2026 Transportation Infrastructure Durability Conference

TIDC26 NO-COST REGISTRATION

📆 WHEN:

August 19th – 20th,
2026

📍WHERE:

UMaine Wells Conference Center
Orono, ME

📩 CONTACT:

tidc.ascc@maine.edu
For More Info

Wednesday, August 19th

9:45 AM
Senior USDOT Leadership Keynotes

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Senior US DOT Leadership Keynotes
Wednesday, August 19th – 9:45 AM

Kelley Severns Headshot

Kelley Severns

Program Director for ARPA-I’s X-BRIDGE Program
US DOT

Kelley Severns is a professional engineer with over 30 years in the bridge and research industry. 

She started her career with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) before joining the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), where she worked as the Program Manager for Bridges and Structures for over a decade. With AASHTO, Kelley worked to influence Transportation policy as it applies to bridge design, construction, inspection, and preservation as well as oversaw relevant changes to federally mandated codes and specifications. Kelley has also worked several years with prominent consulting firms, CH2M (now Jacobs), and WSP USA in their complex bridge divisions.  At WSP she was the Assistant Vice President for Bridge Research, a Project Manager, Primary Investigator, and business development lead. 

Finally, her current position is with the US DOT, Office of the Secretary, where she is a Senior Advisor for Special Projects and Programs as well as Program Director for ARPA-I’s X-BRIDGE Program. 

She has Bachelors and Masters of Science in Civil Engineering degrees from the University of Kentucky, and is a licensed professional engineer in KY, FL and TN.  She also has her PMP certification.

Introduction and Update on USDOT ARPA-I Program

In her Keynote Address, Kelley Severns will provide an overview of the ARPA-I program, new initiatives, Idea Challenge and the accomplishments of the X-BRIDGE program.

Michael “Rocket” Halem

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research & Technology
US DOT

Michael “Rocket” Halem currently serves as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology at the U.S. Department of Transportation. With a lifelong interest in science, technology, aviation, space, mechanics, electronics, computers, and artificial intelligence, Mr. Halem has worked professionally in the intelligent transportation, medical device development, and real-time/quantitative arbitrage. He brings a broad base of subject matter expertise and innovative thinking to his new position.

Mr. Halem earned his BA in Physics from Harvard University and worked as an engineer for Pan Am, the prime contractor for launch support at Cape Canaveral, where he developed the Real-Time Telemetry Display System and a prototype Space Shuttle intercept controller’s console.

He worked in hardware and software engineering before earning his MBA in Management and Finance from Columbia University to complement his technical background in science and engineering.

After finishing business school in New York, he transitioned into finance and trading systems on Wall Street, where he earned the nickname “Rocket” as a reference to his prior work at the Cape.

Mr. Halem is a licensed commercial pilot and maintains (within Federal Aviation Regulations) a 1943 AT-6 Texan, participating in airshows for over 20 years in the formation segment. He is the developer of multiple inventions, using either patent or trade secret protection as needed. He has been granted one patent and has one patent pending.


10:30 AM
Composites Leaders Panel / Q&A

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Composites Leaders Panel / Q&A
Wednesday, August 19th – 10:30 AM

Kelley Severns Headshot

MODERATOR

Kelley Severns

Program Director for ARPA-I’s X-BRIDGE Program
US DOT

Kelley Severns is a professional engineer with over 30 years in the bridge and research industry. 

She started her career with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) before joining the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), where she worked as the Program Manager for Bridges and Structures for over a decade. With AASHTO, Kelley worked to influence Transportation policy as it applies to bridge design, construction, inspection, and preservation as well as oversaw relevant changes to federally mandated codes and specifications. Kelley has also worked several years with prominent consulting firms, CH2M (now Jacobs), and WSP USA in their complex bridge divisions.  At WSP she was the Assistant Vice President for Bridge Research, a Project Manager, Primary Investigator, and business development lead. 

Finally, her current position is with the US DOT, Office of the Secretary, where she is a Senior Advisor for Special Projects and Programs as well as Program Director for ARPA-I’s X-BRIDGE Program. 

She has Bachelors and Masters of Science in Civil Engineering degrees from the University of Kentucky, and is a licensed professional engineer in KY, FL and TN.  She also has her PMP certification.

Headshot of Bill Davids

Bill Davids

Professor & Chair, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
The University of Maine

Dr. Bill Davids is Professor and Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Maine, where he teaches classes in structural design, structural analysis, and numerical methods. He was a bridge engineer for four years prior to entering academia in 1998. Bill has directed research in bridge engineering, inflatable structures, composite materials for infrastructure applications, and the mechanics of solid and engineered wood. He has authored or co-authored over 75 articles in peer-reviewed journals, co-holds four patents, and has developed several finite-element analysis packages used in industry and academia. Bill has a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Washington, B.S. and M.S. degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Maine and is a licensed PE.

Joyce Taylor

Deputy Commissioner
MaineDOT

Joyce Taylor currently serves as the Deputy Commissioner for the Maine Department of Transportation after being the Chief Engineer since 2013. Since joining the department in 1999, she has risen through the ranks, holding several key leadership positions. Deputy Commissioner Taylor began her career in the Construction Division as its environmental engineer and held various positions, including Bureau Director of Project Development and Chief Engineer in 2013. In 2025, she was appointed as Acting Deputy Commissioner. Throughout her career, she has played a central role in various high-profile department projects, most recently heading the Sarah Mildred Long project between Maine and New Hampshire.

Joyce Noel Taylor was the inaugural president of Maine’s newly established chapter of Women in Transportation and continues to be a strong advocate for advancing women in the transportation field. She currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Council on Highways and Streets for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and as Co-Chair of the Climate Council’s Transportation Working Group. She has also served on the Maine Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers.

She graduated from the University of Maine at Orono in 1986 with a BS in Chemical Engineering.


11:15 AM Session 1
X-BRIDGE 1.0: Design Challenges, Solutions, & Logistics

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Session 1: X-BRIDGE 1.0: Design Challenges, Solutions & Logistics
Wednesday, August 19th – 11:15 AM

The University of Maine has partnered with the USDOT ARPA-I Program to develop a corrosion free bridge superstructure system called X-BRIDGE. This session will discuss the first upcoming X-BRIDGE construction in Hancock, Maine, focusing on the technology supporting the bridge, its design for the Hancock location, and the logistics involved in planning and construction for X-BRIDGE 1.0. Attendees will get a look behind the scenes at both X-BRIDGE technologies under development, as well as the processes behind selection, design, and construction of bridge replacement projects.

Headshot of Bill Davids

MODERATOR

Bill Davids

Professor & Chair, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
The University of Maine

Dr. Bill Davids is Professor and Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Maine, where he teaches classes in structural design, structural analysis, and numerical methods. He was a bridge engineer for four years prior to entering academia in 1998. Bill has directed research in bridge engineering, inflatable structures, composite materials for infrastructure applications, and the mechanics of solid and engineered wood. He has authored or co-authored over 75 articles in peer-reviewed journals, co-holds four patents, and has developed several finite-element analysis packages used in industry and academia. Bill has a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Washington, B.S. and M.S. degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Maine and is a licensed PE.

The session introduction will include a brief presentation of ongoing research on advancing the X-BRIDGE FRP composite girder system. The development and assessment of arched stay-in-place concrete deck formwork designed to reduce FRP material usage, streamline finished girder fabrication and enhance girder stiffness and stability during construction will be addressed. Further, progress on the replacement of current steel girder-deck shear connectors with FRP connectors designed to make the complete girder-deck system entirely corrosion-free will also be discussed.

Tim Kenerson

VP of Engineering
Basalt International

Timothy Kenerson brings over 13 years of composite and hybrid structure design and engineering experience to Basalt International.  He is one of the pre-eminent engineers of the Composite Arch Bridge System and the Composite Tub Girder system.  He has an impressive project portfolio including roles as both primary designer and engineer of record on projects in multiple states including Maine, Rhode Island, Florida and Washington.

This Composite Tub Girder System is a relatively new structural system in bridge engineering. As such, how these structures are designed and which codes and standards are applicable become a vital question asked by owners and consultant engineers alike. This presentation seeks to outline how existing standards are used to design this structure type and how that led to the development of a draft AASHTO Guide Specification to provide further guidance to industry. A brief history of analytical modeling, experimental testing, and field live load testing will be given to justify and validate the assumptions embedded in the guide specification.

Joshua Hasbrouck

Senior Structural Engineer
MaineDOT

Joshua is a senior engineer with a decade of experience at MaineDOT in bridge design. He has designed a variety of bridges, including on the Route 9 Connector project, using all the most common beam types in Maine. As a senior engineer for one of MaineDOT’s design teams, he has been responsible for reviewing the recent Composite Tub girder projects in Old Town and Hancock and how the CT girders fit into the overall bridge system.

Josh will round out the session with perspectives on planning and designing bridge construction and replacement projects, with particular focus on the upcoming XBRIDGE demonstration project in 2028. How do we keep this projects on schedule using new technologies?


1:15 PM Session 2
Composite Advances in Infrastructure & Future Trends

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Session 2: Composite Advances in Infrastructure & Future Trends
Wednesday, August 19th – 1:15 PM

Fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP) and advanced composite materials are shifting from niche solutions to mainstream, high-durability alternatives for aging infrastructure. This session will explore the cutting edge of these technologies, focusing on recent field deployments, regulatory breakthroughs, and emerging materials and processing methods. Attendees will gain a comprehensive look at the current industry landscape and a strategic preview of how composite materials will shape the next generation of corrosion-free, rapidly deployable bridge, highway, and marine infrastructure systems.

MODERATOR

Roberto Lopez-Andio

Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering
The University of Maine

Dr. Lopez-Anido is the Malcolm G. Long ’32 Professor of Civil Engineering and Member of the Advanced Structures and Composites Center at the University of Maine. He is a structural engineer with 30 years of experience in design, mechanics modeling, material testing and durability assessment of fiber-reinforced polymer composites for construction. He has advised and trained 51 graduate students, many of whom have leading professional roles in industry and in academia. He is a research leader in manufacturing thermoplastic composites, and in modeling, design and testing large scale 3D printed structures. He has produced 80 refereed journal publications, 96 conference publications, one book, two chapters and six patents.

John Busel

Senior VP Composites Growth Initiative
American Composites Manufacturers Association

John Busel is Senior Vice President, Composites Growth Initiative and has been with the American Composites Manufacturers Association for over 22 years. Mr. Busel has led composites industry programs in market development for infrastructure and construction for over 32 years, and is very active in codes and standards development, and promotes composites through education and awareness to engineers, architects, owners, and specifiers. During his 40+ years of experience in the composites industry, he has done work in market development, composites design, tool engineering, manufacturing, and research and development of thermoset and thermoplastic composite materials. He is a Fellow of American Concrete Institute (ACI), member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Society of Plastic Engineers (SPE), and ASTM.  He was past chairman of ACI Committee 440 – FRP Reinforcement.  He is active in standards development in ACI, ASCE, AASHTO, IEEE, and ASTM. He has been recognized by ACI for Distinguished Service, past chair of the SPE Composites Division, and, in 2019, he was the recipient and inducted into the ACMA Composites Industry Hall of Fame. Mr. Busel holds a BS Civil Engineering degree from Bradley University.

Composites materials and products have a history of innovation since the beginning of the composites industry. Innovation varied by product and market. Stakeholders in those markets are the gatekeeper on which innovation is approved and excepted. Composites have made many innovations and impacts to the infrastructure market the past 35 years. This presentation will look at some of the past accomplishments, recent applications, and take a journey on future trends.

Joe fox headshot

Joe Fox

President
FX Consulting, LLC
IACMI

Joe Fox is President of FX Consulting, a consulting firm for the specialty chemicals and advanced materials industries located in Dublin, Ohio. He has a PhD in chemistry from Penn State and is a 40-year veteran of the chemicals industry, having worked at Standard Oil of Ohio, BP America, Ashland Chemical, and INEOS Composites. Joe is an active member of the of the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). He is currently co-facilitator of the Infrastructure & Construction working group for IACMI, the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation.

In this presentation, Dr. Joe Fox will be quantifying the economic & environmental benefits of using composites in infrastructure & construction applications.

John Unser

VP of Technology 
Composite Applications Group

John Unser is the Vice President of Technology at Composite Applications Group (CAG). A 40-year veteran of the composites industry, John has extensive experience spanning both large OEMs and entrepreneurial organizations, including Caterpillar, Firefly Energy, Inc., and GMI Composites. Throughout his career, he has developed deep technical expertise across a broad range of composite manufacturing processes, including compression molding, autoclave curing, filament winding, injection molding, resin transfer molding (RTM), vacuum infusion, hand lay-up, recycling, and pultrusion. His work has focused on advancing innovative composite technologies from concept through commercialization while building collaborative partnerships among industry, academia, and government.

John holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Iowa State University and an MBA from Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri. He is also an American Composites Manufacturers Association Certified Composite Technician (CCT) Instructor, reflecting his commitment to workforce development and advancing composites manufacturing expertise.

John Unser will describe how industries have overcome the challenges of composite adoption, and the reasons for the initial challenges they faced. Industries that rely on contemporary materials, such as the rail industry, are making the leap. Are industries ready to scale? Can composites compete for them right now?


2:30 PM Presentation Session 3
Girder Manufacturing & Construction Highlights

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Session 3: Girder Manufacturing & Construction Highlights
Wednesday, August 19th – 2:30 PM

FRP Tub Girders are a corrosion-free structural member for bridge superstructures developed at the University of Maine and manufactured by Basalt International. Four such CT girder bridges have already been constructed in the US for areas with highly corrosive environments that historically require high maintenance and frequent replacement. MaineDOT has commissioned two additional CT girder bridges, currently under construction in Old Town, ME. This session will discuss Basalt International’s manufacturing process for FRP CT Girders as well as Q/A and installation considerations.

MODERATOR

Hannah Berten

Project Manager
TIDC

Hannah Berten, MS, PMP, earned her BS in Mechanical Engineering at the University of New Haven before
completing her MS at the University of Maine (also in Mechanical Engineering), Her research there focused on
offshore and ocean engineering. While at UMaine, she began working at the University of Maine Advanced
Structures and Composites Center where she continued researching these topics – moving from theory to
practice. She is now a Project Manager for the Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center (TIDC), where she leads transportation infrastructure research initiatives and coordinates multidisciplinary projects involving academic, industry, and government partners.

Ken Sweeney

Chief Engineer
Basalt International Inc

Kenneth Sweeney, P.E., MPA, Chief Engineer at Basalt International, brings close to 50 years of engineering experience to the company.  He served the Maine Department of Transportation for 35 years, including 3 years as Chief Engineer.  He has over 10 years of experience in the composite structural systems industry and contributes a vast amount of expertise and knowledge to the team. His leadership has been integral in advancing the use of composite materials in construction projects including, but not limited to, The Grist Mill Bridge project in Hampden and the Llewellyn Estes Bridge project in Old Town.  

FRP Tub Girders are a corrosion-free structural member for bridge superstructures developed at the University of Maine and manufactured by Basalt International. Four such CT girder bridges have already been constructed in the US for areas with highly corrosive environments that historically require high maintenance and frequent replacement. Maine DOT has commissioned two additional CT girder bridges, currently under construction in Old Town, ME. This session will discuss Basalt International’s manufacturing process for FRP CT Girders as well as Q/A and installation considerations.

Wendell Harriman

VP of Operations
Basalt International Inc.

VP of Manufacturing at Basalt International Inc., is a two-time graduate of the University of Maine, holding degrees in Civil Engineering and Construction Management. Over a 30-year career, he spent the first 15 years working across heavy civil and building construction before transitioning into structural and geotechnical design of bridge and building structures. For the past decade, Wendell has led the development of an FRP Structures manufacturing team at Basalt International Inc., growing production capacity to $10 million annually. Wendell’s work bridges the gap between structural design and advanced manufacturing, bringing a unique perspective to the application of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) girders in modern transportation infrastructure.

FRP Tub Girders are a corrosion-free structural member for bridge superstructures developed at the University of Maine and manufactured by Basalt International. Four such CT girder bridges have already been constructed in the US for areas with highly corrosive environments that historically require high maintenance and frequent replacement. Maine DOT has commissioned two additional CT girder bridges, currently under construction in Old Town, ME. This session will discuss Basalt International’s manufacturing process for FRP CT Girders as well as Q/A and installation considerations.

Carm Buzzell

Quality Control Manager
Basalt International Inc

Carmala Buzzell is the Quality Control Manager at Basalt International with eight years of experience in composite manufacturing. She was involved in developing and implementing the quality control program for the manufacture of FRP Composite Tub (CT) Girders and oversees quality throughout the manufacturing process to help ensure compliance with project specifications and performance requirements.

FRP Tub Girders are a corrosion-free structural member for bridge superstructures developed at the University of Maine and manufactured by Basalt International. Four such CT girder bridges have already been constructed in the US for areas with highly corrosive environments that historically require high maintenance and frequent replacement. Maine DOT has commissioned two additional CT girder bridges, currently under construction in Old Town, ME. This session will discuss Basalt International’s manufacturing process for FRP CT Girders as well as Q/A and installation considerations.


4:30 PM
Basalt International Facility Tour (Sign up during Registration)

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4:30 PM
Basalt International Facility Tour
Wednesday, August 19th – 2:30 PM

FRP girder being lifted by a crane about to be placed in bridge

Basalt International is the world’s first global, fully vertically integrated basalt composite company. They have manufactured over 40 composite bridges worldwide using FRP composites technology developed at the University of Maine. Tour their facility to see where research meets implementation  and talk to the experts on composite manufacturing.


Thursday, August 20th

9:30 AM
UMaine Opening

9:45 AM Session 4
StateDOT Leaders Panel Session: Adoption Challenge

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Session 4: StateDOT Leaders Panel Session: Adoption Challenge
Wednesday, August 20th – 9:45 AM

One of the prevailing challenges associated with advancing FRP and composites research is pushing through the barrier of initial adoption for agencies that design critical infrastructure. In this session, hear perspectives and lessons learned from multiple StateDOT agencies that are in various stages of FRP adoption, from initial interest to the deployment of FRP components in critical infrastructure assets.

MODERATOR

Steve Nolan

Assistant State Structures Design Engineer
Florida DOT

Steven Nolan, P.E. has been a registered professional engineer in Florida since 2003. Received his engineering degree in Australia in 1990, worked for a heavy civil contractor before emigrating to the USA in 1996 and joined the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).  He currently leads coordination for the Structures Design Policy Manual, Structure Standard Plans, and chairs the Structural Advanced Materials Technical Advisory Group (SAMTAG) within the FDOT State Structures Design Office. 
He is the project manager for several completed and ongoing FDOT structures research projects, a 2018 FHWA STIC Incentive Grant for the implementation of basalt FRP; NCHRP project advisory panels; and development of many of the FDOT precast and prestressed concrete standard plans, support documentation and training. He is an active member of the Transportation Research Board’s AKB10 Standing Committee on Innovative Highway Structures; CREATE-UTC and FRP Institute Advisory Boards; X-BRIDGE Program Early Adopters Expert Task Group; Bridge Engineering Institute’s International Advisory Committee; fib-International Federation for Structural Concrete; and a peer reviewer for several engineering journals.

FDOT began adoption of FRP in the late 1990’s, initially for repair and strengthening of existing structures using Glass and Carbon FRP externally bonded systems. Several research projects in the 1990’s and 2000’s began investigating FRP structural members and prestressed concrete applications motivated by the promise of enhanced durability. FRP Fender Systems were standardized in 2006 for broad deployment with select adoption of FRP structural members and internal FRP reinforced and/or prestressed concrete applications beginning in 2016 with the Halls River Bridge. Expansion of FRP applications for new structures and rehabilitation of existing structures continues to evolve. The current focus is consistent characterization, accelerated deployment, with refinement and optimization of designs through national standardization and international harmonization when possible.   

Bernie Kassner

Research Scientist
Virginia DOT

Dr. Bernard L. Kassner, P.E., is a Research Scientist specializing in bridge engineering, with expertise in bridge design, concrete design, bridge maintenance, and engineering education. He earned his Ph.D., M.S., and B.S. in Civil Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). Dr. Kassner’s work focuses on advancing the design, performance, durability, and preservation of bridge infrastructure while contributing to the development of future engineering professionals through education and research. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia and brings a strong combination of technical knowledge, research experience, and practical engineering insight to the field of civil and structural engineering.

Bryan Hartnagel

State Bridge Engineer
Missouri DOT

Bryan Hartnagel, P.E., is an engineering leader with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), where he helps deliver innovative transportation and infrastructure projects that improve safety, mobility, and long-term value for Missouri communities. With nearly three decades of experience in civil engineering and project delivery, Bryan has led complex bridge and highway initiatives while championing collaborative approaches, innovation, and continuous improvement. A licensed Professional Engineer in Missouri and Colorado and a graduate of the University of Missouri, Bryan is passionate about advancing transportation through practical solutions, strong partnerships, and a commitment to engineering excellence.


11:00 AM Session 5
US Army Corps of Engineers Transformation to Composites

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Session 5: US Army Corps of Engineers Transformation to Composites
Wednesday, August 20th – 11:00 AM

The United States Army Corps of Engineers has been engaged in organizational transformation in their mission to embrace new corrosion free structural designs that can be readily deployed utilizing FRP composite materials. From sector gates to bulkheads, the USACE is prioritizing use cases where FRP composites are the optimal structural solution and is advancing composite repair technique training at all levels within their organization.

MODERATOR

Joe Stilwell

Senior Project Manager, MaineDOT

Joseph Stilwell, P.E., is a Senior Project Manager with the MaineDOT. Joe is a mechanical engineering graduate from the University of Maine with a P.E. in civil engineering and has a background in bridge construction, structural design, and project management.​ Prior to his position at the MaineDOT, he worked as Civil Engineer – Composites SME for the US Army Corps of Engineers. Joe is a steering committee member of AASHTOs’ National Transportation Product Evaluation Program, Chair of the Composite Concrete Reinforcement NTPEP Audit, where he developed workplan for auditing and sampling GFRP reinforcement, sits on the IACME I&C group and is a friend of the committee for SCOBs T-6 (FRP Composites).
He is the project manager for several completed and ongoing FDOT structures research projects, a 2018 FHWA STIC Incentive Grant for the implementation of basalt FRP; NCHRP project advisory panels; and development of many of the FDOT precast and prestressed concrete standard plans, support documentation and training. He is an active member of the Transportation Research Board’s AKB10 Standing Committee on Innovative Highway Structures; CREATE-UTC and FRP Institute Advisory Boards; X-BRIDGE Program Early Adopters Expert Task Group; Bridge Engineering Institute’s International Advisory Committee; fib-International Federation for Structural Concrete; and a peer reviewer for several engineering journals.

Pete Stynoski

Research Civil Engineer
US Army ERDC

Dr. Pete Stynoski is a Research Civil Engineer at the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) in Champaign, Illinois. He obtained a BS in Engineering Mechanics (2009), MS in Civil Engineering (2011), and PhD in Civil Engineering (2015) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC).
Dr. Stynoski integrates materials science, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and biological fields of study to enhance civil works, force protection, and installation resilience capabilities at all technology readiness levels. His focus areas include polymer composite infrastructure and mass timber technology development. His contributions were recognized by the Joint Civilian Service Commendation Award, the Civilian Service Achievement Medal, the SMART Scholar and Mentor of the Year Award, and the USACE Innovation of the Year Award.

1:00 PM Session 6
Digital Twins-construction & AVs-Human Machine Interface

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Session 6: Digital Twins-construction & AVs-Human Machine Interface
Wednesday, August 20th – 1:00 PM

Digital assets are an imperative aspect of research and design. Digital twinning allows researchers to experiment with structures in a 1:1 simulated digital environment without real world risk. Digital tools can help humans understand and interact with civil infrastructure in a productive and meaningful way.

MODERATOR

Jonathan Rubin

Director
MCS Policy Center, University of Maine

Rubin received his BA in Economics from the University of Rochester in 1984 and his PhD in Agricultural Economics in 1993 from the University of California, Davis. He was a Fulbright Scholar at the Clean Energy Research Center, University of Botswana and a Visiting Fellow at the Cambridge Center for Climate Change Mitigation Research, University of Cambridge. He is a Member, Standing Committee on Transportation Energy Data and Technology (AED18), Transportation Research Board of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, 2025-2028. .
He is the project manager for several completed and ongoing FDOT structures research projects, a 2018 FHWA STIC Incentive Grant for the implementation of basalt FRP; NCHRP project advisory panels; and development of many of the FDOT precast and prestressed concrete standard plans, support documentation and training. He is an active member of the Transportation Research Board’s AKB10 Standing Committee on Innovative Highway Structures; CREATE-UTC and FRP Institute Advisory Boards; X-BRIDGE Program Early Adopters Expert Task Group; Bridge Engineering Institute’s International Advisory Committee; fib-International Federation for Structural Concrete; and a peer reviewer for several engineering journals.

Nolan Hayes

R&D Associate
Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Nolan Hayes is a Research and Development Associate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, specializing in building construction. His work is dedicated to advancing how buildings are designed and constructed, aiming to make the process faster, more efficient, and more affordable. With expertise in construction management and engineering, Dr. Hayes tackles some of the biggest challenges in modern construction. 

Dr. Hayes earned his B.S. and Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with support from the U.S. Department of Energy. He is passionate about bridging cutting-edge science with practical solutions, helping shape the future of industrialized construction.

Rick Corey

Director
UMaine VEMI Lab

As the Director and Co-founder of the University of Maine’s VEMI Lab, Richard Corey (Rick) holds a Ph.D. in Collaborative Practices and an MFA in Intermedia. Rick’s research centers on how humans engage with technology, which is reflected by the work done at VEMI. This unique lab provides a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment that elevates undergraduate learning through pioneering research. VEMI’s impact is clear: since its inception in 2008, more than 150 graduates are now thriving at top companies like Amazon, Disney, GE, Google, and Salesforce, a direct result of VEMI’s hands-on learning philosophy. The lab itself has received multiple accolades, been highlighted in over 280 media and academic publications, maintains a 98% student retention rate, and 100% of the lab’s graduates work in VEMI-related careers.

2:30 PM
ASCC & VEMI Lab Tours (Sign up during Registration)

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ASCC & VEMI Lab Tours
Wednesday, August 20th – 2:30 PM

Advanced Structures and Composites Center

The University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) is a 150,000 sqft world-leading, interdisciplinary center for research, education, and economic development encompassing material sciences, advanced manufacturing, and engineering of composites and structures. 

During this tour check out state-of-the-art composite infrastructure technologies developed here at the University of Maine including the Composite Arch Bridge System, FRP Composite Tub Girders, and other corrosion free bridge components like field bendable thermoplastic rebar. While in the lab, check out the ASCC’s other research focus areas including Large Scale Additive Manufacturing, Wood Composite Technology, and Ocean Engineering. 

Additionally, you will have the chance to see the ASCC’s soon to be completed 50,000sqft lab space, GEM: Factory of the Future, which will incorporate digital manufacturing technologies and fully adaptive, immersive learning spaces for students at UMaine and across the University of Maine System (UMS), and serve as a large-scale digital additive and hybrid manufacturing test bed for entrepreneurs and companies.
He is the project manager for several completed and ongoing FDOT structures research projects, a 2018 FHWA STIC Incentive Grant for the implementation of basalt FRP; NCHRP project advisory panels; and development of many of the FDOT precast and prestressed concrete standard plans, support documentation and training. He is an active member of the Transportation Research Board’s AKB10 Standing Committee on Innovative Highway Structures; CREATE-UTC and FRP Institute Advisory Boards; X-BRIDGE Program Early Adopters Expert Task Group; Bridge Engineering Institute’s International Advisory Committee; fib-International Federation for Structural Concrete; and a peer reviewer for several engineering journals.

VEMI Lab

The Virtual Environment and Multimodal Interaction Laboratory, or VEMI Lab, has over 15 years of human-computer interaction and research education expertise. With a team of dedicated multidisciplinary student researchers, the VEMI lab specialize in Human-Computer Interaction and universally designed technology that harnesses multi-sensory information based on the integration of a combination of sensory cues (including visual, auditory, touch and haptics, and natural language) to mirror how the brain works.


Build Faster. Build Affordable. Build for the Future.

Why Attend TIDC26?

Hear Presentations &
Ask Questions About

Transportation Infrastructure Research, Advancements, and Future Developments:

  • Composites in Transportation Infrastructure
  • U.S. DOT Infrastructure Research Landscape
  • X-BRIDGE, and the First Demonstration Project in Hancock Maine
  • Advanced Driving Systems & Public Challenges with Autonomous Vehicles

Who Should
Attend?

Anyone engaged in
Transportation Infrastructure:

  • DOT Professionals at the National, State, and Municipal Levels
  • Transportation Engineers, Designers, Fabricators, Planners, & Project Managers
  • Materials Manufacturers, Technology Providers, & Industry Organizations
  • Universities Looking to Advance Composite Solutions in Transportation

The Transportation Infrastructure Durability Conference is the University of Maine’s no cost annual forum for all things at the forefront of transportation innovation, this year with a focus on the UMaine / U.S. DOT ARPA-I (Advanced Research Projects Agency – Infrastructure) collaborative project: X-BRIDGE (eXceptional Bridges through Innovative Design and Groundbreaking Engineering).

X-BRIDGE is a corrosion free bridge system. The goal is to construct bridge superstructures in half the time, at reduced cost, and with twice the lifespan with minimal maintenance cost.

TIDC26 NO-COST REGISTRATION
A crowd listening intently to a podium talk
a presenter talking about infrastructure topics behind the podium
An interaction between two transportation professionals at an expo booth

Conference Co-Chairs

Headshot of Dr. Habib Dagher

Dr. Habib Dagher

Director

UMaine Advanced Structures & Composites Center

Kelley Severns Headshot

Kelley Severns

Program Director

USDOT ARPA-I’s X-BRIDGE Program

Conference Supported by

Advanced Research Projects Agency - Infrastructure (ARPA-I)
University of Maine
TIDC26 NO-COST REGISTRATION