Introduction to the Southern Africa Bitumen Association

Introduction to the Southern AfricaBitumen Association

Who are we?

• Non profit organisation

• Started in 1979

• Members comprise of private companies:− Bitumen producers & marketers− Manufacturers & applicators of

bituminous products− Consulting Engineers

Governance structures

• Sabita Ltd (the company)– Governed by a board – 6 sponsor members

• Sabita Council (the Association)– 6 sponsor members– 6 ordinary members (elected)– 2 associate members (elected)

• Code of Conduct

How are we funded ?

Source

1.Member subscriptions

2.Sponsor members– HSE levy – Sponsorship – Education grant (fixed)

3.Other

What do we do?

Promote bitumen excellence usage through:1. Development of best practice technology in

support of SA standards

2. Research & promote sustainable practices for the Bituminous Industry.

3. Education and training of Industry practitioners

4. Engage all stakeholders to promote the efficient provision of road delivery

Technology Activities

1. Technology development• Update best practice guidelines (also TRH’s)• Conduct research into bituminous products• Conduct trial sections to improve performance

of asphalt surfaces• Update test methods for bituminous materials• Implement sustainable technology to:

– Recycle old asphalt pavements– Reduce mixing temperatures of asphalt (WMA)– Build long life heavy duty pavements

Keeping abreast with global best practice

• Global Strategic Alliance formed to ensure sustainability of the asphalt industry through exchange of information

• Agreement signed on 20 May 2008 between Asphalt Paving Associations of:– Australia (AAPA)– Europe (EAPA)– Japan (JRCA)– South Africa (Sabita)– United States (NAPA)

HSE Activities

2. HSE practices– Successfully lobbied for discontinuation of coal

tar– Developed safe work practices publications– Implemented a bitumen safety training scheme– Launched an HSE Charter– Implemented a bitumen incident reporting

scheme– Developed an HSE certification scheme– Researched Industry’s Carbon Foot Print &

developed tools to measure / manage it.

Training Activities

3. Education & Training– Established Asphalt Academy in 2001– Offer courses in design/construction of

asphalt roads– Hosting international Conference on Asphalt

Pavements for SA every 4 years– Support the Society for Asphalt Technology

Stakeholder Activities

4. Engaging stakeholders • Councilor workshops on road

provision & maintenance• Co-host R P F biannually for all

road stakeholders• Presidential comm. on supply

capacity & constraints• Excellence Award• Member Forums to share best

practice

Sustainability Conference

• Advancing sustainable practices within the context of the Kyoto Protocol.

The aims to sustainability can only be achieved through a set of compromises allowing the environmental, social and economic elements to find a way for integration.

Energy Projects (lighting /signage) Labour intensive projects BAT for road / traffic management

Sustainability ConferenceCCTV Cameras Applications

VMS Application

Sustainability Conference

• Dimming of Street Lights• The street lighting for the R300 will be remotely

controllable from the Transport Management Centre. • Luminance levels will be adjustable to lower levels during

times of decreased traffic volumes. – The street lighting will be dimmed to 75% of maximum luminance

levels when traffic volumes drop below 1500 vehicles per hour in both directions.

• This will results in an estimated energy saving of 10-15%. • In the event of an accident on a section of the R300, the

luminance level for that section will be returned to the maximum to aid with rescue operations and alerting drivers.

Sustainability Conference

• Sustainability in the aggregate industry Largely driven by audits to ensure legal and

industry standard compliance.A good focus on resource utilisation but still

need more to be done with respect to rehabilitation.

Sustainability Conference

• Long life pavements to reduce traffic disruption,resources & costs.

• Pavement Life > 40 years

• Lower life cycle costs Better use of resources Low incremental cost to re-surface Lower user delay costs

Sustainability Conference

• A hot-mix asphalt consisting of hard bitumen (10 / 2 0 or 15/ 2 5 pen) blended at a higher binder content (6.5% max) with good quality crushed aggregate

• Relatively fine grading with low air voids (6% max, no min)

• Combines good mechanical performance with impermeability and durability

Sustainability Conference

• Progress made with the introduction of Warm Mix Asphalt

Introduced at 2 trial sites Temp. 2 0 – 2 5 deg. C < HMA U p to 15 % RA in the mix. Collaboration of all parties involved in provision

of roads – no commercial issues. Carbon footprint calculator

Sustainability Conference

• Human Resource Development

Skills level in public sectorFragmented sills development approach in

industrySkills development & certification at NQF levels

1-4

Sustainability Conference

• Well Planned Urban Development & Transport as a Means to Tackle Poverty Alleviation, Safety and Mobility.

Tackle the cause not the symptomsDevelop with sustainable communities in mindHard engineering doing OKSoft Engineering needs more attentionNeed to build the right thing not only the thing

right

Sustainability Conference

Africa Take Aways.mpg