The mounting pressure to provide an ever-demanding public with longer-lasting roadway pavements in the face of increasing traffic volume and heavier loads is causing state and local transportation officials across the U.S. to turn to polymer-modified asphalt for solutions—and with good reason.
A recent performance field study of 84 asphalt pavements throughout North America revealed that those pavements containing polymer modifiers performed significantly better than those asphalt mixes without modifiers.
This first-of-its-kind study conducted by the Asphalt Institute will be among the topics of discussion at the Association of Modified Asphalt Producers’ 7th Annual Meeting at the Buena Vista Palace Resort & Spa in Orlando Feb. 13-15.
While numerous laboratory studies have examined the performance-related properties of polymer-modified asphalt (PMA) and PMA mixtures, the study—Quantifying the Effects of Polymer-Modified Asphalt for Reducing Pavement Distress—is the first field study of such a large national scope.
Open to all highway industry professionals, the Association of Modified Asphalt Producers (AMAP) annual meeting is an opportunity for government officials, engineers and contractors to meet with modifier producers, suppliers, equipment manufacturers and researchers to discuss the latest research, technology, specifications and applications in modified hot-mix asphalt pavements.
Development of standardized testing, life cycle cost analysis and technological advances in modifier production equipment are also on the meeting’s agenda. Research and field studies of modified asphalts in Florida, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Louisiana and Arkansas will be discussed. On Feb. 13, AMAP will conduct a special introductory workshop on modified asphalt.
