Date of Award
5-2009
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Legacy Department
Career and Technology Education
Committee Chair/Advisor
Paige, Dr. William
Committee Member
Poston , Dr. Cheryl
Committee Member
White , Dr. Curtis
Committee Member
Wiesman , Dr. Daryl
Abstract
ABSTRACT
This study examined stormwater management professionals' perceptions of PICPs
(Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavement) as a stormwater management option to
conventional curb and gutter methodology from years past.
A self-administered survey questionnaire was developed as the primary research
methodology. Three hundred stormwater management professionals were randomly
selected as research subjects, and qualitative and quantitative methods were used to
collect data for the study. Specific statistical gathering methods and tests for this study
included: ex post facto experimental design, grounded theory design, correlation
coefficients and ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation coefficients.
The survey found through quantitative analysis that although stormwater
professionals have very little education on the topic of PICPs, they are very familiar with
the benefits of this type pavement over more traditional types of surfacing. The
hypothesis that stated PICPs were not well-utilized because stormwater professionals
were not familiar with them was rejected and the reason for non-use appeared to be the
perceived cost factor.
The survey found through qualitative analysis the following major themes: The
most common jobs among survey participants were stormwater administrators, project
managers, and environmental engineers. Less runoff and perviousness were the biggest
incentives to using PICPs. Cost and potential maintenance were the main deterrents to
using PICPs. Reduced runoff, cost, and potential maintenance were the perceived main
considerations of municipal governments with regards to PICP implementation. Poor
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design or installation, lack of knowledge, and inadequate maintenance are the biggest
nuisances in reviewing PICP projects.
Several practical recommendations were proposed in this study to overcome the
barriers to using PICPs as a stormwater management tool, including more education of
those involved in planning, designing, and implementing PICPs through workshops and
training sessions, as well as more training for installers to provide decision makers a
quality product from which to choose in the future. The most important aspect of
education and training seemed to be the need to focus upon a better understanding of the
actual long term costs and maintenance issues associated with PICPs.
Recommended Citation
Poole, Keith, "INVESTIGATIONS OF STORM WATER MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS' PERCEPTIONS OF PERMEABLE INTERLOCKING CONCRETE PAVERS AS A STORMWATER MANAGEMENT OPTION" (2009). All Dissertations. 444.
https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_dissertations/444