Hot Mix Asphalt Technology - January/February 2008 - (Page 13)

Director Randy West identifying research, development, and training needs at the national level which often leads to research projects that NCAT works on. The NCAT Board of Directors, made up of NAPA members, leaders from Auburn University, and DOTs, sets our strategic objectives. The NCAT Applications Steering Committee is our technical sounding board and is also composed of contractors, suppliers, academics, and agency representatives. They will continue to help us decide what kind of research we focus on so that what we end up with are results that get put into practice right away. We are very appreciative of NAPA’s support and proud of the great working relationship we have with NAPA’s staff and its members. All of the things that NCAT gets credit for are really a result of the support and involvement from NAPA and its members. HMAT: I would think this practical approach would be motivating for your researchers. West: It is. The best reward for well done research is to have the results implemented to practice. It motivates our research team here at NCAT. Sometimes, though, the process seems to take too long. We must remember that research and implementation don’t happen overnight. Industry, of course, wants answers quickly. One thing I would like to do is to speed up the delivery time between when the problem statement is articulated and when we have an answer. Once we’ve got an answer, we will often see an agency change its specifications immediately or we will see contractors change their construction processes based on what we have learned. give their blessings. The final report has to be complete and approved by the sponsor. HMAT: What is your vision for NCAT? West: For the past two decades, NCAT has become well known as a research center that provides practical solutions for technical problems related to asphalt pavements. We’re also known as an organization that provides quality training. We have a state-of-the-art laboratory and testing equipment and, of course, the best full-scale pavement test facility in the world. Lately we have been working on rebuilding our staff. We have a growing staff of bright, young, talented engineers to complement the broad experience and knowledge of our senior engineers. The future of NCAT is bright because there continues to be a strong demand for pavement research that has real impact to improve pavements. Technologies are changing fast, ranging from structural design methods that will help us build Perpetual Pavements to new warm-mix additives and processes that help us to reduce mix temperatures and yield benefits for the environment and pavements. We are also seeing new test procedures used that enable us to more efficiently evaluate the “At NCAT we want to lead in the development of ideas that will improve roads and the lives of everyone who uses roads.” HMAT: Are there plans to produce interim reports of some of the research that you’re working on? West: I know it can be frustrating to wait for the final reports. We often make progress reports and presentations well before the research is complete. When we can provide interim findings, we will continue to do that. Whoever is funding the research certainly has the right to review the findings and Hot Mix Asphalt Technology – JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008 • 13

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Hot Mix Asphalt Technology - January/February 2008

Hot Mix Asphalt Technology - January/February 2008 Contents Chairman's Commentary President's Perspective A Conversation with the New NCAT Director NCAT Test Track: Real-Time Testing for Real-World Results Warm Mix: The Lights are Green Illinois Tollway Tests RAP in Fast Forwarded Research Big Creek Teams with TxDOT to Pave Using Innovative Asphalt Mix Diamond Achievement Commendation Issues a Call for Quality Calendar of Events CONEXPO-CON/AGG Product Review Index of Advertisers Advertisers.com

Hot Mix Asphalt Technology - January/February 2008

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