IAPA eNews

Research Project on Blending Efficiency of RAP/RAS

December 15, 2016 -- Industry News
The University of Tennessee (UT) and the Tennessee Department of Transportation are performing a research project to determine the current practices of state DOTs regarding the blending efficiency of RAP and RAS. Survey results will be shared with industry and governmental agencies and will be used to promote recycling and sustainable paving technologies. Survey respondents can receive a complimentary copy of the final report. Your participation is greatly appreciated.

Five Part Video Series

December 15, 2016 -- Industry News
PAIKY recently rolled out a new, 5-part video series highlighting the basics of the asphalt industry. The goal of this series is to demystify some of the main aspects of asphalt as a product and what goes into the making of it and our network of smooth roadways.

Illinois Voters Approve Safe Roads Amendment

November 17, 2016 -- IAPA Happenings
Voters on Nov. 8 approved an amendment to the Illinois Constitution requiring that gas taxes, license plate fees and other transportation-related revenue be spent only on transportation expenses.

President-Elect Trump Vows Transportation Infrastructure Will Be ‘Second to None’

November 17, 2016 -- Industry News
In his first public remarks after claiming victory, President-elect Donald Trump repeated his campaign pledge to invest heavily in transportation and other infrastructure projects. Trump, in a victory speech he delivered early on Nov. 9, said: "We are going to fix our inner cities and rebuild our highways, bridges, tunnels, airports, schools, hospitals. We're going to rebuild our infrastructure, which will become, by the way, second to none. And we will put millions of our people to work as we rebuild it."

New Video Series Promotes Asphalt Industry

November 17, 2016 -- Industry News
PAIKY is proud to announce a new, 5-part video series highlighting the basics of the asphalt industry. The goal of this series is to demystify some of the main aspects of asphalt as a product and what goes into the making of it and our network of smooth roadways. The first installment is simply titled: "What's in Asphalt?" It helps to answer some the questions that many people have had about the product for years.

Did You Know?

November 17, 2016 -- Industry News
Studies have shown that on average, over a 40-year period, asphalt pavements are more economical than concrete pavements. Using information from Kansas DOT's databases, researchers from the University of Kansas found that rural interstates constructed of concrete cost three times as much to construct and maintain as similar asphalt interstates.

Why You Should Vote Yes on the Safe Roads Amendment

October 20, 2016 -- IAPA Happenings
Thousands of bridges are crumbling and roads are in dangerous disrepair. Make your voice heard and require politicians to spend transportation fees on transportation only.

The Safe Roads Amendment: How the Ballot Will Look

October 20, 2016 -- IAPA Happenings
Check out this entertaining video that explains the Safe Roads Amendment and how the ballot will look.

Governor Orders Statewide Review of All Rules, Regulations

October 20, 2016 -- Industry News
Gov. Bruce Rauner recently announced a comprehensive plan to promote economic growth and job creation by cutting the red tape in Illinois. He signed Executive Order 16-13 to review all agency rules and regulations by the newly-created Illinois Competiveness Council.

Did You Know?

October 20, 2016 -- Industry News
One of the most cost-effective ways to rehabilitate a worn-out concrete highway is to rubblize it, then overlay it with asphalt. In Arkansas, 276 miles of concrete interstates were given new life in a rubblize-and-overlay program. Rubblization makes the base into an interlocked matrix of pieces as the concrete breaks up. The asphalt overlay can even turn a failed concrete pavement into a Perpetual Pavement.

7th Annual Rubber Modified Asphalt Conference

October 20, 2016 -- Events
The 7th Rubber Modified Asphalt Conference will be held on Nov. 2–3 in Ann Arbor, Mich. The conference is hosted by the Scrap Tire Research and Education Foundation, the Rubber Manufacturers Association, the Rubber Pavements Association, and the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society. NAPA is a co-host of the conference. The conference agenda highlights current experiences and new research on rubber-modified asphalt pavements. Sessions include: "Rubber Modified Asphalt — History and Overcoming Perceptions," "How States Implement Rubber Modified Asphalt," "How Terminals Deliver Rubber Into Binders and Why," "Contractors' Case Studies: What Contractors Need to Consider in Using Rubber Modified Asphalt," "Binder Testing and Standards Barriers to Rubber Modified Asphalt," and an "FHWA Guidebook Update." The conference also includes networking opportunities and a keynote luncheon featuring a speaker from the FHWA.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Releases Study on Federal Regulations

September 15, 2016 -- Industry News
In August, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce released a new study in a series of reports seeking to unscramble and shed light on the federal regulatory process and the impact that this broken system has on our country.

Coalition to Make Substantial Investment in Push for Safe Roads Amendment

September 15, 2016 -- Industry News
A coalition of business, labor and construction groups is launching a statewide public education campaign for a constitutional amendment on the Nov. 8 ballot that will protect Illinois’ investment in its critical transportation infrastructure.

AASHTO Says Complexity of Proposed FHWA Rule 'Would Overwhelm' States, MPOs

September 15, 2016 -- Industry News
Though supportive of some aspects, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials warned that other elements of a wide-ranging regulatory proposal from the Federal Highway Administration "would overwhelm" states and local agencies with major compliance costs by requiring them to track and report on "millions of data points." AASHTO filed its extensive comments Aug. 15 in response to the FHWA's proposed "National Performance Management Measures: Assessing Performance of the National Highway System, Freight Movement on the Interstate System, and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program."

Did You Know?

September 15, 2016 -- Industry News
A Perpetual Pavement is an asphalt pavement designed and built to last indefinitely without any structural reconstruction. Cracks and other distresses happen only in the top layer, so the only rehabilitation ever needed is renewal of the surface.

7th Annual Rubber Modified Asphalt Conference

September 15, 2016 -- Events
The 7th Rubber Modified Asphalt Conference will be held on Nov. 2–3 in Ann Arbor, Mich. The conference is hosted by the Scrap Tire Research and Education Foundation, the Rubber Manufacturers Association, the Rubber Pavements Association, and the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society. NAPA is a co-host of the conference. The conference agenda highlights current experiences and new research on rubber-modified asphalt pavements. Sessions include: "Rubber Modified Asphalt — History and Overcoming Perceptions," "How States Implement Rubber Modified Asphalt," "How Terminals Deliver Rubber Into Binders and Why," "Contractors' Case Studies: What Contractors Need to Consider in Using Rubber Modified Asphalt," "Binder Testing and Standards Barriers to Rubber Modified Asphalt," and an "FHWA Guidebook Update." The conference also includes networking opportunities and a keynote luncheon featuring a speaker from the FHWA.

Help Fix Illinois' Infrastructure

August 18, 2016 -- Industry News
This fall, Illinois voters will have a chance to protect transportation funding once and for all. There will be a Constitutional Amendment on the ballot that would require all transportation-related revenue (e.g., motor fuel tax and vehicle registration fees) to be dedicated solely to public highways, roads, streets, bridges, and mass transit. If the Amendment passes, transportation funding will be secured, and we will have the chance to make long overdue investments in our infrastructure.

Did You Know?

August 18, 2016 -- Industry News
Perpetual asphalt pavements have actually been built in the U.S. for generations - even before engineers articulated the concept. Although the Perpetual Pavement concept was first articulated in 2000, many asphalt pavements that were constructed long ago function as Perpetual Pavements. For example, many full-depth and deep-strength pavements were built around the country in the 1960s and 1970s.

AASHTO Selects IDOT/ICT Project as High Value Research Project

August 18, 2016 -- Research & Technology
The AASHTO Research Advisory Committee (RAC) has selected their Sweet 16 High Value Research projects for 2016, and the IDOT/ICT project Testing Protocols to Ensure Performance of High Asphalt Binder Replacement Mixes Using RAP & RAS was selected as a winning project for Region 3! This project developed and established an Illinois modified version of the Semi-circular Bend (IL-SCB) test and the determination of a flexibility index (FI), known together as the Illinois Flexibility Index Test (I-FIT).

7th Annual Rubber Modified Asphalt Conference

August 18, 2016 -- Events
The 7th Rubber Modified Asphalt Conference will be held on Nov. 2–3 in Ann Arbor, Mich. The conference is hosted by the Scrap Tire Research and Education Foundation, the Rubber Manufacturers Association, the Rubber Pavements Association, and the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society. NAPA is a co-host of the conference. The conference agenda highlights current experiences and new research on rubber-modified asphalt pavements. Sessions include: "Rubber Modified Asphalt — History and Overcoming Perceptions," "How States Implement Rubber Modified Asphalt," "How Terminals Deliver Rubber Into Binders and Why," "Contractors' Case Studies: What Contractors Need to Consider in Using Rubber Modified Asphalt," "Binder Testing and Standards Barriers to Rubber Modified Asphalt," and an "FHWA Guidebook Update." The conference also includes networking opportunities and a keynote luncheon featuring a speaker from the FHWA.

IAPA Earns National Award for Outstanding Website

July 22, 2016 -- IAPA Happenings
The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) announced recently that the Illinois Asphalt Pavement Association, of Springfield, Illinois, is the finalist of the 2015 Outstanding Website Award. The association was recognized Monday, July 18, at a ceremony honoring the Operational Excellence Award recipients during the NAPA Midyear Meeting in Seattle.

Help Fix Illinois' Infrastructure

July 22, 2016 -- Industry News
This fall, Illinois voters will have a chance to protect transportation funding once and for all. There will be a Constitutional Amendment on the ballot that would require all transportation-related revenue (e.g., motor fuel tax and vehicle registration fees) to be dedicated solely to public highways, roads, streets, bridges, and mass transit. If the Amendment passes, transportation funding will be secured, and we will have the chance to make long overdue investments in our infrastructure.