Professionalising the asphalt construction process: aligning information technologies, operators' knowledge and laboratory practices

This research addresses the need to professionalise the asphalt construction process. A distinctive action research strategy is designed and carried out to progressively improve operational strategies of asphalt teams from technological, human (operator) and laboratory perspectives. Using information technologies, such as GPS, a laser-linescanner, and infrared cameras, the on-site construction process in made explicit. More than thirty asphalt construction projects are systematically monitored and mapped demonstrating the extent of process variability. By organising feedback sessions with asphalt teams, the tacit operators' knowledge is extracted. In the laboratory, the monitored process is simulated and compaction procedures are developed to evaluate and design the process. This research provides methods for researchers and practitioners to implement technologies, analyse operational strategies of asphalt teams and their effects on asphalt quality, design the asphalt construction process and enhance reflective and method-based practices. This is an important step that leads to construction process improvements, more consistent asphalt quality, and more professional operators and companies. Together, this research contributes to a professional asphalt construction process and to better constructed asphalt roads.