Testing of Best Management Practices for Controlling Highway Runoff

Report No: 93-R16

Published in 1993

About the report:

In order to obtain the necessary detailed design guidelines for stormwater best management practices (BMPs) included in the Virginia Department of Transportation's stormwater manual, a field program was initiated in 1991 for testing the pollutant removal efficiency of selected practices. A dry detention pond with a small, highly impervious drainage area and a vegetated swale draining runoff from an urban highway were selected for the study. Manual as well as automatic sampling methods were used to monitor stormwater runoff into and out of the two facilities. Pollutant removal efficiencies were calculated by a mass balance method. Pollutants examined included total suspended solids, total phosphorus, and total zinc. Preliminary data showed that, if properly designed, these types of facilities can be an effective tool for removing stormwater pollution from highway runoff.

Documents

93-R16

_{Disclaimer Statement:The contents of this report reflect the views of the author(s), who is responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Commonwealth Transportation Board, or the Federal Highway Administration. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. Any inclusion of manufacturer names, trade names, or trademarks is for identification purposes only and is not to be considered an endorsement.}

Authors

Shaw L. Yu, Stewart L. Barnes, Virginia W. Gerde

Last updated: December 24, 2023