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Innovative Design of Sludge Drying Beds Using 3D GEOWEB® Geocells

Posted by Ashley Beyer

 

Wastewater treatment facilities have long had to contend with the challenge of dewatering sludge to minimize waste and achieve overall cost efficiency for disposal. Large-scale facilities commonly use mechanical filter presses or centrifuges to dewater sludge. This equipment is often too cumbersome and expensive for many smaller facilities, so they rely on sand filter drying beds for sludge dewatering. Because small tractors or loaders cannot be operated on the loose sands of a conventional drying bed, a system must be implemented to stabilize the sand and improve load distribution for routine cleanout operations.

Transforming Infill Material with the GEOWEB® Geocells

GEOWEB geocells

GEOWEB 3D Soil Stabilization System

Through an interconnected honeycomb-like network, 3D geocells confine and stabilize soils that would otherwise be unstable under loading conditions. Geocells are efficient and economical for fast-built unpaved roadways and retaining walls, erosion control of slopes, and stormwater channel protection. The GEOWEB® 3D Stabilization System is the industry’s most complete geocell system, designed with fully engineered components to withstand the most challenging site problems. Made from robust high-density polyethylene (HDPE) since conception, GEOWEB geocells offer the highest, longest-lasting, and most proven performance of any geocell system in civil applications.

The GEOWEB® System Improves Clean-Up System for Solid Waste Treatment Facility

A solid waste treatment facility in Florida was using vacuum-assisted drying beds to dewater chemically oxidized sewage sludge, but they were experiencing costly maintenance issues. The material deteriorated under constant use, and replacement costs were high.

The facility required a solution that would allow them to operate a small tractor over the sand filter bed to remove the sludge. They chose the GEOWEB® 3D Confinement System because of its ability to support vehicular traffic over poor soils. The GEOWEB system provides complete structural support by limiting lateral movement of the confined material—in this case, very loose sand. The GEOWEB system was installed in the top layer of the loose material in one of the two sand filter drying beds.

The 10-inch-deep top layer was composed of uniformly graded filter sand, and below this was a graduated layer of river gravel. A geonet material was placed on top of the graded layer to ensure efficient sand placement. The complete cross-section consisted of a 2-inch sand layer placed over the 8-inch sand-filled cellular confinement system underlain by the geonet and gravel bed below.

After installing the multi-layer system, cleanout operations significantly improved. With the new system, cleaning the sand drying bed requires moving only one to two inches of sand that contain the sludge and allows the crews to load and clean one 1,700-square-foot drying bed in 48 hours, unlike the original system which could take several days. The GEOWEB Cellular Confinement System also acts as a natural depth gauge for the front end loader, the blade of which can easily be used to backdrag the final few inches of material during cleanout to protect the system against damage and preserve operational integrity. Overall, the GEOWEB system reduced maintenance costs for the facility by 50 percent.

Request a free project evaluation.

Building Energy Roads in Harsh Conditions With the GEOWEB® System

Posted by Ashley Beyer

oil road

Energy sites are often located in remote and difficult-to-access sites in environments with poor soils, limited road-building resources, and extreme weather conditions.

Site Challenges in Western Canada

In Western Canada’s Oil Sands region, transporting construction equipment, drilling rigs, and completions apparatus – all with heavy wheel loads (typical loads exceeding 125,000 lbs.) is the challenge. It can be extremely difficult to accomplish this over the soft, wet ground (thick muskeg and saturated clays) typical of this region. Add the challenge of working in the dead of winter in below-zero temperatures and on frozen ground, with limited road building materials, and the scenario makes accessing the sites extremely difficult.

In the wettest months, muddy conditions can make access by heavy trucks and equipment nearly impossible. So, energy companies typically wait for the ground to freeze before ramping back up construction.  Even in winter, access to remote oil sites creates challenges including undeveloped roads, soft ground, and scarce materials suitable for constructing roads.

A Road Solution Built for Extreme Conditions

The GEOWEB® 3D Soil Confinement System is built for these challenges.  The all-weather HDPE material is fast to install and isn’t hindered by soft ground or extreme temperatures.

geoweb road

GEOWEB® 3D technology allows the use of low-cost, local fill—such as sand—and literally transforms it into stable, long-lasting, and low maintenance access roads and pads.  The confined infill creates a stiff road surface that is resistant to movement, preventing concentrated rutting and resulting in faster cycle times.

The compact GEOWEB material is economical to transport and fast to install on-site without heavy equipment or specialized crews, minimizing environmental impact and disruption of the land. Most importantly, confinement technology reduces base construction costs by using 50% less fill.

Resourceful Access to Energy Sources

The GEOWEB® 3D system is a low-cost and efficient way for energy companies to overcome these challenges and access their oil & gas, wind, and mining sites—even in some of the worst site and weather conditions.

Presto offers free project evaluations and site support.

Women in Engineering: Meet Sam Justice, P.E., Design Engineer at Presto Geosystems

Posted by Ashley Beyer

 

International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) takes place every year on June 23 to celebrate the work and achievements of women in the field of engineering. INWED provides an opportunity to raise the profile of women engineers and highlight the career opportunities available in this industry.

Historically, women have been under-represented in the academic and professional engineering fields; however, numbers have increased over the years. In 1960, about 1% of all engineers were women. In 2019, women made up approximately 20% of the engineering workforce.

Organizations like the UK’s Women’s Engineering Society (WES) hope to see these numbers grow even more as they work to provide young women with resources and opportunities that encourage them to pursue careers in engineering. The organization launched Women in Engineering Day in 2014, and the holiday became globally recognized in 2017.

Each year, people participate in hundreds of INWED events across the globe. In honor of INWED 2021, we’re sitting down with Presto Geosystems’ very own Civil Design Engineer, Sam Justice. Backed by a decade of specialized engineering experience, Sam is an accomplished civil engineer with a proven history of guiding complex projects to successful outcomes. She holds a geotechnical engineering degree from the University of Michigan and a geological engineering graduate degree from Michigan Technological University. She is also a registered professional engineer and an active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Society for Women Engineers (SWE).

How or why did you choose engineering as a career path/area of study?

SJ: I always wanted to be an engineer, pretty much as soon as I knew engineers existed. I always loved knowing how and why things worked, and more than that, I want to know how things fit together with the rest of the world. That is the difference between a scientist and an engineer for me. It is awesome that we have people who can spend years studying a single thing, like trying to discover a new subatomic particle. But, to me, the people who would take that new knowledge and do things with it and help people with, are the ones I wanted to be. I saw engineering as the path to being able to do something tangible in the world and be able to point to something, and say “that thing works because of me.”

Where did you study engineering?

SJ: I completed my undergraduate in Geotechnical Engineering at the University of Michigan (Go Blue!). Once I finished that degree, I took a break from school and worked for a few years at a consulting firm. Then I decided to go back for my Master’s degree in Geological Engineering at Michigan Technological University.

What is the most exciting thing about your job?

SJ: In my job, I am essentially a consultant, rather than a project engineer. So instead of focusing on one or two projects at a time, I am a part of a dozen different projects every week. It’s exciting to see the variety of projects that are happening at any moment, from small home improvement projects to multi-million-dollar private company jobs. Moving from one type of work to another so quickly keeps me feeling energized about what I’m doing, and definitely doesn’t leave room for me to get bored.

What does a typical day in your role look like?

SJ: Usually, I spend my days reviewing project information for an engineering or contracting firm and providing my recommendations and expertise on a construction or remediation strategy. I can be pulled into the beginning, middle, or end of a project, so I have to make sure I know what the clients are hoping for, and what is realistic based on what has already happened. I also spend a lot of time talking directly with people, either about a specific project we are working on or through hosting learning webinars for our industry. There are a lot of questions about the geosynthetics industry, and I try and answer them the best I can.

What is it like to be a woman working in a historically male-dominated industry?

SJ: It can be tough, no doubt about that. But things are changing for the better every year, and it’s becoming less of a male-dominated job all the time. There is still some sexism, mostly in the form of someone being surprised that a woman is in charge of providing recommendations or teaching classes. I counter that by just knowing my work and having confidence that my knowledge is valid and sought after. Other engineers are getting more accepting of women in the industry, and the industry itself is catching up to the times, but it’s not always a smooth road. But it’s worth it, I think, to get to do things I do, even if there are still some people who think I shouldn’t have a seat at the table. I like to think that what I do is making it a little easier to be heard.

Have any women in the engineering world influenced you? How?

SJ: I had a professor at Michigan who really inspired me to know that I could make it as an engineer. She taught classes, was a senior member of a consulting firm, spoke at conferences, and regularly told government departments; I swear she did it all because she really loved what she did and believed that she could do it all. To her, it didn’t matter that she was a woman, or that she was an immigrant, or that people told her she should be doing something else. She had knowledge that others didn’t and was enthusiastic about sharing it with everyone. I try to model the way I teach after her, and I know it has made a difference and made me a better engineer.

What are you most excited about when thinking about the future of engineering?

SJ: The civil engineering world, and the geosynthetic industry, in particular, is constantly evolving, coming up with new ways to complete projects faster and cheaper, and greener. I love the shift towards green infrastructure and low-impact development. Construction and landscaping are some of the most immediate and impactful ways to help our planet, and I can’t wait to see what we come up with next.

What advice would you give to young women who are interested in pursuing a career in engineering?

SJ: Don’t be afraid to be passionate about being curious. Don’t ever let someone stop you from asking questions and getting answers. Being an engineer can be a daunting amount of work, but you’ll never be bored, and you’ll learn more than you can imagine. There is so much satisfaction in knowing the how’s and the why’s about something. And engineering is such a broad term! There is no limit to what you can do with an engineering degree, and it opens so many doors. It sounds cheesy, I know, but it really is a great career path, because you can make it whatever you want it to be. You just have to want to ask the questions and keep digging until you get the answers.

 

Innovative Solutions for Designing & Constructing Transmission Line Roads & Substations

Posted by Ashley Beyer

Energy SiteWhen natural disasters, power surges, accidents, or general equipment failures threaten the reliability of the power grid, maintenance crews must be able to quickly and safely access transmission lines and substations to make repairs. Designing resilient energy infrastructure that ensures power companies have a reliable, regular supply of energy and contingency measures in place in the event of a power failure is crucial to their business and the communities they serve.

Build Sustainable Roads for Utility Transmission & Substation Access

Accessing sites in remote or undeveloped areas can present several challenges for the energy industry when it comes to building, operating, and maintaining power transmission lines and substations. Soft soils and low-water crossings can make it difficult for utility vehicles to safely and effectively reach sites for routine maintenance and emergency repairs. The GEOWEB® 3D Soil Stabilization System is ideal for shallow ground improvement applications and can easily be incorporated into unpaved access roads for transmission lines and substations. The GEOWEB geocells, made from an all-weather high-density polyethylene (HDPE) material, are durable, chemical resistant, and outperform standard two-dimensional geosynthetics through lateral confinement of infill materials, facilitating what is known as the “mattress effect” for distributing loads across weak subgrades.

The GEOWEB system offers an economical way to construct low-maintenance unpaved access roads that are fast to install and require less maintenance than their unreinforced counterparts. The GEOWEB-confined aggregate is stable and resistant to shoving and movement that can occur with unpaved access roads subjected to heavy-traffic loading conditions. With the GEOWEB system, roads are built with 50% less aggregate to support heavy vehicles with minimal environmental impact. The use of low-cost, local infill—such as sand or limestone—lowers the overall project cost, and the GEOWEB reinforcement extends the life of the unpaved road and reduces annual maintenance costs.

Reduce Touch & Step Hazards at Substations

Aggregate is commonly used for electrical substation pavements and transformer pads to create a safe, non-conductive insulation layer between workers and the ground. This aggregate must contain fines to create a stable surface to resist heavy vehicle stresses, and the presence of these fines can create touch and step hazards. The GEOWEB system allows the use of an open-graded base course (OGBC) with no fines, providing greater surface permeability and a more stable driving surface that resists rutting.

The permeable GEOWEB confinement system delivers exceptional drainage, which prevents the accumulation of dangerous surface water ponding. Roads and substation pads constructed with the GEOWEB system require virtually no maintenance and provide a safer environment for workers.

Case Study: Geocells Stabilize Soil & Manage Stormwater for Hospital Power Line Installation

The Alabama Power Co. (APC) saw a need to install a second substation to provide a reliable alternative power source for Providence Hospital in Mobile, Alabama; however, wetlands near the project site complicated installation of the substation and power line. Construction of the access road was also wrought with environmental and regulatory concerns from citizens and local officials.

Construction is strictly governed in wetland areas, so APC could not fill the wetland for soil stability. City of Mobile regulations required the project to establish stormwater retention areas due to its size. Rather than retain the water in ponds, however, APC used Presto Geosystems’ GEOWEB confinement system to stabilize the soil to ensure the access road was permeable in the upland portion of the project.

The geocellular system stabilizes the aggregate, preventing movement under vehicle loads, and allows stormwater to drain into the soil rather than run off and create problems for residents and the environment.

Because water so easily infiltrated the access road, Mobile did not require APC to build the retention pond per its regulations. Had an impervious surface been installed, stormwater would deviate from established flows, and nearby residences likely would have complained about stormwater on their properties.

The substation provided Providence Hospital with two sources of power. In the event of a power failure at one, electricity would shift to the other, keeping the hospital’s vital machinery online.

Design Support & Resources for Utilities & Electrical Transmission

The engineering team at Presto Geosystems works closely with civil engineers, offering free project evaluation services and on-site support for utility maintenance roads and substations.

Presto Geosystems’ Mission Statement and Philosophy

Posted by Ashley Beyer

Our mission is to give the world a strong foundation to build on.

Geosynthetics play a tremendous role in preserving the environment and building toward a more sustainable planet Earth. This Earth Day, we wanted to recognize this fact by sharing our updated mission statement and philosophy.

Over the past several months, the team at Presto Geosystems met to discuss our mission, goals, and role in overcoming challenges related to climate change and environmental protection. Every day, we strive to lead the way for sustainable development that will improve the quality of life and foster opportunities for communities around the world. From these conversations, we tried to encapsulate this idea into a simple mission statement and philosophy that we can build upon as we continue to challenge ourselves and our industry.

With the introduction of geocell soil confinement technology in the early 1980s, Presto Geosystems made history as one of the early pioneers in the world of geosynthetics. Four decades later, that innovative spirit is as alive today as it was at the beginning of our journey. Our products have been used on every continent and on thousands of projects to improve infrastructure reliability and environmental quality for communities around the world. We believe in the human spirit of innovation, and we believe that reliable infrastructure and environmental quality are foundational to the prosperity and well-being of the world’s communities.

Designing and Building Sustainable Multi-Use Trails Using 3D Soil Confinement

Posted by Ashley Beyer

Trails and greenways play a vital role in communities by preserving and creating open spaces for low or no-cost outdoor recreation. They encourage people to get outside and safely explore environmentally sensitive areas that would otherwise be difficult or dangerous to access. Trails also function as a safe transportation corridor for those who commute by foot or bicycle.

When talking about recreational trails, it’s also important to acknowledge the economic impact they have on communities. Many recreational trails across the country are revenue-generating tourist destinations that positively impact local economies.

Fundamentals of Good Recreational Trail Design

There are three key considerations to good trail design: reinforcement, drainage, and confinement of surface materials. These are critical components required to withstand repeated traffic loading, resist degradation from erosion, and minimize environmental impact.

Finding economical and low-maintenance solutions to stabilize trails and greenways can be difficult. It is even more challenging in poor soil environments or environmentally sensitive areas where minimal disturbance is allowed, or where paving or filling within an existing floodplain or coastal area is limited by local, state, or federal regulations.

Presto Geosystems’ soil stabilization solutions overcome these challenges by providing low environmental impact options that offer long-term stability for pedestrians, equestrians, bicycles, wheelchairs (ADA-compliant with appropriate aggregate infill), and ATVs. Protecting the trail surface from excessive rutting and long-term erosion while maintaining adequate permeability are key design considerations for many multi-use recreational trail projects.

Build Better Multi-Use Recreational Trails with the GEOWEB® 3D Soil Stabilization System

Multi-use trails can be designed to accommodate a variety of traffic, including pedestrians, bicyclists, equestrians, and motorized vehicles. Through the confinement of aggregate infill, the GEOWEB 3D Soil Stabilization System creates a stable, low-maintenance trail surface. The highly permeable GEOWEB system reduces stormwater runoff and surface water ponding, allowing for natural percolation through the permeable infill and underlying granular base.

The GEOWEB system is fast to install without the use of heavy equipment—even in difficult or remote terrain. Construction vehicles can drive on the surface immediately after infill placement, helping to expedite construction.

The flexibility and versatility of the GEOWEB system make it the ideal solution for recreational trails. Surfaces for multi-use trails are built with GEOWEB sections that are 8.5’ wide by 27’ long, and typically 4” or 6” deep. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) used to manufacture The GEOWEB sections can be easily cut to accommodate any width or length, and its flexible structure allows it to follow the curves and contours of the landscape, seamlessly integrating into the natural environment.

Building Trails Through Protected Areas and Wetlands/Coastal Areas

Designing trails through nature preserves or environmentally sensitive areas may require a low-impact solution to prevent damage to wetlands, coastal areas, and other protected habitats. The load-spreading ability of the GEOWEB 3D Soil Stabilization System helps minimize construction and traffic-related damage to a tree’s critical root zone by reducing soil compaction and protecting near-surface roots. The open-graded aggregate surface is highly permeable, allowing moisture to get to the tree’s roots and limiting stormwater runoff.

Case Study: GEOWEB System Provides Flexible, Low-Impact Solution for Texas Shoreline Trail

recreational trailDevelopers in the City of the Colony, Texas, required a flexible and low-impact recreational trail that conformed to the curves and contours of the adjacent shoreline. The trail needed to accommodate traffic from pedestrians, bikes, small vehicles, and equestrians. The GEOWEB Soil Stabilization System with a well-graded, decomposed granite infill met these requirements. This infill material was readily available in the area, though any stone is acceptable as long as it is angular and promotes good drainage.

 

Tendons & Anchors Secure Sections Against Potential Uplift

Due to the high water table and lake level fluctuations, additional steps were taken to protect against potential uplift of the system. During installation, the contractors ran a series of polyester tendons through the GEOWEB panels and anchored them at regular intervals across each section. The use of tendons in conjunction with the stone infill material helped anchor the system, thereby providing resistance to buoyant forces that could otherwise uplift and deform the trail surface in response to elevated water table conditions This practice is recommended in wet environments with saturated soils.

Permeable Surface Infiltrates Water, Reduces Runoff and Ponding

Trails built with the GEOWEB system support green infrastructure initiatives because they do not disrupt the water cycle or impact the groundwater flow. No additional stormwater infrastructure is necessary when the trail surface is permeable, so there is minimal impact on the surrounding environment.

The result was a stabilized, clean trail, suitable for a variety of traffic without needing constant maintenance. The path is clearly delineated while maintaining a natural aesthetic.

Design Support & Resources for Recreational Trail Design

The engineering team at Presto Geosystems works closely with civil engineers, offering free project evaluation services and on-site support for recreational trails and embankments.

ASCE Releases the 2021 Infrastructure Report Card

Posted by Ashley Beyer

infrastructureThe grades are in, and they’re not great. On Wednesday, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) released their quadrennial Infrastructure Report Card. America’s infrastructure earned an overall grade of C-minus. While this is a minor improvement over 2017’s Infrastructure Report card, which revealed a dismal grade of D-plus, there’s still a lot of work to be done.

The report card assigns grades to 17 categories of American infrastructure. A staggering 11 out of these 17 categories received a grade in the “D” range, including Roads, Stormwater, Dams, and Levees. This means that the civil engineers who evaluated these categories determined that the infrastructure is “poor, at risk.” According to the report card, this means,

“The infrastructure is in poor to fair condition and mostly below standard, with many elements approaching the end of their service life. A large portion of the system exhibits significant deterioration. Condition and capacity are of serious concern with strong risk of failure.”

These systems are critical to the overall health and wellbeing of our communities, and vital to commerce and economic stability at local, regional, and national levels.

Solutions to Improve America’s Infrastructure Grade

The ASCE identifies three major factors when exploring how to raise the grade of these crucial infrastructure systems: Leadership & Action, Investment, and Resilience. All three are required to ensure our infrastructure can withstand or quickly recover from natural or man-made hazards.

President Biden proposed a $2 trillion climate-focused infrastructure plan that would focus spending on a US green energy infrastructure overhaul, new road and bridge construction, and expanding broadband access.

This type of investment is vital to the improvement of infrastructure reliability and environmental quality for communities across the nation. To make the most of this investment, we need to explore sustainable solutions that will provide a solid foundation and deliver long-term, resilient results.

Geosynthetics for Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure

The future success of many infrastructure projects depends on the strength of the underlying soil. Through an interconnected honeycomb-like network, 3D geocells confine and stabilize soils that would otherwise be unstable under loading. The GEOWEB® 3D Soil Stabilization System is the industry’s most complete geocell system, designed with fully engineered components to withstand the most challenging site conditions. These components are built for strength, durability, speed of installation, and long-term performance.

GEOWEB geocells can be used for shallow ground improvement and mitigation of geotechnical risks, thereby offering a unique solution toward improving infrastructure resilience. The GEOWEB system can also be used to protect the natural environment by providing robust protection against erosion, sustainable stormwater management solutions, as well as green slopes and retaining walls.

The engineering team at Presto Geosystems works closely with civil engineers, offering free project evaluation services and on-site support for load support, slope stabilization, channel protection, and retaining wall applications.

Learn more about how the GEOWEB geocells can be used to improve resilience in the lowest-graded categories.

Roads Video Dams Video Stormwater eBinder

Download the full 2021 Infrastructure Report Card >>

Designing Sustainable Ports & Yards with 3D Geocells

Posted by Katie Bocskor

Stabilization for Higher-Performing Pavements

Ports and intermodal yards in coastal areas are more prone to pavement problems due to inherent soft, unsupportive soils and high water levels. Heavy traffic patterns and the constant weight of loaded parked trailers and stacked containers at these facilities can accelerate the degradation of the paved or unpaved surfaces and subbase materials. The repeated pressure over poor soil conditions results in settlement, ruts, potholes, and even pavement failure. These surface problems require continual, costly maintenance and interruptions to facility operations. But the problem isn’t at the surface—it’s a base stabilization problem.

Transforming Base Materials through 3D Confinement

Creating and ensuring a stable surface supportive of the long-term, heavy traffic needs starts with better stabilization of the base materials. The GEOWEB® 3D Confinement System is built for this function. The system’s deep, cellular network controls both the horizontal and vertical movement of unstable base soils. When vertical loads are applied, active earth pressures in the loaded GEOWEB® cells push against passive earth pressures in adjacent cells to form a stable system. The benefits of confining fill are applied to both base reinforcement and unpaved surface applications.

Permeable Unpaved Pavements

Utilizing the GEOWEB® 3D system at the surface, unpaved yards and roads may be designed with highly-permeable, open-graded aggregate (low fines).

There is a notable environmental benefit with this approach. The pavement layer and base materials perform as an on-site stormwater detention basin, where it can store water in the void spaces for natural infiltration. The storage capability can reduce stormwater infrastructure and stormwater pond volumes. Without fines in the surface layer, drainage is also greatly improved. Water can flow freely through the system preventing pore pressure build-up and global failure of the cross-section. Where clean aggregate sources are not available, salvaged or low-quality aggregate material may be used to reduce material and hauling costs.

Base Reinforcement Under Paved Surfaces

In the base layer, GEOWEB® confinement is beneficial under asphalt, reinforced, and rolled compacted concrete, especially in areas with low CBR subgrades and drainage issues. Reducing stress on the subgrade allows a thinner pavement layer. Differential and long-term settlement is also reduced—resulting in extended pavement life.

Design Pavements for Better Performance

The selection of the GEOWEB® pavement solution is influenced by loading, subgrade soils, traffic frequency, and infill type. A free project evaluation from the manufacturer utilizing the AASHTO design method helps determine design feasibility.

Presto Geosystems Announces New Series of Professional Development Courses

Posted by Ashley Beyer

We are pleased to announce that Presto Geosystems will continue to offer regular online learning opportunities throughout 2021. Our webinars will explore soil stabilization and stormwater solutions for the civil, industrial, stormwater, and construction industries. The series will also include webinars that address improving resilience in industries including landfills, rail, mining, and ports. PDH credit is available for Presto Geosystems webinars.

We will kick off our new series, Geosystems University: Professional Development Courses on Tuesday, Jan. 12 with “Repair & Reduce Slope Erosion with the GEOWEB 3D Confinement System.” Business Development Specialist Jose Pablo George, M.S. will provide an overview of the GEOWEB geocells and how the system works to protect earthen slopes against erosive forces.

For an up-to-date schedule of professional development courses, please visit prestogeo.com/webcasts. New courses will be added on a monthly basis, so check back often to secure your virtual seat.

Great American Outdoors Act Provides Billions of Dollars for Overdue Repairs and Maintenance of U.S. National Parks

Posted by Ashley Beyer

Congress recently passed the most significant piece of land conservation legislation in a generation. The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA)—a rare bipartisan effort—will provide full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund at $900 million annually and will put $9.5 billion over the next five years toward the deferred maintenance backlog on public lands. The GAOA provides $6.5 billion specifically for the 419 national park units. President Trump signed the bill into law on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020.

Increased Use and Lack of Funding Caused Maintenance Backlog

This piece of legislation will have a historical impact on National Parks in the United States. The number of visitors to national parks has increased by 50% since 1980, but budgets have remained virtually flat. This imbalance has contributed to a $12 billion backlog of repairs to access roads, trails, campgrounds, monuments, and other parks infrastructure.

Parks and recreational trails have recently become even more popular due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With limited indoor entertainment options, people have rediscovered their love for the outdoors. As this trend continues, our national parks must be equipped with the infrastructure necessary to sustain them in the long term.

The Importance of Green Infrastructure & Low Impact Development in Parks

As funds are allocated for maintenance and improvements, park agencies will need to determine how they are going to use this money. The focus needs to be on long-term, sustainable solutions that require less maintenance than the current infrastructure.

The incorporation of green infrastructure into park planning will positively impact the management of water resources and the creation of healthy environments. Stormwater management is an important element of green infrastructure and is beneficial in meeting regulatory requirements and enhancing the public space for the betterment of the community.

National parks are often in environmentally sensitive and undeveloped areas, making a low-impact development solution essential to prevent damage to vegetation and protect wildlife habitats.

Permeable Pavers and 3D Soil Stabilization Provide Sustainable, Low-Maintenance Solutions for Park Infrastructure

There are several opportunities to introduce green infrastructure and low-impact development options into parks through the integration of permeable recreational trails and embankments, green parking areas, and sustainable access roads.

GEOWEB® and GEOPAVE® Trail Stabilization Systems Manage Stormwater and Minimize Disturbance to Natural Environment

Recreational trails built into and through parks allow visitors to safely explore environmentally sensitive areas that would otherwise be difficult to access. The key to planning and building trails into undeveloped or protected areas is using the right reinforcement, drainage, and confinement of surface materials. These are critical components to withstand repeated traffic loading, resist degradation from water, minimize impacts to natural resources, and stabilize adjacent trail embankments.

Through confinement of aggregate infill, Presto’s GEOWEB® and GEOPAVE® Trail Stabilization Systems create a stable, low-maintenance trail surface. The highly permeable systems reduce stormwater runoff and surface water ponding. Both systems perform as on-site, below-ground stormwater retention systems, storing water in the aggregate voids of the pavement layer and base for natural percolation.

Porous Paver Systems Meet Aesthetic and Stormwater Requirements

Expanding parking areas does not have to mean introducing impervious surfaces to natural environments. Presto’s GEOBLOCK®, GEOPAVE®, and GEOWEB® systems provide permanent economical porous pavement solutions in traffic areas where the aesthetics and permeability of grass or aggregate are preferred over traditional paving approaches such as asphalt or concrete. The systems meet a wide range of load support requirements and environmental needs with permeable, aesthetically pleasing alternatives to hard-surface paving.

Build Higher-Performing, Lower-Maintenance Roads into and Through Parks

Roadways are an integral part of park systems, allowing access for both visitors and maintenance vehicles. Today, over 5,000 miles of paved roads traverse the national park system. Maintenance costs on these roadways can consume budgets. When installed under asphalt or concrete, the GEOWEB 3D Soil Stabilization System performs as a semi-rigid beam, creating a stabilized layer over subbase soils. The GEOWEB system reduces the required base material thickness by 50% or more by reducing the loading impact on sub-surface soils. The positive effect on the pavement base layer results in up to 30% reduction in paving depth and an extended pavement life with lower maintenance requirements and costs.

The GEOWEB system can also be used to build site access roads in soft soil environments. The GEOWEB roads are fast to deploy and install—even in remote locations—and frequently allow for the beneficial re-use of on-site fill, resulting in further project cost savings by reducing or eliminating the need for imported fill material. These unpaved roads can be permeable and are inexpensive alternatives to concrete and porous asphalt.

By distributing and bridging applied loads, the GEOWEB system significantly reduces vertical stresses that are typically applied to the underlying soil and root zone. The system offers a low-impact and economical solution to access sites without damaging trees.

The passing of the Great American Outdoors Act offers an opportunity to design sustainable, lower maintenance infrastructure in our national parks that will last another generation. Through the incorporation of green infrastructure and low-impact development systems, these institutions will be able to sustain the continued popularity and growth while preserving the natural beauty of these spaces.