2. project site factors answers

Project Site Factors

Answers:

1. C

A greenfield is a site that is undeveloped and in a natural state or has been used for agriculture.

Reference: GBES LEED Green Associate Study Guide

2. C

The emissivity of a material is the ratio of energy radiated by a particular material to energy radiated by a black body at the same temperature. It is a measure of a material's ability to radiate absorbed energy.

Reference: LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance Reference Guide, Glossary

3. B

Redeveloping (or reuse) of an existing site significantly minimizes the project's impact on the environment. It also provides the project team opportunity to reuse existing infrastructure.

Reference: n/a

4. D

Increasing the open space would impact the size of the area to plant any vegetation, including native. Increasing open space helps provide habitat for vegetation and wildlife, stormwater control, and reducing the urban heat island effect.

Reference: n/a

5. B & D

B: Light colored paving, or paving with a high SRI value, helps reduce the heat island effect. The heat island effect is created when developed areas have higher temperatures than

surrounding rural areas. An urban heat island effect is caused by sunlight heating up dark colored surfaces such as roads and rooftops. Huge quantities of heat are generated in buildings that have dark rooftops and absorb heat rather than reflect it.

D: Pervious paving helps with reducing stormwater runoff by allowing stormwater to percolate through the pavement.

Reference: LEED 2009 for New Construction and Major Renovations Rating System

6. B

Reducing the size of the building footprint may allow for more open space (fields, grasslands, landscaping, etc.) Open space are the ground areas that are vegetated and pervious. Green roofs can be considered open space but only for urban areas. For the purposes of LEED, open space is the property area minus the development footprint, when local zoning does not define open space.

7. A

The development footprint is the area affected by project site activity. The building footprint is the area of the site occupied by the building structure.


8. C

Albedo (or solar reflectance) is a material's ability to reflect sunlight measured on a scale of 0 (black) to 1 (white). A value of 0.0 indicates that the surface absorbs all solar radiation and a value of 1.0 represents total reflectivity.


9. C & E

C: Open space are the ground areas that are vegetated and pervious. Green roofs can be considered open space but only for urban areas.

For the purposes of LEED, open space is the property area minus the development footprint, when local zoning does not define open space.

E: Open space are the ground areas that are vegetated and pervious.


10. B

The heat island effect is created when developed areas have higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas. An urban heat island effect is caused by sunlight heating up dark colored surfaces such as roads and rooftops. Huge quantities of heat are generated in buildings that have dark rooftops and absorb heat rather than reflect it. Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) indicates a material's ability to reject solar heat and is the combined value of reflectivity and emittance. Measurements vary from 100 (standard white surface, most reflective) to 0 (standard black surface, least reflective). Materials with the highest SRI values are the coolest choices for paving. Many outdoor materials now come with the SRI value printed on the label so purchasers know how the product will impact the urban heat island effect. The higher the SRI number the more solar heat the material can reflect. Black asphalt has an SRI of 0.


11. B

A greenfield is site that is undeveloped and in a natural state or has been used for agriculture.

Reference: LEED for Homes glossary

Previously developed sites are sites that once had buildings, roadways, parking lots, or were graded or otherwise altered by direct human activities. (‐USGBC)

12. C

Reflective materials such as materials with a high Solar Reflective Index (SRI) help reduce the heat island effect.

Reference: n/a

13. A

Smart growth is developing in areas near transportation, housing, and jobs in order to leave open spaces and farmland free from development. This example of development is most likely on a greenfield which is not preferable to infill development.

14. A & C

A: SRI is calculated by using emissivity and solar reflectance values.

C: SRI is calculated by using emissivity and solar reflectance values.


Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) indicates a material's ability to reject solar heat and is the combined value of reflectivity and emittance. Measurements vary from 100 (standard white surface, most reflective) to 0 (standard black surface, least reflective). Materials with the highest SRI values are the coolest choices for paving. The higher the SRI number the more the sunlight the material can reflect. Black asphalt has an SRI of 0.

15. D

ADA stands for Americans with Disabilities Act. Accessible describes a site, building, facility, or portion thereof that complies with the guidelines outlined in the ADA Standards for Accessible Design.

16. B

Increasing open space helps provide habitat for vegetation and wildlife, stormwater control, and reducing the urban heat island effect.

Note that increased open space reduces hardscapes, which reduces the heat island effect. However projects do not earn LEED credits for reducing the heat island effect by reducing the area of hardscapes, but by having reflective or shaded hardscapes.

Reference: n/a

17. C

The floor‐area ratio is the relationship between the total building floor area and the allowable land area the building can cover. (‐USGBC) In green building having a smaller building footprint (building up and having a taller building) is better than having a shorter, wider building (building out) because the smaller building footprint will have less of an impact on the surrounding environment. This can preserve green spaces and natural ecosystems.

18. C & D

C: Open grid pavement is a strategy LEED accepts to reduce heat islands. Open grid pavement has cells in it to allow vegetation to grow.

D: Bio‐retention ponds are landscape features that help control rainwater runoff. They are commonly called rain gardens. LEED does not consider any type of water body or landscape feature as something that contributes to the heat island effect.

Reference: n/a

19. D

See SS Credit 4.3 For LEED, alternative‐fuel vehicles are defined as those vehicles that 'use fuels such as electricity, hydrogen, propane, compressed natural gas, liquid natural gas, methanol, and ethanol. Efficient gas‐electric hybrids are also included in this group.' For LEED, low‐emitting and fuel‐efficient vehicles are defined as 'vehicles that are either classified as Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) by the California Air Resources Board or have achieved a minimum green score of 40 on the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) annual vehicle rating guide.'

Some diesel powered cars have a minimum green score of 40 from the ACEEE and qualify as low‐emitting and fuel‐efficient vehicles. However these vehicles are not alternative fuel vehicles.


20. C

Locating the site near mass transit gives people the opportunity to use that mass transit and not drive to work.


21. A

Bicycle use is one of the ways to promote alternative modes of transportation in the Sustainable Sites section.


22. D

Providing carpool programs, shuttle services, etc. while providing no more parking spaces as required by local code helps encourage alternative transportation. A strategy to indirectly help earn Maximize Open Space is to install less parking, or the minimum the project can get away with (depending on local code). Less paved surfaces for parking will allow the project team to use the unpaved areas open space. For the purposes of LEED, open space is the property area minus the development footprint, when local zoning does not define open space.


23. A

Generally the LEED project boundary is the same as that of the site boundary. For multi‐building projects the team may determine the project boundary by the portion the development covers.


24. B

Car sharing is an alternative to car rental and car ownership. Cars are located throughout cities in convenient locations. People who sign up for the program can reserve the cars and use them for a short period of time. See zipcar.com for an example.


25. D

Choosing urban areas that are previously developed with high development densities can earn a project LEED points for community connectivity.


26. A & D

A: Development density and community connectivity help reduce the impacts of automobiles, which include air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

D: Development density and community connectivity help reduce the impacts of automobiles, which include air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Reference: n/a

27. B

The density radius is calculated using a formula provided by LEED. Any building within the radius is included in the calculations to determine the average density of the area. Projects are awarded credit for building within dense areas. Public roads and waterways are excluded from the calculations.


28. D

Shared parking structures that are part of another LEED project would not be included.


A project building is the real property, including an occupied and operational building(s) and the associated grounds that is registered for and actively pursuing LEED certification.

While it may seem correct to use the term 'project boundary' in the question instead of 'project building', the O+M glossary uses the term 'Project Building' so that is what we have used in the question.

29. D

Parking footprint refers to the area of the project site occupied by the parking areas and structures ‐ since the garage has 5 levels of equal size, the site area taken up by the parking garage is 20,000 SF. The parking garage has a total size of 100,000 SF. There are 5 floors. 100,000 divided by 5 = 20,000 SF per floor. The parking footprint is 20,000 SF.


30. A

Preferred parking spaces are for particular users and are parking spaces that are closest to the main entrance of a project. They do not include handicapped parking. For LEED, other forms of preferred parking include discounted parking passes, designated covered spaces, and guaranteed passes in a lottery system. Preferred parking is a strategy by LEED to reduce the pollution from automobiles. Preferred parking is reserved for carpools, vanpools, and occupants who drive low‐emitting and fuel efficient vehicles. Each of these drivers help reduce automobile use and/or emissions. LEED allows providing discounted parking passes to owners of low‐emitting and fuel‐efficient vehicles. The discounted passes may help to encourage the purchase of these vehicles that are better for the environment.


31. B

The heat island effect is created when developed areas have higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas. An urban heat island effect is caused by sunlight heating up dark colored surfaces such as roads and rooftops. Huge quantities of heat are generated in buildings that have dark rooftops and absorb heat rather than reflect it.

32. B

Open grid pavement is pavement that is less than 50% impervious and contains vegetation in the open cells. Here is an example of open grid pavement: http://i.treehugger.com/files/th_images/hastings.jpg Open grid pavement is different than pervious pavement. Pervious pavement is designed to allow percolation or infiltration of stormwater through the surface into the soil below where the water is naturally filtered and pollutants are removed. In contrast normal pavement is an impervious surface that sheds rainfall and associated surface pollutants forcing the water to run off paved surfaces directly into nearby storm drains and then into streams and lakes. Here is an example of pervious pavement: http://www.us‐concrete.com/images/news_pervious_a.jpg


33. D

The question asks for an environmental benefit. A greenfield is site that is undeveloped and in a natural state or has been used for agriculture. LEED prefers not building on greenfields but using previously developed land instead. Preserving greenfields means more open space will be available.


34. B & C

B: A goal of green building is to reduce the impact of the built environment.

C: Green communities can significantly affect the quality of life, as well as the environment. Reduced commute times, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and reduced water use and resource consumption all help with the health of society.


35. D

Previously developed land has pre‐existing paving, construction, or significantly altered landscapes. Land that has been altered and turned into a natural use such as agricultural, forestry, or nature preservation does not count. A wetland would not have a building on it, so it would not be considered previously developed.

Reference: LEED for Homes Glossary

36. D

This question is teaching you about zoning if you are not familiar with that term. The zoning regulations should always be one of the first things reviewed. Per the MPRs, zoning would fall under MPR 1, Environmental Laws. Zoning regulations need to be reviewed during pre‐design because they have a significant impact on the green building goals and strategies used. If you were planning an office building, or a condominium project, what would be the first question ou would ask about a particular piece of property? 'Can I put an office building here?'. If the land is in the middle of a bunch of houses, the answer is probably not because people in residential neighborhoods don't really like having a skyscraper in the middle of their neighborhood. You wouldn't first ask, how far away is the nearest landfill, or can we get green power, or are there sidewalks. The first question is how can the land be used, as determined by the local zoning regulations.

37. A

Vehicles must be classified as a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) by the California Air Resources Board or have a green score of 40 or more from the ACEEE annual vehicle rating guide.


38. B & C & E

B: Shade from architectural devices is an accepted strategy to reduce the heat island effect.

C: Placing some of the parking underground will reduce the amount of hardscapes, such as the size of the parking lot. This can help earn LEED credit for reducing heat islands.

E: High SRI materials help reflect solar radiation thereby reducing the heat island effect.


39. C

Stacking the floor plans reduces the size of the building footprint. See SS Credit 5.2 Maximize Open Space


40. D

Previously developed land has pre‐existing paving, construction, or significantly altered landscapes. Land that has been altered and turned into a natural use such as agricultural, forestry, or nature preservation can no longer count as previously developed.

Reference: LEED for Homes Rating System

41. C

Mass transit is not considered a basic service


Community connectivity channels development to urban areas with existing infrastructure. This includes areas with walkways and areas near basic services. Basic services are those services that are open to the public, and are common services that people might use regularly. People must be able to walk between the project and the service without being blocked by walls, highways, or other barriers (this is called pedestrian access). LEED encourages building near a variety of basic services, not just one type of service such as twelve clothing stores in a strip mall. LEED provides examples of basic services as:

Bank Church Supermarket / convenience store Day care Dry cleaner / laundry mat Fire station Salon Hardware store Library Medical / dental office Park Pharmacy Post office Restaurant School Theatre / museum Community center Gym

42. B

Areas with trees are included as part of the buildable land area.


See Compact Development. Buildable land is the portion of the site where construction can occur. When used in density calculations, the calculation for buildable land excludes public streets and other public rights of way, and land excluded from development by law.

43. D

Brownfields are previously used or redeveloped land that may be contaminated with hazardous waste or pollution (‐USGBC). The land has the potential to be reused once any hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants are remediated. LEED credit can be earned for projects that remediate the site and build on it.

Reference: Green Building & LEED Core Concepts Guide

44. D

Community connectivity is the quantity of connection between a site and the surrounding community. Community connectivity channels development to urban areas with existing infrastructure. This includes areas with walkways and areas near basic services. Basic services are those services that are open to the public, and are common services that people might use regularly. People must be able to walk between the project and the service without being blocked by walls, highways, or other barriers (this is called pedestrian access). LEED encourages building near a variety of basic services, not just one type of service such as twelve clothing stores in a strip mall. LEED provides examples of basic services as: Bank Church Supermarket / convenience store Day care Dry cleaner / laundry mat Fire station Salon Hardware store Library Medical / dental office Park Pharmacy Post office Restaurant School Theatre / museum Community center Gym


45. D

The Development Density credit uses the density of the area of the project being built. This density is compared to the densities of other projects within a calculated density radius.

An accurate project boundary is used to determine the project's density.


46. B

Reducing the building footprint could result in more open space around the building, assuming it wasn't then paved over.


47. A

A green score of 40 does not imply a fuel efficiency of 40 mpg or more or that the car is powered with alternative fuel. In fact most cars that are eligible for LEED don't come anywhere close to that. The score is based on emissions not on fuel efficiency. For a complete list look at the reference link. Additional information: Hybrid vehicles such as the Toyota Prius are not, of themselves, alternative fuel vehicles ‐ clever use of a battery, motor/generator, merely means that a more efficient but less powerful engine can be used. Essentially all the power comes from petroleum. For LEED, low‐emitting and fuel‐efficient vehicles are defined as vehicles that are either classified as Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) by the California Air Resources Board or have achieved a minimum green score of 40 on the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) annual vehicle rating guide.

Reference: GreenerCars website

For LEED alternative‐fuel vehicles use nongasoline fuels such as: electricity hydrogen propane compressed natural gas liquid natural gas methanol

ethanol efficient gas‐electric hybrids

48. C

Choosing urban areas that are previously developed with high development densities can earn LEED credit.

49. E

Any covering with a high SRI will help reduce the heat island effect.


50. B

Heat islands on a roof can be reduced by reducing the amount of area that is dark, either through solar panels or a green roof, or painting exposed areas with light colored materials. A material with an SRI of 100 is light colored. The heat island effect is created when developed areas have higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas. An urban heat island effect is caused by sunlight heating up dark colored surfaces such as roads and rooftops. Huge quantities of heat are generated in buildings that have dark rooftops and absorb heat rather than reflect it.

51. D

FAR is the total building square footage (building area) divided by the site size square footage (site area). One of the objectives of green building is to build 'up' rather than 'out', thereby having a smaller building footprint to Maximize Open Space and promote biodiversity. For example instead of having a 1 story building with a 10,000 SF footprint design a 2 story building with a 5,000 SF footprint. Both designs have 10,000 SF of total floor area but the 2 story building has a smaller footprint.


52. D

Locating a project near basic services helps earn a project credit for community connectivity.


53. A & B

A: One of the negative impacts of greenfield development is the encroachment and division of natural habitats. Selecting sites that are adjacent to or within existing developments can reduce fragmentation of habitat.

B: Greenfields require more infrastructure for the development. Existing roads and utilities are not as close to the development and must be added to support the development.


54. B

The parking capacity can be reduced which would reduce the amount of money spent on the parking structure or area.


55. D

Community connectivity channels development to urban areas where existing infrastructure already exists, and avoids building on undeveloped land. In the reference guides the intent of Development Density and Community Connectivity is: 'To channel development to urban areas with existing infrastructure, protect greenfields and preserve habitat and natural resources.' Protecting greenfields = protecting undeveloped land Access to public transportation helps with reducing automobile use in the LEED Rating System, however access to public transportationit is not part of the community connectivity credit. While it is true that locating a project in a downtown area would provide access to public transportation, this is not the intent of community connectivity as defined by LEED.


56. B

To reduce the heat island effect, cover the surface with materials that have a high (not low) SRI value. The heat island effect is created when developed areas have higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas. An urban heat island effect is caused by sunlight heating up dark colored surfaces such as roads and rooftops. Huge quantities of heat are generated in buildings that have dark rooftops and absorb heat rather than reflect it.

Reference: n/a

The question asks for what is not a strategy.

57. D

Do not confuse passive (natural) ventilation/design with natural refrigerants. Natural refrigerants still require mechanical means to distribute the cool air.


Passive design combines fundamental building principles such as orientation, massing and optimal material properties to deliver comfort to building occupants while minimizing the use of mechanical systems.

58. D

Erosion and sedimentation control protect air and waterways from construction pollution. These plans must follow the more stringent of the 2003 EPA General Permit or local standards and codes.


59. A

Brownfields are previously used or developed land that may be contaminated with hazardous substances or pollutants. LEED credit can be earned for projects that remediate the site and build on it.


60. C

A vegetated roof helps capture stormwater on a roof.


61. B

Car sharing is an alternative to car rental and car ownership. Cars are located throughout cities in convenient locations. People who sign up for the program can reserve the cars and use them for a short period of time. See zipcar.com for an example.

62. D

Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) indicates a material's ability to reject solar heat and is the combined value of reflectivity and emittance. Measurements vary from 100 (standard white surface, most reflective) to 0 (standard black surface, least reflective). Materials with the highest SRI values are the coolest choices for paving. The higher the SRI number the more solar heat the material can reflect. Black asphalt has an SRI of 0.


63. A & B

A: Increasing open space helps provide habitat for vegetation and wildlife, stormwater control, and reducing the urban heat island effect.

B: Increasing open space helps provide habitat for vegetation and wildlife, stormwater control, and reducing the urban heat island effect.

Reference: n/a

64. D

This activity is how project teams determine basic services for community connectivity. The map is included in the credit documentation along with where on the map the services are located. An example map is included in the GBES study guide.


65. D

A footcandle is the measure of the quantity of light falling on a given surface. Minimizing foot candles helps reduce light pollution which helps nocturnal wildlife and preserve nighttime views of the sky.


While the definition is not present in the reference, the term is.

66. B & C

B: This example is a type of infill project.

C: This example is a type of infill project.


Infill development occurs within established urban areas where the site or area either is a vacant place between other developments or has previously been used for another urban purpose.

67. C

The area of the site occupied by the building structure, not including parking lots, landscapes, and other nonbuilding facilities.


68. B

Selecting a previously developed site avoids disturbing natural areas that have not been developed.

69. C

The glossary defines density for both residential and nonresidential buildings: The quantity of structures on a site, measured for residential buildings as dwelling units per acre of buildable land available for residential uses, and for nonresidential buildings as floor area ratio per net acre of buildable land available for nonresidential uses. (USGBC, Glossary)


70. C

A vegetated roof may count as open space for projects in urban areas.


71. C

The primary cause of the heat island effect is dark surfaces such as rooftops or dark asphalt pavement that absorb heat and radiate it into the surrounding areas. Reduced air flow between buildings and narrow streets also increases the effect. Other causes of the heat island effect include air‐conditioners, vehicle exhaust, and calm and sunny weather.

72. A

Landscape area: the total site area less the building footprint, paved surfaces, water bodies, and patios. (‐USGBC) The tree save area would be included in the landscape area. A tree save area is defined as any tree cover on the tract left undisturbed. They are usually roped off to prevent trucks from driving in the area and people from accidentally cutting down the trees.


73. B

Providing preferred parking for carpools is a LEED strategy to get more occupants to carpool.


74. A

Community connectivity is the quantity of connection between a site and the surrounding community. Community connectivity channels development to urban areas with existing infrastructure. This includes areas with walkways and areas near basic services. Basic services are those services that are open to the public, and are common services

that people might use regularly. People must be able to walk between the project and the service without being blocked by walls, highways, or other barriers (this is called pedestrian access). LEED encourages building near a variety of basic services, not just one type of service such as twelve clothing stores in a strip mall. LEED provides examples of basic services as: Bank Church Supermarket / convenience store Day care Dry cleaner / laundry mat Fire station Salon Hardware store Library Medical / dental office Park Pharmacy Post office Restaurant School Theatre / museum Community center Gym


75. C & D

C: Other causes of the heat island effect include air‐conditioners, vehicle exhaust, and calm and sunny weather.

D: Other causes of the heat island effect include air‐conditioners, vehicle exhaust, and calm and sunny weather.

Reference: n/a

The primary cause of the heat island effect is dark surfaces such as rooftops or dark asphalt pavement that absorb heat and radiate it into the surrounding areas. Reduced air flow between buildings and narrow streets also increases the effect.

76. B

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) defines Zero‐Emission Vehicles (ZEV's) and the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) submits green scores (a minimum of 40 is required for LEED).


77. C

SRI is calculated by using emissivity and albedo values. Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) indicates a material's ability to reject solar heat and is the combined value of reflectivity and emittance. Measurements vary from 100 (standard white surface, most reflective) to 0 (standard black surface, least reflective). Materials with the highest SRI values are the coolest choices for paving. The higher the SRI number the more the sunlight the material can reflect. Black asphalt has an SRI of 0.


78. C

For LEED purposes, open grid pavement is pavement that is less than 50% impervious and contains vegetation in the open cells. Open‐grid pavement consists of a thin, open‐graded asphalt mix layered over the top of a coarse stone aggregate; water passes through the asphalt surface and is stored in the aggregate, from which it slowly percolates into the soil. (USGBC) The vegetation that can grow in open grid pavement helps reduce the heat island effect.


79. B

Reducing automobile use saves energy and reduces environmental issues associated with car pollution. A LEED option to reduce parking capacity (and thus reduce the number of automobiles

on the road) is to provide infrastructure programs that increase carpooling such as ride share boards, shuttles to mass transit, and designated parking for carpools or vanpools. A ride share board makes it easier to carpool.


80. D

Brownfields are previously used or redeveloped land that may be contaminated with hazardous waste or pollution (‐USGBC). The land has the potential to be reused once any hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants are remediated. Projects may get special deals on developing on these sites if the owner cleans them up first.


81. A

Preferred parking (parking closest to the building) for fuel‐efficient vehicles promotes their purchase. Preferred parking is a strategy by LEED to reduce automobile use. Preferred parking spaces are parking spaces that are closest to the main entrance of a project, but they do not include handicapped parking. Other forms of preferred parking include discounted parking passes, designated covered spaces, and guaranteed passes in a lottery system.


82. B

Moving a parking lot/spaces under the building is one way to reduce the heat island effect. This reduces the amount of impervious area above ground. The heat island effect is created when developed areas have higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas. An urban heat island effect is caused by sunlight heating up dark colored surfaces such as roads and rooftops. Huge quantities of heat are generated in buildings that have dark rooftops and absorb heat rather than reflect it.


83. C

The landscape area of the site is the total site area less the building footprint, hardscape area, water bodies, etc. Green roofs are considered part of the landscaping. Green roofs help reduce heat islands. They also help provide greater insulation of the roof to reduce energy consumption, and they have a longer life‐cycle than traditional roofs.


84. B

Community connectivity channels development to urban areas with existing infrastructure. This includes areas with walkways and areas near basic services. Basic services are those services that are open to the public, and are common services that people might use regularly. People must be able to walk between the project and the service without being blocked by walls, highways, or other barriers (this is called pedestrian access). LEED encourages building near a variety of basic services, not just one type of service such as twelve clothing stores in a strip mall. LEED provides examples of basic services as: Bank Church Supermarket / convenience store Day care Dry cleaner / laundry mat Fire station Salon Hardware store Library Medical / dental office Park Pharmacy Post office Restaurant

School Theatre / museum Community center Gym


85. C

Stormwater consists of rainwater and melted snow that run off streets, lawns, farms, and construction and industrial sites. Stormwater runoff can lead to sedimentation. Sedimentation is where pollutants from natural or human activities add particles to water bodies. Pollutants come from soil, fertilizer, oil or gas on roadways, pesticides, etc. Stormwater runoff should be controlled onsite by harvesting the water, increasing open space, and reducing impervious surfaces.

86. C & D


Community connectivity channels development to urban areas with existing infrastructure. This includes areas with walkways and areas near basic services. Basic services are those services that are open to the public, and are common services that people might use regularly. People must be able to walk between the project and the service without being blocked by walls, highways, or other barriers (this is called pedestrian access). LEED encourages building near a variety of basic services, not just one type of service such as twelve clothing stores in a strip mall. LEED provides examples of basic services as: Bank Church Supermarket / convenience store Day care Dry cleaner / laundry mat Fire station Salon Hardware store Library Medical / dental office Park

Pharmacy Post office Restaurant School Theatre / museum Community center Gym

87. B

Heat islands are air and surface temperature differences between developed and undeveloped areas. The heat island effect is created when developed areas have higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas. An urban heat island effect is caused by sunlight heating up dark colored surfaces such as roads and rooftops. Huge quantities of heat are generated in buildings that have dark rooftops and absorb heat rather than reflect it.


88. D

Pedestrian access to basic services such as a park help projects earn community connectivity.


89. B

Vehicles must be classified as a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) by the California Air Resources Board or have a green score of 40 or more from the ACEEE annual vehicle rating guide. The LEED Credit is named Low‐Emitting and Fuel‐Efficient Vehicles and ZEVs qualify under that credit. The question doesn't ask about Zero‐Emitting and Fuel‐Efficient Vehicles because there is no LEED credit by that name.


90. C

Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) indicates a material's ability to reject solar heat and is the combined value of reflectivity and emittance. Measurements vary from 100 (standard white surface, most reflective) to 0 (standard black surface, least reflective). Materials with the highest SRI values are the coolest choices for paving. LEED requires materials with certain SRI values to meet the requirements of some credits. Materials come with SRI values to allow comparison.


91. C

The creation of vibrant, equitable communities that are healthy, walkable and mixed use contribute to good neighborhood pattern and design.

92. D

A greenfield is site that is undeveloped and in a natural state or has been used for agriculture. LEED prefers not building on greenfields but using previously developed land instead.


93. A

Light trespass is light that passes beyond the project boundary.


94. B

Green power is generated off‐site, and requiring its use in projects would not be part of local code. Perhaps it will in the future but today it is not. In LEED, green power refers to off‐site generated renewable energy. Since the energy comes from offsite it would not impact the building project or need to reference any zoning/codes for the project.

Reference: n/a

Zoning is a method of land use regulation used by local governments in most developed countries. Zoning may be use‐based (regulating the uses to which land may be put), or it may regulate building height, lot coverage, and similar characteristics, or some combination of these.

95. B

Brownfields are previously used or redeveloped land that may be contaminated with hazardous waste or pollution (‐USGBC). The land has the potential to be reused once any hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants are remediated.


96. A

The vegetation for a green roof should use native plants, just like the rest of the project landscape. Native (or indigenous) plants are those that grow naturally in an area, or that have been in an area for many years. Native plants require less water, fertilizer, and pest control. These plants can be trees, shrubs, flowers, or grasses. Adaptive plants are non‐native plants that perform well in the local climate. Native and adaptive plants require less water, and are more disease resistant because they are suited to the region's usual rainfall, soil, and temperature.

97. D

Community connectivity helps channel development to urban areas with existing infrastructure. Pedestrian access is needed for occupants to take advantage of basic services.


98. B

Discounted parking passes given to the owners of these vehicles may encourage their purchase by offsetting any parking costs.


99. B

Previously developed land has pre‐existing paving, construction, or significantly altered landscapes. Land that has been altered and turned into a natural use such as agricultural, forestry, or nature preservation does not count.

Reference: LEED for Homes Glossary

100. B

Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) indicates a material's ability to reject solar heat and is the combined value of reflectivity and emittance. Measurements vary from 100 (standard white surface, most reflective) to 0 (standard black surface, least reflective). Materials with the highest SRI values are the coolest choices for paving. Dark paving materials generally have a low reflectance and low SRI. Gray/white paving materials generally have a higher reflectance and a higher SRI value.


To reduce the heat island effect cover the surface with materials that have a high (not low) SRI value.

101. C

The heat island effect refers to the ability of dark, non‐reflective paved areas‐city streets, rooftops, and sidewalks‐to absorb and radiate heat, making urban areas and the surrounding suburbs noticeably hotter than rural towns nearby. Other contributors include reduced air flow due to tall buildings and narrow streets, calm and sunny weather, and auto exhaust.


102. D

This is the correct definition. IPM combines: ‐knowledge about pests ‐the environment ‐pest prevention and control methods


103. C

A public park is a basic service. Community connectivity is the quantity of connection between a site and the surrounding community. It is measured by pedestrian access to housing basic services such as restaurants, post offices, hospitals, libraries, etc.

Reference: n/a

104. A

Increasing the number of parking spaces above ground would increase the heat island effect.


The heat island effect is created when developed areas have higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas. An urban heat island effect is caused by sunlight heating up dark colored surfaces such as roads and rooftops. Huge quantities of heat are generated in buildings that have dark rooftops and absorb heat rather than reflect it.

105. B

For the purposes of LEED, open space is the property area minus the development footprint, when local zoning does not define open space. Open space must be vegetated and pervious.


106. D

Previously developed land has pre‐existing paving, construction, or significantly altered landscapes. Land that has been altered and turned into a natural use such as agricultural, forestry, or nature preservation does not count.


107. B

The open space must be in the LEED boundary. The LEED boundary is the portion of the project site submitted for LEED certification. (‐USGBC) For single building developments, this is the entire project scope and is generally limited to the site boundary ‐ they are not necessarily the same thing.


108. C

See SS Credit 2. While not directly referenced in the requirements of Develop Density and Community Connectivity, the density radius is used in the density calculations as is applicable under exam objective II.A / II.B The density radius calculation is used to draw a circle around the project plan and identify properties within or intersecting that radius. Those properties must be factored into the development density calculation for certain credits.


109. B

A public library is a basic service. Community connectivity is the quantity of connection between a site and the surrounding community. It is measured by pedestrian access to housing basic services such as restaurants, post offices, hospitals, libraries, etc.

Reference: n/a

110. A

Adding constructed wetlands reduces the quantity of stormwater runoff by providing a location for the stormwater to collect.

111. D

Locating a project near public transportation, promoting carpooling, and telecommuting are all strategies to reduce the number of vehicles on the road, and thus the parking spaces needed for workers.

112. D

Moving parking spaces underground reduces the quantity of hardscapes above ground. Less hardscapes result in lessening the heat island effect.


113. B

Urban sprawl means that cities are no longer compact but are spread out. This can increase commute times. People moving further from city centers to purchase houses contributes to sprawl but sprawl does not increase home prices. Urban sprawl actually discourages urban renewal as old buildings and areas are not redeveloped. Development density and community connectivity help to reduce urban sprawl.


114. D

Albedo (or solar reflectance) is a material's ability to reflect sunlight measured on a scale of 0 (black) to 1 (white). A value of 0.0 indicates that the surface absorbs all solar radiation and a value of 1.0 represents total reflectivity.


115. D

Impervious materials increase stormwater runoff. This is an example of a material that has a tradeoff. The material increases stormwater runoff but reduces the heat island effect.

Reference: n/a

116. D

The LEED definition of average housing density is defined as Housing Units / Acres of Buildable Land.


117. A

If the floor area ratio is increasing by building up instead of out that means the building footprint is decreasing. A smaller building footprint will mean there is more open space available (assuming it doesn't get paved). A dry pond (detention pond) is used to store excess stormwater. Dry ponds are basins whose outlets have been designed to detain stormwater runoff for some minimum time (e.g., 24 hours). The stormwater will slowly seep into the ground or discharge as determined by the pond design to allow pollutants to settle. Unlike wet ponds, these facilities do not have a large permanent pool of water.


118. D

Graywater is defined by the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) as untreated house‐hold wastewater which has not come into contact with toilet waste or kitchen sinks. Some states and local codes have other definitions. Graywater is an important part of the LEED process, and knowing how it is defined by state/local code is a critical first step in pre‐design, if graywater is a consideration for the project. The intent is to learn that what graywater is varies from place to place.


119. C

While the other choices can contribute to smart growth, the correct choice is the term used for the question's definition.

120. B

Native (or indigenous) plants are those that grow naturally in an area, or that have been in an area for many years. Native plants require less water, fertilizer, and pest control. These plants can be trees, shrubs, flowers, or grasses. Adaptive plants are non‐native plants that perform well in the local climate. Native and adaptive plants require less water, and are more disease resistant because they are suited to the region's usual rainfall, soil, and temperature.


121. B & D

B: A rain garden is used to capture stormwater runoff.

D: Open grid paving and pervious surfaces allow stormwater to percolate through the surface instead of running off.

122. B & E

B: Locating a project within 1/2 mile walking distance of bus stops can help earn Public Transportation Access.

E: Locating a project within 1/2 mile walking distance of a rail station can help earn Public Transportation Access.


123. D

Vegetated roofs are great insulators. They act as a barrier between the sun's heat and keep that heat from entering the building through the roof. Because of this added insulation the costs to cool the building can be reduced.

Reference: n/a

124. D

The heat island effect would be reduced because the parking has been moved underground. The heat island effect is created when developed areas have higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas. An urban heat island effect is caused by sunlight heating up

dark colored surfaces such as roads and rooftops. Huge quantities of heat are generated in buildings that have dark rooftops and absorb heat rather than reflect it.


125. C

Preferred parking is a strategy by LEED to reduce automobile use. Preferred parking spaces are parking spaces that are closest to the main entrance of a project, but they do not include handicapped parking. Other forms of preferred parking include discounted parking passes, designated covered spaces, and guaranteed passes in a lottery system.


126. C & D

C: Green roofs typically have a longer life‐cycle than traditional roofs (according to LEED).

Green roofs help reduce heat islands. They also help provide greater insulation of the roof to reduce energy consumption. The heat island effect is created when developed areas have higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas. An urban heat island effect is caused by sunlight heating up dark colored surfaces such as roads and rooftops. Huge quantities of heat are generated in buildings that have dark rooftops and absorb heat rather than reflect it.

127. C

The heat island effect refers to the ability of dark, non‐reflective paved areas‐city streets, rooftops, and sidewalks‐to absorb and radiate heat, making urban areas and the surrounding suburbs noticeably hotter than rural towns nearby. Other contributors include reduced air flow due to tall buildings and narrow streets, calm and sunny weather, and auto exhaust. Because the air around the building is heated, more air conditioning is required in the building to keep it cool. This in turn, further heats the surrounding air and creates a vicious cycle.

Reference: n/a

128. D

This is the definition of smart growth.


2. project site factors answers

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