Treatment of Highway Runoff Using the Permeable Friction Course (PFC)
Publication: Green Streets, Highways, and Development 2013: Advancing the Practice
Abstract
Concern about the environmental impacts of highway runoff has led many regulatory agencies to require its treatment prior to discharge. An emerging technology for treating highway runoff is the permeable friction course (PFC). PFC consists of a layer of porous asphalt approximately 50 mm thick placed as an overlay on top of an existing conventional surface. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the effectiveness of PFC on highways with curb and gutter systems. Data from two sites on an urban Texas highway are presented. Observed concentrations of pollutants were much lower in the runoff from the PFC than from the conventional asphalt. The reduction in total suspended solids concentration was about 92%. A comparison with the discharge quality observed from media filters is also included that indicates equal or better pollutant removal on PFC highways. A comparison of water quality from various pavement mixes and shoulder types demonstrates that PFC can be effective under many different conditions.
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Information
Published In
Green Streets, Highways, and Development 2013: Advancing the Practice
Pages: 135 - 146
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Nov 12, 2013
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Comparative studies
- Continuum mechanics
- Dynamics (solid mechanics)
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering mechanics
- Environmental engineering
- Friction
- Highway and road management
- Highway transportation
- Highways and roads
- Hydrologic engineering
- Hydrology
- Infrastructure
- Materials characterization
- Materials engineering
- Methodology (by type)
- Pavement overlays
- Pavements
- Permeability (material)
- Pollutants
- Research methods (by type)
- Runoff
- Solid mechanics
- Transportation engineering
- Water and water resources
- Water quality
- Water treatment
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