Recently enacted federal (EPA) regulations for reducing the amount of fine sediment generated from NDOT right of way within the Lake Tahoe basin are not currently being met. Infiltration is the most effective method of reducing fine sediment. Pervious concrete pavement reduces runoff and distributes infiltration. Two sections of roads are scheduled to be constructed with pervious concrete pavement in summer 2012. By monitoring the field sites and conducting laboratory tests on durability and effectiveness of the pervious concrete, NDOT can learn from these applications and use pervious concrete in other areas.

The proposed research seeks to assess the efficacy of pervious concrete in areas subject to snow plow operations and abrasive and salt application, in terms of managing quantity and quality of stormwater runoff. It will investigate the durability and performance of pervious concrete (e.g., in removal of sediment and metals in stormwater runoff—Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn, etc.). To this end, we will document the laboratory and field performance of two pervious concrete pavement sections near Lake Tahoe in an effort to better understand the functionality, cost-effectiveness, durability and maintenance requirements of such assets.