Champion the advantages of asphalt pavements through the lenses of engineering, economic, environmental, and social benefits.
“Science has consistently shown that pavement smoothness always has an impact on vehicle fuel consumption: The smoother the road, the less fuel the vehicle consumes and the more comfortable the ride.”
Ester Magorka, Senior Vice President for Industry Promotion & Membership
THE ASPHALT PAVEMENT ALLIANCE
The Asphalt Pavement Alliance (APA) – a partnership between NAPA, Asphalt Institute, and State Asphalt Pavement Associations and led by NAPA staff – helps road owners and pavement engineers select and design long-lasting asphalt pavements. With an ongoing focus on education, APA hosted 9 webinars that attracted more than 6,200 registrants. In addition, more than 8,200 users enjoyed free access to the PAVEXpress design software. In June, APA recognized the 24 winners of its 2022 Perpetual Pavement Awards in three categories: By Conversion (6), By Design (7), & By Performance (11). The APA also published a timely case study on the I-95 Philadelphia fire that occurred in June, demonstrating the power of resilience: Asphalt Keeps Commerce Flowing in the Wake of Disaster. (In total, APA published 11 case studies on resilience, private markets, and Perpetual Pavements.) To close out the year, NAPA hired the first technical director for the APA, a name familiar to friends of NCAT and its Test Track: Buzz Powell, PhD, PE.
BMD RESOURCE GUIDE EXPANDS
Throughout the year, we added numerous new resources to the Balance Mixed Design (BMD) Resource Guide. Here’s a roundup:
Lessons Learned – a series of 4 NCAT case studies that provide strategies for improving laboratory performance properties to optimize asphalt mix designs, funded by the PEC. These new tools provide examples of how mix designers can adjust mixture components to achieve the desired resistance to cracking, rutting, and moisture damage.
Following the Committee for Engineering Application and Practice (CEAP) BMD Implementation Task Force’s business case documents in 2022, NAPA worked with a videographer to collect footage and create three short videos – What is BMD?, Industry Business Case, and Agency Business Case – that are now embedded on the BMD Resource Guide website and available on NAPA’s YouTube page.
The PEC-funded Guide on Asphalt Mixture Specimen Fabrication for BMD Performance Testing (IS-145) was added to the BMD Resource Guide, along with an accompanying video. The publication includes an example set of laboratory practices that are laid out in a stepwise fashion to provide clarity and consistency during test sample preparation, while the video provides visual, follow-along content. The underlying practices and helpful tips are provided to aid in ensuring the repeatable fabrication of asphalt mixture specimens for laboratory BMD testing.
FIND THESE RESOURCES AND MORE IN THE BMD RESOURCE GUIDE!
Shepherd the industry’s commitment to net zero carbon emissions pavement through deployment of The Road Forward plan and administration of the Emerald Eco–Label Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) program.
ADDRESSING REGULATORY IMPACTS
NAPA promotes realistic regulation and advocates for relief from industry-specific regulatory impacts. Examples from the past year included:
Organizing a workshop in May for the State Asphalt Pavement Associations to train them on EPDs and help them prepare for upcoming federal and state Buy Clean procurement programs.
Attending the FHWA Sustainable Pavement Technical Working Group meeting in April, along with members Cargill, Construction Partners Inc., HaulHub, Ingevity, Kraton Polymers, and Rogers Group, as well as NCAT, to discuss EPDs, LCA, Buy Clean, equity, and permeable pavements.
Meetings with cross-industry leaders, Congressional staff, and Agency and Executive Administration staff in October to discuss ways to address EPA’s rulemaking uptick.
Hosting a Low Carbon Asphalt Workshop in May for members, FHWA, and EPA to discuss how to define “low embodied carbon asphalt.” NAPA engaged the group in conversations on moving forward where geographic nuances and specification restrictions are considered in efforts to label low carbon construction materials, then developed a set of initial activities and a strategy to continue agency engagement.
The industry’s net zero vision was activated throughout the year through research, activities, growth of the Partner program, and a first-of-its-kind gathering.
THE ROAD FORWARD SUMMIT (JULY 12–13)
75 asphalt pavement industry leaders and stakeholders gathered after NAPA’s Midyear Meeting, engaging in presentations and breakout groups to discuss and plan the path toward net zero emissions.
CONTINUE READING“This was one of the most constructive events I can remember attending.”
Abbey Bryduck, MAPA
“This summit was designed to take the foundation that was built with The Road Forward and strategically determine the next steps needed to move the entire industry forward.”
Richard Willis, NAPA
SAVE MONEY, REDUCE EMISSIONS
We added to our series of case studies exploring opportunities to reduce environmental impacts while improving business practices.
Download these quick reads to inspire savings at your plants.
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Orlando Paving Co. saves 16.5% on energy with electric asphalt tank farm.
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Granite reduced energy consumption 55% by insulating hot oil pipes.
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Kinetrix Energy, a Kinder Morgan Co., helped E.T. Simonds Materials Co. save 35% using LNG.
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Green Asphalt used EPDs to evaluate and modernize operations at the first recycled asphalt plant in New York.
Download
Additionally, a new publication and accompanying webinar, QIP-132: Production Strategies for Saving Money and Reducing Emissions, were issued as a call to action and an invitation to hone production practices, embrace cost-effective solutions, and contribute to a cleaner, more eco-friendly world. Self-audit worksheets make it easy to evaluate individual facilities and enact meaningful changes to improve efficiency.
PARTNERS PAVE THE WAY
Every Partner from year one renewed, and seven new Partners signed on, bringing the total to 31. A Partner gathering at NAPA’s 2023 Annual Meeting invited candid input on further activating the Partner program, exploring Partner requirements, and general ideas about The Road Forward initiative.
PARTNERS
NEW IN 2023
PARTNERS
SINCE 2022
Associations Now recognized NAPA and The Road Forward for setting a long-term, member-led climate vision in a short timeframe.
READ HOW TO SET A VISION, FAST.
EVERY DAY COUNTS 7 AND SUSTAINABILITY
FHWA’s EDC-7 features innovations that promote sustainable infrastructure, including EPDs for Sustainable Project Delivery as well as Integrating GHG Assessment and Reduction Targets in Transportation Planning. As part of the initiative, 35 plan to implement EPDs. According to the EDC-7 Baseline Report, 19 of them have set a goal to demonstrate, assess, or institutionalize EPDs.
INDUSTRY AVERAGE FOR EPDS
Data collection for the first national benchmarking initiative for EPDs for asphalt mixtures concluded in late Spring with data submitted by 331 asphalt plants across 39 states. Preliminary results were presented at NAPA’s Midyear Meeting, followed by an in-depth October webinar. NAPA’s data collection effort reopened in November to gather data for additional plants.
ASPHALT MIXTURE EPDS TAKE OFF IN 2023
- Published EPDs: 1,778 (⬆ 340%)
- Participating Plants: 246 (⬆ 250%)
- States in Emerald Eco-Label: 41 (⬆ 58%)
ASPHALT TAKES STAGE AT DECARBONIZATION SUMMIT (JULY 19)
NAPA and member CRH Americas attended America’s Next Revolution: Clean Industrial Summit hosted by Clean Air Task Force and ClearPath at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. The event drew hundreds of attendees from industrial organizations, press, and government. DOE Under Secretary David Crane, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) delivered comments. Panels explored R&D and policy breakthroughs driving reduced carbon emissions in construction. CRH Chief Sustainability Officer Eunice Heath represented the asphalt pavement industry on a panel alongside NAPA member Holcim’s Melissa Carey, Cemex’s Jerae Carlson, and AISI’s Kevin Dempsey
ENERGY STAR PARTNER OF THE YEAR
NAPA was honored as an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year by EPA for demonstrating exemplary commitment and dedication to leadership in energy efficiency and the ENERGY STAR program. NAPA President & CEO Audrey Copeland accepted the honor during a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on April 18, accompanied by NAPA staff and member guests. “NAPA’s commitment to sustainability has taken on new prevalence with The Road Forward, and the APEX Program will be a key component for achieving those goals,” said Copeland. “Our partnership with ENERGY STAR provides value by enabling members to learn best practices for managing and reducing energy consumption at asphalt plants throughout the country.”
NAPA MEMBERS REACH THE APEX
The Asphalt Plant Energy Performance Peer Exchange (APEX) is a network of asphalt mixture producers who periodically meet to exchange information and best practices related to managing energy at asphalt plants.
SEE WHATS IT'S ALL ABOUTParticipating Companies
77% to 39
Industrial Partners
171% to 19
New in 2023: Blythe Construction, Boxley Materials, Green Asphalt, Lindy Paving, N.B. West Contracting Company, Reeves Construction Company, Rogers Group Inc., S.T. Wooten Corporation, Sully Miller Contracting Company
ENERGY STAR CHALLENGE FOR INDUSTRY:
Plants
178% to 64
Challenge Achieved in 2023:
3 Plants
Demonstrate value and excellence by recognizing high–quality pavements, outstanding operational and sustainable practices, and contributions of NAPA members and individuals to the industry.
2022 AWARD WINNERS
(recognized at 2023 Annual Meeting)
PRESTIGE AWARDS
Larry H. Lemon Awards for Quality in Construction (QIC)
Gerken Paving, Inc.; Granite Construction, Inc.; Payne & Dolan Inc., a Walbec Group Co.; Preferred Materials Inc., A CRH Co.; APAC-Kansas Inc., A CRH Co.; Rogers Group, Inc.; Shelly and Sands, Inc.
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2022 DIAMOND COMMENDATIONS
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366
ACHIEVEMENT
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94
ACHIEVEMENT
SUSTAINABLE -
153
QUALITY
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27
PAVING
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13
TERMINAL
OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Lehman Roberts Helps Communities Thrive
Memphis Stone and Gravel Community Engagement a Decade in the Making
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COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Callanan Cares and It Shows
Compassionate New York-Based Company Earns NAPA’s Highest Award for Community Involvement
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ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP
Polished Diamond
Gallagher Asphalt Engages with Community, Employees on Way to 10 Percent GHG Reduction
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