Free USGBC LEED-AP-ND Practice Exam with Questions & Answers | Set: 2

When selecting renewable energy technologies for the Green Infrastructure and Buildings Credit for Renewable Energy Production, site conditions such as wind exposure are crucial considerations. Wind exposure directly affects the feasibility and efficiency of wind energy systems, making it a key factor in determining whether wind turbines or other wind-based energy systems can be effectively implemented. While other factors like distance from a wetland orelevation above the floodplain are important for site selection, they are not directly related to the efficiency of renewable energy technologies like wind exposure is.

The requirement for an infill site under LEED® Neighborhood Development is that at least 75% of the site’s boundary must border parcels that are individually at least 50% previously disturbed, and in aggregate, at least 75% of the boundary must be adjacent to previously disturbed parcels.This criterion supports the redevelopment of previously developed land and helps in reducing urban sprawl by encouraging the use of already impacted sites.

Infill Development:Infill development refers to the practice of developing vacant or underused parcels within existing urban areas that are already largely developed. LEED-ND promotes infill development as it typically results in more efficient land use, reduces the need for new infrastructure, and supports the revitalization of existing communities.

Previously Disturbed Parcels:A "previously disturbed" parcel refers to land that has been altered by previous development or human activities, making it more suitable for redevelopment without contributing to the loss of greenfield sites (undeveloped land).

Boundary Criteria:The specific requirement that 75% of the project’s boundary borders disturbed parcels ensures that the site is surrounded by areas that have already experienced some level of development. This aligns with LEED-ND’s goals of encouraging sustainable development patterns that optimize land use within existing urbanized areas.

The LEED-ND Reference Guide elaborates on the criteria for infill sites under the Smart Location & Linkage (SLL) category, particularly emphasizing the importance of reusing previously disturbed land.

TheLEED v4 Neighborhood Developmentdocumentation provides detailed definitions and examples to clarify what constitutes an infill site.

Detailed Explanation:References:For more information, review the materials available through USGBC:

LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development

Under the Smart Location and Linkage Credit for Preferred Locations, maximum points are awarded to sites that are both infill and previously developed. This is because such sites typically have better access to existing infrastructure and services, reducing the environmental impact of development. Infill sites help limit urban sprawl, while previously developed sites contribute to the reuse and revitalization of land. Option B meets both criteria, hence earning the maximum points for this credit.

References:

LEED v4 Neighborhood Development Guide: The guide discusses the criteria for Preferred Locations and the importance of infill and previously developed sites (USGBC, LEED v4 Neighborhood Development Current Version).

LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development: This guide explains the scoring system for the Preferred Locations credit and the benefits of using infill, previously developed sites (USGBC, LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development).

For the Green Infrastructure and Buildings Credit related to Renewable Energy Production, wind energy is an eligible source of renewable energy. LEED recognizes wind energy as a clean and sustainable energy source that contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Other options, such as ground-source heat pumps, are not considered renewable energy sources because they typically rely on electricity or other energy sources to operate. Combustion of municipal solid waste and forest biomass waste may produce energy, but they are not categorized as renewable in the context of LEED's Renewable Energy Production credit.

Connecting to the municipal graywater system contributes toward the Green Infrastructure and Buildings Credit for Wastewater Management. This credit focuses on reducing the impact of wastewater generated by the project by encouraging the use of graywater systems for recycling and reusing water, thus minimizing the demand on municipal wastewater treatment facilities.

Graywater Systems:Graywater refers to wastewater from domestic sources like sinks, showers, and laundry that can be recycled for non-potable uses such as irrigation or toilet flushing. By connecting to a municipal graywater system, the project can contribute to reducing the overall volume of wastewater that needs to be treated, thereby earning points under the Wastewater Management credit.

Wastewater Management Credit:The intent of this credit is to minimize the adverse effects of wastewater on theenvironment. Projects can earn points by implementing strategies that reduce the volume of wastewater, treat it on-site, or connect to systems that facilitate its reuse.

Benefits of Municipal Graywater Systems:Using a municipal graywater system helps in reducing the strain on local wastewater treatment facilities and promotes the sustainable use of water resources. It also aligns with LEED’s broader goals of water conservation and efficient water use.

The LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development outlines the criteria for the Wastewater Management credit and how connecting to graywater systems can contribute to achieving it.

TheLEED v4 Neighborhood Developmentdocumentation provides additional guidance on the types of wastewater systems that are eligible for this credit.

Detailed Explanation:References:For more details, consult:

LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development

LEED v4 Neighborhood Development

To achieve maximum points in the Regional Priority category, it is crucial for the project team to select credits that are specifically designated as Regional Priority credits for the project's location. The USGBC identifies Regional Priority credits based on the unique environmental priorities of different regions. These credits vary depending on geographic location and address region-specific environmental challenges. Therefore, the most accurate approach is to refer directly to the USGBC's website, where the eligible Regional Priority credits for each location are listed. This ensures that the project team is pursuing the appropriate credits that align with the regional environmental goals.

References:

LEED v4 Neighborhood Development Guide: Discusses the importance of Regional Priority credits and the need to refer to the USGBC’s resources to identify them (USGBC, LEED v4 Neighborhood Development Current Version).

USGBC Official Website: Provides detailed information on Regional Priority credits for different locations, accessible to project teams (USGBC, LEED for Neighborhood Development Rating System).

To achieve the Neighborhood Pattern and Design Credit for Neighborhood Schools in LEED-ND, at least 50% of the dwelling units must be within a 1/2 mile (800 meters) walking distance of an existing or planned school. The scenario where three units are within a 1/2 mile and seven units are within a one-mile distance meets the criteria, as it ensures that a significant portion of the residences are within a close, walkable distance to a school.

Neighborhood Schools Credit:This credit encourages the development of neighborhoods where schools are within walking distance of homes, promoting walking and reducing the need for car travel. It supports the idea of integrating educational facilities into the community fabric.

Walking Distance Requirements:For this credit, the LEED-ND standard typically requires that a certain percentage of theproject's dwelling units be within a 1/2 mile (800 meters) walking distance of a school. This distance is measured along safe and accessible pedestrian paths.

Scenario Compliance:In the given scenario, three of the ten units are within the optimal 1/2 mile walking distance. While the remaining seven units are slightly further away (within one mile), the distribution still supports the credit's intent by making a school accessible to most residents.

The LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development outlines the criteria for Neighborhood Schools and how to measure and document walking distances.

TheLEED v4 Neighborhood Developmentdocumentation provides specific guidelines on the distribution of dwelling units in relation to schools.

Detailed Explanation:References:For more information, refer to:

LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development

LEED v4 Neighborhood Development

The Smart Location and Linkage (SLL) Credit forAccess to Quality Transitin LEED for Neighborhood Development promotes connectivity to public transportation, reducing reliance on private vehicles andencouraging walkability. To meet this credit, a portion of the dwelling units in the project must be located within a specified walking distance of a transit stop, which in this case is astreetcar stop.

For this specific scenario:

The project has3,500 dwelling unitson a600-acre (243-hectare)site.

LEED requires a minimum percentage of units to be within1/4 mile (400 meters)walk distance of a transit stop to qualify for the credit.

According to LEED guidelines,30%of the dwelling units must be located within the required walking distance to earn the credit. Thus, the calculation would be:

3,500 units×30%=1,050 units3,500 \, \text{units} \times 30\% = 1,050 \, \text{units}3,500units×30%=1,050units

Therefore,Option B: 1,050 unitsis the correct answer. This ensures that a sufficient number of residential units are within a close and accessible distance to transit, which contributes to reducing automobile dependence and fostering sustainable neighborhood development (Reference:LEED v4 ND Reference Guide).

For the Neighborhood Pattern and Design Credit for Tree-Lined and Shaded Streetscapes, Option 2: Shaded Sidewalks, the crown diameter of newly planted trees used in calculating the percentage of shaded sidewalks is based on their expected size 10 years after planting.

Shaded Sidewalks Credit:This credit aims to increase the comfort and usability of sidewalks by ensuring they are shaded, reducing heat exposure and improving the pedestrian experience. The shade coverage must be calculated based on the anticipated tree canopy.

Crown Diameter Calculation:LEED requires that the shading potential of newly planted trees be projected based on the tree’s expected crown diameter 10 years after planting. This approach ensures that the shading provided is realistic and sustainable over time.

Long-Term Planning:Using the 10-year crown diameter allows project teams to plan for the future growth of trees and ensure that sidewalks will be adequately shaded as the neighborhood matures. This long-term perspective is crucial for maintaining sustainable urban environments.

The LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development specifies how to calculate tree canopy coverage and how future growth is factored into these calculations.

TheLEED v4 Neighborhood Developmentdocumentation provides additional guidelines on selecting tree species and projecting their growth.

Detailed Explanation:References:For more detailed guidance, refer to:

LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development

LEED v4 Neighborhood Development

These answers provide a comprehensive understanding of the requirements and best practices for achieving LEED-ND credits in specific scenarios.