Sustainable Urban Highway Drainage Systems for Scotland

Sustainable Urban Highway Drainage Training

Background

The traditional purpose of providing drainage for roads is to convey water as quickly as possible from the running surface, thus ensuring a clear safe path for road traffic, and to prevent water ingress to the road pavement structure thereby avoiding potential damage to the structure of the road; traditional road surface water drainage techniques involved collecting run-off in roadside gullies, drainage kerbs or other collection devices which convey run-off to underground closed pipe systems. However, conventional systems alter natural flow patterns leading to potential problems elsewhere and are directly linked to pipe capacities which were not designed to cope with extreme rainfall events. Historically, surface water drainage systems have not been designed with sustainability in mind with little regard for water quality, catchment flooding, water resources, site amenity or potential for habitat enhancement. This course introduces the concepts of SUDS in order to redress the balance and better manage surface water run-off within the urban environment in a fashion that minimizes the impacts of highway infrastructure development on the quality and quantity of road run-off, whilst maximizing amenity and biodiversity opportunities.

Course Objectives:

The course will provide delegates with an overview and detailed insight into the principles and techniques of SUDS and its implications for highway engineers. Course participants will be able to understand what SUDS is, how it works, why it is often the best solution, and why it is often required.

Course Outline:

Day 1:

Session 1 – What is Sustainability?