Helping Hand Questions for LEED-AP-BD+C

The Location and Transportation Credit, Green Vehicles aims to reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions by promoting the use of low-emitting, fuel-efficient, and alternative-fuel vehicles1. One of the requirements for this credit is to provide preferred parking for green vehicles for 5% of the total vehicle parking capacity of the project1. Preferred parking is defined as parking that is clearly marked and located in the most convenient spaces available to the driver or nearest to the main entrance of the project2. In addition to providing preferred parking, the project may also offer one or more incentives to encourage the use of green vehicles, such as a discounted parking rate, free parking passes, or rebates for parking fees3. The question asks what incentive may be provided to meet the requirements and highlight the project sustainable vehicle strategy. The correct answer is C. A permanent discounted parking rate of at least 20% for all green vehicles, because this incentive meets the minimum threshold of 20% discount suggested by the LEED Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction3, and it also demonstrates the project’s commitment to supporting green vehicles in the long term. The other options are either not sufficient or not relevant for this credit. Option A. Three years of free parking for green vehicles is not sufficient because it is not permanent and may not be attractive enough for drivers to switch to green vehicles. Option B. Preferred parking decals for 5% of occupants utilizing carpool vehicles is not relevant because it does not address green vehicles, but rather carpool vehicles, which are covered by a different credit (Location and Transportation Credit, Reduced Parking Footprint)4. Option D. An annual maintenance voucher for at least 5% of occupants driving green vehicles is not sufficient because it is not directly related to parking and may not be a significant incentive for drivers.

References:

Green Vehicles

Green Vehicles - Canada Green Building Council

[LEED Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction v4], page 544

Reduced Parking Footprint

The percentage of diverted waste for Materials and Resources Credit, Construction and Demolition Waste Management is calculated by dividing the total weight of diverted materials by the total weight of waste generated1. Diverted materials are those that are reused, recycled, salvaged, or donated2. In this case, the total weight of diverted materials is:

8 tons (7.3 tonnes) of recycled demolition steel and concrete

6 tons (5.4 tonnes) of used furniture donated to a non-profit organization

1 ton (0.9 tonnes) of removed carpet and ceiling tiles sent back to the manufacturer

40% of 3 tons (2.7 tonnes) of commingled scrap, which is 1.2 tons (1.1 tonnes)

The sum of these weights is 16.2 tons (14.7 tonnes). The total weight of waste generated is 20 tons (18.1 tonnes). Therefore, the percentage of diverted waste is:

(16.2 / 20) x 100 = 81%

However, the credit allows for a 10% adjustment for vegetative waste, which is not considered a building material3. Therefore, the percentage of diverted waste after adjustment is:

(81 - 10) = 71%

The closest answer option to this value is B. 75%.

References:

Construction and Demolition Waste Management

Construction Waste Management

Construction and Demolition Waste Management - Canada Green Building Council

The intent of the Water Efficiency Prerequisite, Outdoor Water Use Reduction is to reduce outdoor water consumption by either eliminating the need for irrigation or reducing the irrigation demand by at least 30% from the baseline. This prerequisite requires project teams to evaluate the project’s outdoor water budget and irrigation water demand using the EPA WaterSense Water Budget Tool or a local equivalent. This will help project teams to estimate and optimize water use in landscape designs by selecting appropriate plant species and irrigation system efficiency.

References: = LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, Outdoor Water Use Reduction Credits in LEED v4, Part Two: LEED v4 BD+C Outdoor Water Reduction and Related Credits

This option requires the project to calculate the contributing value of the fixture by multiplying the cost of the fixture by the percentage of recycled content by weight1. Since the shades are 10% of the overall weight of the fixture and are 50% post-consumer recycled content, the contributing value of the fixture is:

$1,500 x 10% x 50% = $75

References: = LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, Recycled content | U.S. Green Building Council.