Targeted Comparative Research Efforts A New Value for International Conferences

This paper discusses how the added value of international conferences on concrete roads could be improved. During international conferences on concrete pavements, a lot of interesting innovative techniques are shared with colleagues from all over the world. However, the author is of the opinion that too little innovative conference material is used to actually induce changes in the familiar practice at home, once the participants have returned to their normal professional occupation. In recent years, the exchange of innovative practices and experience has also gained increasing attention from the perspective and concern of implementing concrete pavements in a sustainable manner. In addition to the above observation, it strikes the author that, for certain issues, variations seem to persist, one right next to the other, even within the same country (e.g., the different end treatment techniques end details used for CRCP). The intent of this paper is to look in detail at the reasons of the above state of affairs and to present ideas as to how this situation can be improved and as to how the effectiveness of exchange of alternative techniques and practices could be increased. The paper also makes specific suggestions to improve the comparability and interchangeability of alternative techniques. It is hoped that the paper will instigate a fruitful international discussion, also with regard to sustainability-related considerations on concrete pavements.