Permeable Pavement Systems for Stormwater Management
Summary
Permeable pavement systems integrate porous surface layers—such as pervious concrete, porous asphalt or interlocking block pavers—with underlying aggregate and subgrade materials to capture, convey and treat urban stormwater at source. By enabling infiltration, these systems reduce surface runoff volumes and peak flows, mitigate flood risk, facilitate groundwater recharge and improve water quality by trapping sediments, heavy metals and organic pollutants within the pavement structure. Performance hinges on hydraulic conductivity, structural robustness and maintenance to manage clogging by sediments and debris. Practical applications span car parks, pedestrian zones, low-traffic roadways and retrofits in densely urbanised catchments. Advances in design optimisation, sensor-based condition monitoring and integration with treatment trains—including underground storage and harvesting cisterns—have enhanced resilience and multifunctionality. Life cycle assessments demonstrate that, when appropriately maintained, permeable pavements can offer lower environmental impacts compared with conventional stormwater infrastructures, contributing to sustainable urban drainage and broader water resource conservation goals.
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Permeable Pavement Systems for Stormwater Management publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in permeable pavement systems for stormwater management across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Infiltration capacity: The rate at which stormwater enters and passes through the pavement surface and underlying layers.
Clogging: The accumulation of sediment, organic debris or fine particles within pores or joints, reducing hydraulic conductivity.
Low Impact Development (LID): A design approach that manages rainfall at source through decentralised, small-scale features such as permeable pavements.
Treatment train: A sequence of engineered components combining hydraulic storage, filtration or chemical processes to enhance water quality.
Stormwater harvesting: The capture and storage of runoff for non-potable uses, reducing demand on mains water supplies.
References
- Permeable Pavement in the Northwestern United States: Pollution Source or Treatment Option?. Sustainability (2023).
- A Systematic Review of the Hydrological, Environmental and Durability Performance of Permeable Pavement Systems. Sustainability (2021).
- Water quality performance of a permeable pavement and stormwater harvesting treatment train stormwater control measure. Blue-Green Systems (2020).
- Permeable Pavements Life Cycle Assessment: A Literature Review. Water (2018).
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