National Center for Asphalt Technology - NCAT

National Center for Asphalt Technology - NCAT The National Center for Asphalt Technology is a leading research facility advancing asphalt pavement performance and sustainability.

Through cutting-edge studies, innovation, and training, NCAT drives solutions for the asphalt industry’s future.

05/21/2026

Ever wonder how engineers measure pavement texture?

At NCAT, we use tests like the Sand Patch Test to evaluate pavement macrotexture, or the roughness of an asphalt surface. Why does it matter? Texture plays a major role in skid resistance, drainage, ride quality, and long-term pavement performance.

Watch this quick “how-to” to see the Sand Patch Test in action and learn why it matters beneath your wheels.

05/15/2026

Happy National Asphalt Day!

Most people drive over asphalt without a second thought. And that's the goal! Every road tells a story of research, hard work, innovation, and the people who keep our world moving.

At NCAT, we’re proud to work with so many amazing groups and people to help build safer, smoother, longer-lasting pavements for communities everywhere.

It takes a great group to do great work. Thank you to everyone who helped make the NCAT & MnROAD Spring 2026 Sponsor Mee...
05/14/2026

It takes a great group to do great work. Thank you to everyone who helped make the NCAT & MnROAD Spring 2026 Sponsor Meeting one to remember!

Collaboration and shared commitment to advancing asphalt research continue to drive meaningful progress across the industry. Our partners and sponsors are a driving force, and we are honored every day to turn research into real-world, implementable impact with them!

05/13/2026

What a week in Auburn! The NCAT & MnROAD Spring 2026 Sponsor Meeting brought two packed days of discussions advancing asphalt pavement research and implementation, covering test sections with balanced mix design, surface properties, additives, and more - plus a tour of the Test Track!

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make it all possible!

Hear from NCAT Director Randy West and Shawn Jack (WVDOH) during next Thursday’s From Research to Implementation Webinar...
05/13/2026

Hear from NCAT Director Randy West and Shawn Jack (WVDOH) during next Thursday’s From Research to Implementation Webinar Series as they explore the critical role of tack coat bond strength in pavement performance.

The webinar will cover how bond strength testing is used in research, forensic investigations and construction quality assurance, along with why proper tack coat application matters in the field.

Join us May 21 from 10–11 a.m. CT and register today.
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From our first editions in the 80s & 90s to the upcoming 40th issue, NCAT's magazine, Asphalt Technology News, has docum...
05/12/2026

From our first editions in the 80s & 90s to the upcoming 40th issue, NCAT's magazine, Asphalt Technology News, has documented and shared decades of research, innovation, and progress in the asphalt industry.

A lot has changed over the years, but the mission remains the same: delivering practical research and real-world impact to readers across the country and around the world.

The next edition is coming soon. 👀 Sign up to receive the magazine in your inbox at https://signup.e2ma.net/signup/1759138/1730370/

At NCAT, our core values run deep.Safety. Family. Integrity. Research.And occasionally, they’re pulled straight from the...
05/11/2026

At NCAT, our core values run deep.

Safety. Family. Integrity. Research.

And occasionally, they’re pulled straight from the pavement. 😉

Those values guide the research, testing, and implementation work we do every day to improve asphalt pavements for agencies, industry, and everyone on their daily commute. Learn more at ncat.us.

What do 50 trips to the moon and nearly 482 trips around the Earth have in common? They’re both roughly equivalent to th...
05/08/2026

What do 50 trips to the moon and nearly 482 trips around the Earth have in common?

They’re both roughly equivalent to the 12 million total miles now driven on the NCAT Test Track.

The Test Track has officially reached this major milestone, marking another achievement in its 25 years of asphalt research and innovation.

Since opening in 2000, the Test Track has helped researchers and industry partners evaluate pavement performance under real-world traffic conditions to improve the safety, durability and sustainability of our roadways.

Here’s to the next million miles of asphalt innovation!

Learn more about the numbers on the track at https://eng.auburn.edu/research/centers/ncat/testtrack/index.html

05/07/2026

How well will an asphalt mixture resist rutting and moisture damage under traffic? The Hamburg Wheel Tracking Test (HWTT) helps answer that question.

By applying repeated wheel loads in heated water, the test helps evaluate how asphalt mixtures may perform under real-world traffic and environmental conditions.

Why does this matter? Better-performing asphalt mixtures can lead to longer-lasting roads, fewer repairs and safer, smoother rides for drivers.

Learn more quick asphalt technology facts on our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/

NCAT is growing its research capabilities with a new AI-focused faculty expert! We’re excited to welcome Tianhao Yan as ...
05/01/2026

NCAT is growing its research capabilities with a new AI-focused faculty expert! We’re excited to welcome Tianhao Yan as an assistant research professor to our research faculty and engineers team.

Yan brings expertise in artificial intelligence, data science, and pavement engineering, supporting NCAT’s continued focus on innovative, practical research for the transportation community.

Welcome to the team!

Read more about Yan’s background and how his work will support NCAT’s research at the link below.
https://www.eng.auburn.edu/news/2026/04/ncat-welcomes-ai-expert.html

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