855773520-LEED-v5-ID-C-Reference-Guide-Launch-Edition-1 - Page 066

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vehicle usage and commuting distances without mitigation efforts. This baseline provides a comprehensive view of the project’s potential carbon impact from commuting transportation. Equation 2. Calculating annual baseline case for transportation emissions 𝐴 𝐴 𝐴 𝑏 𝑏 𝑙 𝑙 𝑐 𝑐 𝑓 𝑓𝑓 𝑡 𝑡 𝑡 𝑡 𝑡 𝑡 𝑡 𝑒 𝑒 𝑒 𝑒 𝑒𝑒= 𝑇 𝑇 𝑇𝑇 𝑎 𝑎 𝑎 𝑉 𝑉𝑉 × 𝐸 𝐸 𝐸 𝐸 𝑓 𝑓 𝑓

Assess low-carbon transportation options After the baseline for annual transportation emissions has been established, teams must assess the potential for reducing transportation-related emissions by utilizing data from national census, metropolitan planning organizations, and transportation departments at local or state governments. Teams should use other relevant data sources to estimate actual travel patterns, if local or state data cannot be found. Based on the findings, teams must also estimate the portion of regular project occupants likely to use these alternative and active transportation options for their daily commutes to and from the project building. Teams are strongly encouraged to prioritize Option 1: Parking and Option 2: Active Travel Facilities, as these options support the promotion of low-carbon transportation strategies. Teams should also account for unique conditions at the larger building site and assess whether the travel estimates are realistic. Consider transportation facilities that are available to all tenants in the building.

Key guiding questions include:

• Are there bikeable routes leading to the project?

• Is there sufficient sidewalk connectivity?

• Is the project within walking distance of a residential neighborhood?

Walking and biking trips, which assume zero emissions, can significantly offset the overall transportation carbon footprint of the project.

Estimate annual proposed case for carbon emissions After assessing the low-carbon transportation option, project teams must determine the anticipated number of regular project occupants who will commute using single-occupancy vehicles, based on a realistic assessment of travel patterns to and from the site. This analysis should account for various commuting methods, such as walking, cycling, public transit or carpooling, and estimate the remaining number of individuals who are likely to rely on singleoccupancy vehicles. For example, if 50 employees are expected to regularly walk to and from work, these individuals would produce no vehicle emissions for the year. Equation 3. Calculate annual transportation emissions 𝐴 𝐴 𝐴 𝑡 𝑡 𝑡 𝑡 𝑡𝑡𝑎 𝑎 𝑎𝑎 𝑒 𝑒 𝑒 𝑒 𝑒𝑒=

U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Interior Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition 55