“Where porous pavements are properly selected, designed, and installed, they can naturally biodegrade the oils from cars and trucks, give long-lived urban trees viable rooting space, make streets quiet, make driving safer, preserve native ecosystems, AND SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE DEVELOPMENT COSTS.”

So stated Bruce Ferguson, University of Georgia School of Environmental Design and author of “Porous Pavements”  in 2005.

In an address on Porous Pavements at Macquarie University in July 2010, Ferguson cites the following projects for cost savings:

1. Cellular Field, Chicago – 6.1 acres permeable pavement ; 3.3 inches storage; controls 100 yr peak discharge;  is 15% less expensive than surface drainage.
2. Maryland – total property 12 acres; building footprint 3 acres; pavement 8 acres; county required storm water retention pond of 1.5 acres  -   Solution using Porous Pavement: Eliminated retention pond; Released land for full operational development; Eliminated $400,000 in inlets and culverts.
3. Washington State – For residential development - No kerbs, inlets, pipes or vaults, Porous Pavements   -   ADDED VALUE - Lots increased from 18-20, Net Value increased by $264,000.

The inherent flexibility and durability of Flexible Porous Pavement, due to the presence of recycled car tyres and flexible binder, sets it apart from other porous pavements since it is viewed as an environmentally friendly, long lasting alternative to traditional asphalt and concrete surfaces. Furthermore, recycled crushed concrete is used as an underdrain to store rainwater temporarily which passes though the porous pavement surface.

The fact that this is a “Green” alternative has significant implications with regards to the achievement of recycled product quotas that many governments and statutory authorities are now placing on many new development applications, both in Australia and worldwide. The potential water harvesting capabilities that flexible porous pavements facilitate is another significant benefit that may be the difference between a development being approved by a Council, or your development application being subjected to significant delays or requiring “further consideration” before Council approves your proposal.

Councils themselves are now making use of our products, our knowledge and our expertise to implement their own flexible porous pavement and water management projects because we have been able to demonstrate its environmental benefits, cost effectiveness and the benefits that will accrue to a project as a result of using our innovative designs and strategies.

From a recycling perspective, as a general rule there are 3 recycled car tyres per square metre (1 SQM) of flexible porous pavement. Thus, 100 SQM of flexible porous pavement is approximately 300 vehicle tyres that are not being used as landfill or being incinerated and causing pollution.