Evaluating the Peak Flow and Runoff Coefficient Reductions of Bioretention, Infiltration Trench, and Permeable Pavement LID Using Stormwater Management Model

Abstract

Rapid urbanization and climate change have brought hydrological changes in urban catchments, prompting new research on the application of more sustainable, climate-resilient, and cost-effective systems for stormwater management. Low impact development (LID), a new research topic about sustainable stormwater systems, is currently being studied as the new approach to managing untreated runoff. Studies have proven that LIDs have many benefits that can range from alleviating floods, treating runoff pollutants, and enhancing stormwater infiltration, making it a practical structure in developed locations. The objective of this study was to assess the peak flow and runoff coefficient reductions of LID controls using Stormwater Management Model (SWMM). Using three different LID controls (bioretentions, infiltration trenches, and permeable pavements) and four rainfall scenarios (80^th, 90^th, 95^th, and 99^th rainfall percentile), evident reductions in the peak flow and runoff coefficient have been observed. Larger reductions were observed in the 80^th percentile than the other higher percentiles from the simulations. These reductions can reach up to 32 % in the peak flow and a 0.29 decrease in the runoff coefficient, where the high reduction values were found in the multiple LID scenarios. The widespread use of LID can help in mitigating these major stormwater impacts.