Members discuss joint challenges across industry
Members of NAPA’s Regional Advisory Councils came together Jan. 28 for a nationwide perspective on the challenges facing the asphalt pavement industry and ideas for improvement.
The joint meeting was part of the NAPA 2024 Annual Meeting at the Omni Orlando at Championsgate.
NAPA staff briefed members on changes to the association’s media landscape, upcoming legislation and regulatory challenges, and the results of a membership survey aimed at highlighting asphalt pavement trends from across the nation.
NAPA Senior Vice President for Industry Promotion & Membership Ester Magorka guided members through the survey results, which came from 45 states and largely mirrored findings from 2023 that placed securing government funding as the group’s number one priority for 2024.
The survey also found that there is an appetite among asphalt producers for the increased implementation of warm-mix asphalt, balanced mix design, and the usage of recycled materials, like reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP).
Magorka said there was a marked increase in materials competition within the commercial sector, like parking lots, but said there were many regional differences.
Members discussed the regional findings in greater detail within Regional Advisory Council meetings. The Southeast and Northeast regions met in the afternoon, while the Northcentral and Western regions are scheduled to meet Jan. 30.
The National Center for Asphalt Technology’s (NCAT) Travis Walbeck also highlighted the various education offerings NCAT provides at the Auburn University campus, on the road, and through online opportunities like Training in Your Pocket.
