PRODUCTION – PROFESSIONALS – PRODUCTS
Prep Pavements for Winter • Batch controls • Credit parameters • Education partners • Transfer fluid testing • Annual Training Guide
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INDUSTRIES INC.
CONTENTS
asphaltPRO October 2026
DEPARTMENTS
24
EDITOR’S LETTER 6 – Control the Machines By Sandy Lender
SAFETY SPOTLIGHT
8 – Administer Naloxone with Confidence Quick preparation, training for an overdose emergency From SAFE Project Resources
MIX IT UP
12 – Monitor Heat Transfer Fluid Performance for Optimum Asphalt Production Dependable temperature control is essential to keep asphalt producers efficient and on schedule By Ryan Ritz
PAVEMENT MAINTENANCE
16 – Clean Sweep Into Winter Pavement preservation contractors and municipalities can prepare surfaces for winter arrival with planning, sweeping From Elgin Sweeper
38
WOMEN OF ASPHALT
34
20 – Partnership for Mix Design Training Women of Asphalt and Asphalt Institute facilitate technical exchange for educational opportunity in lab excellence By Sandy Lender
PRODUCT GALLERY
48 – Anniversary News Opens Paving Gallery From Command Alkon
OFF THE MAT
57 – Looking Beyond the Revenue Counterparty in Project Finance How Asset Essentiality, Market Position and Replacement Dynamics Influence Credit Ratings By Nicole Markou
FEATURES 24 – Update Your Existing Batch Plant: Part 2 Update electrical components, controls with expert guidance By Sandy Lender 30 – Controls Prep in 4 Steps Planning takes center stage when preparing to upgrade the asphalt batch plant’s controls system By Mike Raasch
PRODUCTION – PROFESSIONALS – PRODUCTS
SPECIAL SECTION 33 – Annual Training Guide
Prep Pavements for Winter • Batch controls • Credit parameters • Education partners • Transfer fluid testing • Annual Training Guide
34 – Reduce Risk Around Conveyors By The Asphalt Pro Staff SEPTEMBER 2026 THEASPHALTPRO.COM
38 – Wright Brothers Builds its Workforce with Cat Simulators By Kim Roberts 42 – LABCAT Certification Example From Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association 46 – Telematics as Mentor By Joseph Hawkins
ON THE COVER Preparing surfaces for maintenance or the winter season requires a plan. See related article on page 16. Photo courtesy of Elgin Sweeper Co., Elgin, Illinois
E D I TO R ' S L E T T E R Control the Machines
T
he men and women running the asphalt plant have seen a shift in controls over the past dozen years. What started as blending systems on one panel in the operator’s shed and a standalone kiosk where truck drivers collected their printed tickets has morphed into something far more robust. Now we offer workers a cloud-based, connected workflow that allows the plant operator, the dispatcher, middle management at headquarters, and the CEO taking a meeting with a potential new supplier, to monitor and track everything from heat transfer fluid temperature to aggregate moisture to burner performance to the haul truck’s position for safest loadout beneath a designated silo. I’m waiting for the platform that cuts the haul truck engine based on the driver’s eye movement, thus throwing a cog in the whole operation. Can you imagine the phones lighting up if truck A is sitting silently beneath the silo while trucks B through Z are lining up waiting their turn? What will it take to convince the AI Safetybot System (not trademarked) that the driver was merely fixing his contact lens and his heart rate will return to normal as soon as the plant operator stops screaming at him to move forward so the plant operating at 300 TPH doesn’t have to shut down? You may think I’m exaggerating, but we do have the technology to determine equipment operator fatigue based on blink rate. Automobile manufacturers are working with the technology to prevent drivers from starting vehicles if heart rates exhibit the “wrong” emotional state. On one hand,
October 2026 • Vol. 20 No. 1
the last thing your safety director wants is a drowsy driver—whether he’s in the wheel loader cab by the feed bins or in the haul truck cab accepting 23 tons of 320°F mix— to cause harm to himself or others. On the other hand, we need a human to assess what’s going on and control the machines. I recently shared a message that we have more data than we know how to corral. (See the Data Under Pressure column from May of this year.) The influx isn’t slowing down, but in the plant operations sector, we’re controlling it. I stated in May that I’m looking forward to seeing the ways different technology providers can help the asphalt professional not only identify best practices for improvement but also help track the information and offer the provable data to agencies as it’s demanded. In this month’s issue, you’ll see multiple providers advertising the controls systems designed to make mix production and tracking easier for the plant operator, manager and owner. Take these vendors seriously when they invite you to reach out. The solutions they offer have been years in the making for the purpose of enhancing your operations. These are the companies that understand asphalt production and its control. They are the ones that can help your humans control the machines and corral the data. Stay Safe,
Sandy Lender
asphaltPRO 602 W. Morrison, Box 6a Fayette, MO 65248 (660) 728-5007 • www.theasphaltpro.com GROUP PUBLISHER Chris Harrison chris@theasphaltpro.com EDITOR Sandy Lender sandy@theasphaltpro.com (239) 272-8613 DIGITAL EDITOR Sarah Redohl sarah@theasphaltpro.com (573) 355-9775 MEDIA SALES Cara Owings cara@theasphaltpro.com (660) 537-0778 ART DIRECTOR Kristin Branscom BUSINESS MANAGER Susan Campbell (660) 728-5007 OPERATIONS Natasha Nivens natasha@theasphaltpro.com The Asphalt Pro is published 11 times per year. Writers expressing views in The Asphalt Pro or on the website are professionals with sound, professional advice. Views expressed herein are not necessarily the same as the views of The Asphalt Pro, thus producers/ contractors are still encouraged to use best practices when implementing new advice. SUBSCRIPTION POLICY: Individual subscriptions are available without charge in the United States, Canada and Mexico to qualified individuals. One year subscription to non-qualifying Individuals: United States $90, Canada and Mexico $125.00. For the international digital edition, visit theasphaltpro.com/subscribe/.
6 | OCTOBER 2026
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S A F E T Y S P OT L I G H T
Administer Naloxone with Confidence Quick preparation, training for an overdose emergency FROM SAFE PROJECT RESOURCES
N
aloxone, often referred to by the brand name Narcan®, is a medication designed to reverse an opioid overdose. It is an important, lifesaving tool that works by quickly binding to opioid receptors in the brain, displacing the harmful substances and reversing their effects. Naloxone is safe, easy to administer, and designed for use by anyone willing to help in an emergency. With minimum training, anyone can use it effectively. Whether you store naloxone in a first aid kit, safety trailer, office or work vehicle, taking time to learn the basics of its use before an emergency happens can help you respond quickly and confidently when every second counts.
STEP 1. IDENTIFY OPIOID OVERDOSE & CHECK FOR SIGNS.
First, you must recognize a colleague is in distress. Before administering naloxone, it’s important to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose. If you suspect someone is experiencing an overdose, act immediately, keeping in mind, using naloxone won’t hurt the person if he or she is not experiencing an overdose. Common signs of overdose include: • Unresponsiveness or inability to wake the person • Slow, shallow or stopped breathing • Blue or gray lips or fingernails • Pinpoint pupils • Choking, gurgling or snoring sounds
STEP 2. APPLY NARCAN®
If your colleague displays these signs, it’s time to render aid. Administering nasal spray naloxone is designed to be straightforward. While there are different naloxone products available, the overall response remains the same. Remove the naloxone nasal spray from its packaging. You will hold the naloxone with your thumb on the bottom of the red plunger and your first and middle fingers on either side of the nozzle. Tilt the person’s head back and provide support under his or her neck with your other hand. Gently insert the tip of the nozzle into either nostril of the patient until your fingers on either side of the nozzle are against the bottom of the person’s nose. Then press the top firmly to administer the dose. 8 | OCTOBER 2026
Illustration courtesy of SAFE Project
STEP 3. CALL 911, EVALUATE & SUPPORT
Dial 911 to get emergency medical help right away. While waiting for EMTs to arrive, move the person to their side and watch them closely. The proper recovery position is on their side with their legs bent and their head resting on their arm on the floor. If the person does not respond to voice or touch, or if they are not breathing normally, repeat step two to give a second dose of naloxone to the other nostril. Remember to: • Check for responsiveness. • If it is safe to do so, carefully lower the person to the floor or ground. • Administer naloxone according to the product instructions. • Call 911.
• Monitor breathing and provide rescue breathing if you are trained for this. • If there is no response after 2-3 minutes, administer a second dose if available. • Place the person on their side in the recovery position if they are breathing on their own. • Stay with the person until emergency responders arrive. Even if someone regains consciousness after receiving naloxone, they should still receive emergency medical care because the medication may wear off before the opioids leave their system.
PRACTICE BEFORE AN EMERGENCY Reading the steps is a great start, but practicing them ahead of time can help you respond quickly when it matters most.
ON TRACK PERFORMANCE
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S A F E T Y S P OT L I G H T SAFE Project offers free naloxone training options designed for every experience level, which can be accessed at the training portal here: https://www.safeproject.us/training/. • 60-Second Overview—This is a quick refresher for anyone carrying naloxone. • Abbreviated Training (5-10 minutes)—This covers overdose recognition and naloxone administration. • Comprehensive Training (30 minutes)— This provides a deeper understanding of overdose response and prevention. Construction workers continue to experience one of the highest rates of overdose deaths among U.S. industries. To help employers and workers prepare, SAFE Project partnered with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the Jobsite Safety Institute (JSI) to develop free training resources specifically for the construction industry. These resources include: English and Spanish training videos, a downloadable English and Spanish stepby-step guide for administering naloxone, and materials that can be incorporated into toolbox talks and workplace safety meetings.
Graphic courtesy of SAFE Project
PROCESS RIGHT ON THE SITE ALLU ASPHALT
Profitable Asphalt Recycling
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25 - 45 t
ALLU CONCRETE
For demolition rubble and RAP chunks For bigger RAP chunks, pulverized concrete and other demolition rubble, the ALLU Concrete Bucket processes them with ease right at the site - up to 100 tons per hour. The bucket is ideal for projects that are size limited, or bringing a separate crusher unit would otherwise not be possible. Replaceable carbide picks, easy detachable drum design and two-way rotating drums, you can go through material fast with minimal time spend on maintenance.
10 | OCTOBER 2026
HOW TO AVOID THE HOOD SHOT! Safety Loadout Truck Recognition System The Look, Lock ‘n Load® System by Hotmix Parts uses the latest in Artificial Intelligence to enable asphalt plant operators to load trucks while avoiding the danger of dropping silo loads onto truck cabs or other incorrect loadout positions.
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MIX IT UP
Monitor Heat Transfer Fluid Performance For Optimum Asphalt Production Dependable temperature control is essential to keep asphalt producers efficient and on schedule BY RYAN RITZ
T
he highly seasonal nature of the asphalt industry makes it unique among many industrial operations. After a busy summer season, plant managers have the opportunity to shut down for the winter and make important preparations, satisfy maintenance requirements, and adjust their operations before spring rolls around. One of the most impactful off-season activities you can perform is to ensure your heat transfer systems and fluids are optimized for the coming year. Reliable, consistent asphalt production depends on high-performance heat transfer and the fluids that make it possible. Any asphalt professional knows that the product thickens as it cools, but when this happens within your production systems, it can prevent effective flow through your pumps and other critical infrastructure. In worst-case scenarios, this can lead to damaged equipment, lost production, and major safety issues. It’s why asphalt professionals should evaluate their choice of heat transfer fluids. Much more than the simple “hot oils” they’re often called, highly effective heat transfer fluids have been specifically engineered to maintain elevated temperatures in ways that other common industrial fluids and lubricants have not. And they can make a big difference in your ability to remain efficient, on schedule and, most importantly, safe once the summer season rolls around. In this article, we’ll explore in further depth the role heat transfer fluids play in successful asphalting operations, as well as why proper application and regular fluid analysis can help you avoid major issues.
THE ROLE OF HEAT TRANSFER FLUIDS: A CLOSER LOOK
Heat transfer systems and the fluids used within them are deployed primarily to help 12 | OCTOBER 2026
Asphalt professionals understand that reliable heat transfer is vital to successful asphalt production. Maintaining predictable viscosities throughout the busy season is essential to delivering on customer needs and requirements, and issues arising from your heat transfer fluids can severely disrupt your operations. At minimum, asphalt producers should sample and analyze their heat transfer fluids on an annual basis, and ideally, your fluid provider should be able to help you with this process. All photos courtesy of Lubrizol
maintain consistent temperatures in large storage tanks containing liquid asphalt cement (AC). Typically, ideal temperatures hover around 350°F, though they can vary between 325°F and 375°F, depending on the specific application. In simple terms, a common heat transfer system setup includes a heater to keep the heat transfer fluid at the appropriate temperature and a pump that conveys the fluid through coiled tubing surrounding the storage tank (sometimes called a jacketed tank). In this application, your heat transfer fluid is responsible for maintaining a specified temperature, allowing the AC to remain at a predictable viscosity to move throughout the entire system without issue. During production season, these systems operate at all hours to maintain viscosity even when production isn’t occurring. Even moderate temperature changes can cause the AC to thicken; when this occurs, blockage and buildup can accu-
mulate within pumps and the piping system, which can affect desired flow rates and optimal production conditions. At its worst, solidified AC within a piping system can necessitate production stoppages and parts replacement, which can be especially detrimental when producers must meet demanding seasonal production schedules. These consequences—or avoiding them— hinge on the general health of your heat transfer fluid. Because when the properties of the fluid are compromised, not only may your AC fall below suboptimal temperatures, but rectifying the issue can cause a cascading series of problems throughout your entire system.
THE CONSEQUENCES OF POOR FLUID HEALTH
Consider a scenario: You receive an alarm indicating that the temperature of your AC tank has fallen below desired temperatures. There
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LEFT: The safety data sheet will help you identify your fluid’s proper use. RIGHT: Even the highest-performing heat transfer fluid will degrade over the course of its anticipated service life, with or without misapplication. Heat transfer fluids should be clear and colorless, or close to it. Amber, gold or brown hues can indicate that the fluid has been formulated with additives that may serve other purposes, or could indicate degradation in progress.
are several reasons this may happen, but a natural reaction, especially in the middle of summer when there are contracts to fulfill, may be to raise the settings of your heating element to compensate for heating losses. Several problems can arise next. For example, cranking up the heat may damage the coils of your heating system, compromising the integrity of critical components. In some cases, this can result in a downward spiral in maintenance requirements, which can not only contribute to costly downtime, but to significant health and safety issues for your personnel. Additionally, excessive heating of your fluids can contribute to excessive oxidation and premature degradation, which can further compromise the fluid’s ability to hold temperature on an exponential scale. Here, it is important to determine the root cause of why your AC temperature levels fell in the first place, and it may lie within the health of your heat transfer fluids. For example, small leaks could occur throughout the heating system, and if so, at a certain level may trigger alarms indicating to maintenance crews that fluid levels should be topped off. When this happens, it is not uncommon for workers to go seeking any fluid in stock in the facility, but not all shop fluids maintain the same functionality as specifically designed heat transfer fluids. General lubricating oils are not designed to maintain heat; they are instead heavily additized to maintain lubricating, hydraulic performance, anti-rust, or other capabilities. Including them within the heat transfer loop can substantially compromise its abilities, leading to excessive oxidation, degradation, and overall decreased performance—all of which can be detrimental to any asphalt operation. 14 | OCTOBER 2026
THE IMPORTANCE OF FLUID PURITY, MONITORING AND ANALYSIS
The scenario described above illustrates the importance of two things: • Selecting specifically engineered heat transfer fluids • Ongoing monitoring to ensure such fluids maintain their desired properties To satisfy the first point, there are a few things you can do to ensure you’re servicing your heat transfer system with fit-for-purpose fluids. First, a simple eye test can help; heat transfer fluids should be clear and colorless, or close to it. Amber, gold, or brown hues can indicate that the fluid has been formulated with additives that may serve other purposes, but aren’t specifically suited for heat transfer applications. Second, check the safety data sheet (SDS). All products should have the intended application for the fluid listed. Don’t be misled by product branding and naming. It is not uncommon for hot oils to be named as such, despite applications being listed as a “petroleum lubricating oil,” for example. Be sure that the intended application is for heat transfer and heat transfer only. Further, your supplier should be able to provide detailed thermos-physical data points, including viscosity, density, specific heat capacity, and thermal conductivity across a full temperature range. Once you’ve selected a quality heat transfer fluid, ongoing monitoring and analysis can help you ensure that it’s performing adequately. Because even the highest-performing heat transfer fluid will degrade over the course of its anticipated service life, with or without misapplication.
At minimum, asphalt producers should sample and analyze their heat transfer fluids on an annual basis, and ideally, your fluid provider should be able to help you with this process. For example, pulling a sample about two months before planned shutdown for the season can help you identify any maintenance needs. This should not be a general lubricant analysis. Specific testing to evaluate the fluid’s thermal properties is required. Such testing can help identify any degradation or oxidation that may be occurring, and why, enabling you to take specific preventive action. This is important, because by the time you may notice issues during production— including solidified lines, poor flow, and poor heat transfer—it may already be too late for corrective measures. If this occurs in the middle of summer, you may be looking at severely interrupted production and lost contracts. All asphalt professionals understand that reliable heat transfer is vital to successful asphalt production. Maintaining predictable viscosities throughout the busy season is essential to delivering on customer needs and requirements, and issues arising from your heat transfer fluids can severely disrupt your operations. This makes selecting high-performance formulations specifically designed for heat transfer, along with ongoing fluid analysis and maintenance, important to help asphalt producers mitigate risk and achieve ongoing success. Ryan Ritz is the global director of technology for heat transfer at the Lubrizol Corporation. He has more than 20 years of experience in the development, design and sales of heat transfer fluids throughout numerous industries. He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Delaware.
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PAV E M E N T M A I N T E N A N C E
Clean Sweep Into Winter Pavement preservation contractors and municipalities can prepare surfaces for winter arrival with planning, sweeping FROM ELGIN SWEEPER
F
all brings a different set of challenges for street sweeping and pavement maintenance than does spring or summer. There's more to consider than fallen leaves. And this is important for contractors to keep in mind when preparing surfaces for preservation treatments such as sealcoating. It’s also important for contractors who take on maintenance for municipalities and communities ahead of winter. The challenge goes beyond removing debris for a clean seal or proper winter prep. You need to maintain productivity while conditions are changing almost daily. A proactive approach to fall sweeping can help the crews accomplish more work, reduce downtime and keep stormwater systems functioning properly. Here are some steps to improve productivity during fall sweeping. See how they can work into your surface prep for preservation projects, as well.
ADJUST YOUR SWEEPING ROUTES & ROUTINES
One of the most common mistakes municipalities make is treating fall routes the same way they treat summer routes. Leaf accumulation rarely occurs evenly across a community. Streets lined with mature deciduous trees can require more attention than other areas, while business districts and neighborhoods with younger tree canopies may need fewer passes. Plan ahead to handle these different routes before the peak of leaf season. Identifying high-volume leaf areas early allows crews to adjust sweeping frequency before debris becomes overwhelming. More frequent sweeping often results in smaller, more manageable loads and less time spent addressing clogged storm drains and problem areas.
PREVENT PROBLEMS PROACTIVELY
Leaves rarely create problems on their own. A bigger issue occurs when leaves combine with sediment, litter and other debris to re16 | OCTOBER 2026
Elgin’s Road Wizard is a mechanical broom sweeper. While this type of sweeper is used in fall maintenance scenarios, it is also indicated for milling cleanup thanks to its ability to handle coarse asphalt millings, heavier aggregate particles, construction debris, and gravel and stone fragments. The Road Wizard includes a 360-gallon water system for dust suppression, which is an important consideration on milling projects. When selecting a sweeper to work on your mill-and-fill, consider what you’re asking the machine to do. Typical cold-planer millings range from fine particles up to pieces around 1 to 2 inches, and these are going up the conveyor to a waiting haul truck. If the cold planer’s primary conveyor is working properly, only residual material remains on the pavement. This is an ideal application for the Road Wizard.
strict water flow. Storm drains, curb lines and low-lying collection points should receive special attention during fall maintenance programs. Clearing these areas before major rain events can help prevent localized flooding and reduce emergency response calls.
PICK THE RIGHT SWEEPER FOR THE JOB
Fall sweeping conditions will vary. Heavy leaf accumulation, construction debris, fine dust and stormwater management applications may require different sweeping technologies. Mechanical broom sweepers such as the Elgin Eagle or Elgin Broom Bear are often effective for handling heavy organic material and larger debris, while regenerative air and vacuum sweepers such as the Elgin Crosswind1 and Elgin RegenX1 excel at removing finer particles and supporting environmental cleanup objectives.
The Elgin Broom Bear is a suitable choice when: • The cold planer’s conveyor removes most of the milled Understanding material. the strengths of each machine in aremaining fleet allows municipalities • The material consiststo deploy equipment where itaggregate will have the of loose millings, andgreatest impact fines.and productivity. The mechanical • Asweepers clean surface is required before broom are also those you’ll typicalcoating ormachines paving. on mill-andly see tack behind milling Milling If depths are the typical fill •projects. the objective is to clean the of sealing, 1 to 4 inches. surfaceroadway for tackdepths coat or the sweep-
RAISING THE STANDARD
Since its introduction, the Weiler P385 has set the standard for commercial pavers. The P385C raises that standard. Increase to 120 hp with the Cat® C3.6 Tier 4F/Stage V engine. Variable speed and reversible conveyors and augers and a 25% increase in tunnel height provide optimal material output.
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PAV E M E N T M A I N T E N A N C E er’s role of removing residual millings, loose aggregate or debris is met by the mechanical broom sweeper.
GET SETTINGS RIGHT
Small adjustments can have a significant impact on sweeping performance. Before peak leaf season arrives, operators should review manufacturer recommendations for broom pressure, broom angle, pickup head settings and water application rates. A properly adjusted sweeper collects more material in a single pass and helps maximize productivity throughout the shift.
DO YOUR DAILY INSPECTIONS
Fall sweeping is about more than leaves. It’s also an opportunity to prepare infrastructure and equipment for winter conditions.
Fall sweeping places unique demands on equipment. Leaves, sticks and hidden debris can create wear and tear that isn't always immediately visible. Daily inspections of brooms, conveyors, pickup heads, hydraulic systems and water systems help identify potential issues before they become costly repairs. (Operators should also pay close attention to hopper capacity and debris buildup.)
SWEEP LIKE WINTER IS COMING
Fall sweeping is about more than leaves. It’s also an opportunity to prepare infrastructure and equipment for winter conditions. Preparing a surface for a sealcoat helps lock out water intrusion that could otherwise damage a pavement over the winter. Clearing debris from stormwater systems helps reduce freeze-related drainage issues, while preventive maintenance ensures sweepers are ready for the demands of snow season and early spring cleanup. Municipalities that combine fall sweeping with winter preparation often experience fewer equipment issues and a smoother transition between seasons. The most productive fall sweeping programs don’t happen by accident. They result from proactive route planning, proper equipment deployment, routine maintenance and a commitment to preventing problems before they occur. For more information, visit ElginSweeper.com.
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WO M E N O F A S P H A LT
Partnership for Mix Design Training Women of Asphalt and Asphalt Institute facilitate technical exchange for educational opportunity in lab excellence BY SANDY LENDER
T
he Women of Asphalt (WofA) national organization and Asphalt Institute in Lexington, Kentucky, have partnered for a unique educational opportunity this December. And the response has been overwhelmingly positive. The inaugural “Inside the Mix: Understanding Asphalt Materials” technical training sold out within three weeks of the June 11 announcement that registration was open. It will offer women in the asphalt industry the opportunity to learn in the lab alongside their peers. The inaugural “Inside the Mix: Understanding Asphalt Materials” technical training workshop takes place Dec. 9-10, 2026, at the Asphalt Institute in Lexington, Kentucky, and offers participants 10 professional development hours.
Brittyn Heisler, the WofA executive director, spoke of the importance of this event. “As Women of Asphalt has grown, we’ve heard a consistent message from both our members and national partners: more in-person training and development opportunities. Our partnership with Asphalt Institute was a natural fit. What better place to learn the science behind asphalt materials than the Asphalt Institute lab itself?” This 101-level program will combine classroom instruction and handson laboratory learning to provide a practical introduction to asphalt materials and pavement performance. The course is designed to be a good fit for engineers, lab professionals, project managers, emerging leaders and others looking to strengthen their technical knowledge. The technical exchange offers an extension of the spirit of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education for young women entering our industry and those already pursuing an asphalt-related career. Wes Cooper, Asphalt Institute’s laboratory manager and senior research scientist, spoke to this collaboration. “This event highlights how diversity strengthens laboratory work, and why the asphalt industry needs women applying their unique STEM skillsets to enhance our technical footprint and leadership.” “Whether you work in the lab, the field, the office or leadership, understanding the ‘why’ behind asphalt materials helps you contribute, grow and lead with confidence,” Heisler said. “Together, Women of Asphalt and Asphalt Institute are investing in the development of the next generation of industry talent.” To that end, women who have signed up for the December event will expand their knowledge of a number of pieces of lab equipment, including how to use the dynamic shear rheometer (DSR). “The dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) is the backbone of asphalt binder quality control, providing a fast, repeatable measure of a bind20 | OCTOBER 2026
The dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) is one of the fundamental pieces of lab equipment for the asphalt industry. The participants in the inaugural “Inside the Mix: Understanding Asphalt Materials” technical training course will get hands-on experience with the device. Photo courtesy of ATS, Jacksonville, Florida
er’s flow and deformation behavior,” Cooper said. “Using closely controlled temperature and small-strain oscillatory loading, the DSR characterizes the complex shear modulus (G*) and phase angle (δ), giving suppliers, contractors and user agencies a common basis for evaluating viscoelastic response. “The test is governed by AASHTO T 315, Standard Method of Test for Determining the Rheological Properties of Asphalt Binder Using a Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR), with test temperatures and parameters set by the binder’s performance grade (PG) and aging condition. “In practice, a small specimen is loaded between two parallel plates and the rheometer is configured for the correct geometry and temperature; the instrument then applies the oscillation and records G* and δ. Routine DSR testing flags shifts in binder properties early, allowing corrective action before material drifts off-grade and fails to meet performance requirements.” Learning how to perform tests with this foundational piece of equipment sets up the inaugural class of the “Inside the Mix” course for future success, which is one of the many goals WofA leadership sets for its events. “We’re intentionally building signature programs that complement, not duplicate, the great work already happening across our industry,” Heisler said. “As Women of Asphalt continues to evolve, we’re focused not only on attracting talent to the industry, but also helping professionals grow and advance within it. This program supports that goal by connecting participants directly with industry experts while building confidence in the technical side of our industry.”
SUPERIOR QUALITY ASPHALT STARTS WITH ADM
Your first stop in the FAYAT GROUP road lifecycle, ADM makes the plants that make the hot mix. When it comes to North American roadbuilding, FAYAT Group brands including ADM, BOMAG, Dynapac, LeeBoy, and Mecalac have you covered.
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UPDATE YOUR EXISTING BATCH PLANT PART 2
Update electrical components, controls with expert guidance BY SANDY LENDER
Jim Omann of Omann Brothers, Inc., started his older batch plant’s upgrades with the controls and automation. This allowed for expansion for future growth. Photo courtesy of Motion Engineering 24 | OCTOBER 2026
C
Continuing the discussion of ways to update an older hot-mix asphalt (HMA) batch plant, this month’s installment dives further into the electrical and controls systems. As we saw in part one, a common theme from sources showed batch plant owners/operators are not only considering upgrades to increase efficiency at their sites, but also to increase production. A spokesperson for Astec Industries, Chattanooga, prepared this: “The most common upgrades [over the past decade] have focused on increasing productivity and improving RAP utilization. Additional storage capacity, whether short-term or longterm, remains one of the most popular investments because it allows producers to improve plant throughput, reduce truck waiting times, and better balance production with paving operations.…Another increasingly common approach is the addition of a drum dryer/mixer system that allows facilities to combine elements of continuous production with traditional batch operation. In some cases, owners gain the ability to produce asphalt either continuously or in batches while also benefiting from storage and higher recycling capabilities. Interestingly, many of the most popular upgrades over the past decade—including storage, external RAP systems and drum mixer additions—are aimed at increasing throughput, improving recycling capability and lowering operating costs. In many ways, these upgrades move a traditional batch facility closer to the performance and economics of a continuous plant. This reflects the broader industry trend as producers look to maximize efficiency, reduce cost per ton, and improve return on investment while extending the useful life of existing assets. Ultimately, the most successful upgrades are those that address a producer’s specific operating constraints while delivering measurable economic benefits.” The constraints alluded to include footprint as well as mechanical considerations, such as old wiring or outdated controls. Let’s assess ways to address these concerns and look at what your peers consider top priorities for updating the older HMA batch plant.
PERMIT THE PLANT TO FIT IN YOUR LOCATION
As discussed in September’s installment, producers often view permitting as an insurmountable obstacle when it comes to updating a batch plant that may be grandfathered into an urban area—or any area, for that matter. But sources pointed out not every update will require oversight and many updates will be met with some level of enthusiasm. Mike Mauzy, sales manager for Reliable Asphalt Products, Inc., Shelbyville, Kentucky,
This producer added an Accu-Shear system from Stansteel Hotmix Parts & Service to facilitate addition of latex. Batch plants offer flexibility with smaller production runs of specialty mixes and updates with newer technology can widen the types of specialty mixes available for your customers. With the added technology comes the need for control, like that offered by the Accu-Load system, also from Stansteel. Photos courtesy of Stansteel
shared how simpler upgrades might be allowed without changes to permits. “Batch plant controls are simple control systems that only need replacing when the old system is outdated,” Mauzy said. “This is a simple upgrade process. When making a batch plant into more of a hybrid batch/continuous mix plant, which has been performed hundreds of times, it requires more intricate feeder blending capabilities along with belt scale production control. Although this is a more costly and time-consuming project, the benefits help streamline the batching process. This likely does not require any permitting upgrades.”
When in doubt, turn to your supplier or consultant for help. “When owners decide to upgrade major combustion equipment such as a burner, our recommendation is to engage equipment suppliers, engineering resources and regulatory authorities early in the process,” Llew Williams said. He’s the general manager, operations, for Stansteel Hotmix Parts & Service, Louisville, Kentucky, and he shared, “The most successful projects are typically those where permit considerations, fuel availability, emissions expectations and production goals are addressed before equipment is ordered….From a business WWW.THEASPHALTPRO.COM | 25
occupy older facilities where available space is limited, making it difficult to add RAP systems, storage silos, or other necessary equipment to improve productivity and increase recycled content. “For older batch plants, some of the most beneficial upgrades are those that improve reliability, efficiency and maintainability without substantially changing the plant’s operating profile.” This doesn’t mean the producer in a congested urban area gives up. It means he plans ahead and gets creative. “My recommendation would be to ensure you have a good consultant on board to help walk through carefully planning and budgeting for a project of that scope to ensure a smooth upgraded operation is carried out,” Motion Engineering President Michael Petrie said. If you can’t expand outward, think vertically. For example, Ammann’s UniBatch has integrated silo storage located under the mixer. This process offers up to 500 tons of storage while still directly loading into trucks.
CONTROL MORE TONS
Many batch plant owners find it beneficial to add cold feed bins, RAP bins, additional storage silos, etc., to accommodate increased mixes and production. With the addition of materials/ inputs, a robust controls and blending system is a must. The AARC BlendPro 2.0 asphalt plant control system from Reliable Asphalt Products can be fully customized for each facility. Photos courtesy of Reliable Asphalt Products
perspective, owners should view a burner upgrade as more than an emissions project. Modern burner technology can improve fuel efficiency, combustion stability, production consistency and operational flexibility. A thorough evaluation of plant goals often helps justify the investment and streamline the overall project.” The improvements in emissions and fuel efficiency that Williams listed will be of interest to the air quality authority. These are the kinds of “wins” that will go a long way toward convincing a regulatory authority to approve up26 | OCTOBER 2026
grades that represent a change to the operating permit. But another change that older HMA batch plant owners/operators must consider is real estate. Everything discussed in parts one and two of this series takes up space. If merely replacing an existing component, it may not be adding additional mass, but some upgrades, such as adding a silo system, more cold feeds, a more robust baghouse, etc., require a larger footprint. The Astec spokesperson shared: “Site constraints are also common. Many batch plants
That loading process may need an upgrade as well. And that’s where a discussion of controls and automation often begins. “When planning for new updates with controls and automation, while it is a fairly simple concept, it can be extremely costly as you have to update everything from wiring and electrical components along with new controls and automation,” Petrie said. “It is important to consider cost and budget appropriately if this is something that an owner is looking to do. Once you start upgrading certain components within the plant, you end up running into issues that require additional upgrades that may be unexpected.” The good news is that not every batch plant upgrade that begins with wiring and controls will necessarily require an overhaul of components as well. Mike Raasch, controls engineer at WEM Automation, Pewaukee, Wisconsin, shared, “The first step is understanding the condition and architecture of the existing system, including the PLC or existing relay logic, operator interface, control panels, motor controls, scales, field instrumentation, safety circuits, and any reporting or loadout systems connected to the plant. Much of the plant’s mechanical equipment may still have useful life remaining, while the controls and electrical components have become obsolete or difficult to support. In those cases, the objective is usually to modernize the control system without replacing equipment that is still mechanically sound.
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Here we see the Ammann as1 controls working with a UniBatch plant in Tennessee. A spokesperson for the company stated the controls system can also be retrofitted to any style of older plant “as long as the computer hardware is also upgraded to handle the software. In some cases, it may also require some new electrical work.” Photo courtesy of Ammann Group NA
“In many cases, the PLC and operator interface are among the most practical places to begin a plant upgrade,” Raasch continued. “Modernizing the control platform can improve reliability, diagnostics, parts availability and operator visibility without requiring the owner to replace mechanically sound equipment. It is not always a simple drop-in replacement. Existing wiring, field devices, motor controls, safety circuits and equipment interfaces should be evaluated, but a well-planned controls upgrade can deliver meaningful operational improvements with less disruption and capital investment than replacing major plant equipment.” The spokesperson from Astec stated: “Modernizing plant controls and switchgear is often one of the first investments owners make, replacing aging electrical systems with current hardware and software that are easier to support and maintain. Another common upgrade is adding variable frequency drives (VFDs) to major plant components such as baghouse fans and drying drums. These systems allow operators to better manage airflow and exhaust temperatures, improving fuel efficiency and overall plant performance.” “The highest-priority upgrade will vary by plant,” Raasch said. “A system with obsolete controls but accurate scales will have different needs from a plant with a supportable PLC and unreliable weighing equipment.” Raasch listed three top considerations for batch plant owners: • Replace obsolete relay logic or an unsupported PLC architecture. “A modern control platform improves parts availability and provides better alarm information, diagnostics, system status, and troubleshooting 28 | OCTOBER 2026
tools. It also creates a supportable foundation for future modifications.” • Improve weighing and batching systems. “Depending on the condition of the plant, that may include load cells, junction boxes, scale indicators, calibration procedures, and the batching logic itself. Improved accuracy and repeatability can reduce material variation, improve mix consistency, and give operators greater confidence in each batch.” • Assess access to production and operating information. “Modern systems can provide production reports, batch records, alarm and event history, material usage, loadout information, and trend data. That information helps with customer reporting, troubleshooting, maintenance and identifying recurring operating issues.” No matter where your batch plant is located or how old it may be, starting with an assessment of the components and electrical capacity is a wise first step to updating for increased production and efficiency. While multiple sources admit the journey to increased throughput with a combination plant is a costly undertaking, they also affirm it’s a rewarding one. “It is nearly impossible for a batch plant to cost effectively compete with high production, high RAP usage, multiple silo drum mix plants,” Mauzy said. “That fact alone has driven batch plants almost completely from urban settings. Batch plants have remained a mainstay in the northeast, and sometimes in urban areas. The reported advantage of a batch plant over a drum mix plant is reduced waste while producing a larger variety of mixes daily. This is still a predominately northeast opinion; however, larger production drum mix
plants have replaced batch plants almost everywhere. Rural settings seem to be more fit for batch plants, likely because they are not located in highly competitive urban areas. Many of the batch plants that remain in daily operation are equipped with mixing drums, external RAP weighing systems, silo systems, blue smoke containing packages, etc.” Petrie has seen customers focus first on controls, automation and the screen deck to accommodate continuous mix production, but, again, this is a market-driven decision to be made with a consultant on board. “I think one of the most creative upgrades and approaches that can be done to a batch plant is introducing continuous mix production and allowing the flexibility between both,” Petrie said. “This can allow a manufacturer to still make the specialty mix production that the smaller private customers demand but not have the necessary wear on the batch plant equipment that is typically seen. This opens up the ability to cater to more customers as well as reducing waste.” Whichever way the batch plant owner is leaning as he contemplates growth, upgrades can be as simple and undisruptive as rightto-repair maintenance or as complex as adding on the continuous drum ideas suggested herein. As sources point out, starting with a walk-through of the plant and its existing electrical and mechanical systems will go a long way to giving you a picture of the foundation you’ll be building upon and controlling into the future.
Ask the Experts
The experts who took the time to contribute to this article ascribe to The Asphalt Pro theory that all boats rise with a rising tide. They have years of experience to share and can be reached: Ammann Group NA www.ammann.com Astec Industries www.AstecIndustries.com Michael Petrie at Motion Engineering (414) 510-6097 mike@motionengineering.net Mike Mauzy at Reliable Asphalt Products (502) 529-9043 M.Mauzy@ReliableAsphalt.com Llew Williams at Stansteel Hotmix Parts & Service (502) 860-2997 lwilliams@stansteel.com Mike Raasch at WEM Automation mraasch@wemautomation.com
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CONTROLS PREP IN 4 STEPS Planning takes center stage when preparing to upgrade the asphalt batch plant’s controls system BY MIKE RAASCH
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Even if a hot mix asphalt (HMA) batch plant’s mechanical components have useful life remaining in them and you feel confident in your parts suppliers, the controls and electrical components may have become obsolete. Start your controls upgrade by assessing the whole platform to improve reliability, diagnostics and operator interface. Photo courtesy of WEM Automation
As indicated in the batch plant article series, upgrading the controls for an older facility normally requires more than replacing the wiring. Even if a hot mix asphalt (HMA) batch plant’s mechanical components have useful life remaining in them and you feel confident in your parts suppliers, the controls and electrical components may have become obsolete. When it’s time to modernize the control system, it’s time to assess the platform around the controls as well to improve reliability, diagnostics and operator interface. This starts with planning and doesn’t have to involve a large financial outlay. STEP 1. DOCUMENT WHAT YOU HAVE. Walk the plant with an electrician and operator who know the system best and inventory the control system together. Determine what PLC or relay logic is running the plant, which components are obsolete or unsupported, and what the drawings say versus what’s really in the panel. Most legacy plants have years of undocumented changes and surfacing those before a project starts is the single best way to avoid surprises mid-installation. STEP 2. DETERMINE YOUR OBJECTIVES. Define the reason for the upgrade and establish the project scope. The priority may be replacing obsolete hardware, improving reliability, correcting batching or weighing issues, adding production reporting, simplifying operation or reducing dependence on knowledge held by one experienced operator. Clearly identifying the primary objectives helps determine which equipment should be replaced and which equipment can remain. STEP 3. DETAIL THE PLAN. You want to develop a detailed implementation and commissioning plan. That plan should address panel fabrication, software development, equipment interfaces, testing, installation, shutdown duration, startup support, operator training and updated documentation. It should also identify contingency measures in case an unknown field condition is discovered during installation. In other words: prepare the team, the timeline and the budget for surprises. A successful upgrade depends as much on the cutover and startup plan as it does on the hardware selected. 30 | OCTOBER 2026
STEP 4. PLAN YOUR DOWNTIME. The most common concern when upgrading any controls system is production downtime. We all know asphalt plants operate within a limited paving season, and owners may be reluctant to make a major control change when an extended startup problem could affect production commitments. Here’s something to be wary of: Parts availability can sometimes delay an owner’s decision to upgrade. If replacement relays or PLC component hardware can still be found through secondary-market suppliers or online marketplaces, many plants will continue operating with the existing system. That approach can extend the useful life of the controls, but it also creates increasing uncertainty around component condition, availability and technical support. Eventually, a critical failure may force the plant into an emergency upgrade during the paving season rather than allowing the work to be scheduled and completed during a more opportune shutdown. Operator familiarity is another consideration to make. Experienced operators may know every characteristic and workaround associated with the existing system. Their knowledge should be incorporated into the design of the new system rather than discarded. Involving operators early generally results in better screen layouts, alarm information, operating sequences and training. But remember that note mentioned in step two: one of your objectives may be to limit your dependence on one person having institutional knowledge. You want to share that knowledge and help all personnel grow as your production grows. The highest-priority upgrade and most important objective will vary from plant to plant. For example, a system with obsolete controls but accurate scales will have different needs than the plant that has a supportable PLC but unreliable weighing equipment. If you start with the field assessment, you’re starting at the right point. Document what you have, determine your objectives, detail your plan and determine the best time to put the plan in motion. Before you know it, your HMA batch plant’s controls will be up to date and matching your growth. Mike Raasch is the controls engineer at WEM Automation, Pewaukee, Wisconsin. For more information, contact him at mraasch@wemautomation.com.
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REDUCE RISK AROUND CONVEYORS
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BY THE ASPHALT PRO STAFF
Asphalt and aggregate suppliers can implement guarding strategies to protect employees who work around conveyors, but the best guard against accidents is to reduce their root cause. During a webinar June 16, Martin Engineering’s Jerod Heitzler presented a number of best practices to prevent injury around the conveyors that move your material. The key takeaway from the hour was not in mechanical structures but in mindset. Heitzler told the attendees, “The most at-risk workers are those performing maintenance.” Because of this, employers need to remind personnel to slow down and perform maintenance right and safely. Employers should also consider the age of the conveyors being maintained. Are these the most current components with the latest, safest technology incorporated? Many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)—not just Martin Engineering—design components to enable best practices and reduced, if not easier, maintenance today. By taking advantage of new technologies, producers provide employees with a safer work environment. QUICK TIP: Workers become complacent when they grow accustomed to old, dated and familiar messages. If your signage around the plant or quarry is no longer effective, it may be time to change it around and add new, fresh and brighter signs.
The conveyor transition zone is only one of the many areas around the asphalt plant, crushing or screening operation, recycling site, or quarry where guarding is required to protect workers. All photos courtesy of Superior Industries
To reduce injuries around conveyors, much hinges on proper training. Make sure workers understand the importance of wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and “safe” clothing that won’t flap in the breeze or get caught by a speeding belt. Make sure the policies and procedures you have in place for safe, clean and efficient conveying practices are known, followed and enforced. Make sure safety equipment, such as emergency stops and guarding, are effective, up to date and understood. Again, training workers on the proper use and maintenance of safety equipment is vital. Heitzler listed six aspects of shoring up your guarding, which we’ll outline here. 1. The structure (guard) you use to protect workers from accessing moving parts and conveyors cannot be a hazard itself. It cannot introduce its own risk to workers. In other words, make sure the guard has no sharp edges. And consider how workers will move it to perform maintenance behind it. The guard should have handles and weigh 50 pounds or less to prevent back injuries. 34 | OCTOBER 2026
One rule when guarding conveyor components is to paint the guard a color that is different from the equipment it protects workers from contacting. This basket below an idler roll on the return side of the conveyor is a vivid contrast to its surroundings.
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Notice these two different types of guards below an idler roll on the return side of the conveyor require either effort or a tool to open and clear them. This adheres to the spirit of the rule to protect workers from accessing moving parts by accident.
2. Check your prepositions. Make sure a worker cannot get around, under, through or over the guard. Routine maintenance can include checking to ensure no one has cut holes in the guard for “reaching in” to access parts. 3. The guard must be a proper distance from the hazard. See the second point above. You don’t want a worker to be able to reach through an opening in the guard to access a rotating piece of equipment. You can double-check with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines for specifics on opening size and safe distance from the hazard. Every worker should be trained to lockout/tagout the conveyor to be maintained or repaired. But have you considered the danger posed by moving parts in the vicinity of that conveyor? Look for surrounding hazards and make sure those are shut down and locked out as well.
4. Guards should require a tool to remove them. If you’re looking at OSHA regulations, the rules are very clear on this. MSHA rules are more vague, but you want to adhere to the spirit of the law. Make it 36 | OCTOBER 2026
difficult for someone to accidentally set aside a guard and access a rotating part. 5. The guard must stand out in color. In other words, you want to make the guard a different color than the equipment it’s guarding. But here’s something interesting Heitzler pointed out during his presentation. The color yellow can draw the eye’s attention, thus limiting the worker’s ability to visually inspect anything behind it. It may be in your best interest to consider a color other than yellow when painting your guards. 6. Maintain the guard properly and replace or reinstall it properly according to the policies and procedures you’ve put in place. Then make sure someone is reinforcing these policies and procedures. As mentioned at the outset of the article, the best way to ensure equipment operates at its most efficient and safest is to maintain it properly. Because performing maintenance introduces potential for injury, owners can reduce the need for intrusive or laborious maintenance by updating components with the latest, safest technology and best operating practices. For more conveyor tips and training, access Martin Engineering’s library of online webinars at foundations.martin-eng.com.
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WRIGHT BROTHERS BUILDS ITS WORKFORCE WITH CAT SIMULATORS
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Wright Brothers Construction has long been known for tackling some of the Southeast’s most complex civil construction projects. From highways and bridges to large-scale earthmoving operations, the company’s success depends on a steady pipeline of skilled, safety-minded heavy equipment operators. To strengthen that pipeline and accelerate training, Wright Brothers has integrated Cat® Simulators into its operator development program, providing new hires and seasoned employees with a safe, efficient way to learn the fundamentals of machine operation.
TRAINING THAT MIRRORS THE REAL JOB SITE
Every Cat Simulators system features authentic Cat® controls, machine response and realworld job site conditions. For Wright Brothers, this realism is essential. Operators can practice real-world tasks in an environment that mirrors the challenges they’ll face on the job site. Mike Morningstar, construction manager for Wright Brothers, sees the simulators as a foundational part of their training pipeline. “We give students reallife, handson training so they understand exactly what we expect from a heavy equipment operator,” he said. “Part of that training happens on our four Cat Simulators, which we use in the classroom to teach the basics of machine operation, walkarounds and fluid checks. “After about two and a half weeks on our Excavator, Dozer, Offroad Truck and Compact Track Loader simulators, we move them out to our 70acre training field, where they apply those skills on stockpiles, hauling, pipe installation and the fundamentals of construction,” he said, adding that the simulators play a major role in preparing them for that next step. 38 | OCTOBER 2026
Wright Brothers Construction gives its new operators a chance to repeat exercises in the Cat Simulator without production pressure, allowing them to develop consistency, accuracy and muscle memory in a safe, controlled environment.
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Morningstar said the longterm results speak for themselves. “One of the biggest advantages of using Cat Simulators is the impact they’ve had on our highschool operator pipeline. In the four years we’ve run this program, 118 students have come through it. At the end of each semester, we hold a signingday graduation, just like when a student commits to a college, for both our morning and afternoon classes. “Out of those 118 students, 62 have signed on with Wright Brothers, and 41 of them are still working with us today. Some have been here four years, some just a few months, and seven have already advanced into foreman roles. The simulators play a major part in preparing them for that kind of longterm success.” According to Morningstar, the simulators also help undecided students see a future in the construction industry. “For students who are on the fence about whether construction is the right path, getting time on the simulator often makes the decision for them. When they realize that in a year or two, they could be doing this work in the field and earning a good living, it usually pushes them off the fence and into our yard.” He added, “About 80 to 85% of the students who come through our program already know they want to be in construction. There’s no hesitation for them. They know what they want, and that’s why they’re here.”
A SAFER, MORE COST-EFFECTIVE WAY TO TRAIN
Safety is a top priority for Wright Brothers, and training operators using simulators plays a critical role in reinforcing safe operating habits. Trainees can practice hazard recognition, proper machine positioning, and safe operating techniques without the risks associated with live equipment. Mistakes become learning opportunities, not costly incidents. 40 | OCTOBER 2026
Simulators also reduce fuel consumption, machine wear and downtime that comes with traditional onequipment training. By shifting earlystage learning to Cat Simulators, Wright Brothers keeps its fleet productive while continuing to develop new talent. “We have an 18foot trailer that has one of our simulators in it, which I can switch between three different pieces of equipment...One of the things we really appreciate is how easy it is to switch the convertible pods from one machine to another. It literally takes one person about 10 minutes to change over, and you’re ready to train on a completely different piece of equipment.”
BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND COMPETENCE FOR THE FUTURE The simulators give operators the chance to build confidence long before they step into a machine on a live job site. Trainees get handson experience with authentic Cat controls
Virtual Reality for Paving
Simformotion™ LLC, Peoria, Illinois, released the Cat® Simulators VR Paving system in March 2025. Set in a highway construction site environment, the VRbased training system teaches learners how to operate the paver and roller, including inspecting the machine, paving the highway, compacting asphalt and more. As discussed in the adjacent article, simulators offer a safe, cost-effective training solution for heavy equipment operator training programs. Students and operators can train anytime and anywhere using simulations without the need to take a costly machine out of production or worry about the weather. Additionally, the Cat Simulators VR Paving system adds flexibility to programs because it is portable; you can move it from a training room to a trailer to satellite locations. A spokesperson for Simformotion explained that the VR Paving system was designed to address the issues of high employee turnover and the need for hands-on training. “This immersive simulation enables learners to familiarize themselves with essential equipment controls, material management and safety protocols in
and work through scenariobased exercises that mirror real job site tasks. “The CTL, especially with the VR, is the most realistic simulator experience I’ve ever used. It’s fantastic,” Morningstar said. Each simulator session generates performance metrics that help instructors track progress and identify areas where additional coaching is needed. Because operators can repeat exercises without production pressure, they develop consistency, accuracy and muscle memory much faster. By integrating Cat Simulators into its training program, Wright Brothers Construction is building a stronger, safer and more capable workforce. “Training our current employees and helping them understand how important they are to this company is my focus right now,” Morningstar said. Wright Brothers continues to demonstrate that investing in people—and giving them the right tools to succeed—is the foundation of longterm operational excellence.
a realistic, controlled environment. By reducing the learning curve and enhancing safety practices, we empower learners to transition smoothly into their roles, ultimately increasing productivity and reducing costs on the jobsite.” The Cat Simulators VR Paving system features an exclusive walkaround machine inspection module and includes SimU Campus™, a built-in reporting software. SimU Campus records and generates reports of learners’ simulation sessions and compares their performance to Caterpillar benchmarks. The simulator’s online companion SimScholars® curriculum is a one-toone match with the simulator training exercises and can be used in the classroom or for remote learning. The interactive, turn-key training curriculum features instructor course guides, learner guides, videos, quizzes and more. By integrating the Cat Simulators VR Paving system with SimScholars curriculum, training programs can provide a unique, blended learning experience. The Cat Simulators VR Paving system includes a Meta Quest 3 VR headset, controllers and simulation software, 24/7 technical support and a subscription to SimScholars curriculum.
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D
FROM COLORADO ASPHALT PAVEMENT ASSOCIATION
During this 30th anniversary year of the Rocky Mountain Asphalt Education Center (RMAEC), it’s fitting to celebrate the institution’s successes since its founding in 1996, and to share how members of the asphalt industry benefit from its hands-on training. The RMAEC is the sole administrator of the Laboratory Certified Asphalt Technician (LABCAT) program, which is required by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), and offers education and training in preparation for several levels of certification. Prospective technicians may attend the “Intro” classes at a very low cost to have a smaller, comprehensive classroom experience with lecture and hands-on in the laboratory before registering for a certification session. Greg Potts, an instructor since the start of the 2025 season, had been through the program every three years during his nearly 20-year career. Potts has been refreshing and updating the training materials to provide a brief and digestible (but detailed) reference summary of each test procedure in the program. The foundation for continued success has been a classroom lecture with real-time Q&A, an electronically administered exam, proctored laboratory proficiency demonstrations, and the critical review of the program by every person who comes through the classroom door. The proctors are LABCAT-certified industry professionals who volunteer intermittently to bring their expertise and fellowship into the laboratory, and they represent the community that is the Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association (CAPA). During Level A, the students learn procedures for: • Stratified Random Sampling of Materials • Sampling of Aggregates • Sampling of Asphalt 42 | OCTOBER 2026
• Bulk Specific Gravity of HMA Pavement Cores Method B and C • Compaction Test Section • In-Place Density by Nuclear Method During Level B, the students learn procedures for: • Verification of Laboratory Equipment • Reducing Field Samples of HMA to Testing Size • Bulk Specific Gravity of HMA Lab Compacted Specimen Method A • Theoretical Maximum Specific Gravity of HMA (Rice) • Asphalt Content by Ignition Method • Determination of Moisture Content of Asphalt • Asphalt Content by Nuclear Method • Reducing Aggregate Samples to Testing Size • -200 Wash and Sieve Analysis of Aggregate During Level C, the students learn procedures for: • HMA Volumetric Properties, VMA • Superpave Gyratory Compaction • Hveem Stability • Resistance to Moisture Induced Damage (Lottman) During Level E, the students learn procedures for: • Sampling of Aggregates • Reducing Aggregate Samples to Testing Size • -200 Wash and Sieve Analysis • Specific Gravity and Absorption of Fine Aggregate • Specific Gravity and Absorption Of Coarse Aggregate • Toughness (LA Abrasion) • Micro-Deval • Plastic Limit / Plasticity Index • Soundness of Aggregate • Clay Lumps and Friable Particles in Aggregate • Sand Equivalent (Clay Content)
• Uncompacted Void Content of Fine Aggregate (FAA) • Fractured Faces • Flat and Elongated Particles Participants enrolled in LABCAT Level C certification learn moisture damage testing by performing the Lottman Test. To give an example of the curriculum, let’s break that down here for interested lab techs.
HOW TO PERFORM LOTTMAN
Set up Testing the resistance of compacted bituminous mixture to moisture induced damage, also referenced as Lottman, is designated CP-L 5109 in Colorado. Your state will have a different designation for it, but the scope might be very similar. The point of the test is to predict a pavement’s long-term stripping susceptibility and to evaluate anti-stripping additives. In “lab speak,” the method covers the preparation of specimens and measurements of diametral tensile strength, resulting from the effects of saturation and accelerated water conditioning (freezing) of compacted bituminous mixes in the lab. To perform this method, RMAEC lists the following equipment will be needed: • Superpave Gyratory Compactor • Vacuum pump • Manometer • Scale • Vacuum container • A water bath set to 77°F • A water bath set to 140°F • A freezer • Bags, plastic wrap and tape • Loading strips • Vertical press testing machine Compact Your Samples to 7% The samples must be at compaction temperature for a minimum of 15 minutes, but not more than 4 hours. (See Table 1.) To begin, you want to compact six volumetric samples (pucks) to target 7.0% ± 1.0% air
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TRAININGGUIDE Table 1. Acceptable Temperatures Superpave Binder Grade
Lab Mixing Temp.
Lab Compaction Temp.
PG58-28
310°F (154°C)
280°F (138°C)
PG58-34
310°F (154°C)
280°F (138°C)
PG64-22
325°F (163°C)
300°F (149°C)
PG64-28
325°F (163°C)
300°F (149°C)
PG70-28
325°F (163°C)
300°F (149°C)
PG76-28
325°F (163°C)
300°F (149°C)
voids, using either adjusted sample heights or adjusted sample weights. After the pucks have cooled to room temperature, perform a bulk specific gravity (GMB) on each and calculate air voids. Sort the specimens into two subsets of three specimens so that the average air voids of the two subsets are approximately equal. You are separating them into a wet (treated) subset and a dry (untreated) subset. For the dry subset, store the three pucks at 77°F ±1°F (25°C ±0.5°C) for several days during treatment of the wet subset. They must be brought to testing temperature of 77°F ±1.0°F (25°C ±0.5°C) for 3.5 ±0.5 hours at the same time as the wet subset before breaking.
TREAT THE WET SUBSET
For the wet subset, you will begin treating these pucks by saturating them in the vacuum container. 1. Place the pucks in the vacuum container with at least 1 inch of room temperature water above the top of the specimens. The specimens must either be rested on their side or elevated with some type of spacer beneath them. 2. Apply 28 ±2mm of Mercury for a period of 5 ±0.25 minutes. 3. Release the vacuum slowly and remove the specimens after “greater than 5 seconds.” 4. Run CP-44 Method A immediately after removing the specimens from the vacuum container. 5. Record “B Saturated” and “C Saturated” values. 6. Submerge the specimens under the water for one second to ensure they are dripping wet again after the SSD condition. 7. Wrap them tightly with the plastic wrap and tape, and place them into a labeled plastic bag.
8. Place the bag of saturated, wrapped specimens into the freezer for a minimum of 16 hours. The freezer should be set at -2.5°F ±7.5°F (-19°C ±4°C). 9. After 16 hours, remove the sample bag from the freezer and remove the specimens and the plastic wrap and tape. 10. Place the specimens in the 140°F ±1°F (60°C ±0.5°C) water bath for 24 ±1 hours. 11. After 24 hours, remove the specimens from the 140°F water bath and place them into the 77°F ±1°F (25°C ±0.5°C) water bath for 3.5 ±0.5 hours. Note that the water temperature of this final bath will increase with the introduction of the “hot” specimens. No more than 15 minutes can pass before the temperature is returned to 77°F. If necessary, you may add ice cubes to counter the rising temperature.
TEST
After the 3.5 hours in the 77°F bath, it’s time to test all the specimens. Remove each dry specimen, one at a time, from the 77°F incubator and each wet specimen, one at a time, from the 77°F water bath and place each between the loading strips and into the vertical press testing machine. The rate of loading is 0.2 inches per minute. Record the maximum compressive strength (the peak or max load). Keep in mind, the two subsets of three specimens should be tested within 30 minutes.
RUN YOUR CALCULATIONS
The RMAEC materials and instruction help the student who needs to adjust the height of the Lottman pucks. Illustrations courtesy of RMAEC
44 | OCTOBER 2026
With all six specimens tested, it’s time to run the calculations. Figuring the tensile strength ratio requires you to input the following information: St = tensile strength, psi P = maximum load, pounds t = specimen thickness (height), inches (to 0.01 of an inch) D = specimen diameter, 3.937 inches for 100-mm molds or 5.906 inches for 150mm molds There is a standard for reporting your results. For example, when you report your calculations, list the average percent air voids for each subset to the nearest 0.1%. The dry average tensile strength (S1), wet average tensile strength (S2) and percent tensile strength ratio (TSR) are listed as whole numbers. This is only one of the many tests and methodologies taught at the RMAEC for PC/OA and other certifications. Visit co-asphalt.com and explore the LABCAT and RMAEC tabs for more information or to register.
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TRAININGGUIDE
TELEMATICS AS MENTOR
A
BY JOSEPH HAWKINS
According to data compiled by Berg Insight, the global market for active construction equipment OEM telematics is growing rapidly, with connected systems projected to reach 13.4 million active units worldwide by 2029. That’s a lot of machines sharing data. Yet, if you ask an asphalt paving crew how they feel about those factory-installed modems, you might get a few questions mixed with skepticism. Many operators still feel like telematics is a digital eye in the sky, a tool designed to look over their shoulder and catch their mistakes. If you’re only using telematics to track location or verify when a machine shuts down, you’re missing the most valuable opportunity on your job sites. You can use this exact same data to coach your team, build their confidence and help them hit their bonuses. Here are four practical ways to do it.
1. SHIFT THE PERSPECTIVE.
You can change the narrative on day one by explaining how the data acts as a safety net, not a trap. Reinforce the idea that telematics is not just a tool for micromanagement. Try this on your next job: Before your team starts paving, sit down with your operators and show them the dashboard. Walk them through the metrics you care about—like pass counts and temperature zones— and explain how keeping an eye on these numbers helps protect them from rework. When they see that the goal is simply to make their lives easier on the mat, their guard comes down. Think about how intelligent compaction (IC) has changed the paving train. In the past, operators had to rely purely on feel and experience to know if they were hitting density. It took years to develop that intuition. Today, tools like Volvo Compact Assist with Density Direct give operators real-time density mapping at their fingertips. They don’t have to wait for a nuclear gauge reading to know if they hit the mark. They can see their progress as they roll. When you frame telematics as a personal assistant, it takes the stress out of the job. Your operators should see it as a partner that helps them build their skills and confidence.
2. FOCUS ON BEHAVIOR.
Most operators want to do a great job, but they don’t always know where they’re losing efficiency. That’s where telematics reports come in. Let’s look at idle times as an example. This publication has shared the many ways that nonproductive idling uses your construction equipment’s fuel poorly. Instead of pulling an operator aside to question them about wasting fuel, you can look at active fleet monitoring programs like Volvo’s ActiveCare Direct to see where those idle hours are happening. Maybe they’re idling because the haul trucks are running behind, they aren’t sure how to configure the machine’s auto-shutdown features or because they’re waiting on the paving crew. When you approach the data as a puzzle to solve together, you open up a conversation. You’ll find out what’s actually happening on the ground or on the mat and how you can help them keep things moving smoothly. 46 | OCTOBER 2026
Managers can use real-world telematics to guide a good operator into becoming a great one by reviewing the data during refresher training or before the next relevant project. Photo courtesy of Volvo Construction Equipment
3. CELEBRATE THE WINS.
Mentoring is about highlighting what went right just as much as correcting what went wrong. When your team hits their density targets on a tough highway job and earns the company a quality bonus, you have the proof in your telematics dashboard. You can pull up the reports from the week, show the operator their pass maps and say, “Look at your consistency. This is exactly why we got that bonus.” This kind of positive reinforcement does wonders for workforce development. It transforms data from a cold, analytical metric into a badge of honor. Younger or less experienced operators can see their skills improve week over week, which keeps them engaged and eager to stay with your company.
4. START THE CONVERSATION.
Instead of keeping the dashboard locked away in the office, bring your operators into the loop. Let them see the screens. Encourage them to ask questions. If we go back to that statistic about the 13.4 million connected machines in the world, it’s worth asking yourself a simple question: Is all that incoming data helping your people grow, or is it just sitting on a server?
DATA AS VALUED MENTOR
The real power of connected technology comes from providing clear, objective facts. You can use this information to guide a good operator into becoming a great one. By treating telematics as a helpful mentoring tool, you’ll naturally build a more efficient paving fleet while developing a team of confident, highly skilled professionals who are proud of the work they do each day. And as their confidence grows, your paving quality will climb right along with it. Joseph Hawkins is the compaction product manager for Volvo Construction Equipment.
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P R O D U C T GA L L E RY
Anniversary News Opens Paving Gallery FROM COMMAND ALKON
F
rom five employees and a single product in 1976 to a cloud platform running hundreds of thousands of dispatched loads a day worldwide, Command Alkon marks 50 years of building technology for today and for the future Sept. 2, 2026, marked 50 years since Command Alkon opened its doors. Half a century later, Command Alkon has grown to be the operating platform for more than 2,800 customers in over 80 countries, from single-plant independent producers to the largest multinational materials companies in the world. On any given day, Command Alkon systems are behind more than 690,000 dispatched loads, 60,000 tracked trucks, and 20,000 production installations running ready mix, aggregate, asphalt and cement operations across the globe. “This industry runs on precision,” said Martin Willoughby, CEO of Command Alkon. “A truck has to arrive on time, a mix has to be right, a load has to get where it’s going and there’s no room to treat any of that as an afterthought. Producers build their operations around our technology because they need a partner who understands that.”
THE DISCIPLINE BEHIND 50 YEARS OF INNOVATION
Command Alkon’s story starts with two companies that arrived in the same industry from different directions. Command Data built accounting and dispatch systems for ready mix producers. The Alkon Corporation pioneered plant automation. Both companies were solving real problems for an industry that had outgrown manual processes and needed technology that could keep pace with its complexity. When the two merged in the early 2000s, they built a company shaped by the realities of the plants, trucks and job sites it served. That refusal to generalize has defined every acquisition since. ConAd became the foundation of Command Alkon’s ready mix quality control solution. JWS Corporation’s Apex product line is one of the most widely used bulk materials scale-ticketing systems in the world. FiveCubits, Ruckit, Trimble Construction Logistics, Libra, Marcotte Systems and Digital Fleet each added value for production, logistics and fleet connectivity, deepening the product portfolio and company capabilities. In the late 2000s and mid-2010s, that same discipline drove Command Alkon’s global expansion, transforming it into an international company now serving customers in more than 80 countries with localized expertise and 24/7 support.
COMMAND CLOUD AND THE NEXT CHAPTER
Introduced in early 2024, Command Cloud is where that focus comes together: a unified platform connecting production, dispatch, fleet and financials. It is the culmination of years of deliberate investment in one platform, for every material, in one place.
WHAT COMES NEXT
Command Alkon enters its second half-century with its sharpest strategic identity yet: a single platform, an AI roadmap built for real operational outcomes rather than features, and 50 years of domain expertise. The company is also investing in the next generation of the industry’s workforce—modern, mobile-first tools and accessible learning resources designed to reduce reliance on institutional knowledge and make heavy building materials careers more attractive to the people who will run this industry for the next 50 years. “Fifty years ago, five people set out to build software that actually fits the industry they were serving,” Willoughby said. “That instinct hasn’t changed. What’s changed is the scale at which we can deliver on it.” For more information, visit https://commandalkon.com/.
BOMAG
BOMAG, Boppard, Germany, announced that as of Sept. 1, 2026, Marc Kuntz will succeed Michael Grünewald as executive vice president and chief sales officer (CSO) at the company, assuming global responsibility for sales and marketing. Grünewald is bringing his active career to a close after 37 years of successful service to the company. With this change in leadership, BOMAG sets the course for further international growth. Kuntz brings over 20 years of international leadership experience in commercial and special-purpose vehicle manufacturing. Most recently, at Magirus GmbH, he was responsible for the strategic trans-
Michael Grünewald (left) is bringing his active career to a close after 37 years at BOMAG. Marc Kuntz (right) takes up the role of executive vice president & chief sales officer (CSO) on Sept. 1, 2026. 48 | OCTOBER 2026
Dynamic Equipment Group now offers Dynapac’s full compaction product offering to contractors throughout Florida.
“We share Matt’s enthusiasm for this partnership and our mutual focus on delivering exceptional customer support,” said Scott McGuigan, Dynamic Equipment Group President. Stone Equipment in Alabama and the Florida Panhandle now provides support for BOMAG asphalt distributors, cold planers, recyclers/stabilizers, pavers, rollers, various soil compactors and light equipment.
formation of sales structures, tapping into new markets and launching new products. Before this, he spent 18 years in various management positions at Daimler Truck AG in Germany, India and Japan. BOMAG announced in June that BOMAG Americas, Ridgeway, South Carolina, and Stone Equipment Co., Inc., Montgomery, Alabama, are partnering to bring BOMAG’s equipment to contractors in Alabama and the Panhandle market area of Florida. Formed in 2010, Stone Equipment focuses on developing deep, long-lasting relationships with its customers operating in the construction, road building, environmental, aggregate and demolition market segments. For the BOMAG territory, it provides local support from four locations in Alabama, including its Montgomery headquarters, Birmingham, Huntsville and Mobile. For Stone Equipment’s asphalt customers, BOMAG’s solutions include asphalt distributors, cold planers, versatile recyclers/stabilizers, commercial and highway-class pavers, and more than 40 heavy tandem and pneumatic tire rollers. For construction projects, BOMAG offers more than 30 Performance and Smart Line smooth and padfoot single drum rollers plus high-speed soil compactors and a full range of light equipment.
G4 TECHNOLOGIES G4 Technologies, Reno, Nevada, offers RTDensity, a brand-agnostic, real-time density monitoring technology for asphalt rollers. Every paving contractor knows the feeling: the nuclear gauge crew calls in a failing density reading after the mat has already cooled. Now you’re looking at milling and repaving—burning margin, blowing schedule and explaining yourself to the owner. RTDensity is de-
DYNAPAC
Dynapac North America, Fort Mill, South Carolina, announced in June its partnership with Dynamic Equipment Group as an authorized dealer for Dynapac’s full line of compaction equipment across a significant territory in Florida. Dynamic Equipment Group’s coverage spans from Gainesville to the Florida Keys, with eight branch locations serving major markets. Through this partnership, Dynamic Equipment Group will provide equipment sales and rental, service, parts, and technical support for Dynapac’s complete portfolio of soil and asphalt compaction equipment. “We are excited to welcome Dynamic Equipment Group as our dedicated compaction dealer in this important Florida market,” said Matt Nelson, Dynapac North America. WWW.THEASPHALTPRO.COM | 49
P R O D U C T GA L L E RY signed to eliminate that scenario by putting density feedback where it belongs: in the cab, during the pass, while there’s still time to act. RTDensity ships as a complete hardware-and-software package that installs on almost any vibratory steel drum roller. G4 provides and installs the following: • accelerometer • GPS receiver • mat temperature sensor • onboard computer • in-cab operator display Your existing fleet works as-is. Installation is completed by a G4 field technician, typically in a single day. Before each job, the operator triggers a short calibration pass. RTDensity learns the vibrational signature of that specific roller on that specific mix and adjusts its density model accordingly. From that point on, every compaction pass is scored against the job’s target density. Once rolling, the operator sees a live density reading on the incab display, updated pass by pass, in real time. Because RTDensity tracks GPS position alongside every density reading, it builds a live spatial map of compaction coverage as the job progresses. Operators can see exactly which areas of the mat have hit target density and which still need passes. After the job, the same map becomes a post-job density profile: a GPS-referenced, color-coded coverage record ready for project documentation or owner review. RTDensity holds an active U.S. patent on its core density-estimation technology, with granted patents in Australia, Canada, China and Japan.
HILLTIP
Industrial Truck Beds, Fort Wayne, Indiana, was acquired in 2022 by Hilltip, headquartered in Pietarsaari, Finland, and has officially rebranded as Hilltip Premium Truck Beds. The change reflects the company’s expanding truck bed offerings, as well as its alignment with the Hilltip portfolio of snowplows, spreaders, de-icing sprayers, sweepers and other road maintenance equipment manufactured in the same Fort Wayne facility. Hilltip Premium Truck Beds designs and manufactures hook-lift and interchangeable beds, as well as dump beds, flat beds, and custom-built or private-label solutions. “We’re proud to build on strong legacy of Industrial Truck Beds and further strengthen our commitment to North American manufacturing,” said Craig Sandmann, managing director for Hilltip North America. “This new chapter reflects who we’ve become—a team dedicated to producing premium custom truck bed solutions that help people work smarter and more efficiently. Despite the name change, customers can expect us to continue delivering the quality and reliability they’ve expected from this line of truck beds since 1986.”
and aftermarket service. “Our goal is to be a first port-of-call for customers’ parts, service and equipment needs. The addition of Fisher products allows us to provide versatile snow and ice maintenance solutions to residential, business fleets, municipal and utility customers in the Missouri region.” Fisher’s comprehensive range of snowplows can be installed across trucks, UTVs, skid steers, tractors and wheel loaders; its spreaders are compatible with trucks, UTVs, tractors and flatbeds/ dump trucks. There are multiple product options for sidewalk clearing. MGX will handle full sales, installation, service and parts support from its Kansas City location.
PPRA
Across North America, dedicated professionals are working every day to improve the health of their road networks. Whether developing long-term preservation strategies, introducing new treatments, or making difficult asset management decisions, these efforts often happen behind the scenes, even though their impact is felt throughout the communities they serve. The Pavement Preservation & Recycling Alliance (PPRA) is currently seeking nominations for its 2026 Network Awards to recognize those individuals whose work is helping improve road network performance and reverse deterioration trends. The program includes two categories: the Network Hero Award, which recognizes significant improvements to a community’s road network and pavement assets, and the Horizon Award, which honors professionals demonstrating the qualities of a successful network improvement plan and a strong commitment to network health. These awards celebrate the planning, innovation and leadership taking place in cities, counties, states and municipalities across North America. If someone in your agency, organization or professional network is making a meaningful difference through pavement preservation and network management, now is the time to recognize their contributions. Award recipients will be honored at the 2027 AEMA-ARRA-ISSA annual meeting in Bonita Springs, Florida, and will receive additional recognition through RoadResource.org, LinkedIn, email communications and a video interview highlighting their achievements. Nominations are open now through Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, and may be submitted with sponsorship from an AEMA, ARRA or ISSA member company. For more information, visit https://roadresource.org/networkawards
MGX AND FISHER
In time for winter pavement maintenance plans, take note that MGX Equipment Services is adding to its Kansas City, Missouri, location the full line of snow and ice products from Fisher. This includes the range of snowplows, spreaders and sidewalk products. Keith Poff, vice president and general manager of U.S. distribution for MGX, said the addition of Fisher products strengthens the company’s position as a supplier of equipment, rental, OEM parts 50 | OCTOBER 2026
Now Accepting Nominations: PPRA 2026 Network Hero & Horizon Awards
ROADTRONIX
Roadtronix B.V., Tilburg, Netherlands, announced in August 2026 the launch of Roadtronix, a high-density LiDAR surface measurement system engineered to help asphalt paving crews achieve smoother, more consistent roads while reducing the manual handling and setup complexity associated with traditional averaging systems. Roadtronix mounts directly to an asphalt paver and uses LiDAR technology to capture thousands of surface measurements per second across the road surface. That continuous stream of data is designed to give crews a more complete picture of the true pavement profile than conventional systems can provide, and it forms the basis for real-time adjustments to asphalt thickness during paving. For decades, paving crews have relied on mechanical averaging beams fitted with a handful of ultrasonic or sonic sensors to estimate surface elevation. These systems work by sampling a limited number of fixed points along a beam and averaging the results—an approach that has served the industry well but leaves gaps between measurement points and requires bulky hardware mounted to the paver. Roadtronix takes a different approach. Rather than sampling a few discrete points, its LiDAR sensor captures a dense field of measurements across the entire scan area, many times per second. Because the calculation draws on far more data, the system is less susceptible to isolated highs and lows and produces a more accurate, stable representation of the actual surface, according to the manufacturer. The result, according to the company, is improved International Roughness Index (IRI) smoothness, fewer bumps and more predictable control throughout a paving run. The system also addresses a persistent challenge with mechanical beams: interference of the beam structure affecting activity and safety around the paver. Workers, vehicles and equipment moving near the machine can be restricted by the physical structure of a traditional beam. In addition, the fixed length of a traditional averaging beam confines its use to long open paving runs without tight corners. Scan length on the Roadtronix system is adjustable in real time, from short ranges suited to curves, intersections and urban roads and over up to 60 feet for highways, airport runways and other long, open runs. The LiDAR unit does not need to sit directly above the surface it is measuring, giving operators the flexibility to position the scan at a lateral offset to suit site conditions, including narrow roads. The compact, paver-mounted unit requires no welding or permanent modification and can be installed by a single operator in under five minutes, according to the manufacturer. With a smaller footprint around the paver and less hardware to manage in active work zones, the system is designed to reduce the on-site risks that come with bulkier equipment, without adding complexity for the crew. The unit is supplied in a compact carrying case for transport and storage between job sites. The system operates independent of ambient light, allowing it to function as effectively for night paving as it does in daylight, and it has been engineered to hold up under the heat, dust and variable conditions typical of active paving sites.
ASPHALT PLANTS AND
COMPONENTS
www.tarmacinc.com contact tarmac at 816-220-0700 or info@tarmacinc.com WWW.THEASPHALTPRO.COM | 51
S ERV I CE I S N ’T A SI D E HUST LE , I T’S OU R F U LL THROTT LE .
WHEN YOUR PLANT’S ON THE LINE, SO ARE WE.
At Motion Engineering, we don’t back down from complex jobs or tight timelines. We show up ready and stay until the work is done. Need parts? We’ll source them. Need help on-site? We’re ready. Tough problem? We’ll figure it out. We build custom solutions, move fast, and do what it takes to keep your plant running right. Give us a call. Let’s get to work.
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P R O D U C T GA L L E RY Roadtronix is compatible with a wide range of modern asphalt pavers and is suited to urban roads, highways, airports, race tracks and other asphalt paving applications. In the United States, the system will be supported by Co-founder Mike Milne, who brings an established U.S. paving industry network to support the system’s rollout across the country in early 2027.
SCHWARZE
Schwarze, Huntsville, Alabama, announced in August that Adam Shaneyfelt has stepped into the role of Schwarze aftermarket and sales operations manager. In this role, Shaneyfelt, leads the aftermarket business, overseeing replacement parts, accessories, service support and maintenance solutions. He brings 26 years of service with Schwarze to this new role.
TOPCON
Topcon Positioning Systems, Livermore, California, offers the Topcon Awareness System, which is an AI system utilizing digital cameras mounted to construction vehicles to detect movement or obstructions that could cause an accident or conflict. Topcon Awareness System provides blind-spot detection with alerts sent to the operator and the cloud portal. The system has user-configurable zones of influence that help the operator avoid accidents and create records for accident analysis.
TRIMBLE
Trimble, Westminster, Colorado, announced on Aug. 13, 2026, the launch of Trimble® SketchUp® Pro Civil Contractor, a connected software solution that combines its SketchUp 3D modeling software with the Trimble Siteworks positioning system for accurate site layout and quality control, allowing civil contractors to move from design to field execution. Designed for contractors performing earthwork, grading and utility construction, SketchUp Pro Civil Contractor gives users without deep 3D modeling skills an intuitive way to create 3D earthwork models in Trimble SketchUp and bring them into Trimble Siteworks and the Trimble Earthworks grade control platform. This connected 3D-to-field workflow carries a single digital model from design through layout, construction and verification, thus reducing rework and improving accuracy, according to the manufacturer. SketchUp Pro Civil Contractor bridges the gap between a 3D model and raw terrain, enabling contractors to model with topography, transfer 3D model data and geolocated points into Trimble Siteworks to guide control-point stakeout and excavation layout, keep data consistent, and more. Trimble SketchUp Pro Civil Contractor is available to Trimble Siteworks users as an annual subscription through the SketchUp eCommerce store.
WWW.THEASPHALTPRO.COM | 53
54 | OCTOBER 2026
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ALLU. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Net At Work. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
ALmix. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Astec. Inc . . . . . Inside Front Cover Asphalt Testing Solutions & Engineering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 B & S Light. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22, 23 Blaw-Knox. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9, 37 Brock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Clarence Richard Companies . . . 55 Command Alkon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Pavewise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Pegasus Trailers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Reliable Asphalt. . . . . . Inside Back Cover, Back Cover Silo Pros, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Stansteel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11, 47 Stollar Services, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . 54
CWMF. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 32
Systems Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Dampney Engineered Coatings. . 54
Tarmac International . . . . . . . . . . 51
Gencor Industries . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 41 Fastmeasure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 I.W. Tremont Co., Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . 49
Top Quality Products. . . . . . . . . . . 53 Weiler Products. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Kenco Engineering. . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Willow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Meeker. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Wirtgen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 43
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O F F T H E M AT
Looking Beyond the Revenue Counterparty in Project Finance How Asset Essentiality, Market Position and Replacement Dynamics Influence Credit Ratings BY NICOLE MARKOU
C
onventional project finance thinking suggests that a project’s credit quality should not exceed the credit quality of the entity responsible for its revenues. Yet some project credit ratings indicate a more complicated reality: Assets sometimes prove more resilient than the counterparties that support them. The global methodology for rating project finance used by Morningstar DBRS recognizes that, in certain circumstances, a project’s intrinsic assessment may be higher than a revenue counterparty’s assessment. Important considerations can include the asset’s essentiality, the likelihood that a replacement counterparty could be secured if a contractual relationship were disrupted, and the asset’s broader market position and ability to generate revenues independent of the existing contract. As a result, while counterparty credit quality remains a fundamental consideration, it is not always the sole determinant of project risk. The underlying asset’s resilience and the extent to which its cash flows can survive or adapt to contractual disruption may support a stronger credit rating outcome than a strict linkage to the counterparty’s credit profile would suggest.
ESSENTIAL ASSETS ARE HARD TO WALK AWAY FROM
We generally consider an asset to be essential when we believe that, even in a bankruptcy scenario, the underlying contract would continue to be honored and payments under the project would continue. Some assets perform functions that are critical to the operation of larger systems, networks or industrial processes, or to a corporation’s core business operations. When an asset occupies such a position, the economic and operational consequences of losing access to it can be significant. As a
WE GENERALLY CONSIDER AN ASSET TO BE ESSENTIAL WHEN WE BELIEVE THAT, EVEN IN A BANKRUPTCY SCENARIO, THE UNDERLYING CONTRACT WOULD CONTINUE TO BE HONORED AND PAYMENTS UNDER THE PROJECT WOULD CONTINUE. result, customers, regulators, lenders, operators and other stakeholders often have strong incentives to preserve the asset’s functionality and maintain the associated flow of services and revenues throughout a restructuring process. Clover Limited Partnership (Clover), which Morningstar rates, provides a relevant example. When Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), an offtaker for one of the renewable projects in Clover’s portfolio, filed for chapter 11 protection in January 2019, the project continued to receive payments under its 20-year, fixed-price renewable energy credit agreement. Following PG&E’s emergence from bankruptcy in July 2020, the risk that the agreement could be renegotiated or disclaimed was significantly reduced. This illustrates how contracted project cash flows may continue during an offtaker’s restructuring. From a credit perspective, this may mitigate concerns that contractual obligations could cease to be honored during periods of financial stress. Where an asset is viewed as essential, the likelihood of ongoing cash flow generation may be greater than a stand-alone assessment of the counterparty’s credit profile would otherwise imply. This may be particularly true where stakeholders have strong incentives to preserve contractual arrangements and associated cash flows through a restructuring or insolvency process. While every transaction must be assessed on its own merits, asset essentiality can be a
meaningful consideration in the overall credit analysis and may support credit outcomes beyond those suggested by a stand-alone assessment of counterparty credit quality.
THE IMPORTANCE OF REPLACEMENT COUNTERPARTIES
A useful stress test in project finance is to ask a simple question: What happens to the project if the current counterparty is no longer able or willing to perform its obligations? In some transactions, the answer may be concerning. If a project is highly dependent on a single customer and has limited alternative uses, the loss of that relationship could significantly impair cash flows. In other cases, however, the asset may continue to retain substantial value because other users would be willing and able to use its services. The ability to secure a replacement counterparty can be an important source of credit strength. Where demand for the project’s services remains strong and alternative customers are available, the loss of a single contractual relationship may not necessarily result in a permanent impairment of cash flows. In such cases, the analysis may extend beyond the current counterparty and consider the likelihood that another customer could use the asset’s services. For example, assets serving large and diverse markets may have stronger replacement prospects than assets developed solely for a single customer’s needs. WWW.THEASPHALTPRO.COM | 57
O F F T H E M AT MARKET POSITION CAN OUTLAST A CONTRACT
In some cases, the asset itself may occupy a sufficiently strong competitive position that it could continue generating meaningful revenues even without the existing contractual arrangement. Renewable energy projects in markets with strong renewable procure-
ment requirements provide a useful illustration. In jurisdictions where utilities and other load-serving entities face long-term clean energy mandates, demand for renewable generation may remain robust even if an individual contractual relationship is disrupted. In such circumstances, the analysis may consider not only the current contract but
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also the broader market demand for the project’s output and its ability to generate revenues absent that specific contractual arrangement. Where demand for the asset’s output remains strong, there may be a reasonable basis to expect that alternative commercial arrangements could be secured over time. At the same time, where an established market already exists for the asset’s output, the loss of a contracted counterparty may not necessarily interrupt cash flow generation but instead result in the project operating on a merchant basis. As a result, the analysis may consider both the likelihood of future contracting opportunities and the asset’s ability to remain economically viable under merchant market conditions.
THE ASSET BEHIND THE CREDIT RATING
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Ultimately, project finance credit ratings are not only assessments of who pays today, but also of what remains if that relationship breaks down. In certain circumstances, the durability of an asset’s economic value may prove more important than the current counterparty’s credit quality. Nevertheless, any credit rating benefit associated with asset essentiality or replaceability is reserved for circumstances where there is strong and observable evidence that project cash flows would continue following the loss of the existing counterparty or contractual arrangement. Such conclusions require a rigorous assessment of the asset’s characteristics, market dynamics and alternative sources of revenue, and each case must be evaluated based on its specific facts and circumstances. Nicole Markou is a senior vice president at Morningstar DBRS with over 20 years of experience in credit analysis spanning the rating agency and banking sectors, with a primary emphasis on energy. Prior to joining Morningstar DBRS, she spent 14 years at Fitch Ratings, where she led analytical coverage across project finance, digital infrastructure, public power and municipal structured finance. For more information, visit morningstar.com.
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