About the PCCAS

Established in 1956, the Pacific Coast Conference on Asphalt Specifications is the oldest "User-Producer Group" in the United States. The PCCAS served as a pattern for the establishment of other such groups across the nation to aid in the implementation of the Strategic Highway Research Program's (SHRP) Superpave Specification. Now, like the PCCAS, other User-Producer Groups meet regularly in various regions of the United States to continue the work of improviing our highway transportation systems.

The PCCAS has a long history of impacting and improving asphalt technology, and it is known as one of the most dynamic User-Producer groups in the United States. Each year, PCCAS members influence the placement of 85 million tons of asphalt mix in the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Its regional orientation provides a bridge between local and national developments in asphalt technology. This regional orientation also provides an opportunity to standardize asphalt specifications across neighboring states, and to expand the potential suppliers for a state's highway construction and maintenance needs.

Important Contributions

The Conference's well-established format for activities and for accomplishing tasks has provided the springboard for numerous contributions to asphalt technology. PCCAS contributions include:

  • 1957: Adoption of 5 Uniform Pen-Grade Specifications
  • 1961: Adoption of Liquid Asphalt Grades 70, 250, 800, 3000
  • 1971: Adoption of Asphalt Emulsion Specifications
  • 1973: Adoption of AR-Grade Specifications
  • 1979: Adopted Recycling Agents Specifications
  • 1990: Introduced Performance-Based Asphalt (PBA) Specification
  • 2000: Adopted PG Specifications for optional use

Current Challenges

The PCCAS is currently addressing the following challenges:

  • DSR Test Variability
  • New Developments in Recycling Agents
  • Binder Contribution to Pavement Fatigue Life
  • Performance-Based Grading of Asphalt Emulsions
  • New Developments in Asphalt-Rubber Specifications