THE ASPHALT INDUSTRY
RESPONDS TO THE CUSTOMER By Russell W. Snyder
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n one level, asphalt pavements are pretty straightforward. They are made up of about 95% crushed rock and sand, and about 5% “binder,” the black, sticky stuff to hold it all together. Mixed properly, and placed and compacted to exacting standards, asphalt pavements provide the owner many years of reliable service at an economical cost. Quality? Old-school pavers talk fondly of the “coffee test” – driving along a freshly paved asphalt road with a cup of hot coffee in one hand. If it doesn’t spill, it’s a job well done. And then there’s the mix properties. “If it’s hot, and black, it’s good” was another old-school refrain. Today’s asphalt, of course, is far removed from these descriptions of yore. Designed to exacting standards, there are a myriad of highly technical testing equipment designed to make sure the asphalt mix conforms to specifications so there is assurance customers are getting what they are paying for. Then there’s field testing, including nuclear gauges and core samples, run through a Hamburg Wheel Track device to simulate years of traffic loading and provide further confidence that the pavement will be longlasting. Traditionally, that has been the primary focus of our industry: making pavements that are smooth, durable and a good value for the customer.
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In recent years, however, the customer has introduced some new requirements to help meet other goals far removed from pavement performance. In California, environmental consciousness is top of mind, and public agencies are increasingly looking to our industry to help solve other problems they face. Take, for example, the problem of finding a home for our waste materials. Specifically, everyone has seen those mountains of used auto and truck tires that are an eyesore at minimum, and could become an environmental catastrophe if put to flame, burning for years. Responding to this challenge our industry has stepped up with the use of Rubberized Hot Mix Asphalt (RHMA), which incorporates ground rubber from discarded tires into asphalt pavement mixes, resulting in a smooth and durable ride that stands up to harsh elements. Similarly, California has pushed recycling for many years as a more sustainable approach to dealing with finite resources and dwindling landfill space and aggregate resources in the state. Once again, the asphalt pavement industry has responded, incorporating reclaimed asphalt from rehabilitated roads back into mixes with spectacular results. In no time asphalt has become the world’s most recycled product, and earned the industry kudos far and wide.
Emissions from plant operations has been another issue of concern for communities and the elected officials who represent them. Working closely with regulators, the industry has promoted the implementation of numerous innovations to reduce emissions from plants and even utilize warm Mix Asphalt technologies to lower the temperature of asphalt production, further reducing emissions. More recently, public agencies have approached our industry about incorporating recycled plastic into asphalt mixes. Once again, our industry is being asked to solve a problem unrelated to what we do, in this case find a home for discarded plastic bottles and other waste. And once again, we are studying the issue closely to see if it is feasible and will not compromise the integrity of our product. In each case, our industry is responding to the needs of the communities in which we live and work. We are working closely with our customers, either public entities or private establishments, to meet their needs. Listening to the customer, and delivering what they want, is a proven success strategy for any business, and the asphalt industry is no different. CA Russell W. Snyder, CAE, is executive Director of the California Asphalt Pavement Association.
California Asphalt Magazine • 2021 Quality Issue