Final Scope

Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) practices are used to prevent soil loss and reduce sediment-laden stormwater runoff. They could be either temporary or permanent and could be used in construction, maintenance, and operations practices. Plastics are commonly used for ESC due to their availability, durability, and cost, but they are rarely recycled and can break down into microplastics, which are an emerging pollutant of concern. The netting of plastic ESC practices can also entangle wildlife. When state DOTs are selecting ESC materials, factors such as availability, cost, performance, and sustainability are considered. As such, many state DOTs have or are working towards innovative practices involving reducing plastic-based products used in ESC. 

The objective of this synthesis project is to document current use of plastics in ESC practices across state DOTs as well as state DOT policies/plans to reduce or eliminate the use of plastics for ESC practices. 

 Information to be gathered includes (but is not limited to):

• Current DOT practices for plastic use in ESC (e.g., common temporary vs. permanent ESC products that contain plastics);
• Existing policies, guidance, and specifications for reduction/elimination of plastics in ESC products;
• State DOTs strategies/plans/goals to reduce/eliminate plastics from ESC practices;
• State DOTs efforts in recycling and reusing plastics in the current ESC practices;
• State DOTs use of non-plastic alternative ESC products (considering biodegradability, sustainability, and longevity); and
• State DOTs challenges and issues with the use of non-plastic materials in ESC practices.  

Information will be gathered through a literature review, a survey of state DOTs, and follow-up interviews with selected DOTs for the development of case examples. Information gaps and suggestions for research to address those gaps will be identified.

Information Sources (Partial):

• Fan Liu, Kristina Borg Olesen, Amelia Reimer Borregaard, Jes Vollertsen, (2019) Microplastics in urban and highway stormwater retention ponds, Science of The Total Environment, Volume 671.
• Coalition Clean Baltic, (2017).  Guidance on concrete ways to reduce microplastic inputs from municipal stormwater and wastewater discharges.  Uppsala, Sweden.
• Olesen KB, Stephansen DA, van Alst N, Vollertsen J. Microplastics in a Stormwater Pond. Water. 2019; 11(7):1466. https://doi.org/10.3390/w11071466
• Kelsey Smyth, Jennifer Drake, Yourong Li, Chelsea Rochman, Tim Van Seters, Elodie Passeport, (2021).  Bioretention cells remove microplastics from urban stormwater, Water Research, Volume 191.
• Fan Liu, Alvise Vianello, Jes Vollertsen, (2019). Retention of microplastics in sediments of urban and highway stormwater retention ponds, Environmental Pollution, Volume 255. 

TRB Staff
Arefeh Nasri
Phone: 202-334-2763 
Email: anasri@nas.edu

Meeting Dates
First Panel: October 10, 2023, Washington, D.C.
Teleconference with Consultant: November 6, 2023, 1:00-2:00 pm EST 
Second Panel: June 11, 2024, Washington, D.C.

Panel Members
Gregory Granato, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Scott Blair, California Department of Transportation
Marian Carroll, Virginia Department of Transportation
Cathy Ford, Idaho Department of Transportation
John Heltzel, Sacramento State University
Marni Karnowski, Minnesota Department of Transportation
Jesus Reyes, Delaware Department of Transportation
Brian Roberts, Transportation Research Board