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Innovation: Driving The Future | Register For VACE Today

In a few short weeks, the Virginia Asphalt Conference and Expo will take place at the Richmond Marriott-Downtown (December 5 and 6). The theme for VACE 2018 is Innovation – Driving the Future. From the keynote speaker, Mr. Ben Brock, President of Astec Industries, to Mrs. Cathy McGhee, Acting Director of Innovation in the Secretary of Transportation’s Office, presentations and discussion will center on innovative approaches and technologies.

Along with the popular Chief Engineer’s panel on Day 1, attendees will hear more about Virginia’s move toward Performance-Based Mix Design (PBMD) from State Materials Engineer Andy Babish and Associate Director of Research - Pavements Kevin McGhee. With the move toward PBMD, some asphalt mixes may incorporate higher percentages of recycled asphalt. Mr. Terry Young of T2ASCO will outline how plants can effectively run higher recycle and make well-performing mixes. One place where innovations are tested and refined is the NCAT Test Track. Dr. Buzz Powell will present on recent findings from the 2015 NCAT Cycle and plans for the 2018 Cycle. The day ends with an attendee reception in the Expo Hall where over 45 companies will be showcasing their goods and services.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/vaa-nwl/articles/index.asp?aid=530084&issueID=60743 to view the full article online.

Clark Speaks at International and Regional Conferences

Fall 2018 saw several regional, national, and international conferences. In October, the Northeast Asphalt User Producer Group (NEAUPG) met in Atlantic City, New Jersey. NEAUPG covered a variety of asphalt-related topics including cold asphalt pavement recycling. VAA Executive Vice President Trenton Clark spoke on the evolution of cold pavement recycling in Virginia and highlighted the results at the NCAT Test Track, I-81 rehabilitation, and I-64 reconstruction. His presentation and other presentations from NEAUPG will be posted on the following website here.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/vaa-nwl/articles/index.asp?aid=530077&issueID=60743 to view the full article online.

Spotlight on VECAT

Class Update

*Proficiency Testing: Time is Running Out*
If you or someone in your employ has taken Plant I, Plant II, or Mix Design and needs to complete Proficiency training to become certified, time is running out! Please contact Judith Calvert at Germanna immediately to schedule a testing session. Proficiency proctors, as well as time to test, is very limited between now and the close of the 2018 class year on December 15. Anyone who fails to complete proficiency training before the 15th will not complete the requirements for MCS certification and therefore will not receive certification. All courses that no longer have active certifications will need to be repeated in 2019 at full cost. Please make sure this does not happen to you!

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/vaa-nwl/articles/index.asp?aid=530638&issueID=60743 to view the full article online.

Mentoring: Training’s Best Friend

With the increased focus on workforce development and apprenticeship programs in today’s workplace, the need for coaching and mentoring has continued to grow, which in turn positions the value of training to ultimately increase. The challenge is not merely training mentors (and managers) to coach, but also positioning mentors to practice coaching situationally.

Let’s say management at Company A sends an employee to a classroom or e-learning course on Asphalt Plant Safety (any training topic could apply here). In the “old days,” managers would simply sign their employees up, send them off, and rarely follow up after to investigate the training’s value.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/vaa-nwl/articles/index.asp?aid=530639&issueID=60743 to view the full article online.

Environmental Matters

GENERAL INDUSTRIAL STORMWATER VPDES PERMIT OUT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
As authorized by the State Water Control Board in September, DEQ initiated a public comment period on the reissuance of the General Industrial Stormwater VPDES Permit. The public comment period runs through December 28, 2018.

As we have reported, the general permit includes helpful changes that streamline and clarify the requirements of the permit. In particular, the permit does not require facilities to continue to sample for nitrogen, phosphorus in sediment for purposes of Chesapeake Bay TMDL requirements if, after four sampling events, it is demonstrated that the facility does not trigger the requirement for a TMDL Action Plan.

We will be drafting a letter on behalf of VAA in support of those changes, and highlighting a few areas where additional clarification is needed. If you have a comment you would like to see included in the VAA comment letter, please let us know by sending an email to Caroline at cfahed@vaasphalt.com by December 12, 2018.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/vaa-nwl/articles/index.asp?aid=530400&issueID=60743 to view the full article online.

Virginia Asphalt Association