Review of tools for road runoff quality prediction and application to European roads

Abstract

Pollutants discharged by roads may impact water bodies and soils. The best method to characterize road runoff is by monitoring, which is not always possible due to human or material constraints. Therefore, prediction tools can be a valuable method to manage road runoff discharges and protect the environment. The present work reviewed and evaluated international tools for road runoff quality prediction, in order to assess if an existing tool could be suitable for wide usage by stakeholders in Europe. Four tools from the USA and Europe were selected and tested at 22 road sites located in regions with annual precipitation values ranging from 500 to 1,000 mm, from 7 European countries. The results for the SMC of TSS, Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd showed coefficients of determination (R2) from 0.0,004 to 0.2890 for the different pollutants and tools. It was concluded that none of the tools could predict the road runoff pollutant concentrations, except for the country where it has been calibrated. The findings support practitioners and researchers all over the world, pointing out directions, and gaps to be filled, regarding the management of road runoff discharges and use of prediction tools.

Roadside vegetated filter strips to simultaneously lower stormwater pollution loadings and improve economics of biorefinery feedstocks

“…Vegetated filter strips provide a critical function for pollution protection from roadway runoff. Roadway runoff carries pollutants, metals, and nutrients that impair the health of road-side habitats (Barbosa and Fernandes, 2021;Kayhanian, et al, 2007).…”