CHARGE TO THE CONFERENCE

The theme of this conference, Paving the Gap between theory and practice, is an issue with which the International Society for Asphalt Pavements (ISAP) conferences have grappled for at least the past decade. While considerable progress has been made to close this gap on several fronts, it can safely be said that we have not been entirely successful in coordinating the ideas and work of those who seek constantly to improve asphalt technology and pavement engineering with the needs and operations of the implementers and users, and hence this theme remains relevant and deserving of closer scrutiny. The aim of this paper is to raise some questions related to the gap which may still exist between theory and practice in the hope that, in attempting to find answers to the questions raised, this conference will come closer to bridging the divide. While the conference theme focuses on resolving the disparities between theory and practice, any attempt to achieve such a desirable state of coordination and collaboration should be based on a consideration of two elements which should greatly influence, if not dictate, the direction which this industry should follow. These elements are global trends and customer needs. To fully appreciate the environment in which our industry operates, it is important that we examine some global trends, and indeed, even those trends which fall outside the narrow field of our operations. Furthermore, it is equally important that we be conversant with the needs of our customers, for it is only when we have given careful thought to some of the issues raised by these considerations, that we will be able to deliver relevant solutions - and delivery of relevant solutions is ultimately imperative in closing the gap between theory and practice.