Rainwater drainage systems solutions for safer transport infrastructures

Infrastructural systems, subject not only to the multiple stresses due to different loads but also to the action of atmospheric agents, play a fundamental and strategic role for the economic and social development of a country. Rainwater drainage systems are essentials element of a safe transport infrastructure. If proper drainage is not installed, drivers run the risk of pooling rainwater, which can cause inconvenience or, in the worst-case scenario, serious accidents such as collisions and slips. Well-designed rainwater drainage systems should consider the expected operating conditions of the infrastructure depending on the level of ordinary and extraordinary maintenance operations. As the problem of optimal design of hydraulic systems associated with roads concerns not only the removal of rainwater to ensure the necessary safety for the road system but also the dissipation of pollutant residues and the mitigation of environmental damage resulting from extreme weather events, the aim of this research is to present a state of the art of the main rainwater drainage systems and storm mitigation solutions for transport infrastructures, and evaluate their efficiency to assist designers to identify the optimal solution for both urban and rural context. Comparative analyses of different drainage methodologies in real contexts have highlighted that conventional drainage systems focus on rapid runoff and flood control, while sustainable drainage systems offer multiple benefits, including flood mitigation, improved water quality, and increased resilience. So that, future urban planning should prioritize the integration of sustainable with conventional systems to achieve sustainable and resilient transport infrastructure in the face of climate change and urbanization.