Page 66 - The Engineering Guide to LEED-New Construction Sustainable Construction for Engineers

LEED Sustainable Sites 47

the cleanup effort should also be described. There is no need to submit the entire Phase II
document; the executive summary is sufficient. No minimum level of contamination is
specified. The contamination can be widespread or localized such as surface asbestos
contamination or confined leakage from an underground storage tank (UST).

Special Circumstances and Exemplary Performance
There is no EP point available for credit SSc3.

2.4 SS Credit Subcategory 4: Alternative Transportation
This credit subcategory has a total of four subsections, each worth one credit point in LEED
2.2, but worth varying points in LEED 2009. The main intention of all four Alternative
Transportation credits is to reduce our dependency on single-occupancy vehicles (SOVs),
particularly those which use gasoline and petroleum diesel fuels. The goals are to reduce
the need for building more road infrastructure, reduce motor vehicle pollution, decrease
the dependency on foreign oil, and reduce the vast amount of paved surfaces found in
urban areas that may contribute to nonpoint source pollution from stormwater runoff and
the urban heat island effect. The four subsections (credits) are as follows:

• SS Credit 4.1 (SSc4.1): Alternative Transportation: Public Transportation
Access (EB)
• SS Credit 4.2 (SSc4.2): Alternative Transportation: Bicycle Storage and Changing Rooms
• SS Credit 4.3 (SSc4.3): Alternative Transportation: Low-Emitting and Fuel-Efficient
Vehicles (previously referred to as Alternative Transportation, Alternative Fuel
Vehicles in LEED NC 2.1)
• SS Credit 4.4 (SSc4.4): Alternative Transportation: Parking Capacity
There are two possible exemplary performance points available under Alternative
Transportation for both LEED 2.2 and LEED 2009, but only one of them may be
counted toward certification in LEED 2009. The EP point available in the Innovation
and Design category for Alternative Transportation as per the LEED-NC 2.2 first
edition may be awarded by “instituting a comprehensive transportation management
plan that demonstrates a quantifiable reduction in personal automobile use through
the implementation of multiple alternative options.” It is related to the overall
subcategory, and not to each individual credit. In addition, another EP point can be
earned according to the following language from a USGBC CIR dated September 11,
2006, which was then also included in LEED 2009:

Based on evidence that locations with higher transit density can achieve substantially and
a quantifiably higher environmental benefit, meeting the following threshold qualifies a
project for exemplary performance Innovation Credit. This follows the Center for Clean Air
Policy’s finding that average transit ridership increases by 0.5% for every 1.0% increase in
growth of transit service levels, which leads to the conclusion that quadrupling transit
service generally doubles transit ridership.
To accomplish this quadrupling of service and doubling of ridership, at a minimum:
• Locate the project within ½ mile of at least two existing commuter rail, light rail, or
subway lines, OR locate project within ¼ mile of at least two or more stops for four or
more public or campus bus lines usable by building occupants;