For some, summer means vacations and meeting up with family and friends.  For others, summer brings trips abroad to learn and gather information.  The VAA has done this with trips to Germany to learn about SMA and the related technologies.  In June, a group of Chinese engineers came to the US to learn about current paving and materials technologies.  Members of the VAA met with the General Manager, Chief Engineer and other officials of the Guangdong Huala Communications Technology Co., Ltd. at the Superior Paving office in Bristow.  Their company is a multi-discipline engineering firm that includes design, testing and construction services for the Guangdong Province.  The three hour meeting included a brief presentation by VAA Director of Engineering Trenton Clark, but most of the time was spent in general discussion.  The Chinese Delegation was very interested in learning how to implement new technologies and what technologies are being used in Virginia.  

 

Prior to visiting the VAA, the delegation met with Texas DOT and Maryland State Highway Administration.  Afterwards, the group boarded a plane at Dulles airport and headed to Toronto for more meetings.