Location and Transportation

Question 1

A project site located on 140 acres (57 hectares) has the following densities:

The land area of the residential portion is 70 acres (28 hectares) and has 700 dwelling units.

The land area of the nonresidential portion is 60 acres (24 hectares) or 2,178,000 SF (202,342 m2), The non residential building space is 1,500,000 SF (139,354 m2).

What is true about the project’s ability to meet the density requirements of LT Credit Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses?

A. The project meets both the residential and nonresidential density of the credit

B. The project does not meet the residential or nonresidential density of the credit

C. The project only meets the residential density of the credit

D. The project only meets the nonresidential density of the credit

Answer 1

A. The project meets both the residential and nonresidential density of the credit

The residential density is 10 DU / acre (24 DU / hectare)

The nonresidential density is FAR 0.68

Question 2

A developer is building a new supermarket located in an area with the following uses:

Services Category: 2 restaurants, 1 bank, 1 laundromat
Community-Serving Retail Category: 1 pharmacy

Given this information, which statement is true about the project’s ability to earn LT Credit Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses?

A. The project would earn the credit.

B. The project could earn the credit if another use in a different category was within walking distance.
Here are the important points to remember about uses:

C. The project would not earn the credit because the supermarket cannot count as a service.

D. The project would earn the credit if another use in any category was within walking distance.

Answer 2

B. The project could earn the credit if another use in a different category was within walking distance.
Here are the important points to remember about uses:

A minimum of 4 uses
A use type only counts once (retail store that has a nail salon only counts once)
Uses must come from at least 3 of the 5 categories, exclusive of the building’s primary use
No more than two uses of each type (maximum of 2 restaurants for example)
Uses that are planned count if they are available within one year of LEED occupancy.

Question 3

If a project team is pursuing the option to install EVSE for green parking, to which requirements regarding charging must the team adhere? (Choose 3)

A. The EVSE must have network capability.

B. The EVSE must have a Level-2 capacity or higher.

C. The electricity for the EVSE must come from renewable sources.

D. The emissions from the electricity used by the green vehicle must be calculated .

E. The EVSE must comply with regional standards.

F. The green vehicle must be charged within a 4-hour period.

Answer 3

A. The EVSE must have network capability.

B. The EVSE must have a Level-2 capacity or higher.

E. The EVSE must comply with regional standards.

Question 4

A new construction project has a single parking lot with a capacity of 425 spaces. If the project team includes EVSE for plug-in vehicles, how many and what type of parking spaces are required for LT Credit Green Vehicles?

A. 22 preferred parking spaces which can also be used as EVSE stations

B. 22 preferred parking and 9 EVSE spaces

C. 22 preferred parking and 22 EVSE spaces

D. 22 preferred parking and 8 EVSE spaces

Answer 4

B. 22 preferred parking and 9 EVSE spaces

Notes:

The credit requires 5% preferred parking and 2%EVSE for all parking spaces.

425 X 5% = 21.25 preferred parking (22 rounded up)

425 X 2% = 8.5 plug-in spaces (9 rounded up)

Question 5

A project team that selects a high-priority site is likely to fulfill the requirements of which other credit?

A. LT Credit Sensitive Land Protection

B. SS Credit Open Space

C. SS Credit Rainwater Management

D. SS Credit Heat Island Reduction

Answer 5

A. LT Credit Sensitive Land Protection

The types of sites in LT Credit High-Priority Site are often previously developed, allowing the project team to meet the requirements of Option 1 of LT Credit Sensitive Land Protection for building on previously developed land.

Question 6

A commercial office project is adjacent to an existing movie theatre. Which actions are examples of transportation demand strategies that a project team could implement to reduce parking demand? (Choose 3)

A. Install preferred parking for carpools

B. Share the parking lot with the movie theatre

C. Allow telecommuting

D. Provide public transit subsidies

E. Designate employee parking

Answer 6

B. Share the parking lot with the movie theatre

C. Allow telecommuting

D. Provide public transit subsidies

Notes:

Transportation demand management strategies include the following:

Telecommuting
Shuttles
Shared parking between uses
Residential units rented/sold separately from parking
Transit subsidies
Compressed workweek schedules

Question 7

When determining the total vehicle parking capacity for a site, which information should be included?

A. On-street parallel parking spaces on public rights of way

B. Motorbike spaces

C. Off-street parking available to the project building’s users outside of the project boundary

D. Parking spaces for fleet vehicles

Answer 7

C. Off-street parking available to the project building’s users outside of the project boundary

Question 8

A university housing project with 100 one-bedroom apartments has a baseline parking capacity of 1 parking space/unit from the ITE handbook. The project will earn 1 point under LT Credit Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses but not earn LT Credit Access to Quality Transit. The project includes off-street parking. How many preferred parking spaces for carpools must the project include for LT Credit Reduced Parking Footprint?

A. 3 spaces

B. 2 spaces

C. 0 spaces

D. 5 spaces

Answer 8

A. 3 spaces

A 20% reduction is required for projects that DO NOT earn points for either LT Credit Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses or LT Credit Access to Quality Transit.

A 40% reduction is required for projects that DO earn points under either LT Credit Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses or LT Credit Access to Quality Transit.

This project has earned one of the credits, so a 40% reduction is required.

If any off-street parking spaces are provided, the project must include preferred parking for carpools for 5% of the total parking capacity. The preferred parking is calculated AFTER the reductions have been made.

100 spaces baseline from the ITE handbook X 60% (40% reduction) = 60 total spaces

60 spaces X 5% preferred parking = 3 spaces

Question 9

A project in a dense location calculated a parking reduction for LT Credit Reduced Parking Footprint that falls below the local code minimum design threshold. Which action should the project team take to earn the credit?

A. Integrate transportation demand management strategies to reduce demand

B. Secure more off-street parking

C. Work with the municipality to secure a zoning variance

D. Encourage users to take public transit

Answer 9

C. Work with the municipality to secure a zoning variance

This is the only choice that will reduce the actual number of parking spaces needed by the project based on the local code. The other choices reduce the demand for spaces.

Question 10

An urban new construction project with a zero lot line will have a roof vegetated with diverse native and adaptive plants and will be built on a previously developed lot. The surrounding combined density for the project is 63,157 SF / acre (25,558 m2 / hectare). The total building footprint is 57,860 SF with a FAR of 1.7. The vegetated roof is 25,000 SF. What credit would the project NOT be able to earn?

A. SS Credit Open Space

B. LT Credit High Priority Site

C. SS Credit Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses

D. SS Credit Site Development - Protect or Restore Habitat

Answer 10

B. LT Credit High Priority Site

There is not enough information to know if this credit would be achieved.

Question 11

A LEED BD+C project that wants to maximize the number of points in the Location and Transportation category should consider locating the project in which location?

A. LEED ND Pilot Stage 1 LEED ND Pre-Reviewed Plan

B. LEED v4 LEED ND Conditional Approval

C. LEED v4 LEED ND Certified Plan

D. LEED 2009 Stage 1 Conditional Approval of LEED ND Plan

Answer 11

C. LEED v4 LEED ND Certified Plan

This is the only eligible choice.

Question 12

An owner has selected a site in a bike-friendly project location. When laying out the site plan, where must the short term bicycle storage for visitors be located?

A. A 100-feet (30 meters) bicycling distance to the bicycle network

B. A 100-feet (30 meters) walking distance of any functional entry

C. A 100-feet (30 meters) walking distance of any main entrance

D. A 100-feet (30 meters) walking distance to the bicycle network

Answer 12

C. A 100-feet (30 meters) walking distance of any main entrance
For short-term storage, the distance is to the main entrance, not every functional entry or the network.

For long-term storage, the distance is 100 feet (30 meters) of the functional entries.

The storage must be on site.

Question 13

A retail project has 100 employee parking spaces in the rear of the building and 500 customer parking spaces in the front of the building. If the project installs fueling stations for LT Credit Green Vehicles, which distribution strategy would earn the credit?

A. Ten (10) fueling stations in the front of the building and (2) fueling stations in the rear of the building

B. Thirty (30) parking spaces in a general preferred parking area

C. Ten (10) fueling stations in the front of the building only

D. Two (2) fueling stations in the rear of the building only

Answer 13

A. Ten (10) fueling stations in the front of the building and (2) fueling stations in the rear of the building

Notes:

When calculating fueling stations, one needs to know that the requirement is for 2% of all parking spaces used by the project. This project has 600 parking spaces, so the correct answer choice has to have at least 12 fueling stations.

In the case of preferred parking or for fueling stations for LT Credit Green Vehicles, the parking can be distributed across the user types. The project may also set aside one preferred area with enough space for all user types.

Don’t confuse preferred parking (5% of all parking spaces) with the alternative fueling requirements (2% of all parking spaces). The two cannot be shared. If a project had 100 parking spaces:

5 would be for preferred parking
2 would be for charging stations

It would not be permissible in this instance to have 5 preferred parking spaces and stick a charging station in 2 of those 5 spaces.

Question 14

A Phase II Environmental Site Assessment is conducted on a potential school site after contamination is suspected at the site. The assessment reveals contamination and the project team decides to remediate the site. This decision helps with what other LEED area?

A. LT Credit High Priority Site

B. SS Prerequisite Construction Activity Pollution Prevention

C. LT Credit Sensitive Land Protection

D. SS Credit Site Development - Protect or Restore Habitat

Answer 14

A. LT Credit High Priority Site

Notes:

Locating a project on a brownfield helps with LT Credit High Priority Site.

Question 15

A project team designs a development footprint so that it does not overlap any sensitive areas on a site. If the project team provides an impervious pedestrian pathway for occupants to walk around the property, where could the walkway be placed while still allowing the project to earn LT Credit Sensitive Land Protection?

A. On a greenfield section of the property only

B. Within a wetland buffer

C. Nowhere on the property

D. Only on any previously developed portions of the site

Answer 15

B. Within a wetland buffer

Minor improvements are allowed to wetland and water body buffers.

Question 16

A LEED AP is collecting information about a site that includes the dwelling units per acre (hectare) and total floor-area ratio per acre (hectare) of buildings in the surrounding area. What would this information be used for?

A. LT Credit Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses Option 2 Diverse Uses

B. LT Credit LEED for Neighborhood Development Location

C. LT Credit Reduced Parking Footprint

D. LT Credit Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses Option 1 Surrounding Density

Answer 16

D. LT Credit Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses Option 1 Surrounding Density

Dwelling units and floor area ratio are part of the density calculations.

Question 17

A three-story retail project has a main entrance on the first level. The building has 420 parking spaces in an attached three-story garage with an elevator on the second and third levels that allows access to the main entrance. How many preferred parking spaces are required for LT Credit Green Vehicles, and where should they be located?

A. 21 preferred parking spaces closest to the main entrance

B. 9 preferred parking spaces on the first level

C. 7 preferred parking spaces nearest the main entrance and 7 preferred parking spaces nearest the elevator on the second and third garage levels.

D. 7 preferred parking spaces nearest the elevator on each level

Answer 17

A. 21 preferred parking spaces closest to the main entrance

Notes:

If parking is provided on multiple levels of a facility, the preferred parking spaces should be located closest to the main entrance.

For the credit, 5% of the spaces must be preferred parking:

420 X 0.05 = 21 spaces

Question 18

When calculating a reduction in a project’s parking footprint, which information would allow a project team to determine the baseline parking capacity?

A. That the building will have 100 regular occupants and 30 peak visitors

B. That the project will include a 50,000 SF (4,645 m2) parking lot

C. That this is a project site with a zero-lot line

D. That the team is working on a 50-unit residential housing project

Answer 18

D. That the team is working on a 50-unit residential housing project
Notes:

For LT Credit Reduce Parking Footprint, the baseline is specified as a percent reduction from the ITE handbook. The calculations of the base ratio is based on a project’s use type and size.

Only the residential house project includes the type (residential housing) and size (50 units). The size may be based in DU (dwelling units) or SF/m2.

Question 19

A company is building a distribution center near an airport. Which additional criteria, if present, would earn the project LT Credit Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses?

A. If the site is within a 1/2-mile (800 meters) driving distance to a freight line

B. If the site is within 2 miles (3.2 kilometer) of an interstate

C. If the site is in a surrounding density of at least 22,000 SF/acre (5,050 m2/hectare)

D. If the site was a previously developed retail site

Answer 19

A. If the site is within a 1/2-mile (800 meters) driving distance to a freight line

This is correct. The maximum is 1 mile (1,600 meter) for a freight line and this site is within a 1/2 mile (800 meters). Remember questions won’t always have identical values to the requirements because they test real-world examples. Most projects don’t have the exact minimum or maximum distances of the requirements.

Notes:

While the credit name is the same between different BD+C adaptations, the options are different for the following project types:

Warehouses and Distribution Centers
Healthcare

For distribution centers Option 2 Transportation Resources, the site must be constructed or renovated on a site that has at least two of the following:

● The site is within a 10-mile (16 kilometer) driving distance of a main logistics hub, defined as an airport, seaport, intermodal facility, or freight village with intermodal transportation.
● The site is within a 1-mile (1600-meter) driving distance of an on-off ramp to a highway.
● The site is within a 1-mile (1600-meter) driving distance of an access point to an active freight rail line.
● The site is served by an active freight rail spur.

Question 20

A school project is located within 1.5 miles walking distance from 916 students in grades 9-12. The school is expected to have 1,200 students when complete. The school has built two walking and biking routes, one going north and the other south. The school has a busing system that uses 6 buses. What is true about the project’s ability to earn LT Credit Access to Quality Transit?

A. The project would need to provide discount public bus passes for students

B. The project has earned the credit

C. The project would need the city to put a public bus stop next to the school entrance

D. The project would need to add two more buses

Answer 20

B. The project has earned the credit

If at least 50% of the student population is within walking distance the project can earn the credit.

Question 21

A mixed-use office and retail project has both short and long-term parking. The office space includes 80 long-term parking spaces, and the retail space has 30 short-term parking spaces. The space has one main entrance for all users. How should the preferred parking be allocated?

A. With 6 preferred parking spaces in the long-term area

B. At the project team’s discretion

C. With 6 preferred parking spaces in the short-term area

D. With 4 long-term preferred parking spaces and 2 short-term parking spaces

Answer 21

D. With 4 long-term preferred parking spaces and 2 short-term parking spaces

Notes:

110 parking spaces X 0.05 = 5.5 preferred parking spaces (6, rounded up).

The project team must distribute these proportionally.

The office space has long-term parking equal to ⅔ of the spaces, so it would get 4 spaces.

The short-term parking would get ⅓ of the spaces, or 2 spaces.

The project team would need to document this on the parking site plan.

Question 22

A site is being selected for a company’s new corporate headquarters. What site is the best choice if the project wants to qualify for LT Credit Sensitive Land Protection?

A. Previously undeveloped land with a 1% chance of flooding in any given year

B. 10 acres (4 hectares) of undeveloped land that is a currently an unused nature preserve

C. Land that is the habitat for a rare species of animal

D. A previously developed site near similar projects

E. 10 acres (4 hectares) currently owned by a farmer

Answer 22

D. A previously developed site near similar projects

Question 23

The owner of a new construction project located in an urban area with a zero lot line will provide discounted parking passes to drivers green vehicles. The owner is going to charge $35/month instead of the regular $50/month. What other requirement must the project meet to earn credit for this discount?

A. Provide a carpool drop off zone

B. Provide notice when specified numbers of passes are all purchased

C. Publicly post the discounted rate

D. Make the rate good for a minimum of one year

Answer 23

C. Publicly post the discounted rate

Notes:

Part of the requirement is that the discounted rate must be available to all customers AND publically posted at the entrance of the parking area.

The discounted rate must be available in perpetuity after the project’s com

Question 24

What could be classified as a bicycle network?

A. Sidewalks in a city center that provide pedestrian access to public transit

B. A 2-mile (3.2 km) bike lane separated from a 1-mile (1,600 m) bike trail by a highway with access to 10 diverse uses

C. A continuous network of bike trails

D. Streets with a maximum speed limit of 30 mph (40 kph) without dedicated bicycle stripes

Answer 24

C. A continuous network of bike trails

Of all the choices, only this one would be possible as the correct option because it is a continuous network.

Question 25

A retail project includes 30 FTE and 800 daily visitors. The parking lot will have 20 employee parking spaces and 100 visitor parking spaces. How many spaces, and of what type, are needed for LT Credit Green Vehicles?

A. 2 preferred parking spaces and 1 alternative fueling station space

B. 6 spaces for preferred parking, 2 of which also have alternative fueling stations

C. 6 preferred parking spaces and 3 alternative fueling station spaces

D. 7 spaces for preferred parking and 6 alternative fueling station spaces

Answer 25

C. 6 preferred parking spaces and 3 alternative fueling station spaces

Notes:

Parking is based on the number of spaces, not FTE. Mentions of FTE in a question about parking should be ignored in favor of the total parking capacity, which in this case is 120.

For LT Credit Green Vehicles, 5% of parking must be preferred, and 2% of parking must have a fueling station. The two cannot be combined. Remember to round up.

Question 26

A developer has located an empty building in a historic district that could be renovated. What should the project team determine next to confirm whether LT Credit High-Priority Site can be earned?

A. If the site is an infill site

B. If the site has any sensitive land areas

C. If at least 25% of the site can be restored

D. How much of the site is previously developed

Answer 26

A. If the site is an infill site

For Option 1 Historic District, the site must be located on an infill location.

In order to be considered an infill site, the percentage of previously developed land has to be at least 75%.

Question 27

A project team is reviewing a map showing an office project, two functional entrances, transit stop locations, and walking routes and distances to transit stops. Which transit options do NOT qualify toward LT Credit Access to Quality Transit? (Choose 2)

A. A ferry a 1/2-mile (800-meter) walking distance of the building’s functional entrances

B. A bus line a 1/4-mile (400-meter) walking distance of the project boundary that offers transit in only one direction

C. A rail line a 1-mile (1,600-meters) bicycling distance of both functional entrances to the building

D. A bus-line a 1/4-mile (400-meter) walking distance of one functional entrance that has trips in both directions

Answer 27

B. A bus line a 1/4-mile (400-meter) walking distance of the project boundary that offers transit in only one direction
This choice has two problems:

One: The bus line only goes in one direction. Two: The walking distance is measured from the project boundary when it must instead be measured from a functional entrance.

C. A rail line a 1-mile (1,600-meters) bicycling distance of both functional entrances to the building
Only school projects have options/requirements for bicycle lanes. For other project types, being able to bicycle to the transit service does not contribute to this credit.

Note that for school projects, a walkshed boundary for Option 2 Pedestrian Access may need to be identified.

Question 28

A project team is pursuing both LT Credit Reduced Parking Footprint and LT Credit Green Vehicles. Which statement is true in order for the team to obtain both of these credits?

A. Enough preferred parking must be provided for both green vehicles and carpools/vanpools.

B. Preferred parking is required for green vehicles only.

C. Preferred parking spaces can be shared for carpools/vanpools and green vehicles.

D. Signage for carpool and vanpool vehicles and green vehicles may be combined if 5% of the total parking capacity is reserved with this signage.

Answer 28

A. Enough preferred parking must be provided for both green vehicles and carpools/vanpools.

The spaces can’t be double counted if the project team is pursuing both credits.

Question 29

For international project teams, by which means would sensitive lands be identified?

A. By referencing the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations

B. By consulting with a qualified biologist or ecologist

C. By checking the Natural Resources Conservation Service website

D. By reviewing information from the Natural Heritage Program

Answer 29

B. By consulting with a qualified biologist or ecologist

For international project teams, identify local equivalencies for the referenced standards. Working with a qualified biologist or ecologist may be necessary to identify a local equivalency.

Question 30

A university housing project with 50 one-bedroom apartments has a baseline parking capacity of 1 parking space/unit from the ITE handbook. The project will earn 1 point under LT Credit Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses and 1 point under LT Credit Access to Quality Transit. Which is the maximum number of parking spaces the project can have and still earn LT Credit Reduced Parking Footprint?

A. Twenty (20) spaces

B. Forty (40) spaces

C. Ten (10) spaces

D. Thirty (30) spaces

Answer 30

D. Thirty (30) spaces

Notes:

A 20% reduction is required for projects that DO NOT earn points for either LT Credit Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses or LT Credit Access to Quality Transit.

A 40% reduction is required for projects that DO earn points under either LT Credit Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses or LT Credit Access to Quality Transit.

The question states the project will earn points for both credits. What does that mean? It’s still 40%. Earning both credits, however, doesn’t mean that the project requires more than a 40% reduction. An exemplary performance can be earned, but it’s based on the % reduction from Case 1 or Case 2.

50 spaces X 40% = 20 space REDUCTION

Here is another area where people mess up their math. The credit requires a reduction from the baseline, so it’s important to pay attention to what the question asks, as it’s likely that test-takers will see an answer choice for both the reduction and the total. This question asked for the total spaces the project could have, not what the reduction is.

50 spaces - 20 space reduction = 30 spaces total.

Additionally, the minimum local code requirements for parking spaces must not be exceeded.

Question 31

A 90-unit apartment complex in an urban area has 200 residents, 50 peak visitors, and no employees. How many long-term and short-term bicycle storage spaces would be required for LT Credit Bicycle Facilities?

A. 60 long-term spaces and 1 short-term space

B. 90 long-term spaces and 2 short-term space

C. 60 long-term spaces and 2 short-term spaces

D. 90 long-term spaces and 4 short-term spaces

Answer 31

D. 90 long-term spaces and 4 short-term spaces

Notes:

To successfully complete this calculation, it’s necessary to know the rules for different rating systems:

For a residential project, provide long-term storage equal to 30% of all regular building occupants, but no less than one storage space per unit.

For a residential project, provide short-term storage equal to 2.5% of all peak visitors, but no fewer than 4 spaces per building.

50 visitors X 0.025 = 1.25 and rounds up to 2 spaces, but the minimum required is 4 per building (4).

200 residents X 0.30 = 60 spaces, but the minimum required is 1 per residential unit (90).

Question 32

Which of the following descriptions does NOT meet the criteria for sensitive land on which project teams should avoid building?

A. An area with trees more than 6 inches (150 millimeters) in diameter at breast height

B. Farmland of local importance as defined by the U.S. CFR

C. A habitat with a single species classified by NatureServe as G2 (imperiled)

D. A flood-hazard area shown on a legally adopted flood-hazard map

Answer 32

A. An area with trees more than 6 inches (150 millimeters) in diameter at breast height

Sensitive land criteria is listed for five land types:

Prime farmland - For prime farm land check with the Natural Resources Conservation Service soil surveys for the area.

Flood plain - Usually specified by FEMA.

Threatened or endangered species - Any species listed by the U.S. Endangered Species Act listed on any state endangered species legislation or classified by Nature Serve as GH, G1, or G2 are considered threatened or endangered for purposes of this credit.

Water bodies - No development within 100 feet (30 meters) of water bodies.

Wetlands - No development within 50 feet (15 meters) of wetlands.

Areas with trees are not considered sensitive. This constraint for trees comes from the minor improvements section that is allowed within wetland and water body buffers.

Question 33

A neighborhood project is planning on certifying to LEED ND Plan. There are several LEED projects in the neighborhood that have substantially completed designs. Which action sequence will help streamline the documentation process?

A. Earn certification for all buildings first before registering the LEED ND project

B. Complete the building design review phase first, then the LEED ND Plan certification

C. Submit the LEED ND project for certification, then wait until approval before submitting the buildings

D. Earn certification for all buildings first before submitting the LEED ND project for certification

Answer 33

B. Complete the building design review phase first, then the LEED ND Plan certification

Question 34

In an urban area an existing building has a parking deck with 200 parking spaces. A project for a new building adjacent to the parking deck will be allowed to share 100 of these spaces. When determining the parking capacity for the project, how should the parking capacity be calculated?

A. By only including the shared spaces less any handicap or preferred parking spots

B. By only including the 100 shared spaces

C. By not including any of the spaces

D. By including all 200 spaces

Answer 34

B. By only including the 100 shared spaces
When buildings pool parking, include the number allocated for the project.

See the LT introduction in the reference guide for a full list of how parking capacity is calculated.

Question 35

How would access to quality transit be documented?

A. By an area plan or map showing the project site and location of transit stop locations within a 1/4 mile (400-meter) radius of the project site

B. By an area plan or map showing the project site and location of transit stop locations within a 1/2 mile (800-meter) radius of the project site

C. By a map showing the project, project boundary, transit stop locations, walking routes, and distances to those stops

D. By a map showing the project site, location, type of transportation resources, and driving distances to each location.

Answer 35

C. By a map showing the project, project boundary, transit stop locations, walking routes, and distances to those stops

Question 36

For a LEED BD+C: School Project, which details will the project team need to show regarding pedestrian access to the school for LT Credit Access to Quality Transit?

A. Locations of all bicycle paths

B. A map with a walkshed boundary

C. Functional entries within a 1/4-mile (400 meter) walking distance of bus lines

D. Bus routes for all school buses

Answer 36

B. A map with a walkshed boundary

Project teams pursuing Option 2: Pedestrian Access need to delineate a walkshed boundary using mapping software (GIS or CAD). The walkshed boundary varies based on the age or grade level of the school. Points are earned based on the percentage of students in the boundary.

Question 37

A building owner is reviewing sites that could meet LT Credit Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses. Which site would earn this credit?

A. A site within 1/4 mile (400 meters) of 4 diverse uses accessible by automobile

B. A site in a community with an average combined density of 22,000 SF/acre in the correct density radius

C. A site within 1/4 mile (400 meters) of two different metro bus lines

D. A site within 1/2 mile (800 meters) of a residential neighborhood with a density of 7 units per acre net

Answer 37

B. A site in a community with an average combined density of 22,000 SF/acre in the correct density radius
This meets the requirements.

Question 38

A project team is reviewing a historic building for renovation. When determining the infill status of the potential site, which elements will be included in the total land area within 1/2 mile (800 meters) of the project boundary?

A. Forests

B. Streets

C. Water bodies

D. Rights of way

Answer 38

A. Forests

Notes:

When calculating infill status, streets, rights of way, and water bodies are excluded.

Question 39

Which EVSE qualification is required for LT Credit Green Vehicles?

A. A Level 1 charging capacity

B. Connection to an onsite renewable energy system

C. Connection to a network or the Internet for participation in a demand response program or time-of-use pricing

D. Located outdoors and not in a garage

Answer 39

C. Connection to a network or the Internet for participation in a demand response program or time-of-use pricing

Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or a cellular connection is required so the device can send usage data to a server and so it can participate in a demand response or time-of-use service.

Question 40

What site would meet the minimum distance requirements to comply LT Credit Sensitive Land Protection?

A. Site 150 feet (45 meters) from a wetland

B. Previously undeveloped land 40 feet (12 meters) from a manmade wetland

C. Greenfield 40 feet (12 meters) from a stream
The stream is a water body, which has a minimum distance of 100 feet (30 meters).

D. Previously undeveloped land within 50 feet (15 meters) from a stream

Answer 40

A. Site 150 feet (45 meters) from a wetland

Sites should be at least 50 feet (15 meters) from wetlands. This includes both previously developed and undeveloped land.

This choice meets the minimum distance requirement.

Question 41

A developer of a retail store has located the project site in a dense area with diverse uses. The uses include the following:

Services Category: 2 restaurants, 1 bank
Civic and Community Facilities category: 1 park

Given this information, which of the following uses, if located within a 1/4-mile (800 meter) walking distance of the project site, would earn LT Credit Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses?

A. Another bank

B. A post office

C. A convenience store

D. A planned park that will be completed before the project is occupied

E. A nail salon located in a portion of the retail store

Answer 41

C. A convenience store
This would count because it is would be in a 3rd category for the project (Community-Serving Retail).

Notes:

Here are the important points to remember about uses:

A minimum of 4 uses
A use type only counts once (retail store that has a nail salon only counts once)
Uses must come from at least 3 of the 5 categories, exclusive of the building’s primary use
No more than two uses of each type (maximum of 2 restaurants for example)
Uses that are planned count if they are available within one year of LEED occupancy.

Question 42

When mapping the surrounding density within a 1/4 mile (400-meter) radius of the project site from the site boundary, which details needs to be included in the calculations? (Choose 2)

A. Types of buildings

B. Public rights of way

C. Any project buildings

D. Parking garages

E. Buildable land

Answer 42

A. Types of buildings

E. Buildable land

Notes:

On the map, identify the buildings in the area as either residential, non-residential, or mixed use.

Also include buildable land, which includes all of the land within that 1/4 mile except non-habitat space such as parking garages, or public rights of way, and land that is excluded from development by law.

The project buildings are also not included in the surrounding density calculations (remember it is surrounding density, not project density).

Question 43

A multi-story condominium is within a 1/2-mile (800-meter) walking distance of the following uses:

Services Category: 3 restaurants
Food Retail Category: 2 grocery stores
Civic and Community Facilities Category: 1 child care facility, 2 libraries

Given this information, what is the total number of uses and the total number of eligible uses for LT Credit Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses?

A. 8 total uses, 7 eligible uses

B. 8 total uses, 8 eligible uses

C. 3 total uses, 3 eligible uses

D. 3 total uses, 2 eligible uses

Answer 43

A. 8 total uses, 7 eligible uses

Take time to review the list of diverse uses that apply to this credit and their categories.

Here are the important points to remember about uses:

A minimum of 4 uses
A use type only counts once (retail store that has a nail salon only counts once)
Uses must come from at least 3 of the 5 categories, exclusive of the building’s primary use
No more than two uses of each type (maximum of 2 restaurants for example)
Uses that are planned count if they are available within one year of LEED occupancy.

Only two uses from any one type are eligible. Only 2 restaurants would count.

There are 8 uses, but only 7 are eligible.

Question 44

Under which circumstance does a project NOT have to provide preferred parking when attempting LT Credit Reduced Parking Footprint?

A. If no off-street parking is provided

B. If the project will also earn LT Credit Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses

C. If local code sets the minimum parking requirements

D. If the project has fleet and inventory vehicles

Answer 44

A. If no off-street parking is provided

When no off-street parking is provided, no preferred parking is required.

Preferred parking is defined as: ‘the parking spots closest to the main entrance of a building (exclusive of spaces designated for handicapped persons). For employee parking, it refers to the spots that are closest to the entrance used by employees.’ - USGBC

Question 45

On a previously developed site with a water body on the property, which minor improvements are allowed in the water-body buffer? (Choose 3)

A. A 10-foot (3 meter) wide impervious walking path

B. Bike pathways

C. Maintenance shed

D. Removal of trees 6 inches (150 millimeters) in diameter at breast height

E. Grade changes to ensure access for all users

F. Clearance of 600 square feet (56 m2) for a picnic area

Answer 45

B. Bike pathways

C. Maintenance shed

E. Grade changes to ensure access for all users

Question 46

A project team is reviewing potential sites that have a diversity of transit routes. Which site feature would help the project earn more points for LT Credit Access to Quality Transit?

A. A site served by multiple transit types all within a 1/4-mile (400 meters) of any functional entry

B. A site served by a bus route and a light rail route for which no one route provides more than 60% of the total trips

C. A residential site served by light rail that has double the required weekend trips

D. A site served by a bus route, light rail, and commuter route

Answer 46

B. A site served by a bus route and a light rail route for which no one route provides more than 60% of the total trips

A site that has multiple transit types which do not provide more than 60% of the trips can earn the project more points.

Question 47

A developer for a residential project in an urban area is reviewing potential sites that would reduce vehicle distance traveled. Which site would help with this goal and with achieving LT Credit Bicycle Facilities?

A. A site adjacent to an existing 10-mile (16-kilometer) mountain biking trail

B. A site adjacent to an existing bicycle network that connects to a jobs center 8-miles (12 kilometers) away

C. A site within a 1/4-mile (400 meter) walking distance of a bicycle network that connects to a light rail station within a 1-mile (1,600 meters) bicycling distance.

D. A site within 3 miles (4800-meters) bicycling distance to 10 diverse uses on a bicycle network

Answer 47

D. A site within 3 miles (4800-meters) bicycling distance to 10 diverse uses on a bicycle network

Notes:

Design or locate the project such that a functional entry and/or bicycle storage is within a 200-yard (180-meter) walking distance or bicycling distance from a bicycle network that connects to at least one of the following:

• at least 10 diverse uses
• a school or employment center, if the project total floor area is 50% or more residential or
• a bus rapid transit stop, light or heavy rail station, commuter rail station, or ferry terminal.

All destinations must be within a 3-mile (4800-meter) bicycling distance of the project boundary.

Question 48

A developer has purchased two sites next to each other and plans to combine them in order to develop a new mixed-use project. One of the sites is on the National Priorities List. Which statement is true about the project’s ability to earn LT Credit High-Priority Site?

A. The project will earn the credit by submitting only the high-priority site for credit documentation.

B. The project will qualify for the credit, because a portion of the new site is in the high-priority designated area.

C. The project will earn the credit if the new site area is an infill site.

D. The project will not be able to earn the credit.

Answer 48

B. The project will qualify for the credit, because a portion of the new site is in the high-priority designated area.

If only a portion of the site has a priority designation, it still counts toward the credit.

Question 49

In which ways can a project team influence change if a LEED project is not already located near a bicycle network or a transit stop? (Choose 2)

A. By working with the county commission to add more traffic routes or lanes to the project

B. By getting the local government to commit to striping bike lanes or lower the street speed limit

C. By increasing the amount of preferred parking at the site

D. By seeing if the local transit agency will commit to providing additional service to the project

Answer 49

B. By getting the local government to commit to striping bike lanes or lower the street speed limit

D. By seeing if the local transit agency will commit to providing additional service to the project

Question 50

A LEED AP is documenting five uses within walking distance of the main entrance of an office building. What is an acceptable way to document LT Credit Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses?

A. By including a map showing the project site, location and type of each use, and walking routes from the main entrance to each use.

B. By uploading a project narrative that includes each use name, use type, and address

C. By using the area plan or map to show the project site and location of existing and planned uses within a quarter-mile (400-meter) radius of the project site.

D. By creating a map showing the project, project boundary, and walking routes and longitude and latitude of each use.

Answer 50

A. By including a map showing the project site, location and type of each use, and walking routes from the main entrance to each use.

Question 51

How would a bicycle network be documented for a project?

A. By creating a map showing the project, project boundary, transit stop locations, and walking routes and distances.

B. By drawing a straight-line radius from the origin and the bicycling segments in the radius.

C. By using the area plan or map showing the project site and location of existing and planned bicycle networks within a quarter-mile (400-meter) radius of the project site.

D. By including a vicinity map showing the bicycle network, route, and distance along the network to eligible destinations

Answer 51

D. By including a vicinity map showing the bicycle network, route, and distance along the network to eligible destinations

Question 52

A project has the following transit service summary:

Light rail:
80 weekday trips
60 Saturday trips
50 Sunday trips

Commuter rail:
40 weekday trips
12 Saturday trips
0 Sunday trips

Given this information, which statement is true about the transit service and the project’s ability to earn LT Credit Access to Quality Transit?

A. The light rail service does not provide enough weekend trips.

B. The commuter rail would count as having no weekend trips.

C. The commuter rail weekend trips can be averaged to meet the minimum required.

D. The light rail service does not provide enough weekday trips.

Answer 52

C. The commuter rail weekend trips can be averaged to meet the minimum required.

The weekend trips can be averaged to 6 to meet the requirements.

Question 53

A mixed-use project team in an urban area wants to reduce pollution by promoting alternatives to conventionally fueled motor vehicles. The project has retail space on the first floor and residential spaces on the upper floors, as well as shared parking, and can’t have preferred parking for green vehicles. Which action must the project team take regarding the discount of parking passes instead of preferred parking for LT Credit Green Vehicles?

A. Offer the discounts to either the office workers or the residents

B. Offer a discount of at least 15%

C. Include the discount in the building policy documents

D. Ensure availability of the discounts no later than three months after the building is occupied

Answer 53

C. Include the discount in the building policy documents

This is correct.

Question 54

An apartment building pursuing LEED BD+C: New Construction has two functional building entries. One entrance is within a 1/4-mile (400 meters) walking distance of a bus stop. The other entrance is within a 1/2-mile (800-meters) walking distance of multiple stops of a rail station. Each transit route has service in both directions. Which criterion is true for how these stops count toward LT Credit Access to Quality Transit?

A. The rail station stops would not count because of the distance from the functional entry.

B. Neither service would count because they don’t serve both functional entries.

C. Only trips from one stop of the rail station may be counted.

D. The bus transit route can be counted in both directions.

Answer 54

C. Only trips from one stop of the rail station may be counted.

This is correct. If there are multiple stops within any walking distance, only one counts.

Question 55

A 500,000 SF (46,500 m2) mixed-use building pursuing LEED BD+C: New Construction includes office space and residential space. The office space has 102 regular building occupants and 40 peak visitors. The residential space has 30 units with 40 residents and 20 peak visitors. How many shower facilities are required for LT Credit Bicycle Facilities?

A. 0

B. 31

C. 2

D. 1

Answer 55

C. 2

Notes:

Showers need to be provided for commercial and institutional projects. Residential projects do not need showers because each unit would have its own shower.

Since this is a mixed-use project with residential space, the residential component of this question can be ignored.

1 shower/changing room for the first 100 regular building occupants and 1 shower for every 150 more. They key here is regular building occupants. Visitors don’t count in the calculation. The other point to remember is to always round up.

The office space has 102 regular building occupants. The first 100 require 1 shower. The next 150 require 1 more. Since we have 102, 2 showers are required.

Question 56

A project with a three-story underground garage is designing a natural gas refueling station for green vehicles. Which element must the project include in the design?

A. Networked charging stations

B. A discounted fuel rate for all users

C. Preferred parking on the lowest level of the garage

D. A dedicated exhaust connected to the outdoors

Answer 56

D. A dedicated exhaust connected to the outdoors

For liquid or gas refueling stations that cannot be located outdoors, a dedicated exhaust system must be installed that connects to the outdoors.

Question 57

Which situations, if found during a Phase 1 or Phase 2 site assessment, would earn a project LT Credit High-Priority Site? (Choose 2)

A. A building with a collapsed roof and interior walls containing lead paint

B. An area of the site with soil contaminated by oil

C. An existing standing structure with asbestos insulation

D. An adjacent property listed on the EPA National Priorities List

E. An on-site pond that tested for high levels of a toxic chemical

Answer 57

B. An area of the site with soil contaminated by oil

E. An on-site pond that tested for high levels of a toxic chemical
Notes:

The project team will need to determine the presence of any on-site soil or groundwater contamination as early as possible in the development process by conducting a Phase 1 or Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment, or a local equivalent, by working with biologists or an environmental engineer or scientist.

The key to the brownfield option is that the soil or groundwater must be contaminated. A building on the site or nearby doesn’t count.

Question 58

A project site contains a large greenfield area, a pond, and an old parking lot. The new building design will require building on more than the previously developed area. Which statement is true about the project’s ability to earn LT Credit Sensitive Land Protection?

A. The project is unable to earn the credit.

B. The credit can be earned by not disturbing any sensitive land areas.

C. The credit can be earned if the project team preserves 30% of the total site area.

D. The credit can be earned if the project does not build within 50 feet (15 meters) of the pond.

Answer 58

B. The credit can be earned by not disturbing any sensitive land areas.

If the development footprint will extend beyond previously developed portions of the site, then the team must pursue Option 2.

The project can earn the credit by building on the previously developed area and not disturbing sensitive areas.

Question 59

Which of the following would be an eligible diverse use near a project?

A. A laundromat located within a 1/2-mile radius (800 m) from the project site

B. A planned supermarket located in the same building that will be operating within one year of the LEED project’s initial certificate of occupancy

C. A swimming pool that is not publicly accessible

D. A public transit stop located a 1/4-mile (400 m) walking distance from the project site

E. A bank located a 5/8-mile (1,006 m) walking distance from the project site

Answer 59

B. A planned supermarket located in the same building that will be operating within one year of the LEED project’s initial certificate of occupancy

Planned uses count if they are available within one year of LEED occupancy.

Notes:

Here are the important points to remember about uses:

A minimum of 4 uses

A use type only counts once (retail store that has a nail salon only counts once)
Uses must come from at least 3 of the 5 categories
No more than two uses of each type (maximum of 2 restaurants for example)
Uses that are planned count if they are available within one year of LEED occupancy.

Question 60

A technology firm is deciding on a location to build a new data center. Which of the following sites would be most appropriate?

A. Land with a plant species from the State threatened species list

B. Land that is 41 feet from a wetland

C. Undeveloped land that is 41 feet from a stream

D. Developed site 30 feet from a fishing stream

E. Undeveloped land within a floodplain

F. Organic tree nursery located on prime farmland

Answer 60

D. Developed site 30 feet from a fishing stream

Notes:

The ‘developed site’ would be most appropriate because the site was already developed. A previously developed site doesn’t have to meet the same requirements for LT Credit Sensitive Land Protection The other answer choices fail to meet the requirements of the credit.

Sites cannot have endangered species on them and meet the requirements.

The undeveloped land in the floodplain would not qualify.

The undeveloped land near the stream must be more than 50 feet (not 41 feet) from the stream.

The land near the wetland must be more than 50 feet away.

The tree nursery is not correct because the land is prime farmland.

Question 61

A project team is reviewing potential LEED for Neighborhood Development sites for retail space. What locations - if selected - would earn the project LT Credit LEED for Neighborhood Development Location?

A. LEED v4 LEED ND Certified Plan or LEED 2009 Stage 1 Conditional Approval of LEED ND Plan

B. LEED v4 LEED ND Certified Plan or LEED 2009 State 3 LEED ND Certified Neighborhood Development

C. LEED ND Pilot Stage 3 LEED ND Certified Project or 2009 Stage 1 Conditional Approval of LEED ND Plan

D. LEED v4 LEED ND Conditional Approval or LEED ND Pilot Stage 1 LEED ND Pre-Reviewed Plan

Answer 61

B. LEED v4 LEED ND Certified Plan or LEED 2009 State 3 LEED ND Certified Neighborhood Development

If you see a question like this it’s easier to remember the ineligible LEED ND certification designations:

LEED ND Pilot Stage 1 LEED ND Pre-reviewed Plan
LEED 2009 Stage 1 Conditional Approval of LEED ND Plan
LEED v4 LEED ND Conditional Approval

Or to simply this list further - Anything that says ‘Stage 1’ or ‘Conditional’ is ineligible for the credit. You won’t even have to memorize the LEED version this way.