Hydrologiczna i hydrogeologiczna rola rowów drogowych
The hydrological and hydrogeological role of roadside ditches

Summary/Abstract: Roadside ditches play an important, yet often underestimated, role in water management systems. In addition to their primary function of draining rainwater from the road corridor, they also serve as effective drainage structures by lowering and stabilizing groundwater levels in the vicinity of roads. Their presence positively affects the stability of road structures and reduces the risk of waterlogging in adjacent areas. The removal of ditches – frequently occurring in the course of road investments and sidewalk construction – can disrupt the local water balance. Replacing open ditches with underground drainage systems limits their functionality to collecting surface runoff from the roadway, eliminating their ability to drain shallow groundwater and surface water from nearby land. In the face of changing climate conditions and increased risk of flash floods, maintaining efficient roadside ditches should be a priority in road infrastructure planning, particularly in areas that require constant drainage.

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