AsphaltPro Staff

Ever wonder how those fancy companies win awards for their paving projects at state and national conferences? It takes teamwork, of course. Companies that take the time to complete the […]

By AsphaltPro Staff We continue the introduction to state asphalt pavement association (SAPA) executive directors with Colorado’s Thomas Peterson, P.E. He brings a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering […]

Equipment that’s in top shape performs better than equipment we allow to deteriorate. The same is true for our workers. If we allow them to get out of shape, their […]

To gain a competitive edge and save costs on some construction projects, contractors who own, operate, and service their own fleets reduce downtime, labor, and operational costs by using custom […]

When Colombia’s government wished to update its infrastructure, it committed $20 billion toward the effort. The boost in funding was generated by investments from international businesses as well as an […]

Getting consistent samples of hot mix asphalt (HMA) from the loadout area can be difficult if random ground personnel use shovels to gather imprecise bucket-fulls from the top of the […]

No matter the size of your project, getting the safety barrels back and forth at the beginning and end of each shift opens personnel up to hazards. Kyle Ruby, inventor […]

Africa Tullow’s FPSO set sail from Singapore Jan. 23 for Ghana’s deepwater fields at Tweneboa-Enyenra-Ntomme (TEN). The vessel is expected to arrive in early March with first oil production scheduled […]

Let’s say the ground man walked around the plant this morning and came back with a bad report on the slat conveyor. He can tell if you start up with […]

While the legalization of cannabis is causing celebration for marijuana aficionados across the country, it is causing headaches for employers. As of press time, 23 states and the District of […]

A growing number of highway agencies are revising their asphalt specs to establish limits or trigger points for reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and recycled asphalt shingles (RAS) based on how […]

During the off-season, one of the best uses of your “down time” is to crush recycle piles and prepare for spring startup. Be aware though, not all goes smoothly when […]

  We continue the introduction to state asphalt pavement association (SAPA) executive directors with Minnesota’s Jill M. Thomas, P.E. She brings a Master of Science and Bachelor of Civil Engineering […]

The Trimble PCS900 is a 3D machine control solution designed to allow contractors to mill out longitudinal waves and ensure the smoothest possible surface for paving. In addition to providing […]

Germany Magna Tyres Group, headquartered in The Netherlands, has named Stefan Huber to be the new addition to the sales team in Germany, working alongside Arno van der Linden. To […]

After a winter of settling, possible moisture contamination and conglomeration, it’s almost time to grind the recycled asphalt shingle (RAS) piles for the paving season startup. Whether you perform this […]

It was a sunny California day when Tyke Van Zandt first began putting iron to the test using nothing but a massive pile of crushed concrete. Over the course of […]

The AsphaltPro staff continues its series to introduce you to the asphalt industry directors who help guide the positive direction of the asphalt industry. This month we share the new […]

Astec, Inc., Chattanooga, has test-fired the largest burner that it has manufactured since entering the burner market in 2003. The company built the long-nose Phoenix® Talon burner, rated at 150 […]

China As of press time Dec. 7, China had imported 3.9 million tons of bitumen for 2015. Source: Petrosil Media’s Bitumart. India The TII Group of Germany has acquired the […]

The PQI 380 non-nuclear gauge from TransTech Systems, Inc., Schenectady, New York, played a role in the quality control testing of this flyover bridge near Hong Kong. Photo courtesy Earth […]

Many producers believe stone, sand and asphalt cement (AC) change very little in the few years of service before ending up as millings in the RAP pile. While this is […]

Well-trained employees are not only safer, but feel more competent and comfortable on a work site, which translates to higher productivity that emanates beyond a site, fostering a positive reputation […]

As the asphalt industry has worked to assist with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) strict guidelines for protecting the air we breathe, it has developed better and better dust collection […]

Business owners within the infrastructure group keep track of where they spend their money and how they can maximize their profit margin by minimizing costs; more and more often, cost-cutting […]

AsphaltPro begins the new calendar year with a product gallery focused on the new technology and equipment that assists contractors in the paving and pavement preservation/pavement maintenance arenas. With the […]

In addition to sunshine, surf and oranges, California is known for having the largest, tallest, and oldest trees in the United States—the sequoia sempervirens and the sequoiadendron giganteum. The state […]

With the costs of doing business on the rise and energy in flux, an asphalt producer should consider any measure he can take to improve the bottom line. The method […]

Sieve shakers save considerable time and improve accuracy and repeatability of particle size tests when compared to hand-shaking methods by increasing the opportunities for particle passage. Modern sieve shakers can […]

Neal Carboneau of the Transportation Training Institute shares some best practices of meeting the requirements of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices by the U.S. Department of Transportation and […]

The concept of deputizing “whistleblowers” arose out of wartime necessity, the Civil War to be specific, and the enactment of “Lincoln’s Law,” the Federal False Claims Act, in 1863. The […]

Psychologists have argued for decades in scholarly journals on the effects of nature versus nurture, and how a person’s experiences can or cannot shape what he understands when a colleague […]

By AsphaltPro Staff AsphaltPro finishes the calendar year with a product gallery focused on the AC, aggregate, design and production portion of our industry. Lined With Proof From KPI-JCI/Astec Mobile […]

Al-Mohsen Engineering Co., Qatar, is one of the country’s leading specialists for the supply of aggregates to major construction companies currently involved in Qatar’s many infrastructure projects. The company was […]

Sometimes a highway class paver is too large to “slim down” for a parking lot or driveways. For such projects, Carlson Paving Products, Tacoma, Washington, introduces the CP75 to its […]

The AsphaltPro staff continues its series to introduce you to the asphalt industry directors who help guide the positive direction of the asphalt industry. This month we share the new […]

Many asphalt professionals are familiar with Luck Stone of Richmond, Virginia. The largest and oldest division of Luck Companies has a solid business with three generations behind it in the […]

Dust collection is an important process to protect your employees and keep your work environment accident-free. Who would ever guess that dust could be dangerous? While the general public won’t […]

If state roads were people, New York State Highway 243 would be considered a good ol’ friend—always there when you need him. It’s been a utilitarian, single-lane divided highway of […]

  With summer paving completed, AsphaltPro offers a unique-to-us method for examining the equipment, products and services available in the asphalt professional’s marketplace to plan and prepare for next season. […]

Asphalt labs around the world use rotational viscosity to measure binder viscosity. Highway departments in each country have practiced this method of testing even before the Strategic Highway Research Program […]

Your conveyor has served you well all season, but it’s been a few years since its last rebuild. Now you need to balance your seasonal downtime schedule and component replacement […]

With its increasing popularity, ground tire rubber (GTR) use has tight specs for use in California. Researchers in that state have determined that, by mixing high natural rubber content from […]

When the paving crew takes a haul truck into a congested city work zone, overhead traffic lights, signs and power lines become a hindrance to lifting the truck body to […]

It’s no secret that California Highway Standards are some of the strictest in the nation when it comes to recycled asphalt. Now CalTrans has embraced Superpave; Kroeker, Inc., of central […]

In the paving industry, as it is in many trades, it is not uncommon for businesses to use individuals or other companies as independent subcontractors to perform specific aspects of […]

In addition to sessions regarding construction and demolition topics that impact the recycling industry, the upcoming 23rd C&D World 2016, hosted by the Construction & Demolition Recycling Association (CDRA), will […]

There are many ways to reduce the temperatures in asphalt these days. Chemicals can be added to the liquid asphalt at the terminal that will require a dedicated storage tank […]

We continue the introduction to state asphalt pavement association (SAPA) executive directors with Alabama’s Mel A. Monk. Working with the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), the National Center for Asphalt […]

It’s a fact that many bridges in America have outlived their intended service life. When waterproofing coatings fail, it leads to a significant corrosion of structural elements, including corroded rebar […]

  AsphaltPro brings you a new way to examine the equipment, products and services available to you in the marketplace. Of course we still focus on the items relevant to […]

In July of this year, Michael Heitzman, PhD, PE, with the assistance of Pamela Turner and Mary Greer of the National Center for Asphalt Technology at Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, […]

Free water is probably the single biggest cause of fuel system failure. Original equipment suppliers require that zero free water reach the high pressure common rail (HPCR) fuel system. Water […]

  To offset the effects of air temperature shifts on burner emissions and cool-weather burner performance, the engineers at Fireye™ developed the Nexus 4000 system, which is available through CEI […]

For hydraulic fracturing, fluids and proppants are forced under pressure down a hole to stimulate the source rock to release oil and gas. This has been a widely adopted commercial […]

Africa The first of 12 Alstom Duplex high speed trainsets for national railway ONCF shipped from the Port of La Pallice near LaRochelle in France and unloaded at the Port […]

During the NAPA 2016 annual meeting in Palm Springs, Calif., the Associate Member Council will host a silent auction to support the NAPA Care Emergency Benevolent Fund. All donations to […]

Asphalt storage terminals are tasked with moving massive amounts of liquid during any given operational period. Just like their end-user clientele, terminals must offload incoming stocks of liquid asphalt, meter […]

The planning and design phases are two of the most vital building blocks in the construction life cycle, and strategists in these stages are largely responsible for the proper initiation […]

To get optimal use out of your test sieves, you need to ensure you’re properly storing and cleaning them. Test sieves are precision instruments. If handles with care, they will […]

Butler Brothers Supplies tests spiral shaft design for washing, moving aggregate material Seeking out replacement parts that aren’t genuine factory replacement parts can be a risky move if producers don’t […]

At Brannan Sand and Gravel, Denver, Colo., the equipment in the field has a force in the shop keeping it in top condition. Employee Juan Martinez recently graduated from a […]

In the event of a work zone accident involving the haul truck, you want peace of mind that the subcontractor will be able to cover the financial repairs to equipment. […]

For this issue that focuses on conveying material, let’s take a look at an asphalt plant control that helps make loadout easier for the production team. Gencor Industries of Orlando, […]

The AsphaltPro staff continues its series to introduce you to the state asphalt pavement association (SAPA) executive directors. This month we share ideas and information from one of the more […]

Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Dennis Davin toured the manufacturing facilities of Curry Supply Company, Martinsburg, Pa., June 22. The visit was part of Davin’s “Jobs That […]

Asphalt’s speed-of-construction attributes garnered worldwide attention July 20 through 25 when a major Southern California freeway was reopened in five days after experiencing major flood damage. Interstate 10, a major […]

To create the most efficient environment for quality control/quality assurance (QC/QA), original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) offer automation technologies to contractors. The use of such systems often takes the guesswork out […]

When a component is not in use, or is being used at a percentage of its capacity, running its motor at full capacity costs the same in resources and utility […]

State Association: South Carolina Asphalt Pavement Association (SCAPA), Columbia, S.C. How long have you been in the asphalt industry? 4 ½ years Do you have a degree related to the […]

At the height of the construction season, we produce and place millions of tons of asphalt throughout the Americas. During this hectic time of year we rely on the Quality […]

Brussels Siobhan McKelvey from Nynas Bitumen was elected president of Eurobitume at the European Bitumen Association’s recent meeting in Brussels. Jose Luis Prieto Menendez from Cepsa Comercial Petroleo was appointed […]

Safety is a top priority at the plant and on the paving site. Here are some of Asphalt Pro’s recommendations for apps to help you and your crew. NIOSH Pocket […]

Asphalt producers purchase scales because the value of the mix exiting the loadout area is based on its weight. Without assured scale accuracy a company can lose thousands, if not […]

Wirtgen GmbH introduced its Vacuum Cutting System (VCS) for use in front-loading road milling machines to suppress airborne material particles, which are produced by the milling process. All Wirtgen’s larger […]

In late April, the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation (the Foundation) shared that confidence in the equipment finance market was 70.7, down from the four-year high of 72.1 in March. […]

More than 70 percent of the Construction and Demolition (C&D) material generated in the United States is recycled, according Dr. Timothy Townsend of the University of Florida. He spoke at […]

Canada The Pavement Preservation and Recycling Alliance (PPRA) also takes its convention north of the border with the 2015 Fall Meeting at Sheraton on the Falls in Niagara Falls, Ontario […]

It may be the smoothest 10 miles of interstate highway in the state of Montana. A recently renovated section of I-90, starting in Alberton, Mont., which is located on the […]

The American Road and Transportation Builders of America (ARTBA) estimates there are 4.09 million miles of total roadways in the United States, and according to the National Asphalt Pavement Association […]

When conveyor belts carrying heavy material start to wander off track, the result can be disastrous, costly downtime. The conveyor products division at ASGCO®, Allentown, Pa., designs conveyor belt tracking […]

The 2015 Rocky Mountain Green Conference offered the construction industry at large a platform for inspiration and excitement. The event saw an increase in audience of more than 50 percent […]

Raveling is easy to prevent. Let’s take a basic look at how it can occur, and then discuss the best practices for keeping it at bay. First, raveling occurs as […]

The AsphaltPro staff continues its series to introduce you to the state asphalt pavement association (SAPA) executive directors. This month we share ideas and information from Jon M. Young, who […]

Canada The Pavement Preservation and Recycling Alliance (PPRA) also takes its convention north of the border with the 2015 Fall Meeting at Sheraton on the Falls in Niagara Falls, Ontario […]

To decrease the number of machines each operator has to track, and to provide even operation of those machines, the engineering team at Roadtec, Chattanooga, developed the new Shuttle Buggy […]

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), oil and gas production in the United States in August 2014 was at its highest volume since 1986. Oilfield rigs are often […]

The most productive tools are those that are accurate, easy to use and get the job done quickly. When it comes to road construction projects that time is vital. That’s […]

Both AGG1 Academy and WOA’s People, Plants and Paving Training Program have succumbed to the trap of giving original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) the floor when it comes to presenting in […]

Africa South Africa bitumen rack prices dipped 15 percent in January, according to Petrosil’s Bitumart Bitumen Newsletter Jan. 21. Canada The 2015 International Scrap Recycling Industry Exposition will be held […]

Paving professionals understand the need for reflective clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) during nighttime paving. Reflective clothing is just as important during daytime operations. Every bit of safety yellow, […]

Life-changing events take us to places we don’t often expect. Falling in love led to marriage for Brox worker Rui Vilamarim, which led to a move from Connecticut to California. […]

Car manufacturers use specially built test tracks to develop new vehicles and to test vehicles already in production. Many different track sections are needed such as uneven “torture tracks” and […]

Professional contractors know how to make sure their operations are successful when cold weather arrives. They ensure quality continues. In the context of this article, quality will refer to the […]

While Atlas Copco is an industrial group with compressors, expanders and air treatment systems, construction and mining equipment, power tools and assembly systems, the company is the only one we’ve […]

Starting last month, AsphaltPro now brings a new way to examine the equipment, products and services available in the marketplace to asphalt professionals. Of course we will still focus on […]

Performance improvements and technology with a customer-friendly interface are key benefits of the new F-Series pavers from Caterpillar Global Paving. Here’s how the AP1055F works. The first step, as you […]

The flagger is often the first line of communication between the motoring public and work crew personnel. This app provides the proper flagger positioning and operational techniques required to protect […]

When the most costly product in an asphalt mix is one that can be created on-site using recycled materials, the savvy producer will find many ways to work with it. […]

In the asphalt and aggregate industry, from the terminal to the quality assurance behind the screed, there are acronyms and abbreviations that tend to send us into a frenzy of […]

Although we’ve discussed the use of slag before, AsphaltPro revisits the concept for the annual recycling issue. As a recycled product, slag is another tool in the asphalt industry’s belt […]

Have you had trouble getting smoothness on a mill and fill? Look to the milling crew’s best practices. It’s shameful when a county or agency decides to merely place a […]

As 2015 gets under way, we’re honored to give readers a glimpse of the incoming chairman of the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA). Michael M. Cote is the executive vice […]

Africa Chak Architects in Abuja City, Nigeria, is on a mission to change Western perceptions of African business. “The Nigerian economy has a huge amount of potential,” Charbel Khouri, CEO […]

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) released an update to its 2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure Android/iOS app for tablets and website featuring new state data and graphics. […]

Whether you lay down tack prior to paving or you spread a pretty sealcoat to lengthen the life of a community’s roadways, the spraying equipment you use requires routine maintenance […]

More than a pay day is at stake when the paving crew drives equipment off the low-boy to start a project. Consider how important it is to have all members […]

  As we begin a near calendar year, AsphaltPro begins a new way to examine the equipment, products and services available in the marketplace to asphalt professionals. Of course we […]

Africa The Argus Africa Bitumen 2015 conference to be held Feb. 4 and 5 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, will include topics such as the evolving sources of supply for […]

Editor’s Note: Some of the information presented in this article was used in the “Save Big Money on Your Plant’s Heating Bill” article in the January 2012 edition of AsphaltPro. […]

Tier 4 final generators bring portable energy to asphalt plants The QAS 25 generator for heavy-duty use is designed to withstand the rigor of demanding use in the field. Considering […]

In a new feature for 2015, AsphaltPro Staff introduces you to the state asphalt pavement association (SAPA) executive directors. We’re starting with Brian K. Wood, the chairman of the 2014-2015 […]

I had the opportunity to work with Border States Paving, Inc., of Fargo, N.D., in the fall and would like to share some of the paving team’s best practices here. […]

Non-family businesses can learn a lot from family businesses. A recent Harvard Business Review study reports “Family businesses outperformed non-family businesses during the boom years leading up to the 2008 […]

Test track sections evaluate use of cold central-plant recycling for high-volume roads Cold central-plant recycling (CCPR) is gaining interest as a cost-effective alternative for base layers in pavement reconstruction. CCPR […]

It’s easy to overlook maintenance activities when you’re busy with projects during the paving season. Production, more tons, uptime, and other mantras from our make-hay-while-the-sun-shines business practices keep our eyes […]

Waste, downtime and lagging production rates are some of the most detrimental factors in a business. Ramirez & Sons, Inc., a family-owned construction company based in Hobbs, N.M., was able […]

When Midsouth Paving needed to add some storage tanks, they had to turn to pouring concrete. Luckily, the paving crew had experience in many trades. When you need to add […]

Armed with a new plant, the Barrington family has dramatically increased production while securing long sought-after business Aside from his faith, nothing is more important to Shane Barrington than family. […]

Materials estimator The Vulcan Materials product calculator is a tool for estimating construction materials needs for building and paving projects. By entering job parameters such as length, width and thickness, […]