Pollution is gradually increasing in Urban cities and towns as Urbanization is setting in. The emission of excessive carbon into the atmosphere has become worrisome not just because it is hazardous to human's health but also it has been a contributing factor to the degradation of the ozone layer which in turn produces ripple effects (Global Warming) on our existence here on earth.
This paper is aimed at achieving sustainable development in order to have green streets and how this can be implemented to enhance transportation in our cities. Retrospectively, factors to be considered will be explored likewise there will be a spotlight on case studies/projects that have been executed to make this a reality and finally a conclusion will be inferred projecting into the future of ways Green Streets will be applied in transportation by developed countries.
Introduction
1.1 Definition of Green Streets:
Green Streets can be defined as a framework that implements the following factors which is aimed at making our streets (both major and minor roads) environmentally friendly (Charles River Watershed Association, n.d.)
A rightful blueprint for effective stormwater management which includes reduction of water that is channeled into water bodies (streams and rivers).
To minimize the impact of pollution/abuse in any form on its surroundings (effective transportation solutions being put in place i.e. cars plying the roads should be in good conditions. Their engines should be sound so that fumes from the exhaust pipes are not emitted into the surroundings when they move on our streets.
Best use of Street Canopy to enable circulation of air quality as well as temperature regulation, stormwater interception and reduction of carbon emission that is being sent to the atmosphere which is responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer.
A better framework on roads for both pedestrians and motorists.
Linking components which connects technologies implemented to achieve green streets in urban centers and applying the same context to develop local ones.
1.2 Types of Green Streets as viewed from (Charles River Watershed Association, n.d.)
Regional Boulevard: They consist of broad way which in turn has four or more multi-travel lanes. They are situated within the developed centers or commercial centers where lots of activities take place and that has resulted to an outflow into the boulevard. Some of its features include lanes for pedestrian and bicycles.
Community Boulevard: This is a contrast to Regional Boulevard as it has four or fewer multi-modal travel lanes. They are also within the developed centers and this stretches out towards the streets. Some of its features include bike lanes and sidewalks for pedestrians.
2.0 Design Layouts to achieve Green Streets
Alternative Street Designs: A design is the starting point before any Best Management Practices (BMP) can be realized. This design layout emphasizes that when new streets are to be structured, they must conform to the existing hydrological function of the land and to minimize the existence of areas that can act as an impediment to flow of water. When redeveloping streets, this factor is also very necessary.
Swales: These are open channels which are made up of different type of vegetation and its purpose is to improve water quality through soil filtration and to reduce its velocity by increasing the channel's roughness.
Bio-retention Curb Extensions and Sidewalk Planters: This encompasses the use of tree boxes taking runoff from the street. They can also take the form of attractive features of planter boxes. Several processes take place when implementing this strategy like biological and chemical reactions which occurs in the mulch (soil covering), soil matrix and root zone, stormwater being filtered through vegetation and soil and gradual reduction of peak flows.
Other strategies include Permeable Pavement and Sidewalk Trees & Tree Boxes.
2.1 Sustainable Development (Cleaner, Safer) to achieve Green Streets and its application to a hitch-free transportation network
Green Streets can be integrated into transportation system in anywhere in the world. This is targeted at having an efficient framework for transportation that will make it totally pleasurable and hitch free. The next couple of points will enumerate guidelines/policies that will have to be enforced to achieve this as well as how they can be realized.
2.2 Definition of Green Transportation (Ethical Energy, 2011)
Green Transportation is any kind of transportation which does not pollute the environment thereby making it environmentally friendly.
2.3 Types of Green Transportation
Walking
Bicycling
Electric Scooters and Bikes
Green Vehicles (vehicles powered by solar, bio-fuels, electricity, hydrogen)
Public Transportation
2.4 Reasons for Green Transportation
Gas usage in increasing around the world and this has necessitated the use of green technologies in transportation. The original source of gas which crude oil is part of too is also gradually being short of supplies as it has been predicted in oil producing nations like Nigeria over a period of time. The adverse effects of emission of excess carbon-dioxide by vehicles into the atmosphere all sum up the need for greener transportation. In the United States for instance consumes 378million gallon of gasoline daily which is a frightening figure.
2.4.1 Green Vehicles
Electric Cars is the wave of the future. They came into inception in the early 1900s and then resurfaced in the 1990s. They are also called Electric Vehicles (EV).
Recent facts about Electric Vehicles
Toyota is working on a car called the FT-EV II and has bought a stake in Tesla Motors (which are electric car automobile specialists). They are both developing an electric version of Toyota RAV 4 (a small SUV).
Mitsubishi plans to showcase its product, the i-MiEV to the US by the end of 2011.
General Motors too has a product, Chevy Volt which is a plug-in-hybrid vehicle that can travel up to 50 miles on electricity alone.
Fig 1: Electric Nissan Leaf
2.4.2 High Speed Javelin Trains
The United Kingdom too has seen the introduction of Highway Network Rails. It reaches a peak value of 140mph which is considerably faster than its predecessors and save you valuable time when travelling. They were designed by the Japanese. For example a train ride from London to Ramsgate is reduced from 81 minutes to about 30 minutes. In a nutshell, the arrival of these trains will dissuade people from driving (thereby less carbon dioxide being emitted into the atmosphere by their cars) and a greener street is the outcome.
Fig 2: High Speed Javelin Train
China is at the heart of designing, implementing and production of fast rails. They are even making plans to connect trains from Asia to Europe. They have gone to the extent of producing amazing speeds of up to 262mph. Little wonder the US and Canada are sending representatives to China to learn from them how they can manufacture theirs.
Fig 3: Ultra fast Trains produced In China
2.4.3 Solar-Powered Plane
The Solar impulse completed its first flight in Switzerland. It is totally generated by solar energy and was expected to take a 20-25 days trip around the world. This technology particularly is the way forward for the future because a lot of pollution is being emitted into the atmosphere by aviation fuel.
Fig 4: Solar Impulse: Solar-Powered airplane
3.0 Case Studies that implemented Green Transportation
3.1 Transportation Integrating Green Energy Resources (TIGER)(TM): A Solar-Biodiesel Hybrid Commuter Vehicle
Over the years, concerns have been raised about the emission of carbon dioxide by fossil fuels. This case study looked at the design of a prototype hybrid vehicle that maximizes the expected factors a customer will generally want from an Electric Vehicle (EV) in terms of performance, and reduction of pollution to the environment. Its mode of operation is driven by a combination of an electric motor and a biodiesel internal combustion engine. It has room for just two passengers. The EV system can be charged when it is parked in an open place with lots of sun rays by just placing the deployable solar cells on top of its surface. This will sustain the vehicle for another 50mile commute.
3.2 Green Credits Versus Environmentally Sustainable Traffic Operation Comparison of Contributions to Energy and Emissions Reduction
This case study looked at the comparison between green construction credits and those of environmentally sustainable traffic operations. At Carnegie Mellon University, a study was conducted to analyze this. The inputs and outputs were then weighed from the green credits with that of the sustainable traffic operations which consists of high vehicle occupancy lane and easy access to public transit. The emission by the sustainable traffic operations was surplus than that of the green credits. Also the environmentally sustainable traffic operations offer social benefits to the community such as reduction of traffic congestion and delays which in turn reduces the pressure for the need of more transportation infrastructure.
4.0 Challenges Encountered in achieving Green Transportation
An emerging technology as this, as important as it is, is faced with lots of short-comings which includes
Cost of Execution: To attain a feat as implementing Green Transportation in any economy involves lots of funds and for struggling economies or Third-World countries, this might be unrealizable.
Expertise: To achieve Green Transportation, human resources is greatly needed. Countries like Canada and the United States are lagging in this capacity and that is why they are turning to the Japanese and Chinese for their expertise to enable them empower their citizens with these skills thereby being able to manufacture such wonderful EV's and trains in their respective countries. On the other hand, it must be emphasized here that it costs a fortune to get this hands-on training and an economy must be willing to part with these either if it chooses to outsource or get its citizens trained in this art.
Climate: For EV's or generally any vehicle, airplane or bicycle that is driven by solar, the climate in that country plays a significant part in determining if this will be possible or not because rays from the sun is needed to charge the solar cells and for countries with less sunshine, this will be a challenge.
5.0 Conclusion
Green Street Technology can be applied in several factors and in transportation which this paper focuses on has put the spotlight on how the technology has been applied to develop EV's, fast trains. Not only are they very efficient but also environmentally friendly and that means less emission of carbon into the atmosphere. In the nearest future, this technology will cut across all economies so their respective governments will have to gear up to match both human and mineral resources to facilitate this and then we will all have a friendlier, safer, greener atmosphere with better livable conditions.
