A letter to the editor from Kent Hansen, P.E., director of engineering at the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) response to the New England Real Estate Journal's recent byline from Larry Nicolai on permeable pavement http://nerej.com/64133.
The letter provides additional information on this topic, specifically the benefits of permeable asphalt.
Asphalt as a Permeable Pavement: Safety and Affordability
Permeable pavements are an innovative and cost-effective way to manage stormwater, and permeable options are available for every paving material. Porous asphalt has the advantages of being able to be produced and placed using the same crews and equipment as traditional asphalt pavements, but with the added benefit of allowing water to percolate through the surface. Porous asphalt pavements have a long history in New England; in fact, the parking lot at Walden Pond is a porous asphalt pavement that was installed more than 30 years ago and is still in place today. The University of N.H. Stormwater Center has documented the durability of porous asphalt, finding that porous asphalt is effective in managing runoff and removing many pollutants that fall on pavements. The porous asphalt surface also requires less salt or other deicing treatment than impervious pavements throughout even harsh winter weather. Porous asphalt is an important tool for green construction, offering an affordable way to manage stormwater under the right circumstances.
Kent Hansen, P.E. director of engineering, National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA), Lanham, Maryland.