"I feel the need for speed."

This line made famous by the original "Top Gun" movie could easily be applied to asphalt pavements these days.

With the epic asphalt paving work taking center stage at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, and making the cover of the CalAPA magazine earlier this year (on-line HERE), we are reminded of the many other raceways in California that benefit from a smooth and durable asphalt surface, constructed for speed.

Regular readers of this publication will recall our coverage of the amazing paving work done by All American Asphalt at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in preparation for a NASCAR race that was a roaring spectacle rivaling gladiator battles at the original Colisseum in Rome. That 2022 article is HERE.

And this year the Sonoma Raceway in Northern California is refurbishing its fabled race track in preparation for a NASCAR race weekend happening June 7-9.

"This extensive repaving initiative signifies a robust investment by Speedway Motorsports in the future of racing at historic Sonoma Raceway and is the first full repave in 23 years," the track said an an announcement. "Just two years after the construction of the ultra-modern Turn 11 Club, this upgraded track surface will enhance driver performance, ensure a smoother and more competitive racing experience, and continue to solidify Sonoma Raceway’s status as a premier destination for motorsports enthusiasts."

The raceway created a special website that has photos and video of the action (paving, not racing) that can be accessed HERE.

It just goes to show why asphalt is the pavement surface of choice in meeting the exacting smoothness and performance standards of the motorsports industry. With the kind of eye-popping speeds of today's modern racecars, pavement choice can literally be a life-or-death decision. 

More information about the Sonoma Raceway can be found HERE.

The "Hey NAPA!" virtual research assistant tool has recently expanded its access to a vast array of technical research papers to return even more comprehensive and relevant answers to your asphalt questions. The free tool can be accessed on-line HERE.

The head of the company that developed the Artificial Intelligence-powered tool for the National Asphalt Pavement Association, Sean Devine, chief executive officer of X-B-E, will be a featured speaker at the CalAPA Spring Asphalt Pavement Conference taking place March 7-8 in Ontario. Details and on-line registration for the conference can be found HERE.

Devine will walk attendees through how AI technologies are already having an impact in the asphalt pavement industry, mirroring the disruption taking place in countless other industries worldwide. He'll highlight the development of the "Hey NAPA!" tool, and recent enhancements. The session will be a good overview, with a very relevant and practical application, for industry or agency personnel alike. The oft-repeated quote among those knowledgeable about AI is, "AI is not coming for your job. Someone who uses AI is coming for your job."

A 2023 California Asphalt magazine article about the "Hey NAPA!" tool and how AI is already impacting the asphalt pavement industry is HERE. An article by NAPA, a CalAPA partner, on this topic, is HERE.

Registration is open for the annual CalAPA "Fly-in" to the State Capitol in Sacramento, which take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 19-20, and held at the elegant Sutter Club steps from the Capitol dome and Legislative offices. Space is limited and early registration is strongly recommended. Details and on-line registration (CalAPA members only) is HERE.

The annual in-person event, suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, is a popular way for CalAPA members to engage face-to-face with elected officials and legislative staff on issues of importance to the asphalt pavement industry in California. CalAPA's asphalt-specific agenda and credibility, have resonated at the Capitol, and the association's "citizen lobbyists" have been very effective in educating lawmakers about key issues, funding and impacts of government regulation.

The event kicks off with a lunchtime orientation on Tuesday, March 19 by CalAPA's Capitol lobbyist, Jeff Sievers, followed by afternoon legislative meetings and an elegant dinner with a member of the Legislature, also hosted by the Sutter Club. The event will conclude with morning appointments on Wednesday, March 20 and a lunchtime debriefing. Questions about the event can be directed to Russell Snyder at CalAPA at (916) 791-5044. Additional information, including appointment schedule and briefing materials, will be sent to those who register for this event.

To learn more about CalAPA's legislative advocacy efforts on behalf of the asphalt pavement industry, click HERE.

The other day we received an e-mail from Tim Greutert, the chief of the Caltrans Materials Engineering & Testing Services (METS) branch for Caltrans. His other shorthand title is "state materials engineer," indicating he is the top construction materials expert for the massive (22,000 employees) department.

But it wasn't the subject of the e-mail that caught our eye, it was Greutert's digital signature. At the bottom of the note, below his name and contact information, was the following: "How are we doing? Please take a moment to answer a few questions about our services at the following link: (LINK)."

We've actually noticed this in the past, and have even submitted our own comments. But given that METS staff will be gathering next month for an in-person "All Hands" meeting, the subject of what METS does, and how that fits into the larger context of Caltrans' strategic goals, will be on the agenda. Also embedded throughout the agenda is the culture of the employees who work in the construction materials area, and how they go about their duties on a day-to-day basis. Are they helpful? Courteous? Professional? The "How are we doing? survey is just one way for METS to ask its internal and external customers what they think, and then act on those recommendations. It reinforces that "service" is half of the term "state service."

CalAPA members are, of course, familiar with this concept. Every other year the association conducts a member satisfaction survey, compiles the results, and reports that data to our Board of Directors. That data is also used to inform discussions of the association's three-year strategic plan. An outline of the plan is included in the annual membership directory that will be arriving in mailboxes of every CalAPA member in the days ahead, and a scorecard of activity linked to the plan is included in every quarterly meeting of the CalAPA Board of Directors. This year's annual directory, by the way, is being re-branded (pictured) as an "Almanac," because, in addition to member contact information, it includes important reference materials, a buyers' guide, and an annual report summary of how the association is doing vis-a-vis its strategic plan. This is transparency and accountability that you can hold in your hand.

The member satisfaction survey, of course, is not the only feedback mechanism our association utilizes. Every event we put on includes an evaluation component of some sort, and our association leaders and staff study that data closely to continuously improve our products and services. The key point is, you must ask. And we're always asking.

The fact that the METS customer feedback survey exists is worthy of praise, but it begs the question: Why isn't this standard operating procedure for all public agencies? METS has service in its title, but every office, branch and division in some way serves others. How are they doing? Are they even asking? How can they expect to improve if they don't? And, from the perspective of a manager or executive, are they getting better, worse or just treading water?

Recently our magazine published a provocative question on its cover, "How do you know?" The article was an examination of continuous improvement principals and how essential customer-service data and insight is essential to identifying, prioritizing and implementing improvement opportunities. You can read that issue HERE. One of the most popular issues of our magazine that focuses on personal commitment and accountability from the perspective of a leader as well as a front-line worker is titled, "Your Leadership Journey." It is on-line HERE.

With the COVID-19 pandemic slowly disappearing in our rearview mirror, and workers starting to return to the office, they are re-discovering the camaraderie, teamwork and culture that makes the difference between a workplace that is drudgery or a place where ideas crackle and innovation happens. But it all starts with a simple question, for every employee, manager and executive: "How are we doing?" If you never ask, you'll never know. And when you ask, be prepared to act on that information, and then report those actions to your customers so they can see you actually care about what they think. The worst possible outcome is ignoring feedback so that it becomes a cynical "check the box" exercise.

By the way, we always include a feedback link in every issue of this newsletter. Feel free to share your thoughts on this or any other article HERE. We read and respond to every inquiry.

Each week we highlight a word, acronym or other term commonly used in the asphalt pavement industry in California.

SUBGRADE: That portion of the roadbed on which pavement, surfacing, base, subbase, or a layer of any other material which may be specified, is to be placed. It is the foundation for the asphalt pavement structure. The sub-grade soil sometimes is called basement soil or foundation soil. 

Each week we highlight a key point or best practice of interest to asphalt paving crews, inspectors and others working in the field. We welcome suggestions. More tips can be found in our "Asphalt Parking Lot Construction Checklist" HERE. Information on the CalAPA "Quality Paving Certificate" program is HERE.

COMPACTION/DENSITY: The plans and specifications should specify how density is tested. The inspector needs to monitor the specified compaction density with a gauge to ensure that final target densities are achieved. Regular visual inspection of the mat during compaction is also required: look for segregation, indentations, properly sealed joints, and under-compacted areas. 

Each week we highlight a term that is specific to climate-change issues related to the asphalt pavement industry. This feature is intended to raise awareness of the asphalt industry's climate-change initiatives and the specialized terminology that goes with them. More information on "The Road Forward" asphalt industry climate initiative can be found HERE.

WARM MIX ASPHALT: Technologies that allow for production at lower temperature.

"Whatever you do may seem insignificant, but it is most important that you do it."

– Mahatma Gandhi

We hope you enjoy CalAPA's Asphalt Insider newsletter. We are committed to providing you with the most up-to-date information on technical issues, regulation, news, analysis, events and trends in California that is of interest to the asphalt pavement industry and our various agency partners. To subscribe to the newsletter, click HERE. For comments, questions or to suggest a story idea, click HERE.

Sincerely,

Russell W. Snyder, CAE

Executive Director

The California Asphalt Pavement Association (CalAPA)®