Signage and Language

I'm struggling with this too.  "Low emission and fuel efficient vehicles" seemed pretty clear.  "Green" vehicles seems so vague - I can imagine a green 1965 Chevy Impala parked in front of the sign with an indignant owner.  Have people been successful in posting the details, "a score of 45 or greater on the American Council for Energy Efficient Economy Green book" legibly on a sign?  I'm pleased to note that my conventional non-hybrid  2006 Toyota Corolla complies with this standard, which also makes me wonder if we've watered down the v2009 standard, while making it more vague for the end user?  If you've been successful with this credit, tell us how you did it!  

Hey guys, I know this may be of little consolation, but here in California preferred parking is mandatory by code.  The term for labeling is "Clean Air Vehicle" or CAV for short.  There is a LEED interpretation out there that allows us to meet compliance using that term CAV versus the old v3 labeling of HE/LE vehicles.  Obviously, if you were in CA this might help...but thought I would at least commiserate with you.  oh and I'm laughing at the green Impala...ha ha.

Clean Air Vehicle is much more clear, to my way of thinking.  And the joke about the 1965 Green Chevy Impala?  In this City, that will be real and biting public ridicule. The howling when we proposed a Green roof on City hall made it's way into the paper's political cartoons, IIRC, and the Green Roof was shot down the day after the Mayor mentioned it.  I'm just speculating if we used "Clean Air Vehicles Only"  and a smaller sign saying "Clean Air or Green Vehicles comply with ACEEE score of 45 or better - see front desk for details"  We are pretty far from California but maybe we should stand on precedent?  This does meet the LEED Guide's Further Explanation notes stating "Language used on reserved parking signage must reflect the spirit of the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) Green Book methodology (or a local equivalent for projects outside the U.S.). In addition to this basic language, project teams are encouraged to share the definition of a green vehicle per the ACEEE Green Book (or a local equivalent for projects outside the U.S.). This information may be included with the
preferred parking signage, near the preferred parking area, at the parking attendant booth or building entrance, or in educational material readily available to building users."  

Anyone tried emailing GBCI and/or LEEDCoach yet for some additional guidance? This is what I usually do when I feel that they've just straight up left out important compliance information from the Reference Guide.

I may well reach out to them.  

So far I have turned up two Credit Interpretations for this credit, 

ID#100001975 and ID#100001967, neither of which talk about signs.  

All I see in the Reference Guide (static PDF and online) is the illustrated example they give for the signs, which simply say "Green Vehicles Only - Permit Required." I assume their language to require a permit is where you get to the previously unaddressed enforcement issue, and also where your project has the opportunity to "share the definition of a green vehicle per the ACEEE Green Book" with permit applicants. I know this scenario of controlling it via permits is not realistic for a lot of projects for various reasons.

I'm anxious to hear more on this topic. We have a v4 CS project that should be submitting the design credits in the nearish future; if we get feedback specific to this topic, I'll be sure to post here for everyone's reference.

For Dianne's other original question, yes, a simple sign posted or pavement markings (depending on location) is sufficient for allocating the preferred spots.

I wrote the GBCI Reviewer Tips for this credit and included some signage advice:

"Signage or pavement markings reserving the preferred parking spaces for green vehicles must be clear and permanently installed. "Green Vehicles" is acceptable signage language, as is any language that reflects the intent of the credit and the referenced standard. The referenced standard includes both low-emitting and fuel-efficient green vehicles; therefore, signage should not exclude either category. For example, "hybrids only" excludes efficient conventionally-fueled vehicles and is therefore not acceptable."

Written a couple years back but it's still applicable - "green vehicles" is fine, as is the v2009 "low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles" or the California language. This credit doesn't prescribe specific language to the extent v2009 did, so you've got more flexibility for whatever's best for your parking users. Even a simple symbol on the sign or pavement would be fine in a scenario where you can define it elsewhere, like a permit-restricted lot. That "share the definition" suggestion is not required and is unenforceable in a LEED review, so think of it more as a way to de-clutter your signage language if the circumstances allow.