The pavement preservation industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation, moving away from reactive repair strategies toward proactive, systematic approaches that protect road infrastructure investments over the long term. This shift was powerfully illustrated at the 2016 National Pavement Preservation Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, where a record 760 participants gathered under the theme “Continuing the Drive for Change.” The conference demonstrated that agencies, contractors, and engineers are increasingly embracing preservation as a strategic discipline rather than a stopgap measure. For a deeper understanding of how pavement engineering principles support these strategies, see Asphalt Pavement Engineering Mix Design Construction Methods Rehabilitation.
Why Pavement Preservation Matters More Than Ever
The Global Challenge of Protecting Highway Investments
Jean-Francois Corte, past Secretary General of the World Road Association (PIARC), opened the conference with a stark message: preserving highway investments has become a major concern for countries around the world. Corte emphasized that addressing this concern is necessary to ensure social progress and advance economic prosperity. His remarks underscored that pavement preservation is not merely a technical issue but a strategic economic priority that crosses national boundaries.
The conference featured leadership from all levels of government, highlighting that pavement preservation requires coordinated action across federal, state, and local agencies. Key speakers included:
- Paul Degges, Deputy Commissioner and Chief Engineer of the Tennessee Department of Transportation, who discussed the tangible benefits of a strong pavement preservation program
- Carlos Braceras, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Transportation, who focused on building trust between agencies, industry, and the public
- Butch Waidelich, Executive Director of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), who outlined federal initiatives to spark innovation in preservation
- Brian Stacy, President of the National Association of County Engineers (NACE), who addressed the critical role of preservation at the county level
The Trust Factor in Changing Maintenance Culture
Carlos Braceras delivered one of the most memorable messages of the conference: without trust, change is nearly impossible. This observation speaks to a core challenge in pavement preservation. Shifting from a worst-first reactive approach to a proactive preservation model requires buy-in from elected officials, the traveling public, and the construction industry. Building that trust demands clear communication about the long-term economic benefits of preservation, transparent performance data, and consistent delivery of quality results. The relationship between contractors and agencies is especially important, as collaborative partnerships produce better preservation outcomes than adversarial contracting relationships.
Federal and State Initiatives Driving Preservation Forward
Every Day Counts: FHWA EDC4 and Pavement Preservation
Butch Waidelich highlighted the FHWA Every Day Counts initiative, specifically EDC4, which is designed to advance the use of pavement preservation by state and local agencies. EDC4 provides technical support, case studies, and implementation guidance to help agencies adopt preservation as a standard practice rather than an exception. The initiative recognizes that agencies need more than just technical knowledge — they need institutional support to overcome organizational inertia and budget constraints.
Paul Degges of Tennessee DOT offered a practical state-level perspective on what a successful preservation program looks like. Under his leadership, Tennessee has demonstrated that consistent investment in preventive treatments yields measurable improvements in pavement condition while reducing long-term costs. Degges emphasized that preservation programs require sustained political and budgetary commitment, not just one-time funding spikes.
The County Perspective on Road Preservation
Brian Stacy brought the perspective of county engineers, who manage a significant portion of the nation’s road network with limited budgets and staff. He spoke about the need to develop strong preservation programs that address public demand for good roads. At the county level, pavement preservation is particularly compelling because it maximizes the impact of every dollar spent. A well-timed crack seal or micro-surfacing treatment can extend pavement life by years at a fraction of the cost of reconstruction.
| Agency Level | Key Representative | Primary Message |
|---|---|---|
| International (PIARC) | Jean-Francois Corte | Preserving highway investments is a global economic priority |
| Federal (FHWA) | Butch Waidelich | EDC4 initiative advances preservation adoption nationwide |
| State (Tennessee DOT) | Paul Degges | Strong programs deliver measurable pavement condition gains |
| State (Utah DOT) | Carlos Braceras | Trust between stakeholders is essential for change |
| County (NACE) | Brian Stacy | Preservation maximizes impact of limited county budgets |
The breadth of perspectives at the conference demonstrated that pavement preservation is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Different agency levels face different challenges, but the underlying principle remains the same: investing in timely, appropriate treatments preserves pavement assets more cost-effectively than allowing deterioration to progress unchecked. For insights on how to communicate the benefits of preservation programs to residential communities and stakeholders, refer to Slurry Sealing Residential Communities Communication Strategies for Successful.
Technical Depth and Practical Demonstrations
Four Tracks of Expert Knowledge
The conference offered a wide variety of technical sessions organized along four concurrent tracks with a total of 58 speakers. Topics ranged from pavement preservation basics for newcomers to new and emerging treatment technologies for experienced practitioners. The breadth of coverage ensured that attendees at every experience level found relevant content. Key subject areas included:
- The economics of pavement preservation and lifecycle cost analysis
- Quality assurance protocols for preservation treatments
- Decision-making frameworks for treatment selection and timing
- Pavement condition data collection and analysis methods
- New and emerging treatment technologies and materials
- Case studies of successful preservation programs at state and local levels
Live Field Demonstrations at Nissan Stadium
A major highlight of the conference was the field demonstrations of pavement preservation treatments. Thanks to the support of the NFL Tennessee Titans, all demonstrations occurred on the stadium parking area. This real-world setting allowed attendees to observe treatments being applied under actual field conditions. Many treatments were constructed live for the conference attendees, while other treatments were pre-placed for viewing. During each treatment demonstration, attendees had the opportunity to interact directly with contractors and ask questions about equipment, materials, and application techniques.
The live demonstrations bridged the gap between classroom theory and field practice. Attendees could see how different treatments perform on actual pavement surfaces, observe application rates and techniques, and discuss quality control measures with experienced practitioners. This hands-on component is invaluable for engineers and specifiers who need to make informed decisions about which treatments to use in their own programs.
Treatment Selection and Application Guidance
For agencies building or expanding preservation programs, understanding which treatment to apply and when is critical. The following table summarizes common preservation treatments and their typical applications based on pavement condition:
| Treatment Type | Typical Pavement Condition | Expected Life Extension | Relative Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crack Sealing | Good to fair | 2-4 years | Low |
| Fog Seal | Good | 1-3 years | Low |
| Slurry Seal / Micro-Surfacing | Good to fair | 5-7 years | Moderate |
| Cape Seal | Fair | 5-8 years | Moderate |
| Thin Asphalt Overlay | Fair to poor | 8-12 years | High |
Selecting the right treatment at the right time is the foundation of an effective preservation program. Applying a treatment too early wastes resources, while applying it too late means the pavement has already deteriorated beyond what preservation can cost-effectively address. This is why pavement condition data and sound decision-making frameworks are essential components of any preservation program. For a practical example of how contractors are expanding their preservation capabilities with flexible equipment strategies, see Louisiana Contractor Shows How Flexible Equipment Expands Pavement.
Building a Collaborative Preservation Culture
Regional Partnerships Through AASHTO TSP2
The conference served as a forum for the four regional AASHTO TSP2 Pavement Preservation Partnerships. These partnerships provide an opportunity for state and local agencies, contractors, suppliers, manufacturers, consultants, and universities from across the country and around the world to discuss issues of regional relevance and importance. The regional partnerships meet on an annual basis, and membership is open to all interested stakeholders. This collaborative model has proven effective at accelerating the adoption of best practices and fostering innovation across jurisdictional boundaries.
Recognizing Excellence: The James B. Sorenson Award
Annually, FP2 Inc. (formally known as the Foundation for Pavement Preservation) presents the James B. Sorenson Pavement Preservation Award to an agency that has greatly advanced and cultivated pavement preservation. The award was named in honor of the late Jim Sorenson, who led efforts on behalf of FHWA to advance pavement preservation. In 2016, the award was presented during the Nashville conference to the Ohio Department of Transportation in recognition of their great strides in recent years to advance the use of preservation treatments and to preserve their pavement infrastructure investment. Ohio DOT’s recognition highlights what is possible when an agency commits to preservation as a core strategy rather than an occasional activity.
Steps to Implement a Successful Preservation Program
Based on the lessons shared at the conference, agencies seeking to establish or expand a pavement preservation program should consider the following steps:
- Assess current pavement condition across the network to establish a baseline and identify candidates for preservation treatments
- Develop a multi-year preservation plan that allocates funding predictably rather than reacting to emergencies
- Select appropriate treatments based on pavement type, condition, traffic levels, and climate conditions
- Establish quality assurance protocols to ensure treatments are applied correctly and achieve expected performance
- Train staff and contractors on preservation techniques and quality standards
- Monitor treatment performance over time and adjust the program based on results
- Communicate program benefits to elected officials and the public to build sustained support
Following these steps systematically can help agencies avoid the pitfalls of ad-hoc preservation efforts and build a program that delivers consistent, measurable results year after year.
The End of Worst-First Maintenance
With over 760 participants, the 2016 National Pavement Preservation Conference demonstrated that the traditional maintenance philosophy of “worst first” is no longer a viable alternative for road agencies. The economics simply do not support waiting until pavements fail before taking action. A pavement that has already deteriorated to poor condition requires expensive reconstruction, while the same pavement treated with a timely preservation application at the right point in its lifecycle can be kept in good condition at a fraction of the cost.
Advancing pavement preservation is not only the best approach — it is the right approach for the nation’s highways, roads, and streets. Agencies that embrace this philosophy will stretch their infrastructure dollars further, maintain higher levels of service for the traveling public, and build more sustainable asset management programs. The momentum generated at the Nashville conference continues to drive change across the industry as more agencies adopt preservation as a core component of their pavement management strategy. For more on how custom equipment configurations can help contractors deliver a wider range of preservation treatments efficiently, see Maximizing Pavement Preservation Flexibility Custom Equipment Strategies for.