Improving Stormwater Systems for Debris and Contaminant Capture

Highway runoff carries a complex mix of pollutants, including debris, heavy metals, and nutrients. Oil, grease, and combustion byproducts from vehicles further add to the contaminant load. In addition to these conventional pollutants, scientific advances have highlighted contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) that were not fully recognized when most departments of transportation’s (DOT’s) stormwater programs were first developed. Unlike conventional pollutants that degrade over time, many of these debris and CECs persist. They clog inlets and ponds, reduce hydraulic conductivity, and increase pollutant loads to downstream waters. For DOTs, this creates two major challenges: rising costs to maintain stormwater assets, and regulatory risk under municipal separate storm sewer system permits if pollutant control cannot be demonstrated. The objective of this research is to develop a guide for reducing broad pollutants, which include macro-debris, microplastics, and tire wear particles, which have been demonstrated to contain compounds toxic to certain aquatic organisms.

• Record URL:
  • http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=6083
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contract to a Performing Organization has not yet been awarded.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Proposed
• Funding: $750,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  Project 25-81

• Sponsor Organizations:

  National Cooperative Highway Research Program

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

  444 North Capitol Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Project Managers:

  Zhao, Yi

• Start Date: 20260608
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Contaminants; Runoff; State departments of transportation; Storm sewers; Water quality management
• Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01992228
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project 25-81
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: Jun 10 2026 11:28AM