Coming together, the Asphalt Emulsion Manufacturing Association (AEMA), Asphalt Recycling & Reclaiming Association (ARRA), and International Slurry Surfacing Association (ISSA), met in Auburn, Alabama, May 23 and 24, 2023, for their individual Board Meetings. During this time, the three Boards also toured Lee Road and the National Center for Asphalt Technology’s (NCAT) Test Track.
ARRA was the first Board that met to conduct business for the association. During this meeting, the Board discussed ARRA’s sustainability efforts and creating EPDs for their core disciplines. Additionally, the Board reviewed updates from the various committees and efforts for the year. The ARRA Marketing Committee will be doing a full review of ARRA’s information on Roadresource.org while working with the Membership Committee to help market the benefits to ARRA’s current members and prospects. Lastly, the 2023 Pavement Recycling Summit Committee shared information on the plans for the Summit including speakers and tours.
Following the ARRA Board Meeting, the Boards headed out to Lee County Rd 159. Dr. Buzz Powell and Dr. Ariana Vargas, both of NCAT, provided an overview of the road. They shared that there are 23 pavement preservation treatments or treatment combinations applied in 100 foot sections along the road. The Boards were able to walk Lee County Rd 159 with Dr. Powell and Dr. Vargas where they could ask detailed questions and get a closer look at the treatments. Before heading out to the Test Track, the Boards took a tour of the NCAT facility and labs. At the Test Track, AEMA, ARRA, and ISSA Board Members drove on the track before being able to walk along it to view different sections. Here, Dr. Powell discussed more information on the Test Track and answered additional questions.
The next day, the ISSA Board met to discuss the business of the association. The Board reviewed the current committees’ efforts. Over the summer, the Awards Committee will be reviewing ISSA’s current awards and possibly restructuring the ISSA President’s Award for Excellence to allow for larger and smaller projects to win this award. Additionally, the Board discussed the 2024 Slurry Systems Workshop, January 15-18, at Palace Station in Las Vegas and implementing a new structure for the Virtual Slurry Systems Workshop. More information on this as well as the ISSA Awards will be provided in the upcoming months.
AEMA’s Board was the last to meet to conduct business of the association. Prior to this meeting, the Board requested AEMA’s committees create/update their mission and set goals for the year. With many committees providing this information, the Board reviewed and approved their mission and goals. Additionally, the Board voted to now provide free membership to students at colleges and universities. Students need to provide a valid university ID and email address to take advantage of this offer.
The next Board Meetings for AEMA, ARRA, and ISSA are scheduled this fall. ARRA will be meeting on October 2nd in Indianapolis. AEMA and ISSA are currently in the process of scheduling their next meetings.