Low Impact Development (LID) and Transportation Stormwater Practices

7079261232010Final Research ReportPDFResearch PaperTNW2010-08DTRT07-G-0010Research Project Agreement No. 657457Decision support systemsRunoffDrainageBest practicesEnvironmental impact analysisLand use planningDesign practicesDesign standardsConstructionHydrologic phenomenaEnvironmental impactsLand useResearch HubPacific StatesUnited StatesTransportation Northwest (Organization)Haselbach, Liv M.Navickis-Brasch, AimeeUnited States. Dept. of Transportation. Office of the SecretaryWashington (State). Dept. of Transportation. Research OfficeTransportation Northwest (Organization)Washington State UniversityUnited States. Dept. of Transportation. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and TechnologyNTL-ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT-Environment ImpactsNTL-ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT-ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTNTL-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATION-DesignNTL-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATION-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATIONUS Transportation CollectionThe proposed project is a combination of a research/design/best practices compilation and ranking in the format of a design decision tool that can be used by Region X transportation designers and other researchers with respect to current, and future climate change stormwater impacts. The compilation will focus on stormwater practices in the Pacific Northwest. The intent is to compile these practices with guidance as to how they may or may not fit into the Low Impact Development (LID) philosophy of mimicking natural hydrological processes in situ and how they might be applied for the most critical infrastructure needs. In addition, these lists will contain information on other associated benefits/concerns such as robustness with respect to anticipated climate change variations, urban heat island issues, constructability, maintenance, habitat etc. There are many groups and agencies already looking into LID practices which can be used as resources for information. Some examples are the Puget Sound LID Manual, the Prince George County LID manual, the DOD LID manual, the Portland LID Design Guide, etc. The practices in these references which can be related to DOT applications especially with respect to the unique issues of linear projects will provide information to aid in the development of this design decision tool. This project will have many benefits. It will serve as a clearinghouse to collect many of the LID and other beneficial environmental principles that are currently being developed by many groups within the region. It will also relate these to the benefits espoused by other guidance which might aid in focusing on practices which more economically serve various purposes, be they environmental, societal or agency missions. It may then serve as a springboard for future development of a Roadmap for comprehensive agency LID and climate change strategies so that future projects and operations can more readily address current and future environmental impacts