2018 Leonard E. Wood Lecture

The Future of Highway Materials and Construction Practices

by Jon Epps, Ph.D., PE
Executive Associate Director
Senior Research Fellow
Texas A&M Transportation Institute

Tuesday, February 6, 2018
9:30am - HAMP 1144

Abstract

As traffic on the nation’s highways has continued to increase, highway materials, design, and construction technology have not kept pace. Dr. Epps will speak about the future of highway materials and construction practices, and what can be done to produce longer-lasting, more sustainable pavements at accelerated construction speeds.

Bio

Dr. Epps has more than 40 years of experience, including 32 years in leadership positions in the academic sector at two land-grant universities - Texas A&M University and the University of Nevada, Reno. He spent 10 years in the private sector as Engineering Services Manager for Granite Construction, Inc., one of the largest transportation construction companies in the U.S. in project volume, with major operations in 11 states.

His academic research efforts have led to significant advancements, as well as new and updated standards in the field of pavements and materials, including pavement maintenance management systems; pavement recycling; and pavement economics. Dr. Epps' work in the private sector included the development and delivery of a quality management program, technology innovation delivery, improved business systems, successful public- private partnerships, numerous internal and external training programs, and a variety of mixture and structural design/build projects.

Dr. Epps has served in leadership roles in numerous state and national professional organizations and at the Transportation Research Board. He received his bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from the University of California at Berkeley and is a licensed professional engineer in the State of Texas.