Around the Globe: January
BY AsphaltPro Staff
Asphalt industry news from around the world
Asia-Pacific
Grand View Research released a report during second quarter 2016 indicating the Asia Pacific region was the dominant market for bitumen during 2015, accounting for more than 33 percent of the global volume of asphalt use—that use being for all sectors of construction from roadways to adhesives. The report indicated the “efficient transportation system” and “[r]ising demand for paving applications” as well as “[g]rowing construction systems having waterproofed flat roofs” would lend to a steady increase in the area’s demand for bitumen from 2016 through 2024.
Canada
The International Erosion Control Association Region One (IECA) has established a new chapter in Canada. It will be Canada’s essential educational and networking resource for storm water management, erosion and sediment control, and stream protection and restoration.
India
Did you know? Bitumen is typically transported in two types of “packaging” in India—drummed or tank. Producers can get bitumen in polybags, but that’s not preferred because the bags actually melt in the hot climate. Source: Petrosil Media’s India Bitumen Annual Report
United States
Your AsphaltPro magazine staff members are headquartered in Missouri, but share news from all over North America. We welcome you to join us on the web at www.TheAsphaltPro.com. Like us at https://www.facebook.com/AsphaltPro. Ask our editor sandy@theasphaltpro.com how to join the Sharing Asphalt Group on Facebook to help promote your asphalt business.
Alabama
- Auburn University and the Alabama DOT join for the 60th annual highway conference Feb. 15 though 16 at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa in Montgomery, Alabama.
- Get your registration in early for the Alabama Asphalt Pavement Association (AAPA) 27th annual asphalt paving conference, March 22 through 23, 2017, at the Birmingham Marriott, Birmingham, Alabama.
Arkansas
Sign up for the Arkansas Asphalt Pavement Association’s annual convention, to be held March 15 through 17 in Branson, Missouri. Visit www.arasphalt.com for information.
California
- Trimble of Sunnyvale, California, has established a SITECH® technology dealer in parts of Minnesota and Iowa. SITECH Northland joins the network to offer construction technology systems to heavy and highway contractors.
- Plan ahead to attend the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists annual meeting March 19 through 22, 2017, in Newport Beach, California.
Colorado
Have you signed up to attend the Rocky Mountain Asphalt Conference and Equipment Show? The 44th annual meeting and education opportunity takes place at the Crowne Plaza Denver International Hotel Feb. 22 through 24. Visit www.rmaces.org for registration information.
Connecticut
ALL-TEST Pro LLC of Old Saybrook, Connecticut, shared the damaging effects of voltage unbalance in construction equipment electric motors. If you have a voltage unbalance, you will see a reduced locked rotor and breakdown torques for your application. You’ll see a slight reduction of full-load speed. You could see as much as a 25 percent increase in operating temperature with a 3.5 percent voltage unbalance. Make sure you test motor systems and eliminate voltage unbalance when you detect it.
Florida
Orlando will host the 62nd annual meeting of the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) Jan. 29 through Feb. 1, 2017. Visit http://www.asphaltpavement.org/annualmeeting for registration and hotel information.
Hawaii
Grace Pacific LLC, Honolulu, proved the versatility of asphalt for the State of Hawaii Department of Education with a paving project at the Farrington High School (FHS). The high-profile project included paving the six-lane running track and associated D-Zone in two lifts, and two parking areas for the recreational facilities. Working within the tight layout space of the site was a challenge for the project. Haul trucks were scheduled at staggered times to avoid congestion and Grace used a material transfer vehicle to provide the smoothest surface possible. Source: Hawaii Asphalt Paving Industry November 2016 Newsletter
Iowa
The 2017 Greater Iowa Asphalt Conference & Equipment Expo will be held at the Des Moines Airport Holiday Inn Conference Center March 1 through 3.
Massachusetts
The B2B review site www.contractorscustomers.com, based in Boston, is hailed as a reverse Yelp site, allowing business owners to post reviews of customers with whom they have done business. The website went live in 2016, and is designed to let contractors avoid customers who are not a good match for their businesses while increasing peace of mind and reducing bad debt.
Ohio
- OSHA cited an Ohio company in Washington Township, Ohio, after a 33-year-old employee was crushed to death in June 2016 as he was digging soil out of a 12-foot trench, when the trench walls around him collapsed. He is one of 23 workers killed, and 12 others who reported injuries in trench collapses in 2016. “This man’s life could have been saved by following OSHA’s safety standards that require cave-in protection in a trench more than 5-feet deep,” said Ken Montgomery, OSHA’s area director in Cincinnati. Proposed penalties total $274,359. For information or compliance assistance, OSHA’s toll-free hotline is (800) 321-6742. Source: U.S. Department of Labor
- Midwest Equipment Sales (MWE) has relocated the company’s primary warehouse to a 200,000+ square foot facility in Columbus, Ohio. The additional space will accommodate MWE’s expanded breadth and depth of OE and aftermarket tracks, tires and undercarriage parts inventory.
As of press time, President-elect Donald Trump had selected Elaine L. Chao for secretary of transportation. Chao served as the secretary of labor for President George W. Bush and is married to Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the majority leader.