 In one month the Virginia Pavement Research and Innovation Symposium (VPRIS) will be held at Germanna Community College’s Daniel Technology Center in Culpeper. VPRIS will feature on-going research by event co-sponsor Virginia Transportation Research Council (VTRC) and industry innovations by 15 different member companies. Come and learn about topics that can impact your operations today and could change your operations tomorrow.
VPRIS contains a variety of topics that will be of interest to engineers, specifiers, designers, and owners (public and private). The symposium starts at 1:00 p.m. on June 26 and concludes at 12:30 p.m. the following day. Equipment will be on site for attendees to see and touch along with exhibit booths in the conference’s auditorium. The low cost of $100, will include breaks, an evening reception, and breakfast. To register or learn more, go to the VAA website or contact the VAA office.
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photo courtesy of VDOT
While almost 99 percent of Virginia’s roadway network has an asphalt surface, not all of those roads are asphalt from top to bottom. Many of the interstate and primary roads from Northern Virginia to Richmond to the coast have a concrete layer underneath the asphalt; the original concrete pavement was eventually overlaid with asphalt to address structural failures and improve the functional condition (i.e., ride quality) of the roadway. When concrete is overlaid with asphalt, it’s known as a composite pavement. While these asphalt overlays did improve the road, much of the time the overlay projects did not address the cause of the original pavement failures – moving and deteriorated joints/cracks. As such, these failures work their way to the surface and lead to further maintenance and rehabilitation needs.
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When established in 1952, one of the purposes of Virginia Asphalt Association was education. Since then, VAA has provided numerous educational services. These services extend to members, member clients, and the general public. Recently VAA Executive Vice President Trenton Clark and Superior Paving Executive Vice President David Helmick provided a "Learn and Lunch" for Langan Engineering and Environmental Services in Arlington. Why a "Learn and Lunch" and not "Lunch and Learn"? Simple, the seminar came before the lunch.
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 The VAA Annual Meeting, held at the Salamander Resort in Middleburg, Virginia afforded members the opportunity for a great day of outings. Competitions were held for top golf team, top female shooter, and top male shooter. The R J Schreck Scholarship Tournament, held at Creighton Farms Golf Club, saw 65 golfers play on a beautiful course. At the end of the day, the top team was David Horton (Virginia Paving), "He who shall remain nameless" (VAA), Ken Arthur (Boxley), and Michael Talomie (Superior Paving Corp). The Sporting Clay competition was held at Bull Run Shooting Club and was exclaimed to be a great experience. The top female shooter was Cindy Hall (wife of Curtis Hall, Allan Myers) and Top Male shooter was Jim Mitchell, Superior Paving Corp.
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There's nothing better than a great photograph, and Brittany Claud Photography proves that statement with an outstanding album of photos from the VAA Annual Meeting. Visit our flickr page and see if she captured you on film!
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graphic courtesy of college tidbits
Lately, you may have noticed the increased attention in media and print on the rising cost of a 4-year education while high paying trade jobs sit empty and ready for the taking. For the next several weeks, we will be running a multi-part series considering the pros and cons of college vs. trade school education. VAA members should note the support that both paths receive from the association. The Richard J. Schreck Scholarship award provides selected students with a $5,000 check to use toward expenses at their selected college, university or trade School. The VECAT Asphalt Technology Apprenticeship program and Associates Degree program both support students enrolled in educational programs supporting a specific trade.
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Please remember that MCS certifications for Plant I, Plant II and Mix Design classes ARE NOT complete until the proficiency tests have been performed and passed. Proficiency tests that must be completed for each class are:
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TWO STAFF CHANGES SHAKE UP GOVERNOR NORTHAM'S ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
On May 4, Governor Northam announced that Deputy Secretary of Natural Resources Angela Navarro was being appointed Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade. Ms. Navarro had just been reappointed as the Deputy Secretary of Natural Resources January 12, 2018. The Governor has not announced a replacement for Ms. Navarro.
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The first 2018 VAA/VDOT Statewide Co-Op meeting was held at the Virginia Transportation Research Council on April 19. This committee gives both the Department and Industry an opportunity to openly discuss areas of concern and improvement regarding Virginia’s asphalt program.
As with most meetings and events in 2018, safety was the first topic of discussion. Analysis of accident statistics showed that work zone accidents increased in 2017 roughly 20 percent during 2016. One of the theories for this increase is distracted driving which by its very nature may be an under-reported statistic. After safety, the committee turned its attention to technical matters. Topics discussed were AC Uploader for MITS/PLAID, Sub-Division Mix Study, and finalization of the VDOT Secondary and Subdivision Manual Revisions. Regarding potential specification changes for 2019, VDOT and Industry discussed the use of PG 58S-28 in mixes, reducing traffic level requirements for Density Testing Method A, and adjusting the design gyrations and mix specifications for IM and BM. VDOT will make final decisions on specifications this summer. If you have any comments or thoughts on these or other specifications, please contact Mike Dudley, VAA Director of Technical Services.
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SAVE THE DATE
A Pop-Up Seminar
June 12, 2018
Troutman Sanders
Richmond, VA
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Innovation: Scientific Solutions
June 26-27, 2018
GCC Daniel Technology Center
Culpeper, VA
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 SAVE THE DATE NOVA Region
Bull Run Golf Club
August 10, 2018
Haymarket, VA
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NAPA Mid-Year Meeting
July 8-11, 2018
Boston, MA
Impact Leadership Group Conference
September 12-14, 2018
Washington, D.C.
 SMA International Conference November 5-7, 2018
Atlanta, GA
ARRA Semi-Annual Meeting
October 15-18, 2018
Norfolk, VA
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DIAMOND
Allan Myers
American Paving Fabrics
Associated Asphalt
Bitumar USA
Boxley
Branscome, Inc.
Branscome Paving Company
Chemung Contracting Corp.
Colony Construction, Inc.
James River Equipment
National Asphalt MFG. Corp.
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Slurry Pavers
Superior Paving Corp.
S. L. Williamson Co., Inc.
PLATINUM
Astec, Inc.
B & S Contracting, Inc.
Blacklidge Emulsions, Inc.
Carter Machinery Company, Inc.
F. O. Day
Lee Hy Paving Corp.
Virginia Paving Company
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