This feels like a question in semantics, but I'm going to throw it out there anyway. I'm working on a project for the Department of Transportation, and they are planning on providing signage for preferred spots for High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV). The signage will specifically read 'Reserved HOV Parking Only.' In the particular state where this project is located, HOV is generically defined as a vehicle containing two or more passengers. Similarly, a carpool vehicle is effectively two or more passengers sharing a ride in a single vehicle. In essence, they are effectively the same. However, I have in the past experienced reviewers who are excruciatingly particular about the wording on signage. In this particular scenario, do you think HOV preferred signage meets the credit criteria and will suffice as carpool preferred signage?
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Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11477 thumbs up
March 10, 2014 - 11:09 pm
William, this seems reasonable to me. However, as you note, reviewers can be very particular. I think that before you commit to the signage it would be safest to contact GBCI to check. Let us know what you find out.
Tim Gaidis
Sustainable Design LeaderHOK
6 thumbs up
May 16, 2014 - 1:39 pm
Extending this chain a bit further, I understand that you can combine wording on signage for LEV + Carpool spaces as long as the sum total of both SSc4.3 + SSc4.4 spaces are allocated - thus 5% LEV spaces + 5% Carpool spaces = 10% LEV + Carpool spaces. Given William's question, is it possible the combined signs could read, "Reserved LEV and/or HOV Parking Only" ? Pending the reviewer of course...
William Weaver
LEED Fellow, WELL APJLL
181 thumbs up
May 16, 2014 - 2:43 pm
I just submitted the project a couple of weeks ago, using the 'Reserved HOV Parking Only' signage. I'll post here if it is accepted or not.
Given that we only needed 5 signs, I figure that it's easy enough to replace 5 signs at $20+/- per sign without too much fan-fair if the preliminary review comments come back negative.
Nelina Loiselle
Above Green239 thumbs up
May 20, 2014 - 5:12 pm
William did you hear back yet? I have a project that wants to use the same verbiage on signs because they are a hotel and the term "carpooling" doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
William Weaver
LEED Fellow, WELL APJLL
181 thumbs up
May 20, 2014 - 5:24 pm
Not yet. The estimated return date is June 16. I'll keep you posted as I hear back.
Jonathan Weiss
Jacobs Buildings & Infrastructure215 thumbs up
May 27, 2014 - 12:56 pm
@tim - can you clarify about combining LEV/FEV with Carpool spaces? I was under the impression that you could not - did that change?
Tim Gaidis
Sustainable Design LeaderHOK
6 thumbs up
May 27, 2014 - 2:01 pm
Hi Jonathan - the only specific/formal reference to this I have been able to find is LEED Interpretation #10369 made on 4/2/14 that indicates you can meet the signage requirements under the CalGreen CleanAir/Vanpool/EV requirements - in California - by providing the appropriate combined signage for 10% of the parking spaces. I have not (yet) found evidence of this being acceptable elsewhere however.
William Weaver
LEED Fellow, WELL APJLL
181 thumbs up
August 27, 2014 - 1:49 pm
I apologize, as I thought I had previously followed up on this thread. We unfortunatley had to redefine our LEED boundary to exclude parking due to the building to site ratio for the MPR. However, with that said, the reviewer did not provide any negative commentary regarding the HOV wording. That isn't to say other reviewers won't be sticklers, but this particular reviewer at least did not seem to have any qualms with the HOV wording on the signage.