This week in Park City, Utah, executives representing various state asphalt pavement associations, including CalAPA, will be gathering for the State Asphalt Pavement Associations, Inc. annual meeting. They will be joined by National Asphalt Pavement Association Chief Executive Officer Audrey Copeland and Asphalt institute CEO Pete Grass.

Hosted by the Utah Asphalt Pavement Association, the ambitious agenda for the meeting examines the state of the industry from many different perspectives,, includes deep dives on hot topics, threats and opportunities, and also serves as a forum for sharing best practices for those who represent the asphalt pavement industry at the local, state and federal level.

Perhaps it is fitting, then, that the keynote speaker for the event is Daniel A. Varroney, author of an important new business book titled, "Reimagining Industry Growth: Strategic Partnership Strategies in an Era of Uncertainty."

The book is filled with insights about the importance of developing strategic partnerships between companies, agencies, academia and others to achieve success, and places particular emphasis on the role of trade associations in making that happen. Particularly in this age of accelerated change, such strategic partnerships can help transform entire industry sectors and help companies navigate uncertainty.

"The most fertile ground...for nurturing strategic partnerships within any given industry is through trade associations," Varroney writes. "Successful partnerships are not a given. In fact, a good and lasting strategic partnership is not unlike a good and lasting marriage. It requires shared vision, shared values, clear and honest communication, perseverance, and perhaps more than anything, commitment -- unswerving commitment that breaks through the most difficult barriers."

In the case studies called out in the book, the National Asphalt Pavement Association is highlighted for its many durable and productive strategic partnerships with agencies, regulators, researchers and others that have served to elevate the industry and provide greater value for the taxpayer and the transportation system user.

At one point, Varroney provides an overview of the asphalt industry to help differentiate it from others he examines in his book, and provides the following description: "The asphalt pavement industry was built by smart, solid, thoughtful, reliable Americans. And the men and women who built it passed along those attributes to their children and grandchildren. This industry, through it has grown and evolved, is still infused with some traditional family characteristics. It is an industry that values the family, that cares about its people, and seeks the good of the community."

With regard to the strategic partnerships focus of the book, regular readers of this newsletter will instantly recognize many of those taking root and flourishing here in California. Some of note include the Caltrans-industry Pavement & Materials Partnering Committee, industry engagement with the Green Book of specifications for local public works agencies, and a broad coalition of stakeholders that rallied to the cause of transportation investments that resulted in the passage of SB1, the $50 billion Road Repair & Accountability Act of 2017. Elsewhere in this issue of the newsletter are two more examples: One is the national and state industry collaboration that has become known as the Women of Asphalt California Branch, which has resulted in numerous activities to highlight and elevate women in the industry. Another example is the strategic partnership between the asphalt industry, Caltrans and academia that is known as the Joint Training & Certification Program for construction materials technicians. The successful program continues to generate acclaim as a model of collaboration that benefits all stakeholders.

Elements of strategic partnerships are woven throughout the CalAPA strategic plan that was recently updated last year. Success of agency partners, for example, is no longer just implied, but overtly stated in plan goals.

To learn more about Daniel A. Varroney and his book "Reimagining Industry Growth," click HERE. To learn more about the State Asphalt Pavement Assocaitioins, Inc., visit the SAPA website HERE.

The Technical Committee of the Women of Asphalt California Branch will hold a webinar Aug. 15 to review changes to Caltrans specifications related to asphalt, including sections 36 and 37 (surfacing and seal coats), and Section 39 (asphalt concrete) of the department's authoritative Standard Specifications.

Cathrina Barros, Chief of the Caltrans Office of Asphalt Pavement, will be the featured presenter for the webinar, which will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The webinar is free and anyone is welcome to attend.

An invitation was sent out via the Women of Asphalt California Branch distribution list. However, if you would like the link to participate in the webinar set to you directly, contact Sydney Johnson, project manager with Earth Systems, at (805) 574-9169, or via e-mail at sjohnson@earthsystems.com .

To learn more about the Women of Asphalt California Branch, click HERE.

Sometimes you have to see what all the fuss is about in person.

Freshman Assemblyman Tri Ta, R-Westminster, stopped by a Hot Mix Asphalt class being held last week at Cal State Long Beach as part of the Caltrans-industry Joint Training & Certification Program.

"I had a great time learning about his successful project," he posted on his social media account, noting that the JTCP "strengthens the economy and infrastructure of our region."

The Aug. 3 visit was initiated by CalAPA and hosted by Dr. Shadi Saadeh, the JTCP program manager, and attended by various Caltrans officials and other dignitaries who oversee the program. CalAPA championed the formation of the JTCP back in 2014, and sits on the JTCP Advisory Council. (Assemblyman Tri Ta, left, is pictured talking with Dr. Shadi Saadeh).

Ta received a briefing about the program, which has strained and certified thousands of construction materials technicians in California, ensuring that materials are tested to the highest standards by competent testers. Following the briefing, the legislator witnessed a Hot Mix Asphalt I class in progress and got to see the various tests attendees must perform to achieve their certification.

"It was a privilege for us to host Assemblymember Ta, Caltrans and CalAPA on our campus to celebrate Phase 4 funding for JTCP, as well as the impact of the program on the attendees, industry and the state of California," CSULB College of Engineering Dean Dr Jinny Rhee told Asphalt Insider following the tour. "We are proud to contribute to the workforce development needed to keep our infrastructure strong."

Also attending the event was Tim Greutert, chief of the Catlrans Materials Engineering & Testing Branch for Caltrans which also carries with it the title of state materials engineer. "I feel very honored to work with such a great group of contributing people," Greutert told Asphalt Insider. "We have established and continue to improve a program that leverages the strengths from industry, academia, FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) and Caltrans to sustain a workforce with the skills needed to deliver the quality materials taxpayers expect from our construction projects. Amazing team effort!"

As the accolades continue to roll in for the program, Saadeh is getting plenty of practice showing off the classes for VIPs. Previous tours have been conducted at Long Beach and on the campus of San Jose State University for former Sen. Jim Beall, D-San Jose, author of SB1, as well as Sen. Dave Cortse and Assemblymembers Patrick O'Connell, Alex Lee and Ash Kalra.

"The JTCP is a life example of the success of public-private partnerships to advance workforce development," Saadeh said.

To learn more about the JTCP, click HERE. CalAPA magazine coverage about the program can be found HERE (2021) and HERE (2019).

State air quality regulators are reminding industry representatives that they are preparing for the implementation phase of new regulations covering off-road construction equipment.

The proposed regulations, approved by the California Air Resources Board on Nov. 17, 2022, impact companies that own and operate diesel-fueled off-road vehicles in California. Those vehicles range from small skid-steer loaders to very large mining trucks, forklifts, cranes and excavators. The Off-Road Regulation requires fleets to reduce their emissions by retiring older vehicles and replacing them with newer vehicles, repowering older engines or installing verified diesel emission control strategies on older engines. The rules are set to take effect Jan. 1.

For additional information, click HERE to visit a special page created by CARB devoted to the topic. Background on the Off-Road Regulation process is HERE. There are various incentive programs to help equipment owners defray some of the cost of vehicle replacement. To learn more about those programs, click HERE.

For more information, contact Thien Tran, Off-Road Implementation Section for CARB at Thien.Tran@arb.ca.gov .

Each week we highlight a word, acronym or other term commonly used in the asphalt pavement industry in California.

BONDED WEARING COURSE (BWC): a gap graded, ultra thin hot-mix asphalt (HMA) mixture applied over a thick polymer modified asphalt emulsion membrane. The high binder content seals the underlying road thereby protecting it from water infiltration and slows down the aging process. The gap-graded HMA layer above of the thick binder layer provides an open surface texture to allow water to flow through the surface.

Each week we highlight a key point or best practice of interest to asphalt paving crews, inspectors and others working in the field. We welcome suggestions. More tips can be found in our "Asphalt Parking Lot Construction Checklist" HERE. Information on the CalAPA "Quality Paving Certificate" program is HERE.

PREPARING FOR ASPHALT DELIVERY: Ask yourself: Has a pre-paving meeting been held with the paving foreman to inspect the sub-base? Have you checked the site for possible safety issues?

Each week we highlight a term that is specific to climate-change issues related to the asphalt pavement industry. This feature is intended to raise awareness of the asphalt industry's climate-change initiatives and the specialized terminology that goes with them. More information on "The Road Forward" asphalt industry climate initiative can be found HERE.

CARBON NEUTRALITY: Net zero emission achieved through carbon offsets and elimination.

"The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot."

– Michael Altshuler