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<\/a>As an institutional leader of transportation research and workforce development, Auburn University\u2019s Department of Civil Engineering organized and developed the Annual Alabama Transportation Conference for the 62nd year in a row. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The conference, which took place Feb. 12-13 at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel at the Convention Center, welcomed nearly 1,000 federal and state highway personnel, road building contractors, general contractors, heavy construction contractors, utility contractors, county engineers, consulting engineers, construction material vendors, researchers, professional society representatives and university faculty members. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The annual event provides an opportunity for these individuals to share innovative advances in transportation planning, design, construction, operations and maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor more than six decades, Auburn University has been proud to work alongside our state and federal transportation agencies and professional associations to create this annual conference,\u201d said Christopher B. Roberts, dean of the Auburn University Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. \u201cThis is a must-attend event each year for those in the transportation, highway, construction, design and associated industries, and we\u2019re excited for the innovative and game-changing ideas that grow from this annual gathering of the best and brightest minds from across the state.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Technical sessions and sit-down luncheons are provided to create a forum for the exchange of ideas between transportation engineering and construction professions. The conference also includes trade exhibits available to enhance learning and provide additional networking opportunities for all participants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anton Schindler, the Mountain Spirit Professor of civil engineering and director of the Auburn University Highway Research Center, welcomed guests to the event, followed by a presentation titled \u201cThe State of Play: How State DOTs Are Transforming Transportation\u201d delivered by Jim Tymon, executive director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Auburn alumnus Perry Hand, \u201969 civil engineering and Volkert chairman of the board, also delivered a presentation titled \u201cChallenges and Opportunities: Setting the Stage for Transportation Investment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Steve Taylor, associate dean for research, presided over the luncheon and introduced Gov. Kay Ivey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The afternoon concurrent technical sessions focused on roadway design, asphalt technologies and construction. Jeff LaMondia, associate professor of civil engineering, presented \u201cVulnerable Road Users Guidebook\u201d during the roadway design session, while Ben Bowers, assistant professor of civil engineering, presented \u201cCold Recycling \u2014 A National Perspective on Research and Implementation\u201d during the asphalt technologies session. Buzz Powell, assistant director of Auburn\u2019s National Center for Asphalt Technology, presented \u201cNCAT Test track 2015 Cycle Benefits for the Paving Community\u201d following Bowers\u2019 presentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The conference also featured concurrent technical sessions on highway safety, pavement preservation and bridges. Adriana Vargas, NCAT assistant research professor, presented \u201cBest Practices for Pavement Preservation Quality,\u201d while Brian Anderson and Justin Marshall, associate professors in civil engineering, presented \u201cLateral Testing and Analysis of Steel Pile Bent Bridges.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rod Turochy, the James Madison Hunnicutt Professor of civil engineering and director of the Alabama Transportation Assistance Program, presided over the final luncheon, with Transportation Director John Cooper closing out the conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<\/a>