths in the area, but they are not completely connected (i.e. there are some holes in the path that make in incomplete)? Also, the home I speak of is at the end of a cul-de-sac, and there obviously isn't a bike path connecting the home to the main road (less than 1/8 mile away) which has a dedicated bike lane. Does that mean this project is automatically disqualified?
Access to a Bicycle Network
Has anyone had problems with access to a bicycle network? We are currently working on a project in Eugene, OR where there is a very extensive network of bike trails/paths. I'm just wondering if this is normal for other cities.
Jon, I think it's all over the map. Here in the Northeast, some cities would be well-qualified, and some wouldn't.
Pilot Credit 30: No new parking
Where as multi-family apartment buildings need zoning required parking, as designers of senior independent living facilities, we have found that most municipalities will modify there zoning requirement or provide a variance for senior low and mid-rise projects.
Jon, You bring up an interesting point about which LEED program this pilot credit applies to. LEED HC will be the program for most senior living facilities. Are most seniors not driving due to personal physical issues or because they have been encouraged to use mass transportation provided at the living facility? Is this pilot credit a good fit in HC?
My comment would apply to residential independant living apartments. Health Care facilities very well may have different zoning/parking requirements.
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