The holiday season is upon us, which means sitting for prolonged periods in the car. Whether it is traveling to visit loved ones or attend a festive event, safety behind the wheel should be a priority. During the holiday season, adverse weather conditions, heightened traffic, and various distractions can call for challenges on the road. Holiday events and celebrations should be a joyous time for friends and family, but these celebrations can quickly turn into a tragic event if we are not being mindful. AAA predicts there will be 55.4 million people traveling (including more than 49 million Americans driving) between the Wednesday before Thanksgiving (November 23) and the Sunday after the holiday — making this the third-busiest Thanksgiving travel period in more than two decades. This season lets us make a commitment to road safety, the wellbeing of ourselves, our passengers, our hard-working road crews and fellow motorists.
Here are simple ways you can stay safe on the roads this holiday season:
Do not drink and drive. Do not drive when you are impaired, and do not allow your family members or friends to drive while impaired either. Designate a sober driver, call a taxi, or use a ride share service to protect yourself and others on the road.
Inspect your vehicle. Take the time to ensure all of your lights are working and all fluid levels are normal. Check your tires, tire pressure, headlights, taillights, brake lights, and tag lights.
Map out the route. Plan your route ahead of time and be aware of how projected weather conditions may affect your travels.
Click it or ticket! Ensure you and your passengers are properly restrained in seat belts and car safety seats.
Avoid fatigue. Ensure you receive a good night’s rest before driving, take breaks. If you begin to feel tired, share the driving or pull off the road to a rest area.
Have an emergency plan. It is important to have a cell phone and charger with you in case of emergency situations. Keep emergency roadside assistance information on hand.
Do not text and drive. Keeping your full attention on the road is important to ensure your and other motorists’ safety. If you need to use your cellphone, utilize a hands-free device.
Keep a safe driving distance. A safe driving distance allows for ample time to react to traffic around you. If someone is tailgating you, allow them to pass and do not try to compete with impatient, aggressive drivers.
Watch your speed. Do not go over the speed limit (especially in work zones) and give yourself plenty of time to arrive at your location.
Remain calm. If you begin to feel stressed or irritable, take deep breaths and maintain your patience. If you drive with road rage, it compromises the safety of yourself and fellow drivers.
Happy holidays, and safe travels from the AMI team!
United for Service is an opportunity for you to volunteer side-by-side with fellow Heritage family from November 13-17. This experience is all about building a sense of community among the Heritage family while also giving back in a meaningful way to the communities we live and work in.
History of United for Service
In 2014, the Fehsenfeld Family Council decided it was time to refocus their family retreats, family members wanted to become more involved surrounding their gatherings and wanted a way to connect and give back to the community. Together they decided learning and giving back as a group was the best way to move forward. The family established two models for their retreats, United for Learning and United for Service. The goal is to gather and learn something new and take on a community service project.
The family chose November 17 for its day of service because November 17 holds a special day for The Heritage Group – it is the day that the company was founded. In 1930, during the Great Depression, John E. Fehsenfeld met a need in his community, delivering home heating oil. From this beginning, the family business has grown to more than 30 operating companies, 5,000 employees, in 47 states and four countries.
Together through United for Service, we can all help meet another need – putting food on families’ tables. Because of our size and footprint, we have the power to make an impact within our communities.
Why Focus on Food Scarcity?
The need for food is key to our existence, it is a part of our culture. But for some, putting food on the table is a struggle.
According to the USDA, more than 34 million people, including 9 million children, in the U.S. are food insecure. Every community is home to families who face hunger, and this is even more true in rural communities where there are limited job opportunities and limited transportation options to reach grocery stores or pantries.
Thankfully, there are many community-based organizations that help address this issue. You can support those causes by volunteering with food pantries, soup kitchens, and meal providers during United for Service Week.
How to Participate
Sign up with your team
In our largest markets, members of the Social Impact Task Force are working to create impactful volunteer experiences to fit each location’s employee base, schedule, and space. There might be an on-site event as well as options that get you offsite to see what the fight against hunger looks like in the community. Whatever time you can give to this cause is appreciated. Check the volunteer sign-up for opportunities in your area.
To sign up for a volunteer shift, click here. You can search for volunteer opportunities within your area by typing in your location in the search criteria box.
Other locations/remote employees
The opportunities to amplify our impact are endless. Use our Remote Volunteer Guide to plan your own experience in your community or set up a food drive or a snack bag packing event.
Have a question to ask or a story/photo to share? Be sure to contact socialimpact@thgrp.com.
Asphalt Materials, Inc.’s J-Band product has advanced to Round 3 of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s Coolest Thing Made in Indiana contest!
The competition celebrates the state’s long manufacturing history, and this year’s contest features 47 Hoosier companies that make both well-known and up-and-coming products. Entered companies face off in a single-elimination bracket format with winners chosen through public fan voting.
We need your votes to advance to Round 4! Voting for Round 3 closes Monday, November 13, at 9 p.m. EST.
Vote for Heritage Construction + Materials in the bracket matchup.
About J-Band
J-Band is AMI’s void reducing asphalt membrane (VRAM). It is applied before the asphalt mix is laid down, and when the asphalt mix is placed on top of the J-Band, it migrates into the asphalt mix from the bottom up. The product significantly reduces air voids within the longitudinal joint, which prevents deterioration and preserves the pavement.
As voids are reduced, density increases, and permeability decreases. This extends the life of the joint, which improves the performance of the entire pavement and extends the life of the pavement by up to five years. J-Band was developed to help create longer-lasting, safer roads through a collaboration between state transportation agencies, industry experts and the laboratories of The Heritage Research Group.
Rapid Penetrating Emulsion (RPE) is an asphalt-based emulsion designed to penetrate surface voids of a pavement. The penetrating ability of Asphalt Materials Inc.’s (AMI) AMIGUARD™ RPE allows the pavement to be sealed just below the surface of the pavement, reducing air and water intrusion while maintaining the pavement macrotexture.
Did you know that asphalt pavement is one of America’s most recycled materials? Pavement conditions can be significantly improved when recycling processes like Cold in Place Recycling (CIR), Cold Central Plant Recycling (CCPR), and Full Depth Reclamation (FDR) are applied at the right time. Recycling can successfully mitigate cracking in existing asphalt pavement structures with the application of up-front pavement investigation and training on the specific recycling technique.
Our very own Megan Yount from Heritage Research Group (HRG) was able to speak about Pavement Recycling and its benefits in a recent conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, as a co-presentation with a local agency. This presentation highlighted a successful recycling workshop which partnered with local associations and led to a strong recycling program in Lake County, Indiana.
Electricity is widely recognized as a serious workplace hazard, exposing employees to electric shock, burns, fire, and explosions. It is known that the human body conducts electricity and if direct body contact is made with an electrically charged part, serious injury can occur.
Rapid penetrating emulsions (RPE) are used to fill asphalt pavement voids and reduce air and water intrusion. Asphalt Materials Inc.’s (AMI) AMIGUARD™ RPE is specially formulated to penetrate pavement quickly and thoroughly. Its reduced surface tension allows it to seep into the pavement voids quickly, and the penetrating nature of RPE means the asphalt residue gets “in” the pavement rather than “on” the pavement. Air voids adversely affect pavement life, and proactively reducing pavement permeability extends pavement life.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States. The average risk of a woman to develop breast cancer in her lifetime is about 13%, meaning there is a 1 in 8 chance of development. No matter what the percentage is, women who have been affected by cancer are more than a statistic. They are a mother, daughter, grandmother and a friend.
The month of October is a time to bring awareness to breast cancer and those who have been affected by it. We know awareness alone isn’t enough, so it is important to get involved, get screened and take action.
The first void reducing asphalt membrane (VRAM) project was completed in the state of Kentucky, marking 24 states and the District of Columbia that use VRAM to save infrastructure funds. VRAM is applied at the location of the longitudinal joint prior to paving to fill a portion of the voids. This greatly reduces permeability and protects the joint area, resulting in longer pavement life.
This project was completed on July 28, 2023, at the Central Kentucky Regional Airport in Madison County, Kentucky.
This year, Asphalt Materials Inc. and Heritage Research group attended the National Pavement Preservation Conference (NPPC) hosted by the National Center for Pavement Preservation (NCPP). Sessions were held to further knowledge, development, and research regarding the preservation of pavement. The poor condition of our roads results in $130 billion dollars added to vehicle repairs and operating costs per year (Alabama DOT). To avoid such situations, we must establish an effective preservation program and protect infrastructure investment.
DAY 1
On day one, we heard from several presenters that traveled near and far to share their advice, best practices and research. Below we highlight some of the speakers and key topics they discussed.
Mike Smith: Commissioner of Indiana (INDOT)
The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has owned and maintained more than 5,700 bridges and has nearly 30,000 roadway lane miles. INDOT has created a long term, fully funded plan to improve Indiana’s roadways and bridges that consists of fixing what they currently have, finishing what they have started, planning for the future, and impacting the surrounding cities, towns and counties.
Mike shared that at the highest level it is important to invest in our infrastructure, keep roads in good condition longer, use taxpayer dollars wisely and be environmentally sensitive. Looking ahead, INDOT plans to focus on the quality of the pavement life including preservation techniques, economic development, resiliency, and sustainability.
George Connor: Deputy Director, Operations (Alabama DOT)
George Connor discussed the preservation challenge and how important it is that we create longer lasting pavements. It is a challenging undertaking because the road system has 4.2 million centerline miles. The nation’s infrastructure is valued at $8.3 trillion, and in 2019 federal state governments spent $3.6 billion on highways.
Pavement preservation is important because of the people and communities it impacts. Roadway networks connect about 7.9 million business establishments with customers, suppliers and workers. In 2018, roadway networks served about 327 million residents and 80 million international visitors. Transportation infrastructure has a major economic impact, so we must work together to share pavement preservation techniques that are working well.
DAY 2
On day two of the conference, several of our own were able to speak about advancements in asphalt emulsions, workforce development strategies, and cold recycled pavements.
Dan Swiertz: Asphalt Materials Inc. | Lab Manager
Latest Advancements in Emulsions
The use of asphalt emulsions is ubiquitous throughout the lifecycle of an asphalt pavement. From new construction to recycling and reclamation, emulsions are formulated to deliver performance across a range of climatic regions and construction variables. New and innovative advancements in emulsion technology have created valuable opportunities for contractors and road owners alike. This presentation examined several advancements including penetrating emulsion and micro surfacing that offer unique opportunities to extend the pavement lifecycle.
Kierstin Janik: Heritage Construction + Materials | Chief Talent Officer
Workforce Development Strategies
As construction companies face lower workforce participation and an ageing workforce. The U.S. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law projects potentially creating 3.2 million new jobs across the non-residential construction value chain, and 300,000-600,000 new construction workers are needed to fill the gap with projected peak needs around 2027-2028. As a result, companies must develop holistic strategies to engage potential new employees and increase workforce development.
Kierstin discussed some approaches HC+M has taken recently including highlighting its employer brand through social media and emphasizing the industry’s meaningful work, safety, support and good wages. She also shared more about HC+M’s talent acquisition strategy that prioritizes investing in the future though programs with middle schools, high schools and universities.
Megan Yount: Heritage Research Group | Pvmt. Mat Engineering Manager
Characterizing Cold Recycled Pavements from Field-Sampled Cores
Replicating field-placed Cold In-place Recycled (CIR) and Cold Central Plant Recycled (CCPR) pavements with lab-produced mixtures may not accurately capture field conditions during construction, exact material proportions, or compaction effort. These factors often influence the resulting mixture properties, causing uncertainty that lab-produced mixtures reflect that of the in-situ pavement mixture. Examples from two State DOT projects were reviewed, followed by a discussion of results from tests including Dynamic Modulus, Marshall Stability, and Indirect Tensile Strength Testing.
DAY 3
On day three, conference attendees visited the Indiana State Fairgrounds, where they could see INDOT evaluation equipment and research posters, static displays, and field demonstrations. Several contractors showcased their equipment including a diamond grinder, greens broom scrubber, pavement evaluation van and more.
The live demonstrations listed below followed the static displays.
Treatment
Contractor
Hot in Place Recycling
Gallagher Asphalt
Rapid Set Concrete Patch
CTS/Rapid Set
Concrete Patch Materials
FPT Infrastructure
RMV Robotic Crack Sealer
RMV/Sealmaster Robotic Crack Sealer
Treatment
Contractor
Mastic and Crack Seal
CRAFCO
Pavement Retexturing
Skidabrader
Maltene Based Rejuvenator
Pavement Technology Inc.
Microsurface
Pavement Solutions
Scrub Seal
Pavement Maintenance Systems/Etnyre
Hot in Place RecyclingHIR performed by Gallagher AsphaltRobotic Crack SealerCTS Rapid Set Concrete PatchMicro-surfacing performed by Pavement SolutionsScrub Seal performed by Pavement Maintenance Systems
Asphalt Materials Inc. and Heritage Research Group had an amazing time attending NPPC and learning pavement preservation best practices from agencies and industry thought leaders. Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth and for sharing your ideas about how to take care of our infrastructure!
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