Hot Mix Asphalt

About Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA)

Asphalt is the primary form of highway pavement in California covering an estimated 93% of California’s paved roadways. Nationally, approximately 95% of US highways are comprised of HMA. Asphalt is a proven performer that can be customized to any paving application.
 
HMA is made from crushed rock, sand, and asphalt binder. Other ingredients might include Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP), Recycled Asphalt Shingles (RAS), recycled plastic and ground tire rubber.  The ingredients in HMA are combined and mixed in batch plants or continuous mix drum plants prior to being transported to the project site for placement.

Asphalt pavements have a low life cycle cost, are 100 percent recyclable and the most recycled product in the United States.  More asphalt is recycled each year than aluminum, paper, glass and plastic combined. The use of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) serves to reduce the cost of our roads and highways while at the same time reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and diverting solid waste from landfills. 

CalCIMA members are actively engaged in Caltrans Pavement and Materials Partnering Committee (PMPC). The Pavement & Materials Partnering Committee (PMPC) is created as a collaborative effort by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) with the materials and construction industry (Industry) to review and propose improvements to Caltrans roadway construction specifications, and test methods for aggregate, asphalt, and concrete materials.  This effort supports Caltrans’ mission to provide a safe, sustainable, integrated, and efficient transportation system to enhance California’s economy and livability. This effort also enhances transparency, accountability, collaboration, communication, and empowerment.

CalCIMA’s Asphalt Steering Committee agenda include updates related to Caltrans/industry PMPC asphalt materials Initiatives.