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LEED v2009
Retail – New construction
Sustainable Sites
Alternative transportation

LEED CREDIT

Retail-NC-v2009 SSc4: Alternative Transportation 1-10 points

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© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Requirements

Option 1. Public transportation access (6 points)
Path 1. Rail station, bus rapid transit station & ferry terminal proximity
Locate the project within 1/2-mile (800 meters) walking distance (measured from a main building entrance) of an existing or planned and funded commuter rail, light rail, subway station bus rapid transit1 station or commuter ferry terminal.

OR

Path 2. Bus stop proximity
Locate the project within 1/4-mile (400 meters) walking distance (measured from a main building entrance) of 1 or more stops for 2 or more public, campus, or private bus lines usable by tenant space occupants.

OR

Path 3. Rideshare proximity
Projects outside the U.S. may locate the project within 1/4-mile (400 meter) walking distance (measured from a main building entrance) of 1 or more stops for 2 or more existing rideshare options2 that that meet the definition of public transportation3 and are authorized by the local transit authority if one exists.
Option 2. Bicycle commuting (1 point)
Provide secure bicycle racks and/or storage within 200 yards of a building entrance according to the following guidelines based on project square footage:
  • Up to 5,000 sf (465 square meters), 2 or more bicycle racks
  • 5,001–20,000 sf (466-1,860 square meters), 3 or more bicycle racks
  • 20,001–50,000 sf (1,861-4,600 square meters), 6 or more bicycle racks
  • More than 50,000 sf (4,600 square meters), 10 or more bicycle racks
AND Institute 1 of the following: lockable changing areas, showers, bicycle maintenance program, or bicycle route assistance.
For projects that are part of a multitenant complex
A multitenant complex is a master-planned development of stores, restaurants, and other businesses; retailers may share one or more services and/or common areas. If bicycle racks have been provided by the development in which the project is located, the number that may be attributed to the project is determined by taking the square footage of the retail project and dividing by the total square footage of the development (buildings only). Multiply the resulting percentage by the total number of bicycle racks. If this number does not meet the credit requirement, the project should add additional spaces.
Option 3. Low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles
Path 1. Provide vehicles
Provide low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles4 for 3% of the full-time equivalent (FTE) occupants. Provide preferred parking5 for these vehicles.

OR

Path 2. Preferred or discounted parking
Provide preferred parking for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles for 5% of the total employee parking and 5% of customer parking provided for the project.

OR

Path 3. Alternative fuel
Install alternative-fuel refueling stations for 3% of the total vehicle parking capacity of the site. Liquid or gaseous fueling facilities must be separately ventilated or located outdoors.

OR

Path 4. Vehicle sharing program
Provide building occupants access to a low-emitting or fuel-efficient vehicle-sharing program. The following requirements must be met:
  • One low-emitting or fuel-efficient vehicle must be provided for a minimum 3% of employee FTE occupants. Assuming that 1 shared vehicle can carry 8 persons, 1 vehicle per 267 employee FTE occupants is required. For buildings with fewer than 267 employee FTE occupants, at least 1 low‑emitting or fuel-efficient vehicle must be provided.
  • A vehicle-sharing contract must be provided that has an agreement of at least 2 years.
  • The estimated number of riders served per vehicle must be supported by documentation.
  • A narrative explaining the vehicle-sharing program and its administration must be submitted.
  • Option 4 - Parking Capacity

    Path 1 - Minimum zoning requirement

    Size parking capacity to meet but not exceed minimum local zoning requirements. Provide preferred parking for carpools or vanpools for 5% of the total parking spaces.

    OR

    Path 2 - Parking for less than 5% FTE

    For projects that provide parking for less than 5% of full-time equivalent (FTE) building occupants: Provide preferred parking for carpools or vanpools, marked as such, equal to for 5% of the total employee parking and 5% of customer parking provided for the project.

    OR

    Path 3 - No new parking

    Provide no new parking.
    Option 5: Delivery service (1 point)
    Provide a delivery service for purchases made from the retail establishment. It is not required that the delivery service be free of charge, but the cost should not be prohibitive.
    Option 6: Incentives (1 point)
    Provide a comprehensive incentives program for employees who carpool or use alternative transportation to get to work. Three incentives must be provided for all staff upon hire. Potential incentives may include but are not limited to the following:
    • Transit pass subsidies.
    • Purchase of public transportation passes on a pretax basis.
    • Preferred scheduling for carpoolers. While shifts cannot be guaranteed, a reasonable effort will be made to accommodate carpooling employees’ schedules.
    • An "emergency ride home” program for carpoolers and vanpoolers who must leave work unexpectedly.
    • Preferred parking for carpools or vanpools.
    • Discounts on bicycle accessories and maintenance at local shops.
    Option 7: Alternative transportation education (1 point)
    Provide a board or computer display in the retail project, accessible to both employees and customers, that provides the following information:
    • Information on carpooling programs.
    • Transit trip planning assistance.
    • Transit maps.
    • Maps of bicycle routes and the locations of secure bicycle parking, lockers, and showers, if provided.
    • Summary of the company transportation management plan.
    • Contacts for more information.

    1 Bus rapid transit is an enhanced bus system that operates on exclusive bus lanes or other transit rights-of-way; it is designed to combine the flexibility of uses with the efficiency of rail.

    2 Rideshare is a transit service that involves sharing a single vehicle with multiple people, excluding large-scale vehicles such as buses and trains. The rideshare transit facility must include a signed stop and a clearly defined waiting area. Additionally, the rideshare must include an enclosed passenger seating area, fixed route service, fixed fare structure, continuous daily operation, and the ability to pick up and drop off multiple riders. Rideshare options must hold 4 or more passengers, except for human-powered conveyances which must hold 2 or more passengers.

    3Public transportation consists of bus, rail, or other transit services for the general public that operate on a regular, continual basis.




    1For the purposes of this credit “preferred parking” refers to the parking spots that are closest to the main entrance of the project (exclusive of spaces designated for handicapped persons) or parking passes provided at a discounted price. To establish a meaningful incentive in all potential markets, the parking rate must be discounted at least 20%. The discounted rate must be available to all eligible customers (i.e. not limited to the number of customers equal to 5% of the vehicle parking capacity), publicly posted at the entrance of the parking area, and available for a minimum of 2 years.2For the purposes of this credit, low-emitting vehicles are defined as vehicles that are classified as Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) by the California Air Resources Board. Fuel-efficient vehicles are defined as vehicles that have achieved a minimum green score of 40 on the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) annual vehicle rating guide [Europe ACP: Low-Emitting and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles] [South America ACP: Low-Emitting and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles].

    Alternative Compliance Paths (ACPs)

    Europe ACP: Low-Emitting and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles
    Projects in Europe may use vehicles meeting the Euro 6 limit values of Regulation (EC) No. 715/2007.[view:embed_resource=page_1=4908180]
    South America ACP: Low-Emitting and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles
    Vehicles in South America may qualify as low-emitting and fuel-efficient by meeting both of the following conditions:
  1. A score of Four Stars or above from IBAMA (Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis - Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) Nota Verde Program.
  2. An A from INMETRO (Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Qualidade e Tecnologia - National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology) Brazilian Labeling Program for Vehicles.
South America ACP: Green Vehicles
Vehicles in South America may qualify as green vehicles by meeting both of the following conditions:
  1. A score of Four Stars or above from IBAMA (Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis - Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) Nota Verde Program.
  2. An A from INMETRO (Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Qualidade e Tecnologia - National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology) Brazilian Labeling Program for Vehicles.
See all forum discussions about this credit »

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Cost estimates for this credit

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Our tab contains overall cost guidance, notes on what “soft costs” to expect, and a strategy-by-strategy breakdown of what to consider and what it might cost, in percentage premiums, actual costs, or both.

This information is also available in a full PDF download in The Cost of LEED v4 report.

Learn more about The Cost of LEED v4 »

Documentation toolkit

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© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Requirements

Option 1. Public transportation access (6 points)
Path 1. Rail station, bus rapid transit station & ferry terminal proximity
Locate the project within 1/2-mile (800 meters) walking distance (measured from a main building entrance) of an existing or planned and funded commuter rail, light rail, subway station bus rapid transit1 station or commuter ferry terminal.

OR

Path 2. Bus stop proximity
Locate the project within 1/4-mile (400 meters) walking distance (measured from a main building entrance) of 1 or more stops for 2 or more public, campus, or private bus lines usable by tenant space occupants.

OR

Path 3. Rideshare proximity
Projects outside the U.S. may locate the project within 1/4-mile (400 meter) walking distance (measured from a main building entrance) of 1 or more stops for 2 or more existing rideshare options2 that that meet the definition of public transportation3 and are authorized by the local transit authority if one exists.
Option 2. Bicycle commuting (1 point)
Provide secure bicycle racks and/or storage within 200 yards of a building entrance according to the following guidelines based on project square footage:
  • Up to 5,000 sf (465 square meters), 2 or more bicycle racks
  • 5,001–20,000 sf (466-1,860 square meters), 3 or more bicycle racks
  • 20,001–50,000 sf (1,861-4,600 square meters), 6 or more bicycle racks
  • More than 50,000 sf (4,600 square meters), 10 or more bicycle racks
AND Institute 1 of the following: lockable changing areas, showers, bicycle maintenance program, or bicycle route assistance.
For projects that are part of a multitenant complex
A multitenant complex is a master-planned development of stores, restaurants, and other businesses; retailers may share one or more services and/or common areas. If bicycle racks have been provided by the development in which the project is located, the number that may be attributed to the project is determined by taking the square footage of the retail project and dividing by the total square footage of the development (buildings only). Multiply the resulting percentage by the total number of bicycle racks. If this number does not meet the credit requirement, the project should add additional spaces.
Option 3. Low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles
Path 1. Provide vehicles
Provide low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles4 for 3% of the full-time equivalent (FTE) occupants. Provide preferred parking5 for these vehicles.

OR

Path 2. Preferred or discounted parking
Provide preferred parking for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles for 5% of the total employee parking and 5% of customer parking provided for the project.

OR

Path 3. Alternative fuel
Install alternative-fuel refueling stations for 3% of the total vehicle parking capacity of the site. Liquid or gaseous fueling facilities must be separately ventilated or located outdoors.

OR

Path 4. Vehicle sharing program
Provide building occupants access to a low-emitting or fuel-efficient vehicle-sharing program. The following requirements must be met:
  • One low-emitting or fuel-efficient vehicle must be provided for a minimum 3% of employee FTE occupants. Assuming that 1 shared vehicle can carry 8 persons, 1 vehicle per 267 employee FTE occupants is required. For buildings with fewer than 267 employee FTE occupants, at least 1 low‑emitting or fuel-efficient vehicle must be provided.
  • A vehicle-sharing contract must be provided that has an agreement of at least 2 years.
  • The estimated number of riders served per vehicle must be supported by documentation.
  • A narrative explaining the vehicle-sharing program and its administration must be submitted.
  • Option 4 - Parking Capacity

    Path 1 - Minimum zoning requirement

    Size parking capacity to meet but not exceed minimum local zoning requirements. Provide preferred parking for carpools or vanpools for 5% of the total parking spaces.

    OR

    Path 2 - Parking for less than 5% FTE

    For projects that provide parking for less than 5% of full-time equivalent (FTE) building occupants: Provide preferred parking for carpools or vanpools, marked as such, equal to for 5% of the total employee parking and 5% of customer parking provided for the project.

    OR

    Path 3 - No new parking

    Provide no new parking.
    Option 5: Delivery service (1 point)
    Provide a delivery service for purchases made from the retail establishment. It is not required that the delivery service be free of charge, but the cost should not be prohibitive.
    Option 6: Incentives (1 point)
    Provide a comprehensive incentives program for employees who carpool or use alternative transportation to get to work. Three incentives must be provided for all staff upon hire. Potential incentives may include but are not limited to the following:
    • Transit pass subsidies.
    • Purchase of public transportation passes on a pretax basis.
    • Preferred scheduling for carpoolers. While shifts cannot be guaranteed, a reasonable effort will be made to accommodate carpooling employees’ schedules.
    • An "emergency ride home” program for carpoolers and vanpoolers who must leave work unexpectedly.
    • Preferred parking for carpools or vanpools.
    • Discounts on bicycle accessories and maintenance at local shops.
    Option 7: Alternative transportation education (1 point)
    Provide a board or computer display in the retail project, accessible to both employees and customers, that provides the following information:
    • Information on carpooling programs.
    • Transit trip planning assistance.
    • Transit maps.
    • Maps of bicycle routes and the locations of secure bicycle parking, lockers, and showers, if provided.
    • Summary of the company transportation management plan.
    • Contacts for more information.

    1 Bus rapid transit is an enhanced bus system that operates on exclusive bus lanes or other transit rights-of-way; it is designed to combine the flexibility of uses with the efficiency of rail.

    2 Rideshare is a transit service that involves sharing a single vehicle with multiple people, excluding large-scale vehicles such as buses and trains. The rideshare transit facility must include a signed stop and a clearly defined waiting area. Additionally, the rideshare must include an enclosed passenger seating area, fixed route service, fixed fare structure, continuous daily operation, and the ability to pick up and drop off multiple riders. Rideshare options must hold 4 or more passengers, except for human-powered conveyances which must hold 2 or more passengers.

    3Public transportation consists of bus, rail, or other transit services for the general public that operate on a regular, continual basis.




    1For the purposes of this credit “preferred parking” refers to the parking spots that are closest to the main entrance of the project (exclusive of spaces designated for handicapped persons) or parking passes provided at a discounted price. To establish a meaningful incentive in all potential markets, the parking rate must be discounted at least 20%. The discounted rate must be available to all eligible customers (i.e. not limited to the number of customers equal to 5% of the vehicle parking capacity), publicly posted at the entrance of the parking area, and available for a minimum of 2 years.2For the purposes of this credit, low-emitting vehicles are defined as vehicles that are classified as Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) by the California Air Resources Board. Fuel-efficient vehicles are defined as vehicles that have achieved a minimum green score of 40 on the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) annual vehicle rating guide [Europe ACP: Low-Emitting and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles] [South America ACP: Low-Emitting and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles].

    Alternative Compliance Paths (ACPs)

    Europe ACP: Low-Emitting and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles
    Projects in Europe may use vehicles meeting the Euro 6 limit values of Regulation (EC) No. 715/2007.[view:embed_resource=page_1=4908180]
    South America ACP: Low-Emitting and Fuel-Efficient Vehicles
    Vehicles in South America may qualify as low-emitting and fuel-efficient by meeting both of the following conditions:
  1. A score of Four Stars or above from IBAMA (Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis - Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) Nota Verde Program.
  2. An A from INMETRO (Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Qualidade e Tecnologia - National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology) Brazilian Labeling Program for Vehicles.
South America ACP: Green Vehicles
Vehicles in South America may qualify as green vehicles by meeting both of the following conditions:
  1. A score of Four Stars or above from IBAMA (Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis - Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) Nota Verde Program.
  2. An A from INMETRO (Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Qualidade e Tecnologia - National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology) Brazilian Labeling Program for Vehicles.
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