Test Track Conference
Overview
The Test Track Conference, a triennial event, presents groundbreaking research from the latest cycle of accelerated pavement testing. It's a two-and-a-half-day showcase of advancements in the design, construction, technologies, and maintenance of more sustainable and longer-lasting asphalt pavements. The Test Track Conference for the eighth research cycle is scheduled for May 7-9, 2024 at The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center in Auburn, Alabama. Register for the event before April 1 to save $100 on General Registration.
Ignite Your Knowledge
Learn about the latest advancements, from cutting-edge mixture additives to innovative pavement design methods, with presentations from acclaimed research engineers with the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT).
NCAT operates the Test Track because it provides unique opportunities to determine the field performance of breakthrough materials and concepts without the risk of failure on public roads, giving highway agencies clear proof of what new ideas are ready to implement or what needs further development.
Since its original construction in 2000, findings from the Test Track have led to improved specifications for aggregates, binders, and mix design criteria, as well as advancements in pavement design methods that have saved state agencies millions of tax dollars.
What to Expect at the Test Track Conference
Among the topics to be discussed at the 2024 Test Track Conference are cold recycling, BMD rapid tests for Quality Assurance, recycling agents, innovative mix additives, crack prevention interlayer strategies, surface rejuvenation, high polymer binders, pavement preservation treatments, and much more.
On Day One, there will be two technical sessions covering a variety of Test Track experiments in the morning, followed by a third technical session highlighting the Additive Group experiment before dinner. On Day Two, sessions will cover Pavement Preservation and technologies to aid in implementation. At lunchtime, you’ll hop on the bus and take a tour of the Test Track.
The schedule and topics will evolve as the event draws nearer. Bookmark this page to follow the latest developments.
Hands-On Exploration
You’ll inspect the 1.7-mile track upon which 200-foot test sections are funded by highway agencies and industry sponsors. Learn about data gained from this unique real-world laboratory where researchers collect and analyze field performance and pavement response data, as well as laboratory test results for the plant-produced mixtures sampled during construction.
Experiments are sponsored over three-year research cycles during which a fleet of 5 trucks applies more than a decade of interstate-type traffic to the test sections in only two years. We do this because it allows us to evaluate the field performance of breakthrough materials and concepts without the risk of failure on public roads.
Networking Opportunities
This conference is your ticket to priceless connections with federal, state, and local agency decision-makers and stakeholders from the private sector. The stage is set for further cooperation among these organizations. Time is specifically scheduled for networking opportunities. Among those attending will be representatives from highway departments based in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia, and many others.
Mark your calendars for May 7-9, 2024, because this event promises to be a game-changer!