The NextPAVE Challenge is a collaboration between the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT), National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA), and the Minnesota Department of Transportation's Cold Weather Pavement Testing Facility (MnROAD). This initiative is designed to comprehensively evaluate and high-potential pavement technologies through a structured, transparent process.
The challenge is open to technology providers, material suppliers, and innovators who have market-ready solutions for improving pavement durability, sustainability, and performance.
Eligible technologies could include a range of pavement solutions intended to dramatically improve the performance and sustainability of new or existing pavements, including techniques to improve resiliency and dependability of the nation's highway infrastructure.
The Challenge is open to innovative soil and unbound layer stabilization technologies, alternative binders, additives for high-recycled material content mixtures, low-energy processes, and transformative materials to extend pavement lifespans.
If you have a new technology that you would like to discuss with NCAT, please fill out the inquiry form, and we will arrange a time to talk with you.
Organizations interested in supporting this initiative can participate as sponsors.
To learn more about available opportunities and how to get involved, please click the button below to contact us.
Technologies will be tested and modeled using FlexPave and PerROAD at NCAT. NCAT engineers and collaborating scientists will also evaluate the scalability of the technology to assess its supply chain capacity. At the end of Phase 1, a pitch event will be held, giving the technology providers the opportunity to pitch their innovation to an independent panel of judges along with the results of the testing, modelling, and scalability assessment presented by NCAT. The panel will select the most promising technologies to advance to Phase 2.
All technologies (including but not limited to mixture additives, binder additives, alternative binders, base stabilization, and others) will be compared to a control with respect to both the asphalt mixture and the pavement structure.
Asphalt mixture and additive technologies will be compared to a control mixture containing 20% RAP that has been designed using Balanced Mix Design criteria (minimum IDEAL-CT = 50 and minimum IDEAL-RT = 65).
Technologies that are contributing specifically to the structural design of the pavement will be compared to a 5-inch asphalt layer (described above) over a 6-inch crushed aggregate base material over the typical test track subgrade.
The spirit of this study is the next generation of paving, and we recognize that there may be technologies or techniques that do not fit these descriptions. In these cases, an appropriate control will be identified in consultation with the technology provider(s).
All submitted technologies will be placed into one of four categories for evaluation: On, In, or Below the Asphalt, or Other.
On – Technologies applied to the pavement surface, such as surface rejuvenation, friction treatments, noise-reducing surfaces, and preservation treatments.
In – Technologies incorporated within the asphalt mixture, such as mix additives, alternative binders, and chemical additives.
Below – Technologies applied to layers beneath the asphalt, such as soil or base stabilizing methods.
Other – Innovative approaches that do not fall neatly into the above categories.
Examples listed are not exhaustive; other relevant technologies are welcome.
The event will consist of three parts for each technology:
1. A two-minute technology pitch by technology provider.
2. NCAT scientists presenting test results, modeling data, and scalability assessment.
3. A Q&A session where the panel can ask questions about the technology and the evaluation.
Technology providers will pay $25,000 for the Phase 1 evaluation. Technologies can be tested under a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), but NDA participants will not advance to Phase 2.
The selected technologies will advance to full-scale validation at the NCAT Test Track in 2027 and at MnROAD in 2028. This phase allows for real-world testing of the technologies in well-controlled experiments under extreme weather and accelerated loading.
Phase 2 will be fully funded by a consortium of state highway agencies and private-sector organizations seeking to implement proven, innovative pavement technologies.
Interested participants must email a Letter of Interest and supporting documents to Randy West by September 30, 2025.
Download the letter of interest template here.
For full details, contact our team and we will set up a time to meet with you.