An alternative road construction for stormwater management in cold climates

A field study of an infiltration and detention facility in northern Sweden is presented. Streets in a housing area were reconstructed to increase the permeable area. Permeable asphalt was used covering a coarse fill material and swales (ditches) were constructed along both sides of the streets. The project will include studies of the water balance during different seasons, frost heave and frost penetration of the streets and the stormwater quality. Due to the reduced infiltration capacity during snowmelt periods, detailed studies will be performed on components of the facility that are important for the disposal of meltwater. Some initial tests of the infiltration capacity of permeable asphalt in cold temperatures indicated sufficient capacity during snowmelt periods.