The start of a new year seems to be a good time to introduce two new departments, so welcome to “On the Job,” page 86, and “Pavement Defects,” page 88. In fitting with our mission, both departments have a “how to” bent with a goal of helping contractors solve a problem, improve a skill or meet a challenge.
For “On the Job” the idea is simple: We’ll ask contractors, manufacturers and consultant specialists to break jobs, processes, how to use a piece of equipment or even a tool into bite-size articles that cover the “how to” in a very focused way. For example, we regularly write articles about how to sealcoat a driveway, how to stripe a parking lot and how to properly seal cracks. But those articles cover the Big Picture aspects of the project, not the narrower hands-on skills you and your workers need on the job. So while we’ll still be writing those Big Picture “how to” case studies, we’re adding focused articles on particular skills. In this issue Jim Scherocman discusses proper overlap mix placement for longitudinal joints.
The second new department, “Pavement Defects,” will analyze a defect, try to explain its cause, and then offer a “best practices” solution to the problem. In this inaugural column Don Rooney, Pioneer Paving & Grading, encounters wavy asphalt and uncovers the cause.
It might be interesting to note that many of the ideas for these two departments are the result of suggestions from National Pavement Expo attendees – either in the Q&As that end each session, the free Roundtables, or the evaluation forms contractors complete.
You won’t always see both departments in the same issue but you’ll see them regularly. And we’re always on the lookout for suggestions, so if there’s a skill you want us to write about – or if there’s a “best practice” you want to teach your crew -- just let us know and we’ll get on the job. Reach out to us at [email protected].
