NS744: Innovative Solutions for Stormwater Solutions for Linear Projects
Problem and Objective
Managing stormwater is a critical part of any transportation infrastructure project, both during construction and long term. Meeting water quality requirements during long linear projects is challenging given limited right of way and resources; this is especially true in tight urban areas. The increase in impervious surfaces has increased the amount of water that must be managed (as opposed to being absorbed into the ground).
There are different types of challenges managing stormwater within urban and rural areas, each require different approaches and techniques. For each, the creation and maintenance of stormwater infrastructure have different implications for roadside infrastructure and vegetation. Finally, there are multiple different challenges that occur at different timeframes, from short term construction challenges to longer term infrastructure and maintenance concerns. This research will address these concerns by answering the following research questions:
- What are options for addressing stormwater on linear projects?
- Are there regional approaches that provide credits for runoff volume and water quality?
- What are different approaches that are applicable in urban vs rural areas?
- What should be done during construction to address stormwater concerns?
- How can these projects be implemented to mitigate the pollution harms of stormwater runoff?
To answer these questions, the research team will:
- Review and synthesize current best practice for linear stormwater treatments in projects.
- Review and synthesize regional water quality requirements and how they impact linear stormwater solutions.
- Survey local agencies to identify successful strategies and success stories for linear stormwater solutions.
- Identify differences in needs/solutions between rural and urban areas.
- Identify techniques to temporarily address stormwater concerns during construction.
- Identify a matrix of solutions for linear stormwater solutions and their use cases.
- Develop resource material to showcase the best practices and identified solutions.
- Create a document for tight urban areas.
- Create a document for rural areas.
- Create a document for suburban areas.
Suggested deliverables
- Summary of MN practices (based on survey of local agencies).
- Summary/review of regional water quality requirements.
- Matrix identifying solution types and their use cases.
- Develop a “best practice” resource guide for linear projects in tight urban areas, rural areas, and suburban areas
Previous research
- Minnesota Stormwater Manual (state.mn.us), MPCA, wiki
- Update of Storm Water Management – Best Practices Manual (from 2009) (state.mn.us), Erickson, 2024
- Stormwater Maintenance BMP Resource Guide | MnDOT Digital Library, Marti, 2009
Possible members for technical advisory panel
- Zachary Borgerding, St. Cloud
- Chris Low, Austin
- Darrick Anderson, Cass County
- Brian Giese, Pope County
- Sarah Schwieger, Minnetonka
Expected benefits
The numbers 1 and 2 indicate whether the source of the benefit measurement is from:
- A specific research task in your project that supports measuring this particular benefit, or
- Implementation of the research findings (anticipating positive results)
- Decrease Engineering/Administrative Cost (2): Guides can help identify appropriate solutions.
- Environmental Aspect (2): Provide solutions for improved stormwater management and water quality.