About the RPA

It's a new millennium and since many of our readers may be new it is time to tell you who we are and what we do. Pages 3 and 4 are an introduction to our association and its leaders.

RPA is a 501(c)6, nonprofit association. It is the successor of the Asphalt Rubber Producers Group founded in 1985. The association is dedicated to the promotion of greater usage of high quality, cost effective asphalt pavements containing recycled scrap tire rubber.

RPA is based in Arizona because the most widely used and nationally accepted material contained recycled scrap tires, "Asphalt-Rubber" was developed in the state and all the major components of the industry are readily available. Arizona also has Asphalt-Rubber pavements that have been in service for many years.

RPA carries out its mission through technology transfer and maintains the largest library of Asphalt-Rubber research documents in the world. The main activities include workshops, seminars and conferences, the publication of a quarterly newsletter and other information materials. The association also maintains a website that has been visited by over 50 different countries in the past two years.

The membership of the association is comprised of "User" (contractors) and "Producer" (crumb rubber processors) members as well as a non-voting "Associate" classification, which is made up of suppliers of goods or services to the industry. A Board of Directors representing its companies located around the globe, governs the association.

The association funds a Technical Advisory Board (TAB), made up of engineers from agencies, academia and the private sector. The 15 member TAB is currently chaired by Mark Belshe, P.E. of FNF Construction. The purpose of the TAB is to provide technical and policy direction to the association. Its mission statement is: Advance engineering technology and implementation of Asphalt-Rubber.

It has set five goals: (1) Provide policy and technical counsel to the RPA Board of Directors. (2) Provide technical insight and direction. (3) Assist in establishing technical merits and values of Asphalt-Rubber. (4) Identify, formulate and monitor research and development activities. (5) Lead development and delivery of training programs. The TAB is actively engaged with the development of ASTM and AASHTO standards for Asphalt-Rubber paving materials.

The association is funded by its member companies through assessments on the sale or purchase of crumb rubber used in asphalt applications. In the past three years nearly 60% of the RPA budget has been dedicated to research and education.

The association has sponsored several significant research projects. Among the projects: Life Cycle Cost Analysis by Dr. Gary Hicks, Dr. Jon Epps and Dr. Jim Lundy; Quality Control and Quality Assurance by Hicks and Epps; Development of a Mechanistic Overlay Design Method Based on Reflective Cracking Concepts by Dr. Jorge Sousa and Dick Stubstad, Consulpav International and Field Aging Effects on the Fatigue of Asphalt Concrete and Asphalt-Rubber Concrete by Dr. Lutfi Raad, University of Alaska.

The association partners with many national and international associations such as the International Tire and Rubber Association, the European Tyre Recycling Association, the Scrap Tire Management Council, the National Asphalt Paving Association as well as the Rubberized Asphalt Concrete Technology Centers in Los Angeles and Sacramento counties, California, the Asphalt Rubber Training Service at Clemson University, SC and the University of New Hampshire's Recycled Materials Resource Center.

Frequently asked questions

What is Asphalt-Rubber?

The ASTM definition is: Asphalt-Rubber is a blend of asphalt cement, reclaimed tire rubber and certain additives in which the rubber component is at least 15% by weight of the total blend and has reacted in the hot asphalt cement sufficiently to cause swelling of the rubber particles.

A common practice in Arizona, California, and Texas is to use at least 18% rubber.

How many tires are recycled?

It depends on the mix design. A two-inch overlay of A-R Hot Mix will use crumb rubber from about 2,000 tires per lane mile. In a spray application (chip seals, seal coats), about 500 tires will be used per lane mile.

How can RPA help you?

RPA has the world's largest library of research papers and reports. The documents include performance, noise reduction, skid resistance, recycling, emissions studies, as well as life cycle and cost effectiveness information and relate topics.

A partial listing can be found on our website: www.rubberpavements.org.
The reports are listed in international, federal, state, and industry categories. If you don't find what you need, call the office with your subject interest. RPA charges a nominal reproduction and shipping fee for reports. The website also contains a number of recent reports that can be downloaded at no cost.

Speakers & Workshops

RPA offers speakers ranging from Ph.Ds to contractors with years of experience in everything from research and crumb rubber production to field application of Asphalt-Rubber materials. RPA also offers workshops and seminars geared toward agencies, engineering firms, and other asphalt organizations.

The workshops are tailored to meet the needs and knowledge level of the audience.

Supplier & Services Directory

RPA can help you locate tire recycling equipment and Asphalt-Rubber blending and application equipment manufacturers or consultants. The membership includes a number of consulting engineering firms and testing laboratories that can provide important services to agencies interested in starting an Asphalt-Rubber program.

Contact the RPA for more information on how it can help you.

ISS acquires Domino Road Coatings

International Surfacing Systems has announced the acquisition of Domino Road Coatings, Inc. of Phoenix, AZ.

Jeff Reed, ISS president, said that Domino owner Mike Domino will serve as vice president and general manager of the combined companies operating under the ISS name.

Domino spent over 20 years in the financial industry. He entered the paving industry in 1991 and built a successful paving firm specializing in chip seals.