Background Information On the OSU campus vanpools and carpools are not linked to the vehicle or the parking space, but the riders. That is, anyone requesting a van/carpool permit receives permission to park in virtually every space on campus, except those reserved for certain emergency and reserved purposes. Further, the permit is transferable to any of the pooling occupants thereby allowing the group to alternate vehicles. The University also offers 24 hour emergency shuttles for those in pools who have to leave early or late due to sick children or late work requirements. This request is in two parts and is worded in such a fashion as to apply to all current and future LEED projects on the Corvallis Campus. I. Number of Car/Vanpool spaces required The University has developed a parking plan in their 10 year (2015) Master Plan. As newer buildings are created, and older buildings renovated, parking spaces will be reduced or consolidated to perimeter locations. The University proposes that at any given time, they maintain 5% of the total parking spaces for car/vanpools or a minimum of 17% of the total car/vanpool permits issued. Today 5% of the total parking spaces is 374. Currently there are 1504 car/vanpool permits issued, or 7.9% of the population, which exceeds 5% of the campus
The policy and calculations described in the inquiry, pertaining to the first "Requested Ruling", will not achieve compliance. As described, nothing insures that spaces would be available for permit holders; rather, preferred spaces that are clearly designated - typically with signage - for carpool/vanpool parking must be provided, thus ensuring availability and providing a clear incentive for carpooling. Preferred parking spaces must be provided for 5% of each individual LEED building\'s occupants, and these should be located in the lot most accessible to that building. (See SSc4.4 CIR Ruling dated 2/2/2004 for guidance regarding the determination of building occupants in campus settings.) However, for campus settings, compliance can be achieved by utilizing shuttle buses for access to and from centralized (or distributed) parking facilities, provided that these parking facilities include clearly designated preferred carpool/vanpool spaces for the required capacity of each LEED building. It should be noted that shuttle bus service alone cannot be used to substitute for car/vanpool spaces, as stated in SSc4.4 CIR Ruling dated 2/2/2004. It also should be noted that the first requirement of this credit, pertaining to meeting the requirements for total parking capacity, must be demonstrated and documented in order to earn this credit. Applicable Internationally.