Permeable Pavement a Breakthrough in Climate/Weather Adaptation Efforts (Credit: Meteorologist Jessica Olsen)

Image Courtesy, NEXRAD/Plymouth State

DISCUSSION: With changes in climate and weather patterns in recent years, local municipalities have taken the time to discuss issues plaguing their towns as a result of these ever changing conditions. Of new interest for adaptation efforts is the creation of permeable pavement.

Permeable paving allows for an effective movement of stormwater through the use of sustainable materials. Locations most prevalent for use include: driveways, parking lots, light roadways, sidewalks and other paths needing a reduction in stormwater runoff. There are a variety of materials associated with permeable paving: porous asphalt, paving stones, pervious concrete which allow for stormwater to be filtered through surfaces which in the past may have created localized ponding/flooding and increases in poor water quality.

The largest permeable pavement project in North America is now located here in the United States, in the ever growing city of Atlanta, Georgia. Atlanta unveiled a nearly $16 million project in replacing current asphalt streets having recently concluded in June 2016. The creation and completion of this project was all attributed to the rainfall events in July 2012, having dropped unseen amounts of precipitation into roadways and polluted runoff into sewage. The first largest test of this project had been Hurricane Matthew, affecting Georgia with nearly 8"+ dumped along the coast and interior portions of the state. Storm surge however proved to be the biggest challenge set for Georgia, recovering from what was expected to be 9 foot storm surge closing its barrier islands to residents.

Other projects are currently in the works, such as a $380,000 project set for construction in Oklahoma. Previous notable projects include a $400,000 pavement in Portland, Oregon which helped relieve higher traffic streets and add to the increase in environmentally conscious construction. Since Oregon's 1000 foot pavement project there have been benefits seen in stormwater runoff, decreases in localized sewer system disturbances, and this project is now serving as a widely researched site to study uses of permeable pavement throughout the city and state. 

~ Meteorologist Jessica Olsen


Referenced:
Permeable paving - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved October 22, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permeable_paving

Pervious Pavement Projects - The City of Portland, Oregon. (n.d.). Retrieved October 22, 2016, from https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/article/77074

Walker, J. (n.d.). SPECIAL SECTION: SEWERS & DRAINAGE GREENING ATLANTA. Retrieved October 22, 2016, from
http://www.estormwater.com/sites/estormwater.com/files/06.16_Sewers2_Atlanta.pdf