The European Asphalt Technology Association (EATA) is an organisation of leading European engineers and scientists involved in Asphalt Technology Research. Every two or three years, the EATA celebrates its international asphalt pavement conference, with the aim of disseminating the key advances in scientific knowledge related to asphalt materials and technologies, and to encourage the transfer and application of this knowledge worldwide.
The 8th EATA Conference will take place during the 3rd–5th of June 2019, hosted for the first time in Spain, by the University of Granada. Bringing together academia, industry and public organisms, it provides a unique opportunity for engineers and researchers to share their unprecedented work and to learn about the most advanced developments in asphalt technologies.
As guest editors, we would like to thank all the authors that submitted their work to be considered for publication in this special issue of the Road Material and Pavement Design Journal, and peer-reviewers and collaborators that made this edition possible. This volume contains 32 papers selected through a rigorous peer-review process from amongst a total of 120 papers submitted, that will be presented in the conference’s sessions. Eight papers deal with sustainability and circular economy (reuse of wastes, warm mix asphalt, crumb rubber, urban heat island mitigation). There are four papers addressing technologies for the roads of the future (electrified road systems, solar roads, asphalt healing, sensored roads, etc.) and five more focused on new tests, materials and technologies (additives, binders, mortars and mixtures). Research on long-term performance (ageing, moisture, rejuvenators, etc.) can be found in six of the works presented as well as four studies on aggregates and mineral skeleton (stone-on-stone design, locking point compaction energy and adhesiveness, among others). Finally, five papers show modelling research studies (probabilistic prediction, numerical simulation, precision modal analysis, etc.).
These works will undoubtedly contribute to spreading groundbreaking research methodologies and innovative asphalt materials and technologies among academia, industry and agencies.
Representatives from five continents (Africa, Asia, America, Europe and Oceania) with more than 25 nationalities will meet during the 8th EATA Conference, which suppose a unique opportunity for the discussion and exchange of ideas, transfer of knowledge and expertise, development of the pavement sector and enhance the importance of EATA all over the world.
We would also like to give a special thanks to LabIC.UGR Research Group, the local organising committee, for their motivation, dedication and the great work they have accomplished. We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to all the supporters and sponsors. All them have made a great contribution in order for this conference to be a success.
Finally, we would like to acknowledge Prof. Hervé di Benedetto for his commitment in making the EATA conference a success one more time, this time in Granada, Spain. It has been an honour and pleasure to walk along this road with him.