No, reduction in conventional commute trips is measured against a baseline of 100% conventional vehicle use, not on a reduction of trips compared to your previous performance. Assuming your survey method and other credit documentation are compliant, you have already earned 6 points by reducing conventional trips by 25%. 

Addendum number 100000921, released 5/9/2011, addresses this question. The Addendum for SSc4 applies to Option 3, Approach 1 where survey data is solicited from the entire population of regular building occupants. Previously, a project needed to achieve an 80% response rate to extrapolate the survey results to the entire building. New guidance from the Addendum lowers the survey response rate to 60%. The Addendum also offers a discounted extrapolation factor based on survey response rate levels between 30% and 60%. See the Addendum for additional information.

Occupant education is an important piece of the LEED program, and you’re unlikely to be penalized for your efforts in this area as long as you don’t tip-off occupants that a survey is coming up during a specific time period.

No, being able to identify survey respondents is not a credit requirement. However, you must develop a way to prevent getting multiple responses from the same person.

Gathering zipcode information is optional. It’s included in the survey template because it’s a useful data point for organizations that are thinking of implementing more ambitious or targeted transportation planning for employees. Zipcode data would allow an organization to identify demand for targeted programs addressing geographic areas that are underserved by existing alternative transportation options.

The minimum time interval between measurement points is not established by the credit requirements. The optimal measurement interval may depend on the system metered and the data storage capacity available. That said, make sure that the intervals between measurement points are short, every 15 minutes or less, to ensure that any spikes in system use are analyzed and addressed immediately. And make sure that these are electronically recorded and relayed back to a computer or BAS, because no manual readings or temporary equipment is allowed.

A BAS could contribute to compliance with this credit. However, in order for a BAS to track energy consumption by end use, it will have to be connected to building meters and submeters. It is the extent and coverage of these submeters that is the main focus of this credit. However, a BAS can certainly help with the requirement that meters be read "continuously, automatically, and electronically.”

Tenant submetering would not alone qualify for this credit. That said, if there are separate submeters that break down tenant uses even further—lighting, plug load, supplemental HVAC equipment—then tenant submetering might support meeting the credit requirements. Just be sure that you also take into account base-building energy consumption in your breakdown.

You may track waste quantities by either weight or volume, even though the rating system and credit form indicate that volume units must be used.

At this time all mechanical, electrical and plumbing components should be excluded from the calculations for all waste management credits. Additionally, all furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) should be excluded from MRc9, as they are not considered base building elements.