University of California Pavement Research Center

03/18/2026

The UCPRC is hiring!

The UCPRC is seeking an Engineering Specialist to manage and serve as the primary operator of two Heavy Vehicle Simulator (HVS) machines. The HVS equipment is part of the UCPRC's accelerated pavement testing program.

The HVS operations engineer will work with the HVS operations manager and research teams to set up pavement research tests; maintain and install instrumentation and data acquisition systems; train and oversee the assistant HVS operations engineer; maintain, troubleshoot, and repair the HVS machines and associated equipment; conduct data acquisition and data quality checks; and operate and calibrate associated testing equipment.

The application deadline is April 9, 2026. For more information and to apply: https://tinyurl.com/4pf3x5w6

03/18/2026

Dr. David Jones Receives 2026 Meyer Distinguished Achievement Award and 2026 ARRA Richard E. Lowell President's Award

UCPRC Associate Director Dr. David Jones is the recent recipient of two prestigious awards: the University of California, Davis 2026 Meyer Distinguished Achievement Award and the 2026 Asphalt Recycling & Reclaiming Association (ARRA) Richard E. Lowell President's Award.

The James H. Meyer Distinguished Achievement Award is one of the most prestigious honors awarded at UC Davis. The award recognizes a distinguished career of achievement and exceptional service to the university. Dr. Jones was selected in recognition of his extensive contributions as a professional research engineer, including his leadership in pavement engineering research and his service to the UC Davis community. His work has had a lasting impact on the field and has helped advance the mission of the University through both research innovation and campus engagement.

The Richard E. Lowell President's Award is presented to an individual who, through long-term involvement, has worked to advance the goals of ARRA and to promote the growth and technological advances of the industry. This award was presented to Dr. Jones in recognition of his outstanding contribution and dedication to the advancement of the asphalt recycling and reclaiming industry and his commitment to the goals of ARRA.

03/18/2026

Two new research reports from the UCPRC:

Title: Evaluation of Sustainable and Cost-Effective Concrete Pavement Life (UCPRC-RR-2024-02)
Authors: Angel Mateos, Ali A. Butt, Changmo Kim, Somayeh Nassiri, and John Harvey
View/download: https://doi.org/10.7922/G2C24TTM

Title: Cold Central Plant Recycling Study: Preliminary Determination of Maximum Time That Processed Material Can Be Stockpiled and Compacted (UCPRC-RR-2023-09)
Authors: Stephanus Louw, David Jones, Joseph Hammack, and Heather Tom
View/download: https://doi.org/10.7922/G2D21VZ0

02/09/2026

Great day for the ECI 178 Pavement Design class!

Thank you to Pete Conlin and Materials for hosting UC Davis undergraduate students for a tour of two asphalt plants, along with a discussion of Teichert’s history as the oldest active contractor in the state and their role in supplying essential aggregate materials across the region.

We appreciate the Teichert team hosting, organizing the tour, and providing lunch. These opportunities help connect students with real-world pavement and materials operations.

02/02/2026

Lab2Slab Open House: April 23, 2026

Lab2Slab will kick off the next construction season with an open house on April 23, 2026. Please save this date and keep an eye out for additional details in the coming weeks.

The UC Davis Lab2Slab Program has the goal of accelerating the implementation of more sustainable binders for structural, pavement, minor, and other concrete applications. The program evaluates new low-carbon cements and supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) through prequalification testing, constructability assessment, QA/QC testing, slab-scale monitoring, and environmental and cost life cycle assessment.

Construction and testing results from the last open house (2025 construction season): https://lab2slab.ucdavis.edu/field-installations/

Join the Lab2Slab mailing list: https://lab2slab.ucdavis.edu/join-mailing-list/

01/29/2026

Upcoming Caltrans DRISI Research Connection Webinar by UCPRC researchers David Jones and Stephanus Louw:

Timing Matters: Improving Quality in Recycled Pavement
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Delays during construction can significantly impact the quality and lifespan of recycled pavement. Join the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for an informative webinar where we will share findings from a comprehensive research study on cold recycling practices.

Attendees will learn:

- How delayed compaction and stockpiling affect pavement strength and stiffness
- Why enforcing the two-hour compaction window is critical
- How variability from construction delays impacts pavement design in CalME (a web application for pavement design software)
- Practical recommendations to improve quality control and reduce variability

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how timing can make the difference between a strong, long-lasting road and costly repairs.

Register here: https://cadot.webex.com/webappng/sites/cadot/meeting/register/6d8d66542c7e43d0be2d0ccc2eb7df12?ticket=4832534b00000008dcf45ab137776a545aea9ed3f2d790fce3432c471f791de9ae7517dd2142fce0×tamp=1769712775376&RGID=r67acf330901f074271d2b9d131c64e85&isAutoPopRegisterForm=false

01/22/2026

2026 Listening Session Series: Barriers to Implementing Innovative Concrete Materials
Feb. 3, 10, and 20, 2026, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PST via Zoom

This new series—presented by the University of California Pavement Research Center (UCPRC), the ACI Foundation, NEU: An ACI Center of Excellence for Carbon Neutral Concrete, and the UC Davis Materials Decarbonization and Sustainability Center (MDSC)—explores barriers to implementing emerging concrete technologies across the value chain. Each session focuses on a specific stakeholder group and will inform an action-oriented roadmap. Register for the session most relevant to your role and share your challenges, questions, and ideas.

Transportation infrastructure relies heavily on energy- and resource-intensive materials such as cement and concrete. Emerging materials and technologies offer opportunities to improve efficiency and durability while reducing life-cycle costs. Realizing these opportunities requires understanding the real-world challenges, questions, and uncertainties faced by those who design, produce, and build infrastructure. Join the discussion in the following listening sessions:

LISTENING SESSION #1: Governmental and Private Project Owners
February 3, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PST via Zoom
Featured speakers include Matt Adams (New Jersey Institute of Technology) and John Harvey and Somayeh Nassiri (UCPRC).
Panelists include Maria Masten (Minnesota Department of Transportation), Richard Mulcahy (Massachusetts Department of Transportation), Robert Spragg (Federal Highway Administration), Luca Montanari (ARUP), and Alan (Chiu) Tam (City of Los Angeles).
Register for Listening Session #1 here: https://ucdavis.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2QBdoWCgSNukfT42aCNDzw #/registration

LISTENING SESSION #2: Concrete Producers and Contractors
February 10, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PST via Zoom
Featured speakers include Peter Taylor (Iowa State University) and Burkan Isgor (Oregon State University).
Panelists include Dana Rotkovich (KB Concrete Systems, Inc.), Larry Sutter (Sutter Engineering), Tiffany Reed-Villarreal (National Ready Mixed Concrete Association), and Pete Conlin (Tiechert Materials).
Register for Session #2 here: https://ucdavis.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_c13axyv2SSmzPrQH3hgqUA #/registration

LISTENING SESSION #3: Cement and Alternative Cements, Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs), and Admixture Producers
February 20, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PST via Zoom
Featured speakers include Kimberly Kurtis (Georgia Institute of Technology) and Sabbie Miller (UC Davis).
Panelists include Rob Shogren (Amrize), Joe Thomas (Natural Pozzolan Association), Terry Harris (Chryso, Inc.), Will Nguyen (Brimstone), and Rudy Wiechert (Imerys).
Register for Session #3 here: https://ucdavis.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rm_ZwYtRT0u7KIB4SYsLAw #/registration

The UCPRC would like to thank the ACI Foundation, NEU, and MDSC for their partnership in this series.

01/13/2026

The Asphalt Institute Foundation has awarded funding to Applied Pavement Technology, Inc. in collaboration with researchers from the UCPRC, for the project "A Review of Methodologies for Sustainable Flexible Pavement Life Cycle Decision-Making." The UCPRC team includes John Harvey, Ali A. Butt, and Angel Mateos.

The objective of this project is to develop a guidance roadmap to help agencies adopt high-quality methodologies for assessing and implementing sustainable flexible pavement systems.

In announcing the award, AIT noted, "We received a dozen high-quality proposals and appreciate the time, effort, and innovation demonstrated by all who applied. The outcomes of this strategic project will help strengthen collaboration between industry, road agencies and academia, laying the foundation for data-driven, sustainable decision-making across the pavement community. Congratulations to the project team!"

The Asphalt Institute Foundation’s mission is to conduct strategic research and educational activities that are designed to advance and improve both the liquid asphalt industry and the welfare of the general public.

AIF announcement: https://lnkd.in/gTgtAt2S

UCPRC: https://ucprc.ucdavis.edu/

12/16/2025

UCPRC at TRB 2026

The Transportation Research Board 105th Annual Meeting will be held in Washington, DC, from January 11–15, 2026. Many UCPRC researchers will participate in meetings, sessions, and exhibits.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 11
WORKSHOPS
1:30 PM - 4:30 PM ET
Workshop 1035: Alternative Cements and Concretes: Balancing Durability, Standards, and Cost
Assessing risks and rewards in moving innovative materials to implementation
Panelists: John Harvey and Somayeh Nassiri
https://tinyurl.com/327hvazc

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13
POSTER SESSIONS
6:15 PM - 7:45 PM ET
Poster Session 3170: Asphalt Mixtures: Advancements in Balanced Mixture Design
Medium-Term Oven Aging (MTOA) and Rapid Medium-Term Oven Aging (RMTOA) for the Implementation of Balanced Mix Design (BMD)
Presenters: Mohammad Rahman, Angel Mateos, John Harvey, Soroosh Amelian, Jeffrey Buscheck, Hanyu Deng, David Jones
https://tinyurl.com/2nxp7jve

Poster Session 3176: Advancements in Cementitious Materials and Nanomaterials for Concrete
Assessing the Physicochemical Properties and Pozzolanic Reactivity of Biochar from Rice Hulls, Walnut Shells, and Wood for Use as Supplementary Cementitious Materials in Concrete
Presenters: Souvik Roy, Ali Zarei, Md Mostofa Haider, Somayeh Nassiri
https://tinyurl.com/scrk7j2w

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14
POSTER SESSIONS
4:00 PM - 5:45 PM ET
Poster Session 4077: Enhancing Construction Aspects of Pavement Foundation
Recommendations for Standardizing Mix Design and Quality Control Testing Procedures for Asphalt Treated Cold Recycled Materials
Presenters: Stephanus Louw, David Jones
https://tinyurl.com/3wtvvc5z

TRB Annual Meeting: https://trb-annual-meeting.nationalacademies.org/

UCPRC: https://ucprc.ucdavis.edu/

With increased interest in alternative cements such as CSA, PLC, and LC3, questions arise about durability, cost, and standards based on conventional OPC chemistry. This workshop features technical presentations, panel discussions, and case studies addressing performance testing, standards revision,...

12/16/2025

The Partnered Pavement Research Center (PPRC) FY 2023-2024 Annual Report is now available: https://tinyurl.com/wut5nkjp

The annual report details the research work, publications, and accomplishments of the PPRC, operated by Caltrans and the UCPRC.

10/13/2015

Remember when you ask for an extra ton of asphalt for specimen prep, someone has to shovel it...