updated 4/4/06

• Are we to place our biographical summary as a word document on the CD as well?

updated 3/29/06

• In LEED Category Site Selection: Light Pollution Reduction we are to only light areas as required for safety and comfort. Do not exceed 80% of the lighting power densities for exterior areas and 50% for building facades and landscape features as defined in ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004, Exterior Lighting Section, without amendments.
  
• Requirements for each category vary significantly. Which of these classifications should we use in designing the GreenStop?

updated 3/23/06

• Are we allowed to modify/relocate the off and on ramps to the rest area?
  
• We are not allowed to make any changes to the signs on the freeway
  indicating the off ramp to the rest area. Can they be relocated if the
  signs are kept the same?
  
• Where do the RV’s park? Do they park in the Long Vehicle area (with
  buses and trucks), or with the cars?
  
• Does the sanitary dumping station need to be accessible from both parking zones?
  
• There is a requirement for a bus stop (for local transport network).
  Does this mean it requires a pedestrian crossing between the North bound and South bound areas? If not how do they get back?
  
• Is it possible to add more names to our team on the registration? If so, how can we do this?
  
• Can we put the LEED matrix on the CD and keep it off the board?
  
• I would like to confirm that BOTH boards will be projected AT THE SAME TIME. In order words, there will be two digital projectors and one image will be above the other.
  
• Looking at your submission requirement update, I see the submission date as May 8th. Does this mean the competition deadline has been extended to May 8th as opposed to April 10th? Please clarify.

update 3/8/06

• Can you give us more information about what time of day each of the rest stops reach their highest and lowest occupancies? For example, is the northbound stop most likely to be used at night, while the southbound stop is used mostly in the afternoon?
  
• We are having a hard time finding answers about ADA requirements for truckers. Our visit to the site and other sites did not appear to provide consistent examples of what type of handicap access should link the truck parking and the comfort stations.
  
• How should we handle LEED points which are concerned with construction methods/practices and post-occupancy monitoring of the project, since the proposals will be limited to schematic design?
  
• Will the jury actually meet in person to deliberate on the submissions, or will they independently view the submissions online and select the finalists through a ranking/voting system?
  
• Is it possible to enter the competition more than once? Would I be required to register for each entry (i.e. do I have to pay the registration fee for every entry)?
  
• To what extent are we allowed to change (relocate/reform) the existing asphalt road/parking space?
  
• How can a student meet the budget and other requirements? I mean how precisely do you need us to describe the project data? (budget, energetic costs, engineering etc.). In other words - is this competition more in search for new ideas of for exact numbers.
  
• I am trying to calculate the amount of power needed for the trucks. Is a power source necessary at every space, or can we assume a certain percentage of the trucks will be
  refrigerated? If every spot is to be powered, we are looking at a huge amount of electricity to be generated on site.
  
  Sewage Ponds, Toilets, and Septic Tanks
  
• Currently visitors are not allowed into the pond area. If the pond area were turned into an amenity could it be opened up to visitors to the rest stop?
  
• Where do the sewerage ponds discharge to? Tule River, subsurface absorption, etc?
  
• What sort of maintenance is done on the ponds? How often is sludge removed?
  
• Are the sewage ponds simply settlement/evaporation ponds or are they planted
  (e.g. constructed wetlands)?
  
• Is the property across the highway from the ponds also part of the usable site?
  
• In response to a question dated 2/21/06 'What are the current operating costs of the existing rest stop?' The excel files indicate an estimate of $3500 per year for septic pumping, however I see no septic tank and you indicate the ponds don't require removal of sludge, could you clarify this?
  
• In your response you say there is no discharge because the ponds are evaporation ponds, yet at the flow rates mentioned in the design kit the ponds receive approximately 20 million liters per year, yet pond #1 and#2 never overflow into #3. This would need to be a high rate of evaporation, or else the water is infiltrating into the ground. The wastewater plan does show a waste line along the west side of the ponds that connects to all four ponds and flows to the north. Perhaps there something that I am missing?
  
• What is the liters per flush of the existing toilets and urinals?

update 2/23/06

• What are the water flows of the North and South branches of the Tule River?
  
  
• What are the current operating costs of the existing rest stop?
  
• Which LEED category should we be using?
  
• Is there a means in California to allow the electrical hook up to stay and generate
  electricity on the site and provide zero or negative metering back to the utility?
  Can we also assume the gas supply will also be cut off? Is there any heating
  or air conditioning in the buildings or just fans? Is the present well supply
  adequate for the site?

updated 2/13/06

• Could you describe the usage of the central utility room in each comfort
  station? Is the space fully used or needed?
  
  
• Could you supply annual or daily KWh electricity usage? This information is crucial for designing solar and wind power generation
  
  
• Do you have wind data for the site? I was curious to incorporate wind
  power generation and need this information.
  
• How long does the Tule fog last during the day? Does it dissipate? This
  also effects solar generation.
  
• The current truck spaces are placed at a 45 degree angle relative to the rest stop roadway. Is it safe and legal to decrease that angle to 30 degrees to
  allow for a narrower (and subsequently longer) stretch of truck parking?
  
• What are the actual boundaries of the site? The ponds seem to be included,
  but appear to be outside the "property line." If they are included what are the
  boundaries of the pond area? Also, there is some reference to "sewage
  ponds." Where are these?
  

updated 2/8/06

• Are there specific setbacks from the freeway that we must consider?
  
  
• I understand there are maintenance workers on site that pick up trash
  around the rest stop, but is there a waste management company that takes
  the trash off site? Same question for recycle bins.
  
  
• How many disabled parking spaces are required?

updated 1/18/05

• The kit calls for adequate number of drinking fountains. How many is adequate?
  
  
• Could you provide us (as well as everyone) with the plans/sections/elevations of the existing facilities?
  
  
• We imagine that there are teams considering a renovation/alteration project. It would also help those considering a new buildingto understand better, the conditions/problems of the facilities. We believe in the end it would help everyone prepare a more accurate response to the issues.
  
  
• What information is required on the presentation boards to demonstrate that the design proposal meets the LEED GOLD criteria?
  
  
• Is the site flat? I do not see any topo lines or elevation points. What is the significance of numbers along the roadside on the site plan (14, 15, 16…)?
  
• If the newly designed reststop is to, "serve as a pilot project that will create a new model that could be replicated elsewhere in the state", and renovation to the existing reststop will be considered for budgetary concerns, then does the existing reststop share a common design with other stops located in the state? In other words, if a competitor would submit a renovation plan for the existing reststop, would there be any possibility for transferring the design to other reststops in California? Is this reststop duplicated elsewhere in the state?

updated 1/9/05

• We would be interested in entering, but cannot ascertain from your website if international or non-resident architects may apply.
  
• Is there any possibility to pay the registration fee using Paypal, Bidpay or simply by sending cash on the competition's office address?
  
  
• What are the submission requirements (number and size of submission boards, type of boards (stiff or rolled), description text etc.)?
  
  
• What is the approximate size of the planned GreenStop area? Am I free to choose it's size and functional programme?
  
• What is "Cal OSHA compliant?” I know that ADA refers to handicapped person. Does Cal OSHA mean the same?
  
  
• Will the competition kit include Cal OSHA, CalTrans, and FHWA guidelines/requirements?
  
  
• Is the Competition Briefing & Site Tour required?
  
• Can you advise me whether this competition is sanctioned by the AIA or the ASLA?
  
  
• When will site plan, etc. be released? Will there be a specific brief and budget?
  
  
• What drawings will be required?
  
• How can we see the Competition Kit so that we can decide if we wish to register?
  
  
• Can I use PayPal in lieu of a credit card to register?
  
  
• Will GPS data be provided?
  
  
• Is it the sponsor's intent to build the winning design, and hire the winning team for fees in addition to the prize?
  
• According to the Route 99 Corridor Improvement Guide-, there are photographs of the examples of the building styles that the jurisdiction refers to as 'place-sensitive architecture'. In addition, it is noted that these buildings are 'preferred over contemporary and modern architectural designs'. How much influence does the jurisdiction and its chosen design review board have on the selection of the finalist for this competition (how close does our design need to resemble the buildings in these photos)?
  
  
• What to you see at the forefront of the Central Valley's future with regard to conservation and preservation of natural resources while trying to sustain agricultural resources?
  
  
• In what ways do you feel a successful Greenstop design can aid in The Central Valley's image and development?
  
  
• Can you provide both the decimal as well as the degrees and minutes GPS data for the Site?
  
  
• Regarding the four ponds shown on the air photo, are they in use? Can they be used in our designs? When were they built?
  
• Are there any web sources that describe the local area and community?
  
  
• Are we assuming that there is nothing at the existing rest stop (starting the design as a clean plate), or we proposing to renovate and improve the existing?

updated 4/4/06

updated 3/29/06

updated 3/23/06