If the project team is committed to creating a comprehensive transportation management plan to qualify for an Exemplary Performance point through IDc1, dedicating the resources upfront to develop and implement new programs makes sense, as it will be folded into the broader transportation plan.

Consider the feasibility of each option based on your site location. Is your project located in a dense urban environment where most people commute to work via mass transit, or are you in a suburban or rural area where most people drive to work, and may appreciate a vehicle-sharing program? Also consider things like whether there are alternative-fuel vehicles used by occupants or whether occupants tend to use low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles. These types of questions will help to determine an appropriate approach to this credit.  

There are three options available for attaining this credit. Determine the most feasible compliance path for your project early in the process:

Option 1: Provide low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles for 3% of FTE building occupants with designated preferred parking for these vehicles. 
Option 2: Provide preferred parking for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles for 5% of total parking capacity. 
Option 3: Install alternative-fuel stations for 3% of parking capacity.

Fill in the LEED Online submittal template. Document the credit with a site plan highlighting the pedestrian route from the building entrance to the identified bus or train stop or stops. Provide a distance scale to confirm that the building entrance is within the required distance of transit—¼ mile for bus routes, ½ mile for train.

Documentation of this credit can occur anytime between schematic design and 100% construction documents, as soon as the locations of your main entries are set.

Consider options for pursuing an Exemplary Performance point for this credit. These may include:

Public, private, or campus bus lines in proximity to the project site can be used for credit compliance as long as building occupants have consistent access at peak times. If there is an existing shuttle that runs nearby to the project site with restricted access, consider talking to bus operators to see if you can get permission for your project occupants to use the shuttle.

Walking distance should be measured from a building entrance to the bus stop or rail station. This path must follow sidewalks and other walkable areas. Crossing highways, lawns or other private areas is not considered an acceptable part of pedestrian access.

Establishing a regular shuttle for building occupants to a transportation hub (for alternative compliance when a project doesn’t meet the basic credit requirements) can add additional costs. However, making commuting easier for your employees, or making your building more accessible to customers can pay off in productivity or sales.

Selecting a site with easy access to public transportation is the easiest way to earn this credit, so ideally this credit will be considered during site selection. Projects located in dense urban areas generally can qualify, whereas projects located in rural or suburban areas, where public transportation infrastructure is not as developed, may need to facilitate access to existing mass transit nearby (via an alternative compliance including shuttle service), which may in some cases be difficult or expensive.