Peter Taylor, Ph.D., ISCP Board Member and Director of the National Concrete Pavement Technology Center (CP Tech Center)-Iowa State University, and Gordon Smith, P.E., Associate Director-CP Tech Center, attended the American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA) midyear meeting in Denver, Colorado, June 12 and 13, 2018. Part of the mid-year meeting was participation in a “Shape the Future” Workshop—the 2nd step of VISION2040. The 1st step was the ACPA “2040 Visioning Workshop” that Taylor attended in September, 2017—where a “blue ribbon” panel of transportation experts convened to develop a broad vision for the future.
ACPA’s “Shape the Future Workshop” provided some exciting and informative glimpses of the future, thanks to the perspectives offered by several transportation experts:
- Lesley Mace, RoadX Assistant Director/Project Engineer-Colorado DOT, provided an overview of the agency’s RoadX program. The program is using innovative and emerging technologies to improve the safety, mobility and efficiency of the state’s transportation system.
- Tim Sylvester, CEO-Integrated Roadways, offered perspectives on the “real information super highway” and using emerging technologies on the nation’s public infrastructure, as well as ideas to generate revenue that can fund future construction projects.
- Tony English, Owner-Neaera Consulting Group, presented an overview of Wyoming DOT’s “Connected Vehicle Pilot Program” and how the agency will use connectivity to monitor and report road conditions on Interstate 80.
Jerry Voigt, CEO-ACPA, recapped of ACPA “VISION2040” initiative:
What will concrete pavements and things related to paving and
surface transportation infrastructure look like in 20 years?
… THE overarching question ACPA’s Vision2040 “blue ribbon panel” considered when they met September, 2017. The blue-ribbon panel consists of experts representing FHWA, State Departments of Transportation, Transportation Research Board (TRB), Contractors, Materials Suppliers, Consulting Engineers, Academia, and Equipment manufacturers who discuss a wide range of topics aligned with concrete design, construction, materials and equipment, and use-phase considerations who will meet for the next 20 years. With the Vision2040 effort, the group had far-reaching discussions about current and emerging trends that will impact pavements … and more.
Facilitated by Gary Fick, Trinity Construction Management Services, Inc., the group focused on:
- Futuristic topics
- Current trends
- Emerging trends
- Future possibilities
- A wide range of diverse solutions to meet the evolving needs over the next 20 years
The group discussed:
- “Disruptive forces”
- Unpredictable and unforeseeable developments that can make a profound and lasting effect on transportation and, in some cases, on society
- More conventional trends and patterns: increasing truck traffic and heavier loads; autonomous vehicles; e-commerce/distribution of goods; dedicated freight network; climate change; and the possibility of new ownership models
As part of the visioning effort the group also met in breakout sessions—with an eye on emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities that may arise over the next two decades, they discussed:
- Specific concrete pavement design
- Construction
- Materials
- Use-phase issues
Dozens of concepts, ideas, and themes emerged:
- Self-healing pavements
- Pavements that perform multiple functions
- Equipment and material advancements
- Process improvements
The 3rd and 4th steps will be to develop and implement an action plan. Gary Fick and the ACPA staff are now organizing these concepts and themes. The next steps will be for the Vision2040 group to further discuss needs and opportunities and organize them into a plan to pursue in the next 20 years!
For more information, please go to: http://www.acpa.org/tag/vision-2040/
For more information about Vision2040, contact:
Leif Wathne: P: 202.638.2272 | E-mail: lwathne@acpa.org
Pantograph (above right) of meeting participants: 1. Ed Denton, Denton Construction; 2. Jerry Voigt, ACPA; 3. Glenn Eder, Simplex/JC Supply; 4. David Howard, Koss Construction Co. 5. Dan King, Iowa Concrete Paving Association; and 6. Tom Van Dam, NCE 7; Glenn Engstrom, MnRoad;8. Jim Mack, Cemex; 9. Peter Taylor, CP Tech Center; 10. Kevin Klein, GOMACO; 11. Mark Swanlund, FHWA; and 12. Jeremy Gregory, CS Hub at MIT; 13. Angela Folkestad, CO/WY Chapter-ACPA; 14. Kevin McMullen, Wisconsin Concrete Pavement Association; 15. Steve Gillen, Illinois Tollway; 16. Lori Tiefenthaler, Lehigh Hanson; 17. Andy Naranjo, Texas DOT; 18. Neil Fannin, Pennsylvania DOT; 19. Todd LaTorella, Missouri/Kansas Chapter-ACPA; 20. Nancy Whiting, TRB; 21. Georgene Geary, GGfGA; 22. Dale Harrington, Snyder & Associates; and 23. Gina Ahlstrom, FHWA. (Missing from photo: Bill Cuerdon, NY State Chapter-ACPA, and Leif Wathne, ACPA)