Resilient porous pavements: a sustainable solution for managing the impacts of flooding and climate change

Faced with increased extreme rainfall linked to climate change, traditional road surfaces are reaching their limits. This project aims to develop a new generation of porous road surfaces designed to drain water efficiently, withstand prolonged flooding and preserve their structural integrity, even when saturated. By combining laboratory tests, full-scale experiments and numerical modelling, the team is proposing an integrated approach to designing roads that are more resilient, sustainable and adapted to the future climate.

Case study

Two experimental road sections are being built on the ÉTS site in Sainte-Marthe: one standard, the other porous asphalt. They are equipped with sensors to monitor stiffness, saturation and heat exchange in real time. Watering cycles simulate flooding, allowing the evolution of mechanical and hydraulic properties to be observed.

Expected impacts

• Technological innovation: Design of sustainable pavements suitable for flood-prone areas.
• Climate resilience: More robust infrastructure to cope with water-related hazards.
• Tool for municipalities: Guide to the design and maintenance of porous pavements in urban environments.
• Environmental benefits: Mitigation of the urban heat island effect, groundwater recharge, reduction of runoff.