Episode 45: TxDOT Pavement Evaluation: A Systemic Approach

Everyday Asphalt’s guest this month is Ruben Carrasco, Branch Manager for Pavement Analysis and Design with TxDOT’s Maintenance Division. The topic this month is Pavement Evaluation: A Systemic Approach to Informed Decisions. Ruben has developed a 6-step Pavement Evaluation process to really understand what the pavement really is and what its current condition is. Real Data and Real Analysis provide the tools necessary to make the right decisions on future investments in pavements. This is solid information that will improve pavement performance. Come find out what Steps 4 and 5 are and how they can provide unseen information. Join us!Watch us on YouTube!

Everyday Asphalt Podcast #44 for September 2026 brings back TXAPA’s North Texas Regional Director Matt White to continue the discussion on Equipment Fundamentals. We get deeper into stabilization, milling, paving, and compaction equipment, specifically where and when to use, how things work, optimal use, and more time talking about rollers and compaction operations. What is the best roller pattern to use? Please join us to find out this month on Everyday Asphalt.Watch us on YouTube!

In this month’s episode of Everyday Asphalt, we get into designing asphalt projects with a better understanding of what paving equipment is capable of in the field. Matt White, TXAPA North Texas Regional Director, joins us to discuss the equipment that plays a critical role in asphalt construction: milling machines, pavers, and rollers. We’ll look at equipment sizes, applications, best practices, and proper selection and use. We’ll also discuss what construction inspectors should look for and what they can expect to see in the field. Part 2 next month will continue the conversation with a deeper focus on paving and compaction. APEX is raising the bar on pavement design, materials, and construction to help deliver high-quality, long-lasting asphalt pavements. Come find out. Ever forward!Watch us on YouTube!

This month’s episode takes the History of Asphalt back to the early 1900’s and comes to present on advances in technology, especially the development of recycling processes and a better understanding of the what and why we are doing things today, much stemming from a huge jump start in the 1970’s. Dr. Jon Epps takes us for a tour and a great discussion. APEX continues to raise the bar on pavement design, materials, and construction to deliver high-quality, long-lasting asphalt pavements. Come find out. Ever forward! Watch us on YouTube!

Everyday Asphalt’s on the road this month, providing an update on APEX including our brand new website!  We also look deeper in designing for, and constructing for ride as well as reviewing progress on educational products and programs, the fall schedule for Essentials, and discussing other programs. We also take a look back some previous episodes dealing with steps to improve ride and quality.APEX continues to raise the bar on pavement design, materials, and construction to deliver high-quality, long-lasting asphalt pavements. Come find out. Ever forward! Watch us on YouTube!

Everyday Asphalt’s on the road this month to visit with Amarillo District Engineer Blair Johnson and Director of Construction Wes Kimmel to learn more about Amarillo and discuss how they have been producing Award Winning Pavements for the last 6 years and even securing the top National Paving Award. We discuss the process, what it takes, how to communicate expectations, and raise the bar on pavement design, materials, and construction to deliver high-quality long-lasting asphalt pavements. Come find out. Ever forward! Watch us on YouTube!

Dale Rand, former TxDOT Innovator, Consultant, now with Lime Association of Texas, joins Everyday Asphalt for a History Lesson on TxDOT initiatives leading to current specifications and test procedures. We discuss the QC/QA specification, changing to Superpave, Hamburg, Ride Quality, and even early efforts to balance mix design. Do you know how the VMA specification was developed? Come find out. Ever forward! Watch us on YouTube!

Harold Mullen, TXAPA CEO, joins Everyday Asphalt for an inspirational look back at TXAPA's past 31 years under his careful watch. We discuss the past, present, and future of Asphalt, Communication, The Yes Doctrine, Work-Life Balance, and how far partnerships can take you - if you are just willing to come to the table. Join us for a look back so we can better see ahead. Ever forward!  Watch us on YouTube!

This month on Everyday Asphalt, Tim Martin President of 2TM Consulting Engineers, joins Jim Warren for a inside out view of pavements - what happens when things go right, what happens when things go wrong, and how to figure out why.  We discuss a troubleshooting and forensics and what to look for when we are looking at pavements!  Join us as we dive deep into pavements this month.  Watch us on YouTube!

Hear directly from the contractor’s perspective as Brandon Trout (Allen Keller Company) joins Jim Warren to share how asphalt projects are evaluated, planned, and built for quality and performance.Expect a fast-paced session filled with real-world experience, practical nuggets, and actionable advice for anyone involved in asphalt pavement projects.Curious what asphalt sounds like?Join us and find out.Watch us on YouTube!