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USGBC LEED Green Associate: Open Grid Pavement Reduce Heat Island Effects

Learn how open grid pavement helps reduce heat island effects and promotes sustainable site development in LEED certification. Prepare for the LEED Green Associate Exam with expert insights.

Table of Contents

Question

Open grid pavement tends to reduce

A. parking space requirements
B. heat island effects
C. rainwater infiltration
D. native habitat

Answer

B. heat island effects

Explanation

Open grid pavement is a type of permeable pavement that allows water and air to pass through the surface, reducing the heat island effect in urban areas. The heat island effect occurs when urban areas experience higher temperatures compared to surrounding rural areas due to the absorption and re-emission of heat by impervious surfaces like traditional asphalt and concrete.

Open grid pavement has a high solar reflectance index (SRI) and allows for evapotranspiration, which helps to cool the surrounding air. This type of pavement also promotes rainwater infiltration, allowing water to percolate into the ground, recharging groundwater and reducing stormwater runoff.

While open grid pavement can help reduce parking space requirements by allowing for shared parking and more efficient land use, and it can promote rainwater infiltration, it does not directly impact native habitat. The primary benefit of open grid pavement in the context of LEED certification is its ability to reduce heat island effects, making option B the most accurate answer.

USGBC LEED Green Associate certification exam practice question and answer (Q&A) dump with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the USGBC LEED Green Associate exam and earn USGBC LEED Green Associate certification.