Learn the most effective strategies a LEED project team can implement to mitigate the environmental impacts of occupant transportation when a building lacks access to public transit, including limiting parking, incentivizing carpooling, and using compact development.
Table of Contents
Question
A building is located on a site without access to public transportation. Which of the following strategies can a project team implement in order to reduce the environmental impacts associated with how the occupants get to and from the building?
A. Limit parking
B. Provide incentives for carpooling
C. Use compact development strategies
D. Build underground parking structure
Answer
B. Provide incentives for carpooling
Explanation
A building that is located on a site without access to public transportation can have a high environmental impact associated with how the occupants get to and from the building, such as greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, energy consumption, and traffic congestion.
The most effective strategies a project team can implement to reduce the environmental impacts associated with how occupants travel to and from a building that lacks access to public transportation are:
A. Limit parking – Providing less parking encourages occupants to find alternative means of getting to the building, such as carpooling, biking, or using ridesharing services. This reduces single-occupancy vehicle trips and associated emissions.
B. Provide incentives for carpooling – Offering preferred parking spots, reduced parking fees, or other incentives for occupants who carpool promotes this more sustainable transportation option, reducing the number of vehicles traveling to and from the building.
C. Use compact development strategies – Designing the site with higher density and a mix of uses (e.g. office, residential, retail) creates a more walkable and bike-friendly environment. This enables some occupants to live and work on-site or nearby, decreasing their need to drive.
Building underground parking (choice D) does not actively reduce the environmental impacts of transportation, as it still enables occupants to drive to the building, although it can free up space for more compact development.
In summary, the key is implementing strategies that reduce the need for driving and single-occupancy vehicle trips to and from the building. A combination of limiting parking supply, providing carpooling incentives, and utilizing compact development patterns can effectively mitigate transportation-related environmental impacts when public transit is not available.
One of the strategies that a project team can implement in order to reduce this impact is to provide incentives for carpooling, which is a form of alternative transportation that involves sharing a vehicle with other passengers who have similar travel routes or destinations.
Providing incentives for carpooling can encourage the occupants to reduce their single-occupancy vehicle trips and use fewer vehicles, which can save fuel, reduce emissions, and lower parking demand. Some examples of incentives for carpooling are: subsidies, vouchers, discounts, prizes, recognition, or preferential parking.
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.