In days of yore, so an old industry joke goes, a mythical paving contractor might describe a quality job thusly: "Is it hot? Is it black? Then it's good."

The reality, of course, is vastly more complicated, There are a myriad of binder and aggregate sources, additives, exacting laboratory tests, new paving and inspection equipment and other complexities. Specifications and construction standards are constantly changing, and new innovations, often driven by sustainability and environmental awareness, are constantly emerging and evolving. And then, of course, there is the human element.

Helping to make sense of it all are academic institutions that work closely with industry and public agencies to test assumptions, develop and test new materials and new techniques, and push that knowledge out far and wide for maximum impact.

A prominent example of one such institution was on display last week during an open house put on by the University of California Pavement Research Center on the campus of the University of California, Davis. The UCPRC has received worldwide acclaim for is cutting-edge research with practical applications to help pavements deliver maximum performance and value for project owners. The UCPRC test track has already racked up years of data by punishing pavement sections in a controlled setting to learn more about maximizing performance, value, safety and sustainability.

Dr. John Harvey, Director of the UCPRC, which also supports the work of the City & County Pavement Improvement Center, helped conduct tours for various stakeholders during an open house held Dec. 11 on the Davis campus. In addition to summarizing some new research, or showing off test sections of various asphalt mixes about to be set upon by hulking Heavy Vehicle Simulators, Harvey shared with Asphalt Insider the goals of the event.

"First of all, we want to thank everybody who helped to make this happen, all the Caltrans folks, the industry folks," he said. "Second, we want to bring folks together in person to talk about pavement, all kinds of pavement, to make pavement better, increasing the pace of change, of innovation – but safely, and the quantification of everything. We also found that there is a whole new generation of folks who have no idea who we are and what we do, so that was the third goal of this. Let folks see it, touch it, and talk about it in person."

Joseph Dongo with the Caltrans Division of Construction was one of the visiting dignitaries and was impressed with what he saw.

"It’s really great. I’ve never been here," Dongo said. "It’s an incredible facility and campus, and it was great meeting with all the people that we work together with on the PMPC (Pavement & Materials Partnering Committee) side, from industry and different segments." The joint Caltrans-industry PMPC develops new specifications and construction standards.

Dongo said he also appreciated seeing the practical application of the research, which often results in changes in Caltrans specifications, test methods or construction standards.

"They (the UCPRC) have been an incredible partner to us," Dongo said, "so coming here to see with the naked eye what they are doing ... it gives us a valuable perspective and it tells us that we are on the right track. This gives us a really concrete view and a perspective about what we do."

Dongo and others also emphasized the importance of face-to-face interactions with the UCPRC and other institutions. “We have worked with many of them and we see them on TV, on WebEx and other forums, but here you can see it in person, you can shake hands, have a sidebar talk and it makes a heck of a difference."

One of the many industry representatives attending the event was Bob Rivers representing CalAPA member US Polyco.

"It was a great day at UC Davis with UCPRC's hosts, John Harvey, Angel Mateos, Jeff Buscheck and the terrific lab staff," Rivers said afterward. "The open house tour covered all the intricacies of vetting the developing tire rubber technologies, Balanced Mix Design and the ARHM-DG with increased RAP up to 25%. We're looking forward to the Spring paving pilot project at the UC Davis Levee Road with the four tire rubber technologies, RARx, modified wet process and two terminal-blended PG 64-22 TR 15 and 30%. The Levee Road project results will pave the way to the routine use of tire rubber utilization in California cities and counties."

To learn more about the UCPRC, click HERE. To learn more about the UCPRC-supported CIty & County Pavement Improvement Center, click HERE. More photos from the Dec. 11 UCPRC Test Track Open House can be found on the CalAPA Facebook page HERE. A Q&A with the UCPRC's Harvey appeared in a previous issue of CalAPA's California Asphalt magazine and can be accessed on-line HERE.

It was a Caltrans retirement party unlike any other. Cathrina Barros, chief of the Caltrans Office of Asphalt Pavement, received a festive sendoff last week capping a distinguished 37-year career in state service.

Since taxpayer funds are never used for such events, co-workers dip into their pockets for such affairs, which often take the form of a cake and coffee in a drab conference room, or occasionally a BBQ at a local park. For those who know and admire the colorful Barros, no such vanilla affair would do. Her sendoff took place Dec. 12 at a Sacramento hotel filled festive decorations, an impressive A/V tribute and an over-the-top cake that even Paul Hollywood of "The Great British Baking Show" would applaud.

There were plenty of cheers, and a few tears, as well as laughter throughout, which was a hallmark of Barros' career, which could be summed up as hard work, helping others, achieving great things and having fun along the way. Luminaries on hand included Caltrans State Pavement Engineer Tigi Thomas, Dr. Dingxin Cheng, Director of the Pavement Preservation Center at Cal State Chico, and Dr. Dave Jones of the University of California Pavement Research Center. Retired Caltrans officials also were in attendance, such as former Caltrans District Materials Engineer Joe Peterson, who among other accomplishments helped launch the successful Joint Training & Certification Program for construction materials technicians.

Her relocation from Chicago to California 37 years ago to launch her Caltrans career was chronicled, as well as her passion for construction materials, particularly asphalt. She gained notice in the asphalt industry as a District Materials Engineer in the San Francisco Bay Area, and later the department's point person for the implementation of energy-saving Warm Mix Asphalt technologies. She was named chief of the Office of Asphalt Pavements within the Division of Pavements in 2022.

There were many heartfelt tributes delivered of Barros' many professional accomplishments, but also from those whose lives were touched by her leadership and mentoring of others. In recent years Barros help launch the California Branch of the Women of Asphalt volunteer organization, which inspired CalAPA to create a charitable foundation to support the effort. Her leadership positions in the Professional Engineers in California Government public-sector union also were highlighted.

Barros is expected to continue to be connected to the industry next year as a consultant with CalAPA member PavementACES. An interim replacement for Barros will be announced shortly, with a formal search for a permanent replacement expected to be conducted early next year.

A special tribute page to Barros can be viewed HERE. A previous Asphalt Insider article about her is HERE. To learn more about the Women of Asphalt California Branch click HERE.

CalAPA will hold an asphalt symposium on Jan. 22 in San Diego that will combine two of the association's most popular classes plus lunch, refreshments and plenty of networking time. Details and on-line registration is HERE.

The symposium combines "Asphalt Pavement 101," taught by Roger Smith, and "Asphalt Forensics," taught by Tim Murphy. Attendees will gain a greater understanding of asphalt pavement construction and performance. We encourage pavement engineers, field inspectors, equipment operators, lab technicians and their managers to participate in this symposium. Anyone with an interest in asphalt pavement regardless of experience will walk away with useful information applicable to their everyday activities.

Asphalt Pavement 101 provides a comprehensive overview of everything asphalt, touching on how asphalt pavements are designed, constructed and maintained. The instructor, Roger Smith, is a former senior materials engineer with Caltrans and the Asphalt Institute, as well as a former executive director of CalAPA. He will lead the discussion on pavement structure, asphalt mixture components, mix production operations, pavement laydown and compaction, quality assurance testing and pavement maintenance.

Asphalt Forensics covers the myriad of problems that can contribute to pavement failures, and a step-by-step approach (forensic engineering) to determine the cause and develop a solution. The course is taught by a nationally noted expert in pavement forensics, Tim Murphy, who has conducted similar sessions around the United States.

Key takeaways of the Asphalt Forensics course include understanding the principles of asphalt pavement forensics, understanding the challenges inherent in asphalt pavement design and construction, focusing on sub-grade, sub-base, pavement cross-section specifications, and asphalt production and construction techniques that are needed for successful asphalt pavement performance, and covers roadways, airfields, and commercial/industrial pavements.

The symposium will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22 at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel San Diego, 7450 Hazard Center Drive, San Diego. The event web page with additional details and registration is HERE.

All CalAPA training classes and other events can be found on the association's on-line calendar HERE.

CalAPA is pleased to welcome its newest associate member, Asphalt Paving Marketers.  

Asphalt Paving Marketers, based in the Sacramento area, offers comprehensive digital marketing services tailored to asphalt paving contractors and related businesses. Some of those services include Search Engine Optimization, website development services, social media marketing, lead generation and reputation management.

For more information, visit their website HERE, or contact Jonathan Ochoa at (888) 905-9220.

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

RUBBERIZED ASPHALT SEALANT: A sealant, generally hot applied, that is composed of asphalt cement, various types of rubber or polymer modifiers, and other compounding ingredients used for pavement crack and joint sealing.

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.

PRE-CONSTRUCTION REVIEW: Every paving project should start with a detailed review of the

project's contract, plans, and specifications. Any questions arising from this review should be

promptly directed to the design firm's engineers.

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. A recent CalAPA magazine story on the topic is HERE.

SUSTAINABLE: Meeting present needs while ensuring future generations can too.

"Creating magic -- that's my dream. And I'll do it."



– Paul Hollywood

We hope you enjoy CalAPA's Asphalt Insider newsletter. We are committed to providing you with the most up-to-date information on technical issues, regulation, news, analysis, people, events and trends in California that is of interest to the asphalt pavement industry and our various agency partners. To subscribe to the newsletter, click HERE. For comments, questions or to suggest a story idea, click HERE.

Sincerely,

Russell W. Snyder, CAE

Executive Director

The California Asphalt Pavement Association (CalAPA)®