What's New with ISSA Technical Director Bob Jerman- February 2022

Optimism.  Helen Keller said that “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.  Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”   With each new year comes the excitement that new opportunity brings.  Some of those opportunities are already known and some are yet to be uncovered as the year unfolds.  While the year begins with some previously established priorities for the ISSA Technical Team, I’m confident that opportunities not yet considered will present themselves this year.  I’m hopeful that the ones chosen to be worthy of pursuit, once completed, will bring significant improvements that positively impact the state of our industry in a personal way for you and your team.

While we have multiple, high priority projects already underway, the two receiving significant attention right now are the Technical Bulletin revisions and the A143 Micro Surfacing Guideline revision.  The ISSA Technical Bulletin revisions are focusing on TB No. 109 and TB No. 147.   Both of those bulletins involve the use of a loaded wheel test apparatus, along with associated paraphernalia.  To quote some of the new language under consideration in the A143 revision, our focus is on helping agencies develop “Specifications for situations where there is a particular need for increased durability due to challenging climatic conditions, events that apply higher than normal stress on the pavement surface (snow plow damage, routine freeze-thaw cycles, extreme high temperatures, areas of unusual amounts of turning traffic, etc.) that may require additional consideration for design criteria. Options to be considered are included.”

It’s encouraging to see the increased level of activity underway on both the Chip Seal Committee and the Crack Treatment Committee.   While work continues on our A165 Chip Seal Guideline, we also have groups reviewing the A175 Crack Treatment Guideline and working on the initial stages of a Design and Inspection Manual for Crack Treatments. 

With 2021 barely behind us, we quickly glance in the rear view mirror and can say with confidence that the new “ISSA Design and Inspector’s Manual for Slurry Surfacing Systems” met the objective outlined in the opening paragraph.   Get your copy (copies) today.  Also note that it is now available in Spanish.  On April 1^st, the "Recommended Performance Guideline for Polymer-Modified Emulsified Asphalt Slurry Seal, A115 - Provisional" will become a “standard” ISSA Guideline when we remove its “Provisional” status.  As stated here previously, we encourage you to let us know how this latest ISSA Guideline is working in your pavement preservation toolbox.   I can be contacted at  bobjerman54@gmail.com regarding your experiences with A115.

As you have heard me say here previously, we both need and encourage your engagement with the ISSA Technical teams.  We want you to reach out to us with your technical questions and ideas on where our committees should focus their attention.  We realize that everyone doesn’t get the benefits of personal interaction at the Workshop and the Annual meeting. In order to provide another avenue for you to engage in a meaningful way, we’re committing to quarterly “ISSA Technical Forums”.   These will be one hour video conference calls designed to present opportunities for you and your team to engage the ISSA Technical Team with your ideas and questions.  We’ll be sending out notifications this month for the first call which will take place in March.  We look forward to seeing you there.

"Every day is a gift!  Never take a single one for granted!"

Sincerely,

Bob Jerman

ISSA Technical Director