1. A study about the Journey of Hajj Environmental practices King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah Saudi Arabia Isobel Simpson University of California, Irvine Irvine, California, USA isimpson@uci.edu Tao Wang Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hong Kong, China cetwang@polyu.edu.hk Haider Khwaja New York State Dept. of Health Albany, New York, USA haider.khwaja@health.ny.gov Azhar Siddique King Abdulaziz University Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia chm97@hotmail.com

2. Area and Event Gulf cooperation council (GCC) countries established in 1981 among Middle East countries largest oil producer and Exporter Hajj- Mainly a 5 day event Hajj 2012- about 3.5 million pilgrims Estimated pilgrims in 2025 would be 5 million http://en.wikipedia.org http://rebuildingfreedom.org http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2014/chapter-4-select-destinations/saudi- arabia-hajj-pilgrimage

3. Hajj- a mid sized city A mid-size city population into existing city so the environmental issues too…. Our study- regional data with emphasis on Hajj crowding Fuel Quality : High Benzene, High sulfur Fleet Management & maintenance: fuel prices (16 cent a liter) dependent on oil use, Public Transportation system-

4. Interventions Saudi Government : priority and willingness Fuel Quality Roadmap: Benzene 1% and sulfur 10 ppm by 2016 High priority and funding on Environment & Health studies through Ministry of Higher Education. Mass transit system- Railway on Hajj route (Ma’ashaer) (3000 in 12 coaches, 24 train an hour, ~ 1.5 bn $ project) Presidency of Meteorology & Environment (PME) special assignment monitoring of tunnels for redesigning/technological reconsiderations

5. Recommendation Monitoring program-throughout the development/fuel transition stages Priority areas to focus: Mass transit system, Regulations regarding emission control devices (catalytic converters, ) Technical status of transportation fleet, Fuel Quality roadmap and traffic management.

9. Interventions Alternate energy resources (Natural gas engine buses) Comprehensive solid waste management plan No 5 year old car import Resident of Mecca- not more than 1 car of 10 years old Restriction of age for pilgrims – 60 years and 10 years (hajj only)- Sensitive-debatable