Mark Buncher

Vice President of Engineering
Ph.D., P.E.
Education | Engineering
Time at Asphalt Institute: 27 years

Dr. Mark Buncher joined the Asphalt Institute in 1998. He is the Vice President of Engineering and manages the institute’s engineering and education programs, including the activities of eight Regional Engineers located across the U.S. and Canada.
Prior to joining the Asphalt Institute, Mark served in the U.S. Air Force for 16 years as a Civil Engineering Officer. He is a Professional Engineer, has his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology, M.S. in C.E. from University of New Mexico, and his Ph.D. from Auburn University.
Mark and his wife Cathy have 7 children and 10 grandchildren.

My Courses

Mark's Articles

Dr. Mark Buncher, Ph.D., P.E. Archives - Asphalt magazine The Magazine of the Asphalt Institute

  • Modernizing an icon
    by Dr. Mark Buncher, Ph.D., P.E. on October 1, 2025 at 5:05 pm

    Deep milling and paving at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) has long served as a critical aviation hub for our nation’s capital. Since its opening in 1941, DCA has evolved into one of the busiest airports in the United States. Notably, DCA’s two runways have remained 100% asphalt since The post Modernizing an icon appeared first on Asphalt magazine.

  • Balanced mix design, recycled binder availability and how they fit
    by Dr. Mark Buncher, Ph.D., P.E. on January 9, 2025 at 7:11 pm

    Collective critical thinking from Asphalt Institute engineers By Dr. Mark Buncher, Ph.D., P.E. and Danny Gierhart, P.E. Going back to 1956 with the first “MS-2 Mix Design Manual”, the Asphalt Institute (AI) has published established, well-proven mix design techniques that promote the long-term quality performance of asphalt pavement. Given that more than $25 billion is The post Balanced mix design, recycled binder availability and how they fit appeared first on Asphalt magazine.

  • Asphalt Sustainability: Material EPDs – What they tell us and what they do not
    by Dr. Mark Buncher, Ph.D., P.E. on February 28, 2023 at 3:12 pm

    Our industry is starting to see “Buy Clean” legislation at the federal1,2 level and some state governments3,4 are now regulating public procurement. These legislations require the reporting of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) on certain materials used in pavement and building construction, rehabilitation and maintenance projects.  The objective is to quantify the potential environmental impacts in The post Asphalt Sustainability: Material EPDs – What they tell us and what they do not appeared first on Asphalt magazine.

  • Asphalt Sustainability: Does a green material lead to a green pavement?
    by Dr. Mark Buncher, Ph.D., P.E. on October 14, 2022 at 4:30 pm

    A pavement engineer’s perspective I’ve worked in the field of pavements for 33 years. One of my non-asphalt friends says that makes me a “Roads Scholar.” I know better. Learning never stops in this business. The evolution of material specifications, improved construction practices and pavement design methods for asphalt pavements has resulted in a renewable The post Asphalt Sustainability: Does a green material lead to a green pavement? appeared first on Asphalt magazine.

  • Repaving Blue Grass Airport runway in 72 hours
    by Asphalt Magazine on February 1, 2022 at 6:29 pm

    Located among world-renowned horse farms and situated directly across from Keeneland Racecourse, Blue Grass Airport (LEX) in Lexington, Kentucky is the primary commercial service airport for central and eastern Kentucky. More than 1.4 million passengers depart or arrive annually at LEX via four major airlines: Allegiant, American, Delta and United. LEX also provides military, general The post Repaving Blue Grass Airport runway in 72 hours appeared first on Asphalt magazine.

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