Site Management, Transportation Performance, and Light Pollution
What the domain tests
This domain tests ongoing site management, transportation performance surveys, and light-pollution controls. The exam distinguishes operational practices from design commitments.
Core rules
- A site management plan addresses exterior maintenance, snow and ice removal, erosion and sedimentation, fertilizer and pesticide use, and exterior pest control.
- Transportation performance is measured through a commuter survey covering how occupants actually travel-driving alone, transit, carpool/vanpool, bicycling, walking, and telework where allowed.
- Survey sampling must be representative; report response rates and avoid extrapolating from a small, self-selected group.
- Alternative transportation support includes bicycle parking, showers/changing rooms, preferred parking for carpools, and transit information; count only what is available and used as the credit requires.
- Light pollution reduction uses shielded, downward-directed fixtures, appropriate illuminance levels, and limits on uplight and light trespass. Verification can include a site audit or photometric review.
- Keep site and transportation documentation tied to the same 12-month performance period and building boundary.
Worked example
A 500-person office surveys 300 commuters. Of respondents, 120 drive alone, 90 use transit, 50 carpool, 30 bike or walk, and 10 telework. The team reports mode share from the 300 responses, not from all 500 staff, and checks that the survey instrument matches the credit’s required categories. It also verifies that the bike racks and shower facilities cited in the narrative are actually open to occupants.
Traps
Using parking counts as a proxy for commuting behavior; surveying only a motivated group; counting promised facilities that are not built; and claiming full cut-off fixtures without checking aim, uplight, or trespass.