24 March 2026

Highway network resilience and impact of low carbon technologies

Organised by:

SCI, London, UK

Prices start from £100.00

Early bird offer ends 10 February 2026

Synopsis

Today, there are numerous emerging factors, such as floods, record-breaking temperatures or extreme events and climate change, which are putting increasing pressure on road infrastructures. This has led in many cases to more rapid deterioration of road pavements, bringing them close to the end of their service life.

Increasing traffic with heavier loads and high tyre pressures leads to more rutting and fatigue cracking. In addition, there is the arrival of new types of road vehicle, such as autonomous, electric, and high-capacity vehicles, accelerating the road deterioration.

Attendees

This symposium will consider what is available to the asphalt paving industry to tackle the damaging effects of the changes in climate and traffic on road pavement life.

Materials are being developed to tackle these changes, such as higher performance asphalt to respond better to the greater stresses, and the industry has reacted to climate change with initiatives, such as lower temperature mixtures, bitumen additives, and recycling. Pavement design and associated specifications should also take account of how to minimize the damaging effects on the pavement structure.

Programme

Tuesday 24 March 2026

09.30: Registration and refreshments
10.00: Opening address
Chairman of Construction materials group
10.05: Chairman’s introduction
Lucia de Ferrariis, WSP
10.10: Resilient roads – Local Authorities perception
Stephen Child, ADEPT SMDS
10.40: Carbon impact on design – whole life carbon
11.10: Refreshment break
11.40: Cold recycled materials – climate change challenges
12.10: Future resilience of the strategic road network: Impacts of climate change on pavements
12.40: Discussion
13.00: Lunch
14.00: Future resilience of the strategic road network: Impacts of emerging vehicle trend on pavements
14.30: Long life surfacing (durability)
15.00: RSTA contribution
Mike Hansford & Rory O’Connor, RSTA
15.30: Discussion
16.00: Close and refreshments on departure

Exhibition and sponsorship

Please see the sponsorship pack and email conferences@soci.org to let us know which package you are interested in.

Accessibility Grants

SCI accessibility grants are available to support SCI members with disabilities, long term health conditions, those who require a carer, and members who are nursing parents to attend SCI events. Download an application form to apply for a grant.

Venue and Contact

SCI

14/15 Belgrave Square
London
SW1X 8PS

Conference Team

Tel: +44 (0)20 7598 1561

Email: conferences@soci.org

Fees

Before early bird - ends Tuesday 10 February
SCI Member - £100
Non-Member - £135
SCI Student Member - £45
*IAT/IHE Member - £120

After early bird
SCI Member - £165
Non-Member - £200
SCI Student Member - £60
* IAT/IHE Member - £185

* IAT/IHE Member should enter the Event discount code EJICMATS706 and select “Guest Member” under the section Member type. Delegates will be contacted for their membership number after successful registration.

All registrations will automatically receive a confirmation within 24 hours of registering for the event. Should you not receive written confirmation of your booking, please email conferences@soci.org.

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Booking Process/Deadlines

Booking terms and conditions

CPD Info

All delegates attending this meeting are able to claim CPD points.

Partners

Organising committee

Lucia de Ferrariis, WSP
Mike Gibb, Hyperion
Tom Green, Socotec
John Richardson, Retired