Improved Water Quality

Today’s Environmental Protection Policies are regulating storm water quality by requiring silt fencing, erosion control, and decontamination systems.

Gravelpave² can play a major role in filtering storm water. Rain collects airborne dust particles and pollutants such as vehicle exhaust and brake dust. On impervious surfaces such as asphalt and concrete, this stormwater (non-point source pollution) is collected, concentrated, and discharged into surface waters, affecting vegetation and wildlife.

The natural way to clean storm water is by percolation through soils that are usually active with bacteria. Gravelpave² allows rain to fall on a developed site and quickly replenish historical water tables with clean filtered water. There is considerable cost savings with reduced or eliminated drainage systems and EPA pollution control requirements.

Gravelpave² can easily handle storm water from an intense storm dropping 75mm of rain in less than thirty minutes! In one square meter of Gravelpave² there are 144 rings, 50mm diameter by 25mm high. With 25mm of gravel-filled rings and a standard road base of sandy gravel 150mm thick, our Gravelpave² system will percolate approximately 875mm of rain per hour! The 175mm section can store 80mm of water (about 35% void after compaction). Alternatively, hard surfaces, such as asphalt and concrete, shed 95% of storm water.

Increased Trees and Preservation

Trees and vegetation reduce ambient air temperatures and smog generation and improve air quality in cities Gravelpave² can support air and water access to tree roots. Eighty percent of tree roots are concentrated in the top 300mm of soil. Root system diameters are similar to canopy diameters. Gravelpave² prevents compaction while allowing for ample amounts of water and air.

Gravelpave² can save beautiful mature trees by building a porous paving cross section on top of existing tree ground Cars can then drive and park below tree canopies.

Parking and Driveway

Stadiums, arenas, shopping centers, maintenance access, parks, residential drives, golf courses, campus parking, and church parking are locations appropriate for Gravelpave².

Storage Yards, Utility Access, RV Parking

Gravelpave² is a low maintenance, reliable surface with excellent drainage, easy accessibility, and no rutting. Materials can be placed on top for long periods of time without damage to the gravel or the stored items. Examples include car and truck dealerships and factories; steel, brick and timber yards; nurseries and greenhouses; stock, boat and mobile home yards.

Pedestrian and Horse Trails and Paths

Garden paths, greenhouse aisles, sidewalks, park paths, and wilderness trails in Gravelpave² are also stable for strollers, bicycles, wheelchairs, and horses. There are no puddles or mud, and traction is very good. Tree roots break up hard surface sidewalks. Our mats flex to accommodate such shifts and gradient changes, and with the high proportion of air, roots are discouraged from moving upward.

Wilderness Trails

Gravelpave² is ideal for remote locations where it is necessary for installers to carry in materials. Advantages of Gravelpave² trails include lightweight construction materials effective surface containment, and reduced base course demands — often using site soils. Pins, cement, shovel, hammer, and pruning shears are simple materials used for installation. Volunteer labor can produce quick, well-constructed trails. Down-slope or cross-trail storm water won’t wash out fill when 7% cement is added.

Golf Cart Paths

Gravelpave² golf cart paths give the look of a natural path through trees, along fairways, and around greens. With crushed brick, stone, gravel, or sand, the appearance will be softer than concrete, and traction excellent on sloped paths. The flush surface requires no trimming or edging, but may be included if desired.