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Refining the skills of experienced operators is important because they will be teaching their younger counterparts after they leave the Road Institute. By sharpening best practices and principles of what those experienced operators do, they will reinforce those concepts with the younger operators when they get back home. And by teaching the younger operators the same paving principles and practices as they are just getting started, they will be more productive and better operators as they progress in their careers.

Fleming says a good deal of time is spent teaching younger operators how to control the operation of material going through the paver to the screed and the operation of the screed itself. "Most young operators need to be taught how to properly control the factors that affect the screed performance, such as how to correctly adjust the screed angle of attack to prevent any over-correction of the mat thickness, how to keep the head of material consistent at the augers, and how to hold a constant paving speed," says Fleming.

Compactors offer another set of techniques young operators need to learn. Our instructors begin with the concepts behind the machines and then move to putting those concepts into practice. "We teach our students the difference between frequency and amplitude of the vibration and discuss a number of rolling patterns they could use. After they have that down, we show them how to steer in a straight line and then position the roller so it is ready to reverse without turning the drums when stationary on the asphalt. Our students learn how to do this by getting in the seat and operating the compactors," says Fleming.

Because of their inexperience, Fleming recommends that contractors send their younger employees to the Road Institute during the winter months to receive training, and on their return, "let your young employees begin working on the equipment under supervision in your company's own workshops, assisting the mechanics and viewing first-hand the components involved in a paver or compactor. Then, as the paving season gets underway, allow your younger employees to join the crew and work with the paver with the objective of eventually making their way to the operator position," says Fleming.

While the winter months might be the best time to train young operators, Fleming says that experienced operators should sharpen their skills no matter what month it is. "Any time is a good time to train seasoned operators, and they can pick up things faster with their experience and background," says Fleming.