ASPIRE welcomes NAPA as an Industry & Innovation Board Member

The ASPIRE National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Research Center welcomed NAPA as its newest Industry and Innovation Board (IIB) member on July 15.

“As the national voice for the asphalt pavement industry, we are excited to partner with ASPIRE to inform their work on electrified pavements,” said NAPA President & CEO Audrey Copeland, PhD, PE. “Sharing knowledge of current and evolving asphalt pavement design and paving practices is key to NAPA’s membership, and we are always looking down the road to evaluate and contribute to the development of emerging policies, practices, and techniques.”

Reed Ryan, Executive Director of the Asphalt Pavement Alliance, for which NAPA is the lead partner, will represent the asphalt pavement industry on ASPIRE’s IIB. “Representing not only NAPA, but also the broader interests of our industry, on ASPIRE’s Industry and Innovation Board adds an important voice and perspective to the development and application of electrified pavements,” Ryan said.

NAPA’s active collaboration with ASPIRE Engineering Research Center underscores the crucial role that industry partnerships play in advancing technology for roadways.

“NAPA is a critical voice in the transportation infrastructure ecosystem, connecting federal agencies with members, contractors, and other key stakeholders,” said Don Linford, ASPIRE’s Director of Innovation Ecosystem. “We are fortunate to have NAPA join ASPIRE as a key connector and thought leader on national issues.”

The partnership between NAPA and ASPIRE Engineering Research Center signifies a strategic alliance, acknowledging the substantial opportunities for advancements in infrastructure and transportation.

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About ASPIRE

Advancing Sustainability through Powered Infrastructure for Roadway Electrification (ASPIRE) is a National Science Foundation (NSF) Generation 4 Engineering Research Center (ERC) that conducts vital R&D to catalyze sustainable and equitable electrification across the transportation industries. ASPIRE leads the efforts of close to 400 global contributors working in sync towards facilitating widespread electrification of all vehicle classes and catalyzing the creation of public infrastructure that provides an inexpensive, seamless charging experience.

ASPIRE initiatives help reduce harmful emissions, improve air quality and public health, and protect the environment while supporting economic development through reduced cost and scale efficiencies, clean transportation workforce skilling and job creation, and equitable access across these opportunities for all. Efforts are integrated across multiple disciplines, including engineering, social science, policy, and business through close collaboration with 10 top-tier universities, over 60 industry, government, and non-profit members across all sections of the electric transportation ecosystem, as well as community partners and advisors at every level of society. For more information, visit www.aspire.usu.edu.

About NAPA

Founded in 1955, the National Asphalt Pavement Association (AsphaltPavement.org) is the only trade association that exclusively represents the interests of the asphalt pavement material producer/contractor on the national level with Congress, government agencies, and other national trade and business organizations. NAPA supports an active research program designed to improve the quality of asphalt pavements and paving techniques used in the construction of roadways, parking lots, airports, and environmental and recreational facilities. NAPA provides technical, educational, and marketing materials and information to its members and supplies product information to users and specifiers of paving materials.