BMP options sheet for highway and road runoff management
Link to this table
Sector-Specific Benchmark Values and Effluent Limitations. Discharges may be subject to requirements for more than one sector or subsector.
| BMP Type | Objective | BMP Examples 2 | Safety Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Diffuse flow energy from concentrated roadway surface before discharging over a slope; reinforce discharge point and slopes; promote sheet flow | Compost sock, bio-slope, outlet reinforcement, spray mulch, compost rip rap matrix (between rocks) | May increase slipperiness of shoulder slope |
 |
Filter litter and debris from flow as it enters catch basins; preferably with pollutant sorbents 3 | Catch basin insert; hooded outlet pipe; oil and grease separator | Might become heavy for maintenance crews to lift; must be cleaned to prevent clogging |
 |
X | X | X |
|
X | X | X |
|
Route runoff through a screen or filter material to remove litter and treat particulate, and the associated nutrients, toxics and hydrocarbons | Gross Solids Removal Device (GSRD), compost tube inside of rock weep, | Often contained in confined space; maintenance crew will need confined space training |
 |
Diffuse heat from road and parking surfaces prior to discharge to sensitive waters | Geotextile wrapped rip rap thermal tube, infiltration trench | None |
 |
Provide vegetated swale drainage systems with low head grade breaks in rural sections | “Living ditch”, check dams (rip rap, bio-weeper, bio-ditch filter) | Can hold water for a time after runoff occurs so need to keep design depths shallow; grade breaks can be obstruction hazard to recreational vehicles using swale |
 |
Retrofit stored water BMPs with proper outlet and skimmer devices | Particulate skimmer, baffle weir, Faircloth skimmer (proprietary device) | None |
 |
X | X | X |
|
Use pervious paving material in areas that will support it | Pervious asphalt and concrete, paving blocks | None for pavement; blocks can pose walking problems if not designed properly; recommendation for minimal salt use could mean ice might be present for short periods |
 |
Route water to bioretention, filtration or infiltration areas where conditions appropriate | See Ch. 12 BMP details – Rain garden | Near-road locations could possibly impede vision at intersections if vegetation not kept low; water might collect adjacent to roadway |
 |
Geomorphically stabilize channels | Cross vanes, fish steps, curvilinear channel restoration, reinforced streambank, grade adjustments, revetments, root wads | None |
 |
Use off-line storage in available floodplain, open space | Off-line pools, enhanced floodplains, wetland restoration/preservation | None if kept away from areas where vehicles expected to travel or go off of the road |
 |
Use sub-grade storage with or without perforations to allow for storage and infiltration where drainage determined not to impact road structure | Under street infiltration trenches, vault storage to replace surface ponds, rest areas parking lots | Maintenance crew will need confined-space training |
1Use of proprietary devices or images merely for illustrative purposes and does not mean endorsement of a product
2See Appendix D for further examples of various highway LID BMP graphics
3Note that housekeeping practices like street sweeping and chemical use are discussed in the Pollution Prevention section