Green Roads for Traffic Safety: The Role of Municipalities Prepared By: Dr. Wael Yousef (presenting author) & Dr. Ahmed El-kady Urban Planning Department, Faculty of Engineering Al-Azhar University, Egypt

Introduction  Roads and travel surfaces present perhaps the largest urban pollution sources and also one of the greatest opportunities for green infrastructure use.

Green Street Designs:  Green streets can incorporate a wide variety of design elements including street trees, permeable pavements, bioretention, and swales.

 This bioretention area takes runoff from the street through a trench drain in the sidewalk.

Case Studies  Green Street Pilot Projects: Portland, Oregon is a national leader in developing green infrastructure, Through the 1990s, over 3 billion gallons of combined sewer overflow discharged to the Willamette River every year.

Vegetated Curb Extensions in City of Portland

 Green Street Pilot Projects: The City of Chicago, Illinois has an alley system that is perhaps the largest in the world. These 13,000 publicly owned alleys result in 1,900 miles, or 3,500 acres, of impermeable surfaces in addition to the street network.

The Chicago Green Alley Program is unique because it marries green infrastructure practices in the public right-of-way with green infrastructure efforts on private property.

The user-friendly Handbook, which describes both facets of the program including the design techniques and their benefits, is an award winning document.

Permeable Pavers and Permeable Concrete Chicago Alleys

Chicago’s Green Alley Program uses the following five techniques: 1. Changing the grade of the alley to drain to the street. 2. Using permeable pavement that allows water to percolate into the ground. 3. Using light colored paving material that reflects sunlight. 4. Incorporating recycled materials into the pavement mix. 5. Using energy efficient light fixtures.

Conclusions and Recommendations Elements necessary for a successful green streets program: 1. Pilot projects are critical. 2. Leadership in sustainability from the top. 3. Buy-in from all municipal infrastructure departments. 4. Documentation. 5. Public outreach.

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