Recipient: University of Toronto Dept. of Civil & Mineral Engineering
Grant: Cdn$63,300; Industry support: Cdn$58,221; Cdn$82,075 from the Natural Sciences Engineering Research Council of Canada
Completion: 2020
Project Summary: 19
Background and Need
Permeable interlocking concrete pavement (PICP) expanded in Canada and the US at the start of the 21st century. Since then, millions of square feet (m2) in sidewalks, plazas, parking lots, alleys and roads reduce runoff and water pollution. PICP receiving no run-on from adjacent impervious surfaces typically renders high infiltration rates for years without cleaning. However, PICP accepting run-on from impervious surfaces requires routine cleaning to prevent clogging. Industry equipment demonstrations and university research on PICP over the past 15 years resulted in guidelines to maintain infiltration rates. Recommendations emphasize periodic, preventive surface cleaning to remove accumulated sediment and detritus from the joints well before compaction into them occurs.
Unfortunately, many PICP owners were not willing or able to conduct periodic, routine cleaning. This results in reduced surface infiltration rates and the need for more powerful equipment to increase and restore them. This project addressed the need to test performance of several cleaning equipment technologies on simulated, highly clogged PICP. Efficient restorative cleaning methods are needed to reduce maintenance intervals and life cycle costs while continuing runoff and pollutant reductions. While the equipment tested represented a range of cleaning technologies, other methods can be used provided that their effectiveness is demonstrated.