LEED-Certified Residential Brownfield Development as a Travel and Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Strategy

Abstract

The transportation sector is the second largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the United States. This study examines the cost effectiveness of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)–certified residential brownfield developments as vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and GHG-emission-reduction strategy. Costs incurred by developers (including cleanup and LEED transportation credit implementation) and savings incurred by residents and the society (including driving time, fuel, and external air pollution) were examined using 16 sites in Baltimore, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Pittsburgh. Travel-demand models were used to estimate VMT reductions. Air pollution–valuation data were used to estimate environmental cost savings. Results indicate that on average LEED-certified residential brownfield developments annually save an average household between $3,500 and $4,000. Comparing cost savings of these developments with other VMT-reduction strategies shows that with minimal implementation cost incurred by transportation authorities (75–95% less than other VMT-reduction strategies), LEED-certified residential brownfield developments can be a beneficial travel-demand strategy and an environmentally viable option to assist federal, state, and local governments with their GHG-emission-reduction goals.