University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The Grainger College of Engineering
Illinois Center for Transportation

Empowering innovation at the 64th Illinois Bituminous Paving Conference

1/28/2024 Kent Reel

The Illinois Center for Transportation hosted the 64th Illinois Bituminous Paving Conference on December 5-6 at the I Hotel and Conference Center.

More than 300 experts gathered for workshops, presentations and networking opportunities, including exhibit booths and poster sessions of Illinois Department of Transportation-sponsored research.

A notable focus this year was on sustainable practices in flexible pavement, highlighting the industry’s commitment to environmental consciousness.

The conference award committee also recognized individuals for their exceptional contributions to the field:

  • Lama Abufares, a CEE doctoral student, received the Marshall Thompson Student Research Award. Abufares has made significant contributions to the field through her IDOT-sponsored research on using ground-penetrating radar to predict the moisture content of cold-recycled pavements.
  • Mike Schilke, IDOT’s District 1 laboratory supervisor, was honored with the IAPA Bituminous Innovative Research Award. Schilke’s extensive experience as a quality control manager has been invaluable to the industry through his insights and active participation in hot-mix asphalt research.
  • Gosia Adamczyk, senior engineer for the Champaign County Highway Department, received the Barry Dempsey Bituminous Technical Contribution of the Year Award. Adamczyk has been a driving force in the county’s infrastructure development, with a focus on implementing new technologies like longitudinal joint sealant and in-place recycling.
  • Tom Zehr, IDOT’s HMA implementation engineer, took home the Imad Al-Qadi Leadership in Bituminous Engineering Award. With over 25 years at IDOT, Zehr’s leadership in developing and evaluating HMA policies, procedures and in-house research has been pivotal.
    Clockwise from upper left: Professor Emeritus Marshall Thompson with Lama Abufares; Kevin Burke and Dan Gallagher with Mike Schilke; Gallagher with Tom Zehr; Gallagher with Gosia Adamczyk.
    Clockwise from upper left: Professor Emeritus Marshall Thompson with Lama Abufares; Kevin Burke and Dan Gallagher with Mike Schilke; Gallagher with Tom Zehr; Gallagher with Gosia Adamczyk.

The conference, chaired by ICT director and Grainger Distinguished Chair in Engineering Imad Al-Qadi, has been a cornerstone for professionals in the bituminous paving industry for over six decades.

The conference’s success was bolstered by the support of our moderators, the conference committee, IDOT, the Federal Highway Administration, and sponsors and exhibitors.

The 65th Illinois Bituminous Paving Conference will be held on Dec. 10-11, 2024, at the I Hotel and Conference Center in Champaign, Illinois.

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