National Center for Asphalt Technology celebrates 25 years of Test Track research innovation

The National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) at Auburn University is celebrating 25 years of its world-renowned Test Track and laboratory facilities – two groundbreaking resources that have transformed asphalt pavement research. 

Opened in 2000, the 1.7-mile Test Track and NCAT’s lab and administrative offices in Auburn’s South Technology Park have served as the foundation for sponsor-driven research that continues to shape how roads are designed, built and maintained across the country. 

Built to meet a critical industry need, these facilities provide public agencies and private companies with reliable, real-world data to support confident decision-making. Since their opening, more than 35 sponsors have partnered with NCAT to evaluate emerging technologies and drive improvements in pavement performance nationwide. 

“The NCAT Test Track has provided the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) with a powerful tool for making informed, data-driven decisions in our pavement program,” said Heather Purdy, director of TDOT’s Materials and Tests Division. “The research investments TDOT has made at the Track have delivered a substantial return, positively shaping our program.  

We deeply appreciate the dedication and passion of the NCAT team, whose efforts continue to drive innovation and excellence in pavement research.” 

TDOT has participated in every research cycle since the Test Track opened. Their work has included Balanced Mix Design (BMD) evaluations, a thick-thin lift study and active participation in group experiments. These efforts have supported Tennessee’s expansion of mix design options, validation of their BMD framework and broader improvements to long-term pavement performance. 

The Test Track, developed in partnership with the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), provides a full-scale, controlled environment where sponsors can evaluate new materials and designs under accelerated loading. Since trucks first rolled onto the Track in September of 2000, nine research cycles have advanced major topics such as validation of Superpave mixes, advancements in open-graded friction courses, calibration of pavement structural design models and layer coefficients, validation of cold recycling base layers, cracking tests, balanced mix design criteria, evaluation of pavement preservation and friction treatments. 

Each sponsor funds one or more test sections, which are subjected to more than 10 million equivalent single axle loads (ESALs) across a three-year cycle.  

“The major finding from our involvement at the Test Track has been related to the use of pavement recycling techniques in high traffic environments,” said Brian Diefenderfer, principal research scientist at the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). “VDOT has gained experience and knowledge from our test sections that have been applied in several reconstruction and widening projects on the interstate system across the state.” 

Beyond its sponsored test sections, VDOT has also implemented new ideas inspired by sponsor meetings and NCAT staff interactions, most notably, the exploration of thick-lift pavement layers and improved pavement instrumentation techniques in their own accelerated pavement testing and research network. 

For many transportation agencies and industry partners, NCAT and the Test Track have played a key role in reducing risk when adopting new or changing materials. The performance data generated from these projects has led to updates to specifications, improved long-term performance and enabled broader adoption of emerging technologies across the asphalt community, creating a ripple effect of innovation.  

“The Test Track would not be what it is today without the commitment of our sponsors,” said Nathan Moore, assistant director for Test Track research. “Their collaboration ensures that every research cycle addresses the real-world challenges faced by agencies and industry, and their support allows us to deliver solutions that directly impact the future of pavements.”

“Their partnership is the foundation of the Test Track’s success and the driving force behind the innovations that have come from it over the past 25 years,” Moore added. 

In 2000, the launch of the Test Track was matched by another milestone with the opening of NCAT’s 40,000-square-foot administrative and laboratory building, which consolidated the center’s research and training capabilities under one roof. 

Financed through a partnership with Auburn University, the National Asphalt Pavement Association’s Research and Education Foundation (NAPAREF) and the city of Auburn, Alabama, the facility expanded sponsor access to cutting-edge performance testing and expert support. 

NCAT’s AASHTO-accredited lab supports implementation by providing high-quality performance testing under realistic aging and loading conditions, helping sponsors make informed decisions about material selection and mix design practices. 

Together, the Test Track and lab have made NCAT a national hub for sponsor-driven research, supported by more than 30 sponsoring organizations and a team of over 60 dedicated researchers, engineers, staff and drivers. This collective effort has resulted in a quarter-century of practical, implementable research that has helped improve roads across the country. 

“The Test Track and our labs have shown what’s possible when research and real-world needs come together,” said Randy West, director of NCAT. “For 25 years, our sponsors and staff have helped turn innovation into practice, and we are confident the next 25 will bring even greater advances for the asphalt community and the traveling public.” 

As NCAT looks toward its 40th anniversary in 2026, the center remains focused on helping its partners tackle evolving infrastructure challenges. The next 25 years will continue to prioritize collaborative research that equips sponsors with the data, tools and confidence needed to implement high-performing asphalt solutions. 

Established in 1986 through a collaboration between Auburn University and the NAPAREF, NCAT addresses the needs of maintaining America’s pavement infrastructure through practical research and development initiatives. The center’s mission is to provide innovative, implementable research, technology development and education that advance safe, durable and sustainable asphalt pavements.    

For more information about NCAT, visit ncat.us.