The Australian Flexible Pavement Association (AfPA) has recently hosted Transport for New South Wales in an industry specific event focusing on instilling sustainability priorities and outcomes for flexible pavement across the state. AfPA Executive Director NSW/ACT Lise Sperling explains.
Held on September 8, Sydney Olympic Park saw the unification of both industry and government. The Australian Flexible Pavement Association (AfPA) hosted the ‘Towards sustainability in flexible pavements’ industry breakfast event as presented by senior representatives from Transport for NSW.
The event aimed to provide attendees with an industry specific insight into the NSW flexible pavement specifications and potential avenues for sustainable procurement and project delivery.
AfPA Executive Director Lise Sperling says the event was an astounding success, with plans already in place to potentially host a similar event in the near future.
“This marks our first in-person technical specification event in two years due to COVID-19. It was really an opportunity to have a New South Wales centric focus discussion around what the NSW Government, in particular Transport for NSW is delivering in the road specification space,” she says.
“It allowed Transport for NSW to be very clear with industry and local government on what their priorities are in moving towards sustainability. Different options around materials were discussed such as recycling glass, concrete, brick, the use of crumb rubber and more. It was a great chance to discuss how Transport for NSW is going to modernise standards, while working with industry on prioritising sustainability throughout the sector.”
The event hosted two key note speakers from Transport for NSW, which included Hossein Asadi, Senior Manager Pavements Technical Services – Infrastructure and Place; and Sean Dorahy, Pavement Manager, Asphalt Technology Technical Services – Infrastructure and Place.
With more than 30 years of combined experience in material engineering and pavement design and construction, both Asadi and Dorahy provided first-hand accounts and insights into the use of different technologies and materials.
“They’re very strong champions of change and experienced technical experts in the road and infrastructure industry,” Sperling says. “It demonstrates that Transport for NSW is genuinely committed to sustainability and working with industry to be more progressive.”
“We’ve had very positive feedback from attendees, who welcomed the opportunity to be able to hear an industry specific session which looked at the localised opportunities for different technologies, some of which are being trialled in New South Wales“.
Off the back of what has been hailed as a success, AfPA will be hosting future events, with a renewed focus on sustainability.
“Sustainability is one of our key strategic pillars, and it’s something that we will continue focus on,” Sperling says. “We will also be holding a road maintenance and rehabilitation masterclass on 11 November 2022, which will cover best practice across the flexible pavement industry.”
This article was originally published in the October edition of our magazine. To read the magazine, click here.
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- AfPA paves the way towards a more sustainable industry
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- The AfPA graduate taking the road less travelled
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