ASU at TRB 2026 Annual Conference
The Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting is the premier global gathering for transportation professionals, and this year, our graduate students presented their research representing ASU and SWPT consortium.
Held from January 11th–15th, 2026, the conference provided our team with a platform to showcase how we are tackling the unique infrastructure challenges of the Southwest and beyond. The presented works highlight the range of skill sets our researchers bring to SWPT’s technical excellence.
Battling the Heat: Field Aging in Arizona
PhD student Awais Zahid presented the poster: “Field Aging Kinetics of Asphalt Binders in Hot Climate Pavements: A Combined Chemical and Rheological Evaluation of Surface Coating Effects”.
This study, part of SWPT Core Project #23-02, utilized field observations to evaluate preservation strategies.
Key Takeaways:
- High In-Place Density Matters: The research confirmed that achieving high in-place density (95%) during pavement construction substantially reduces the progression of oxidative aging compared to low-density pavement sections.
- Effective Preservation: The study demonstrated that surface coatings, specifically fog seals and polymer-modified master seals, effectively preserve the pavement by mitigating the aging across the pavement depth.
Moving Load Analysis for Airports
PhD student Masih Beheshti presented findings from a critical study sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
His poster, “A Computationally Efficient Approach for Analyzing Aircraft Load-Induced Reflective Cracking”, addresses the complexities of the design of AC overlay for airfield rigid pavement structures.
Key Takeaways:
- Design Implications: By accurately modeling the interaction between heavy gear loads and pavement responses, this work contributes to the design of more durable asphalt overlays for rigid jointed airfield pavements that can withstand the demands of next-generation aviation.
- Viscoelastic Reality: The study utilized advanced 3-D Finite Element (FE) modeling to simulate moving loads, capturing the viscoelastic nature of asphalt pavements.
Commitment to Excellence
The presence of our graduate students at TRB 2026 underscores our commitment not only to developing new technologies but also to subjecting them to rigorous peer review on an international stage. We thank our sponsors and the members of the Southwest Pavement Technology Consortium for their funding and technical support. These partnerships remain essential for translating research into long-lasting pavements and cost-effective solutions for our infrastructure.
