
Project 3.15: Nonstructural approaches to reduce sediment and pollutant runoff from transportation
Nonstructural Approaches to Reduce Sediment and Pollutant Runoff from Transportation Infrastructure in Urbanized Areas
Project 3.15
Project Summary
Stormwater management is a critical component of transportation infrastructure and reduces sediments and pollutants delivered to waterways. The primary goal of this proposed study is to assess the performance and cost-benefit of including enhanced street cleaning program in a stormwater management plan. Conventional street cleaning programs consist of once or twice a year sweeping events. In contrast, an enhanced program incorporates road-surface and catchbasin sampling results and meteorological data to determine an optimal frequency of street cleaning events. Enhanced street cleaning performance will be quantified as the mass of pollutants listed on the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) such as heavy metals (e.g., zinc), nutrients (e.g., phosphorous), sediments (e.g., sand), and contaminants of emerging concerns (microplastics and Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances–PFAS) that could be removed and compared to those reported on conventional street cleaning practices. Additionally, information about littering such as plastics and cigarette waste will be collected to be used in outreach and public awareness activities. Costs and benefits will be determined based on the program’s cost compared to the increased water quality credits that could be obtained and the reduction of negative impacts on water bodies downstream to the hotspot area.
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Vinka Oyanedel-Craver
Institution:
University of Rhode Island
Co-PIs:
Dr. Joseph Goodwill
Project:
Active
Start Date:
07/15/2021
End Date:
09/01/2023
Project Cost:
$374,133
Project Type:
Base Funded
Agency ID:
69A3551847101
Sponsors:
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, University Transportation Centers Program, Department of Transportation, University of Rhode Island, RIDOT
Implementation of Research Outcomes:
This project is in its initial research phase. Implementation of research outcomes will be reported upon completion of the research outputs.
Impacts and Benefits of Implementation:
This project is in its research phase. Impacts and benefits of the research will be reported after the implementation phase.