CPMS Environmental Sustainability & Green Parking 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which certification program is specifically designed to recognize environmentally sustainable parking facilities?
- Parksmart (formerly Green Garage Certification) (Correct answer)
- LEED for Homes
- ENERGY STAR Commercial Buildings
- ISO 14001 Environmental Management
Correct answer: Parksmart (formerly Green Garage Certification)
Parksmart, formerly known as the Green Garage Certification, is the only rating system specifically designed to advance sustainable mobility infrastructure and recognize high-performing parking structures.
Question 2: What is the primary environmental benefit of permeable pavement in parking facilities?
- Reducing noise pollution from vehicles
- Allowing stormwater to infiltrate the ground rather than run off (Correct answer)
- Reflecting heat to reduce the urban heat island effect
- Increasing the load-bearing capacity of the surface
Correct answer: Allowing stormwater to infiltrate the ground rather than run off
Permeable pavement allows rainwater to pass through the surface and infiltrate into the ground, reducing stormwater runoff, decreasing flooding risk, and filtering pollutants naturally.
Question 3: Which lighting technology is most recommended for sustainable parking facilities due to its energy efficiency and longevity?
- High-pressure sodium lamps
- Metal halide lamps
- LED (Light Emitting Diode) fixtures (Correct answer)
- Fluorescent tube lighting
Correct answer: LED (Light Emitting Diode) fixtures
LED lighting uses up to 50–75% less energy than traditional lighting and lasts significantly longer, making it the top choice for sustainable parking facilities seeking to reduce energy costs and environmental impact.
Question 4: What does LEED stand for in the context of sustainable building and parking design?
- Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (Correct answer)
- Licensed Efficiency and Environmental Development
- Low Emission and Energy Development
Correct answer: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a globally recognized green building rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Question 5: Which practice most effectively reduces the urban heat island effect in surface parking lots?
- Installing pay-and-display kiosks
- Planting trees and vegetation for shade coverage (Correct answer)
- Using white painted curbs
- Increasing parking space density
Correct answer: Planting trees and vegetation for shade coverage
Trees and vegetation provide shade that reduces pavement surface temperatures, lowering the urban heat island effect by preventing heat absorption and increasing evapotranspiration.
Question 6: What is the primary goal of stormwater management in sustainable parking facility design?
- Maximizing the number of parking spaces per acre
- Reducing or treating runoff to protect water quality and local watersheds (Correct answer)
- Speeding up drainage to prevent puddle formation
- Complying with fire code water supply requirements
Correct answer: Reducing or treating runoff to protect water quality and local watersheds
Sustainable stormwater management focuses on reducing polluted runoff volume and improving water quality before it enters local waterways, protecting ecosystems and complying with environmental regulations.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes a 'heat island effect' as it relates to parking facilities?
- Increased revenue during warm weather months
- The phenomenon where dark paved surfaces absorb heat and raise local temperatures (Correct answer)
- A traffic management strategy using heated roadways
- Thermal imaging used to detect mechanical failures
Correct answer: The phenomenon where dark paved surfaces absorb heat and raise local temperatures
The urban heat island effect occurs when dark impervious surfaces like asphalt absorb solar radiation and re-emit it as heat, raising local temperatures significantly compared to surrounding vegetated areas.
CPMS Environmental Sustainability & Green Parking 1
Which certification program is specifically designed to recognize environmentally sustainable parking facilities?