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December 19, 2011 |
Annual Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, January 12, 2012
12:00 noon - 5:00 pm
Jonathan Club
Los Angeles, CA
Annual Dinner Meeting
Thursday, January 12, 2012
5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Jonathan Club
Los Angeles, CA
Bay Area Technical Committee
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
10:00 am - 12:30 pm
City of San Leandro City Hall
San Leandro, CA
Central Coast Technical Committee
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
10:15 am - 12:30 pm
City of Santa Maria Public Library
Santa Maria, CA
Central Valley Technical Committee
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
9:30 am - 12:00 noon
Griffith Company
1128 Carrier Parkway Ave
Bakersfield, CA
Contractors Committee Dinner Meeting
Tuesday, February 7, 2012**
5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Dal Rae Restaurant
Pico Rivera, CA
Environmental Committee
Friday, February 3, 2012
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Skanska USA Civil, West
Riverside, CA
High Desert Technical Committee
Wednesday, January 4, 2012**
9:30 am - 12:00 noon
Caltrans Southern Regional Lab
Fontana, CA
LA Technical Committee
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
9:30 am - 12:00 noon
Caltrans Southern Regional Lab**
Fontana, CA
RAC Committee
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
9:30 am - 11:30 am
Caltrans Southern Regional Lab**
Fontana, CA
SD Technical Committee
Thursday, January 26, 2012**
9:30 am - 12:00 noon
District 11 Conf. Room
San Diego, CA
** Denotes a Date/Location Change |
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Increasing percentage of RAP
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Noise Reduction and Asphalt Pavements
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Roadway Work Zone Safety
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Warm-Mix Asphalt (WMA)
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Welcome to the APA of California Newsletter!!
Representing the California Asphalt Industry Since 1953! Where Policy Makers and Engineers turn for answers to tough questions!!
 Now you can Join Us on the Social Media!!
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Building a Better Gas Tax – A New 50-State Report from ITEP
A 50-state analysis from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) determined that state governments forego more than $10 billion in transportation revenue each year because lawmakers have been reluctant to require that gas taxes keep pace with inflation. States, on average, are losing $201 million annually.
These losses are exacerbated by the fact that the federal gas tax, which also supports state transportation projects, has lost 41% of its value since it was last raised in 1993, notes the report from ITEP, a Washington-based research organization that focuses on federal and state tax policy.
"Building a Better Gas Tax: How to Fix One of State Government's Least Sustainable Revenue Sources" documents state-by-state figures including the costs and benefits of proposed remedies.
"Unfortunately, many politicians won't consider touching the gas tax," Carl Davis, senior analyst at ITEP and study author, said in a statement. "They are raising sales taxes, fees on vehicles, tolls on roads, even looting education funds -- all to make up for the stagnant gas tax. But they can't bring themselves to modernize the biggest source of transportation revenue that's actually under their control."
The report documents that the average state has not increased its gas-tax rate in more than a decade -- and 14 states have gone 20 years or longer without an increase.
But while state gas taxes remain flat, the cost of paving roads and building bridges inevitably rises almost every year, often at a rate higher than general inflation. After adjusting for construction cost growth, the average state's gasoline tax rate has effectively fallen 20% since the last time it was raised. Diesel taxes have fallen 18%.
Today's state gas taxes make up a smaller portion of family budgets than at any time since the tax was first widely instituted in the 1920s, according to the report. A 10-cent-per-gallon increase would cost today's typical driver only $4.31 per month.
ITEP offers three specific policy recommendations for modernizing state gas taxes:
- Increase gas tax rates to (at least) reverse their long-term declines. The appropriate contemporary rate for each state will depend on transportation funding needs as determined by lawmakers and the public.
- Restructure state gas taxes so that their rates rise automatically alongside the inevitable growth in the cost of transportation construction projects. If every state had restructured the last time it raised its gas tax, total state gas tax revenues would be over $10 billion higher per year.
- Create or enhance targeted tax credits for low income families to offset the impact of gas-tax reform.
The 24-page report, which includes 50-state data in the appendix, is available by clicking here.
Bill Thorpe Scheduled to Retire
 Bill Thorpe, Senior Vice President of Paramount Petroleum (a Division of Alon), is scheduled to retire the end of this year. After a career in the petroleum refining and marketing industry spanning over 41 years, Bill will be retiring from his current position effective December 31, 2011. For the past 30 years, Bill's focus has been largely devoted to the asphalt industry and for the past 16 years he has been instrumental in developing and leading Paramount and Alon’s asphalt business. Bill has been actively involved in the Asphalt Pavement Association of California, the National Asphalt Pavement
Association and in 2010 the asphalt industry recognized Bill's experience and contribution by electing him Chairman of the Board of the Asphalt Institute.
During his tenure with Paramount, Bill built a strong organization that has met the many challenges which the industry and the Company have faced over the years. Bill has agreed to continue to serve on the Paramount Board, to advise and consult with Alon during the transition period following his retirement, and also to act as the honorary chairman of Paramount's asphalt business. Asked what he will do with his free time, he said ".......work on my fly fishing skills, so I can catch that big Green River trout that has eluded me all these years."
Please join us in the recognition of Bill's achievements over his 41 years of involvement with the industry and congratulate him and his wife Kathie on their retirement!
 
Asphalt Pavement Association Annual Dinner Meeting
Next year's Annual Board of Directors Meeting and Annual Dinner have been set for Thursday, January 12th, 2012. Due to the unification of the APA of California and CalAPA which will become official on January 1st, 2012, these events will be the first official events of the new, unified organization.
Both events will be held at the Jonathan Club in downtown Los Angeles. The Board of Directors Meeting will take place in the afternoon from 12:00 noon until 5:00 pm and the dinner will begin at 5:30 pm.
California State Senator Robert Dutton has been invited to be the Special Guest Speaker for the Dinner meeting. As the Senate Republican Leader, Senator Dutton will be able to offer his views on the financial condition of the State of California, comment on the budget situation and reflect on transportation funding both now and into the future.
This will be a significant and historic meeting you should make your reservations early. Sponsorships are available for the event and invitations are scheduled to be put in the mail this week.
Many Thanks to the Sponsors of this Years Event!!
California Commercial Asphalt, LLC Paramount Petroleum
CRM R.J. Noble Contracting Company
Escondido Asphalt San Joaquin Refining Company, Inc.
Holliday Rock Security Paving Company, Inc.
InstroTek Inc. Skanska USA Civil West
Lehigh Hanson Sully Miller Contracting Company
Lunday-Thagard Company Valero Marketing & Supply Company
Matich Corporation Vulcan Materials - Western Division
National Blending Company
For additional information on this event and to sign up online, please click here. Or you can contact the APACA office at 949-855-6489 or the CalAPA office at 916-791-5044.
Technical Corner
by
Rita B Leahy, PhD, PE
APACA Technical Director
Interlayers – Troubleshooting
The following guide provides a summary of possible problems, typical causes and potential solutions associated with paving material interlayers. This troubleshooting guide is largely based on the FHWA’s Pavement Preservation Checklist Series and manufacturers’ installation guidelines.
References:
- http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/pavement/preservation/ppcl14.pdf
- Caltrans, Maintenance Technical Advisory Guide, Volume I, Flexible Pavement Preservation, Second Edition, 2009.
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Territory Manager – US West Coast
A leading worldwide producer of specialty chemicals and catalysts has an immediate need for a Territory Manager to manage assigned territory and identify and develop new business with emphasis in the highway construction market, particularly asphalt concrete production and placement. The position will likely be based in the Los Angeles, CA area. The territory will include Southern California with possible expansion into Arizona and Nevada.
The ideal candidate will coordinate all necessary activities to ensure customer satisfaction is consistent with business objectives. Candidate will need to have timely and clear communications concerning customer issues and activities, prepare and present organized sales presentations to customers, develop close relationships with all levels of a customer’s organization, and close on new business opportunities.
To qualify for this position candidates must possess a B. S. Degree in Civil or Chemical Engineering or related discipline. Candidate should have a minimum of eight (4) years proven sales experience preferably in the Asphalt industry. Must be a self-motivated, proactive individual that is capable of operating independently and able to adjust priorities to meet territory goals. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential. Candidate should have ability to use common computer programs and the ability to learn in-house applications. Up to 50% travel.
We offer a competitive salary and benefits package. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, M/F/D/V.
Interested candidates please submit resume via e-mail to staffing@pqcorp.com or fax to 610-651-4435.
Last APA of California Newsletter!
The January 1, 2012 date for the finalization of the unification between the APA of California and CalAPA is rapidly approaching! In keeping with one the goals of the unification, which is to streamline operations and reduce duplication, both associations will be combining their resources to publish a single electronic newsletter each week. You will notice a different format and a slightly different look, but you will find the same valuable content that you have come to expect.
Both associations (APACA and CalAPA) have combined their mailing lists and you can expect to begin receiving the new, revised newsletter with the next installment. If you have any questions or comments regarding the new newsletter, please contact the new headquarters office of the California Asphalt Pavement Association at (916) 791-5044.
The APACA staff would like to thank you for your support over the years and looks forward to working with you under the new, unified structure beginning next year!
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California Chip Seal Association Workshop
The California Chip Seal Association recently announced that registration is now open for the 2012 Workshop which will be held in Sacramento on February 9th and 10th, 2012. This year features a new format that includes afternoon breakout session on Thursday the 9th. These sessions will cover actual aggregate, asphalt and emulsion testing procedures and discuss the importance of these tests to successful projects.
A highlight of the program this year will be the Keynote Speaker, Mr. Larry Galehouse, from the National Pavement Preservation Center in Michigan. He will discuss the news from the national front on pavement preservation funding, materials and techniques. Please click here to view the tentative agenda.
Early bird registration is available through December 31st for agency members for a discounted rate of $129.00. After December 31st, pricing will be $169.00. The hotel will fill up fast so make your reservations now to ensure your space for next years' conference. For more information, or to register for the conference, please visit the Chip Seal Association's website by clicking here.
Optimizing Volumetrics and HMA Compactability
Utilizing the Bailey Method
(24 PDH Credits)
(includes Bailey Method analysis software)
A 3 day course - $895
January 16-19, 2012 - Lexington, Kentucky
February 27-March 1, 2012 - Lexington, Kentucky
This course begins with the basics and then builds to give you an intensive look into the Bailey Method's full potential. Use of its principles will allow you to improve and control HMA mixes, to optimize volumetrics (such as VMA), improve field compactability, and predict mix segregation potential. You will receive a full version of the latest edition of the Bailey Method analysis software, with hands-on software training, so bring a laptop. Attendance in the one day introductory course is not mandatory, but encouraged. Mix design and quality control experience is recommended.
Bringing a laptop computer preloaded with a fully operational copy of Microsoft Excel 2003® or newer and Adobe Reader® for each student to use during the class is highly encouraged.
For further information on the Bailey Method (Utilizing the Bailey Method).
Click this link for complete details and to register online.
For questions or additional information contact:
Katrina Tohle
Asphalt Institute
2696 Research Park Drive
Lexington, KY 40511-8480
(859)288-4964
seminars@asphaltinstitute.org
Basic Binder Technician Training (24 PDHs)
A 3.5 day course - $900 - Lexington, KY
(Includes review, practice exam and a copy of AI's MS-25 Binder Manual)
If you are responsible for asphalt testing, materials approval, specification and quality control, this course is for you. Learn the test procedures, calculations and criteria involved with grading asphalt binders in the Performance-Graded (PG) asphalt binder specification (AASHTO M320). Develop and hone your skills during 20 hours of intensive hands-on labs including sample preparation and testing using the rotational viscometer, COC flashpoint tester, dynamic shear and bending beam rheometers, direct tension tester and “PG plus” tests. Evaluate your knowledge with the review exam during the last half day. Leave this course with the ability to perform your job with newfound
confidence and valuable insight into your future NBTC certification.
January 16-19, 2012
February 6-9, 2012
February 27-March 1, 2012
March 19-22, 2012
For further information and to register online, click here.
For questions or additional information contact:
Katrina Tohle
Asphalt Institute
2696 Research Park Drive
Lexington, KY 40511-8480
(859)288-4964
seminars@asphaltinstitute.org
Program Dates
January 31-February 2, 2012
February 21-23, 2012
To become a Certified Binder Technician, a candidate must have work experience with the testing of asphalt binders for compliance with the PG specification (AASHTO M320). Candidates must have either 6 months of experience or 60 days working directly under an NBTC certified technician before attempting to achieve certification. NBTC Program attendance requires a completed application form and approval.
If you qualify for certification and would like to request attendance at a certification class you must first complete an NBTC application form.
Once the you have been approved as an NBTC candidate the Technical Training Coordinator will notify you via email. You may then register by contacting Jennifer Hopewell at 859-288-4967.
For further information or questions contact:
Mike Beavin
Asphalt Institute
Technical Training Coordinator
(859) 288-4973
mtbeavin@asphaltinstitute.org
Note - If you are not able to receive the full "html" version of the APACA Newsletter with your internet provider and / or network server, you can access the full version on the APACA website at www.apaca.org. Enjoy the pictures, graphics, tables, etc. and access the full html version today!!
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