First International Pavement Conference Kicks Off in Kaohsiung, Focusing on Smart Roads and Net-Zero Resilience
The first '2026 Taiwan International Pavement Symposium (TIPS 2026)' opened on June 3, 2025, at the Hotel Nikko Kaohsiung, with experts from the US, Japan, Australia, Singapore, and Thailand. The conference focuses on climate resilience, circular economy, smart inspection, and road safety. Officials emphasized the need for road engineering to adapt to extreme weather and net-zero carbon trends.
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(CNA reporter Lin Chiao-lien, Kaohsiung, 3rd) The first '2026 Taiwan International Pavement Symposium (TIPS 2026)' opened today in Kaohsiung. Experts from the United States, Japan, Australia, Singapore, and Thailand participated, focusing on topics such as climate resilience, circular economy, smart inspection, and road safety.
Tsai Chang-chan, Director-General of the National Land Management Agency under the Ministry of the Interior, stated in his address that extreme weather has become a major challenge for transportation infrastructure. He said the government is promoting a people-centered road environment and circular economy applications, hoping to introduce innovative technologies through this international platform to improve road quality and public safety.
Chen Wen-jui, Chairman of the Chinese Institute of Road and Transportation, said that in the face of climate change and net-zero carbon trends, road construction must undergo transformation. He hopes to facilitate direct dialogue between government agencies, engineering consultants, and academia to help Taiwan's road engineering align with international standards and promote the development of smart, safe, and sustainable road networks.
Chen noted that the conference focuses on four core topics: climate resilience and innovative design, circular economy, smart inspection, and people-centered safety. Regarding asphalt pavement, the U.S. National Center for Asphalt Technology introduced the 'Balanced Mix Design (BMD)' method, which uses actual rutting and cracking tests to replace traditional design methods, extending road life and reducing maintenance costs.
Scholars pointed out that road engineering should no longer only pursue high strength but must also consider resilient design under extreme heat and heavy rain conditions to reduce the risk of flooding and pavement damage.
On the topic of circular economy, research from the National University of Singapore showed that recycled plastic can be converted into asphalt modification materials to improve pavement heat resistance. Chiang Mai University in Thailand turns agricultural waste into biochar materials for use in road bases and permeable layers, reducing carbon emissions and increasing carbon sequestration benefits.
In the area of people-centered safety and smart management, Japanese scholars introduced physiological data such as ECG and galvanic skin response to analyze driver stress reactions to uneven road surfaces. Experts from Australia and the US shared methods for assessing the impact of floods on pavement life through continuous monitoring and smart inspection systems, helping shift road maintenance from 'repair after damage' to 'predictive maintenance'.
The first pavement symposium was held today at the Hotel Nikko Kaohsiung, co-organized by the Chinese Institute of Road and Transportation, the Public Construction Development Association, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, National Chung Hsing University, National Central University, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, and Gaobiao Engineering Consultants Co. (Editor: Lin Shu-hui) 1150603
Tsai Chang-chan, Director-General of the National Land Management Agency under the Ministry of the Interior, stated in his address that extreme weather has become a major challenge for transportation infrastructure. He said the government is promoting a people-centered road environment and circular economy applications, hoping to introduce innovative technologies through this international platform to improve road quality and public safety.
Chen Wen-jui, Chairman of the Chinese Institute of Road and Transportation, said that in the face of climate change and net-zero carbon trends, road construction must undergo transformation. He hopes to facilitate direct dialogue between government agencies, engineering consultants, and academia to help Taiwan's road engineering align with international standards and promote the development of smart, safe, and sustainable road networks.
Chen noted that the conference focuses on four core topics: climate resilience and innovative design, circular economy, smart inspection, and people-centered safety. Regarding asphalt pavement, the U.S. National Center for Asphalt Technology introduced the 'Balanced Mix Design (BMD)' method, which uses actual rutting and cracking tests to replace traditional design methods, extending road life and reducing maintenance costs.
Scholars pointed out that road engineering should no longer only pursue high strength but must also consider resilient design under extreme heat and heavy rain conditions to reduce the risk of flooding and pavement damage.
On the topic of circular economy, research from the National University of Singapore showed that recycled plastic can be converted into asphalt modification materials to improve pavement heat resistance. Chiang Mai University in Thailand turns agricultural waste into biochar materials for use in road bases and permeable layers, reducing carbon emissions and increasing carbon sequestration benefits.
In the area of people-centered safety and smart management, Japanese scholars introduced physiological data such as ECG and galvanic skin response to analyze driver stress reactions to uneven road surfaces. Experts from Australia and the US shared methods for assessing the impact of floods on pavement life through continuous monitoring and smart inspection systems, helping shift road maintenance from 'repair after damage' to 'predictive maintenance'.
The first pavement symposium was held today at the Hotel Nikko Kaohsiung, co-organized by the Chinese Institute of Road and Transportation, the Public Construction Development Association, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, National Chung Hsing University, National Central University, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, and Gaobiao Engineering Consultants Co. (Editor: Lin Shu-hui) 1150603