855773644-LEED-v5-BD-C-Reference-Guide-Launch-Edition - Page 099

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Estimate the annual VMT Project teams must estimate the annual VMT as part of assessing transportation demand. This process involves determining the number of days the building will be occupied, identifying the number of regular project occupants commuting to and from the site and calculating the VMT. This equation assumes the worst-case scenario of all regular building occupants driving SOVs.

Equation 1. Calculating the annual VMT

𝐴𝑛𝑛𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑉𝑀𝑇= 𝑅𝑒𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 b𝑢𝑖𝑙𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 o𝑐𝑐𝑢𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑠 × 𝐸𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 n𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 w𝑜𝑟𝑘 d𝑎𝑦𝑠 w𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛 𝑎 y𝑒𝑎𝑟

× 𝐷𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑦 𝑉𝑀𝑇

Estimate annual baseline case for carbon emissions Project teams must estimate the annual baseline case for carbon emissions. This baseline emissions estimate assumes the worst-case scenario of all regular building occupants driving SOVs with the same emissions factor.

Equation 2. Calculating annual baseline case for transportation emissions

𝐴𝑛𝑛𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 t𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 e𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠= 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑉𝑀𝑇 × 𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟

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 using transportation behavior data from national census, metropolitan planning organizations, and transportation departments at local or state governments. If local or state data cannot be found, teams should use other relevant data sources to estimate actual travel patterns. Based on the findings, teams must also estimate the portion of regular building occupants likely to use these alternative and active transportation options for their daily commutes to and from the 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 project site and assess whether the travel estimates are realistic. Key guiding questions include:

• Are there bicycle routes leading to the project?

• Is there sufficient sidewalk connectivity?

• Is the project within walking distance of residential neighborhoods?

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

U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition 89