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Center for Advancing Research in Transportation Emissions, Energy, and Health (CARTEEH)

A USDOT University Transportation Center

Reduction in Damage to Property or Infrastructure

A reduction in the damage to personal property or local infrastructure can measure the degree of destruction caused by stormwater runoff. When severe storms hit an area, the resulting runoff often causes significant damage to property and infrastructure. Stormwater management best practices, such as green infrastructure, is considered a strategy to reduce stormwater runoff and absorb and store stormwater.1

This indicator helps determine the effectiveness of the following objectives

  • Less Contamination
  • Less Emissions
  • Less Traffic Noise
  • Connectivity and Inclusion
  • Healthy Destinations
  • Less Traffic Violence
  • Active Transportation
  • Green Space

Data Collection

Data collection can be done by measuring the degree of destruction caused by stormwater runoff. There are a few ways to go about this; firstly, an observation can be done to estimate the damage that has been done to infrastructure and property in the aftermath of a storm. This can give an idea of the extent of the damage, but it does not necessarily reveal how deep the flow of water is. Additionally, a water level gauge can determine how deep the water was at its peak and how long it took for the water to recede. Lastly, a flow meter can provide data on the force with which the water is flowing. Once all the data on these three parameters have been collected, it is possible to estimate the degree of destruction caused by stormwater runoff.2,3

Examples

Surface Water Storage Capacity of Twenty Tree Species in Davis, California

A recent study found that the degree of damage caused by stormwater runoff is often underestimated (Xiao & McPherson, 2016). The study, conducted by researchers at the University of California, Davis, examined data from over 1,000 storms that occurred in the United States between 1985 and 2010. The researchers found that stormwater runoff causes an average of $1 billion in yearly damages. The study also found that the damage caused by stormwater runoff is often underestimated by officials responsible for repairing damaged infrastructure. The findings of this study suggest that more needs to be done to reduce the amount of damage caused by stormwater runoff. The research suggested that one way to reduce the amount of damage caused by stormwater runoff is to improve the way that stormwater is managed. Stormwater management includes activities such as catch basin cleaning and maintenance, construction of detention ponds, and use of green infrastructure. Improving stormwater management can help reduce the damage caused by stormwater runoff.

https://acsess.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.2134/jeq2015.02.0092

1. Is stormwater damaging my property? [Internet]. Penn State Extension. [cited 2022 Aug 11]. Available from: https://extension.psu.edu/is-stormwater-damaging-my-property
2. Globalspec.com. [cited 2022 Aug 11]. Available from: https://www.globalspec.com/learnmore/sensors_transducers_detectors/level_sensing/level_gauges#:~:text=Water%20level%20gauges%20-%20A%20water%20level%20gauge,level%20gauge%20monitors%20levels%20of%20underground%20storage%20tanks
3. Agarwal, T. Flow Meter : Working, Different Types & applications [Internet]. ElProCus - Electronic Projects for Engineering Students. 2020 [cited 2022 Aug 11]. Available from: https://www.elprocus.com/what-is-a-flow-meter-and-its-types/