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LEED v4.1
Data Centers – NC
Location & Transportation
Access to Quality Transit

LEED CREDIT

Data-Centers-NC-v4.1 LTc5: Access to quality transit 1-5 points

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Requirements

Path 1. Access to Public Transit Service
Locate any functional entry of the project within a ¼-mile (400-meter) walking distance of existing or planned bus, streetcar, or informal transit stops, or within a ½-mile (800-meter) walking distance of existing or planned bus rapid transit stops, passenger rail stations (i.e. light, heavy, or commuter rail) or commuter ferry terminals. The transit service at those stops and stations in aggregate must meet the minimums listed in Table 1. Planned stops and stations may count if they are sited, funded, and under construction by the date of the certificate of occupancy and are complete within 24 months of that date. Both weekday and weekend trip minimums must be met.
  • For each qualifying transit route, only trips in one direction are counted towards the threshold.
  • For weekend trips, only trips on the day with the higher number of trips are counted towards the threshold.
  • If a qualifying transit route has multiple stops within the required walking distance, only trips from one stop are counted towards the threshold.
  • Privately-run shuttles are only acceptable for Path 1 if the service is also made available to the public.
Table 1. Minimum daily transit service
Weekday trips Weekend trips Points BD&C (except Core and Shell) Points BD&C (Core and Shell) Points ID&C
72 30 1 1 2
100 70 2 2 3
144 108 3 3 5
250 160 4 4 6
360 216 5 6 7
If existing transit service is temporarily rerouted outside the required distances for less than two years, the project may meet the requirements, provided the local transit agency has committed to restoring the routes with service at or above the prior level.

OR
Path 2. Access to Project-sponsored Transit Service
Commit to providing year-round transit service (vans, shuttles, buses) for regular occupants and visitors that meets the minimums listed in Table 2, Service must be guaranteed for at least 3 years from the project’s certificate of occupancy. Within the project boundary, provide at least one transit stop shelter at each transit stop within a ¼-mile (400-meter) walking distance from a functional entry of the project. A building lobby is allowed instead of shelter if the transit stop is visible from inside and located no greater than 200 feet (60 meters) walking distance from the transit stop.
  • For each qualifying transit route, total trips (inbound and outbound) are counted towards the threshold.
  • If a qualifying transit route has multiple stops within the required walking distance, only trips from one stop are counted towards the threshold.
  • Only directly accessible trips within the specified distances are allowed. Trips available from connected transit facilities do not contribute to the minimum trips under Path 2.
Table 2. Minimum daily project-sponsored transit service
Total Daily Trips Points
30 1
45 2
Provide a guaranteed ride home program for employees who have carpooled, taken transit, walked, or cycled to work but require alternative transportation home for emergencies or unscheduled overtime. See all forum discussions about this credit »

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Addenda

11/9/2020 – Updated: 3/1/2021
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
1. Under the heading for the adaptations, insert new path title "Path 1. Access to Public Transit Service"

2. Within the fourth item in the bulleted list of criteria, insert "for Path 1" after "Privately-run shuttles are only acceptable"

3. Within the heading for Table 1 insert "public" between "daily" and "transit"

4. After the paragraph beginning "If existing transit service..." insert the following new language:

OR

Path 2. Access to Project-sponsored Transit Service

Commit to providing year-round transit service (vans, shuttles, buses) for regular occupants and visitors that meets the minimums listed in Table 2, Service must be guaranteed for at least 3 years from the project’s certificate of occupancy.

Within the project boundary, provide at least one transit stop shelter at each transit stop within a ¼-mile (400-meter) walking distance from a functional entry of the project. A building lobby is allowed instead of shelter if the transit stop is visible from inside and located no greater than 200 feet (60 meters) walking distance from the transit stop.

• For each qualifying transit route, total trips (inbound and outbound) are counted towards the threshold.
• If a qualifying transit route has multiple stops within the required walking distance, only trips from one stop are counted towards the threshold.
• Only directly accessible trips within the specified distances are allowed. Trips available from connected transit facilities do not contribute to the minimum trips under Path 2.

Table 2. Minimum daily project-sponsored transit service

Total daily trips Points
30 1
45 2

Provide a guaranteed ride home program for employees who have carpooled, taken transit, walked, or cycled to work but require alternative transportation home for emergencies or unscheduled overtime.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/25/2019 – Updated: 3/1/2021
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
REVISE Table 1 for all rating systems and adaptations to:

"Table 1. Minimum daily transit service"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
11/9/2020 – Updated: 2/3/2021
Form Update
Description of change:
Added new Path 2 for Project-sponsored transit
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
11/9/2020 – Updated: 11/25/2020
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Under Behind the Intent, after the paragraph beginning "Updates to this credit recognize..." insert the following language in a new paragraph:

Path 2, Project-sponsored Transit Service has been added to recognize the benefits of developer- or employer-sponsored transit service toward reducing SOV trips and VMT impacts from the project, especially in areas where public transportation does not exist or does not provide high frequency service.

Under Step-by-Step Guidance, after the second bullet item beginning "Disregard any mention of the "commuter rail or ferry only pathyway..." insert a new bullet item: "For Path 2, follow the steps outlined below:" and then the following language:

Step 1. Select private transit service provider
Identify and hire a private transit service capable of providing transportation between the project site and external destinations (e.g., residential areas, public transportation stations). Year-round service for regular occupants and visitors at the minimum service frequency stipulated in credit requirements must be guaranteed for at least 3 years from the project’s certificate of occupancy.
Step 2. Plan private transit service
Using a site map, show the service route and regular stops. The route must include at least one transit stop with shelter within a ¼-mile walk distance from a functional entry of the project or a building lobby within 200 feet walking distance of the transit stop, as indicated in the credit requirements. Route should be designed to reduce driving trips to the project site; destinations may include residential areas and/or public transportation stations. Plan for operation with minimum service frequency indicated in the credit requirements.
Step 3. Plan rider facilities
If transit stop(s) are located more than 200 feet from building lobby, provide adequate transit shelter(s) for riders. For a building lobby within 200 feet of transit stops that will be used as a qualifying waiting area, ensure adequate space is available for waiting riders.
Step 4. Establish guaranteed ride home program
Design a qualifying program that provides a guaranteed ride home for employees who have taken transit, carpooled, waked, or bicycled to work but require alternative transportation home for emergencies or unscheduled overtime. The program may utilize taxi, ridehailing service, or company vehicles. A guaranteed ride home policy must be maintained that specifies the following, at a minimum:
-Employee eligibility
-Trip eligibility
-Maximum number of uses
-Responsibility for program administration
-Procedures for using the program, including any necessary forms for registration and/or reimbursement

Source: Adapted from “Guaranteed Ride Home: A Backup for Commuters Who Use Alternative Modes.” Victoria Transportation Policy Institute (VTPI). https://vtpi.org/tdm/tdm18.htm

Under Further Explanation, after the Example section, insert "Required Documentation" and then the following language:

For Path 2. Project-sponsored transit service, the following documentation is required:
-Map showing planned route, including transit stop(s) on project site with distances from functional entries, and off-site destinations. Include a description of off-site destinations.
-Schedule of year-round service, including service frequency (total trips per day)
-Guaranteed ride home policy

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/25/2019 – Updated: 11/6/2020
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Update the second sentence to read as: "The weekend minimum threshold are reduced, and project teams are now allowed to count the weekend day with the higher number of trips rather than the weekend average."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
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Requirements

Path 1. Access to Public Transit Service
Locate any functional entry of the project within a ¼-mile (400-meter) walking distance of existing or planned bus, streetcar, or informal transit stops, or within a ½-mile (800-meter) walking distance of existing or planned bus rapid transit stops, passenger rail stations (i.e. light, heavy, or commuter rail) or commuter ferry terminals. The transit service at those stops and stations in aggregate must meet the minimums listed in Table 1. Planned stops and stations may count if they are sited, funded, and under construction by the date of the certificate of occupancy and are complete within 24 months of that date. Both weekday and weekend trip minimums must be met.
  • For each qualifying transit route, only trips in one direction are counted towards the threshold.
  • For weekend trips, only trips on the day with the higher number of trips are counted towards the threshold.
  • If a qualifying transit route has multiple stops within the required walking distance, only trips from one stop are counted towards the threshold.
  • Privately-run shuttles are only acceptable for Path 1 if the service is also made available to the public.
Table 1. Minimum daily transit service
Weekday trips Weekend trips Points BD&C (except Core and Shell) Points BD&C (Core and Shell) Points ID&C
72 30 1 1 2
100 70 2 2 3
144 108 3 3 5
250 160 4 4 6
360 216 5 6 7
If existing transit service is temporarily rerouted outside the required distances for less than two years, the project may meet the requirements, provided the local transit agency has committed to restoring the routes with service at or above the prior level.

OR
Path 2. Access to Project-sponsored Transit Service
Commit to providing year-round transit service (vans, shuttles, buses) for regular occupants and visitors that meets the minimums listed in Table 2, Service must be guaranteed for at least 3 years from the project’s certificate of occupancy. Within the project boundary, provide at least one transit stop shelter at each transit stop within a ¼-mile (400-meter) walking distance from a functional entry of the project. A building lobby is allowed instead of shelter if the transit stop is visible from inside and located no greater than 200 feet (60 meters) walking distance from the transit stop.
  • For each qualifying transit route, total trips (inbound and outbound) are counted towards the threshold.
  • If a qualifying transit route has multiple stops within the required walking distance, only trips from one stop are counted towards the threshold.
  • Only directly accessible trips within the specified distances are allowed. Trips available from connected transit facilities do not contribute to the minimum trips under Path 2.
Table 2. Minimum daily project-sponsored transit service
Total Daily Trips Points
30 1
45 2
Provide a guaranteed ride home program for employees who have carpooled, taken transit, walked, or cycled to work but require alternative transportation home for emergencies or unscheduled overtime.

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LEEDuser expert

headshot

Marilyn Specht

Introba
Vice President & Managing Principal, US Sustainability

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