Did you know that approximately 330,000 people in the U.S. are employed by the asphalt pavement industry? The industry is made up of companies ranging from small driveway-paving operations to multimillion-dollar construction companies that produce and place asphalt on roads, highways, airport runways, parking lots and more. Every day they are laying the foundation for America''s extensive infrastructure — the transportation network and commerce that keep this country going strong.

Pride in Production
The entire asphalt industry takes pride in continuously improving their product — investing in research to give you a quieter, more durable, more economical paving material. In fact, members of the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) founded the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) in 1986 to promote quality and advances in technology through research.

NCAT, governed by a partnership of government, academia and industry, is the world''s top asphalt pavement research institution. The NCAT Test Track, a 1.7-mile oval where pavements are punished by heavier-than-normal loads, is expected to yield data that will save taxpayers $1 billion a year or more in highway costs. Learn more about NCAT. Over the past 15 to 20 years, research at NCAT and by government agencies has revolutionized the design and construction of asphalt pavements. Today''s asphalt pavements are greatly improved — even more impressive when you consider that many asphalt pavements reach the age of 35 to 50 years without ever needing reconstruction.

College Scholarships
Another example of the asphalt pavement industry''s commitment to continuous improvement and education is the fact that NAPA and the State Asphalt Pavement Associations sponsor more than 175 college scholarships each year for students majoring in civil engineering and construction management. NAPA also sponsors a Professor Training Program at NCAT each year. To date, 299 professors from 48 states have gained the knowledge and skills to teach hot mix asphalt technology at their colleges and universities.

Asphalt contractors work just as hard to make their production processes friendly to the environment and the communities where they''re located. The result: a solid reputation for a superior product and a helping hand in the community.