Effects of a Permeable Friction Course on Highway Runoff
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 134, Issue 5
Abstract
This project documents the impact of a porous asphalt overlay on the quality and quantity of highway storm-water runoff. A permeable friction course, also known as open graded friction course, is a layer of porous asphalt approximately thick, which is often applied on top of conventional asphalt or concrete highways to enhance safety and reduce noise. Storm-water runoff from a four-lane divided highway in the Austin, Texas area was monitored at two sites before and after the installation of a PFC. Observed concentrations of total suspended solids and pollutants associated with particulate material were much lower in the runoff from the PFC than that derived from the conventional asphalt surface. Concentration reductions were observed for total suspended solids, total lead, total copper, and total zinc at both monitoring locations. In addition to the above-mentioned constituents, concentrations of chemical oxygen demand and total Kjeldahl nitrogen were also lower in the runoff from the PFC at a site collecting paired samples from both pavement types. Concentrations of dissolved constituents were not significantly different and concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were below the detection limit for both pavement types. The runoff coefficient for the PFC appears to be higher than for conventional pavements.
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Acknowledgments
The Texas Department of Transportation provided funding through research projects, 0-4605, Stormwater Quality Documentation of Roadside Shoulders Borrow Ditches, and 0-5220, Investigation of Stormwater Quality Improvements Utilizing Permeable Pavement and/or the Porous Friction Course. The writer would also like to acknowledge the efforts of Pamela Kearfott, Chris Shaw, Tina Stanard, Brad Eck, and Remi Candaele. Special thanks to Gary Lantrip of TxDOT’s Austin Division. He has been a consistent proponent for the use of porous pavements and is currently overseeing continued research by TxDOT on its water quality benefits.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 134 • Issue 5 • October 2008
Pages: 646 - 651
Copyright
© 2008 ASCE.
History
Received: Jun 12, 2007
Accepted: Feb 28, 2008
Published online: Oct 1, 2008
Published in print: Oct 2008
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