Treatment of Highway Runoff Using the Permeable Friction Course (PFC)

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.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784413197.012
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9780784413197
• Supplemental Notes:
  • © 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  1801 Alexander Bell Drive
  Reston, VA  United States  20191-4400
• Authors:
  • Barrett, Michael
  • Sampson, Laura
• Conference:
  • Second Conference on Green Streets, Highways, and Development
  • Location: Austin Texas, United States
  • Date: 2013-11-3 to 2013-11-6
• Publication Date: 2013-11

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Pagination: pp 135-146
• Monograph Title: Green Streets, Highways, and Development 2013: Advancing the Practice

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Curbs; Filters; Friction course; Gutters; Permeability; Pollutants; Porous pavements; Runoff; Suspended sediments; Urban highways; Water quality
• Geographic Terms: Texas
• Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology; Pavements; I15: Environment; I26: Water Run-off - Freeze-thaw; I31: Bituminous Binders and Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01499944
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9780784413197
• Files: TRIS, ASCE
• Created Date: Nov 25 2013 10:00AM