Advancing Pavement Research Showcase 2025

Marking the second year of this successful tradition, CTIS once again organized its Alumni Reunion and Research Showcase on November 6, 2025. The event successfully gathered alumni and CTIS researchers and student research assistants. The occasion marked another milestone in demonstrating CTIS’s continued growth through collaboration, innovation, and impactful research in transportation infrastructure, including research on asphalt materials, aggregate testing, and sustainable cement technologies.

Our alumni had the opportunity to reconnect with faculty and peers while meeting the newest generation of CTIS researchers, who presented current projects and ongoing studies.

Ph.D. student Sandeep R. Gottam presented his project, “A Methodology to Improve the Frictional Performance of Asphalt Mixtures and a Surrogate Test Method.” His research focuses on improving the skid resistance of asphalt pavements by incorporating small amounts of high-friction aggregates into the intermediate portion of the aggregate gradation. He also introduced a surrogate test method designed as an efficient alternative to traditional polishing and friction testing. The discussion that followed highlighted the potential of this work to enhance pavement friction performance, particularly in areas experiencing low skid resistance.

Ph.D. student Zahra Mohajeri shared her project, “Investigation of Hot Mix Asphalt Aging Effect on Mechanical Properties of Mixes Based on Their Binder Performance Results.” Her study examined how asphalt binder and mixtures age under various laboratory conditions, comparing short-term aging with multiple long-term protocols, including accelerated aging at 80 psi and 300 psi, as well as a five-day loose-mix oven aging procedure. Using DSR and FTIR testing, she evaluated changes in rheology and chemical composition, offering valuable insights into improving long-term pavement performance.

Events like this embody CTIS’s mission to advance transportation infrastructure research through mentorship, innovation, and collaboration. We extend our thanks to our alums for remaining active members of the CTIS community and for continuing to inspire the next generation of engineers and researchers.