Dave Johnson

Senior Regional Engineer
P.E.
Education | Engineering
Time at Asphalt Institute: 18 years

David (Dave) R. Johnson, P.E., has over 30 years of pavement-related experience and currently serves as Senior Regional Engineer with the Asphalt Institute for the Rocky Mountain Region. His background blends applied field experience, research, and instruction, including prior roles as Regional Pavement, Design, Construction, and Quality Assurance Engineer for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and as an Adjunct Instructor and Research Engineer at Montana State University.
Dave has made significant contributions to the Transportation Research Board (TRB), serving as an Affiliate Member and active participant on several committees. His involvement includes membership on TRB standing committees. Most recently they were TRB Standing Committee on Nonasphaltic Components of Asphalt Paving Mixtures (AKM30) and the Standing Committee on Low-Volume Roads (AKD30). As a friend of numerous other standing committees, Dave has provided many reviews of papers. He was co-author of NCHRP Synthesis 516 on tack coat best practices and a co-author of an FHWA TechBrief on the same subject. These efforts support improved material practices and specifications at both the agency and national levels.
His leadership extends to other industry forums, including membership in the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists (AAPT) and as an officer with the International Society for Intelligent Construction (ISIC). He has played an instrumental role in developing Asphalt Institute certification programs, including the Asphalt Mix Design Technician and Airfield Pavement Inspector Certifications. He has also been a key component of the authorship teams for Asphalt Institute Manuals: MS-2 Asphalt Mix Design Methods, MS-22 Construction of Quality Asphalt Pavements. Additionally, Dave was one of the leads on the revisions of the FAA’s asphalt paving manual that resulted in AAPTP Asphalt Paving Handbook.
David’s research portfolio includes over a dozen projects and numerous peer-reviewed and technical publications. His focus areas include mix design, pavement preservation, performance specifications, and QA/QC methods. A frequent speaker and instructor, he is highly regarded for advancing practical understanding of asphalt materials, construction, and maintenance within state and local agencies. He actively supports innovation in asphalt technology and sustainable infrastructure.

My Courses

Dave's Articles

Dave Johnson, P.E. Archives - Asphalt magazine The Magazine of the Asphalt Institute

  • Mix Busters – Four Asphalt Myths To Consider
    by Dave Johnson, P.E. on September 18, 2025 at 5:46 pm

    Welcome to the third installment of Mix Busters – truths about asphalt myths. Emulating the theme of the Discovery Channel program, “MythBusters.” Between Buzz and Dave, they have over 70 years of experience designing, constructing, maintaining, and experimenting with asphalt pavements.  For 15 years MythBusters would address various myths or urban legends to try to The post Mix Busters – Four Asphalt Myths To Consider appeared first on Asphalt magazine.

  • MixBusters – Three asphalt myths to consider
    by Dave Johnson, P.E. on March 1, 2025 at 3:15 pm

    Three asphalt myths to consider Welcome to the second installment of Mix Busters – truths about asphalt myths. We are emulating the theme of the Discovery Channel program, “Myth Busters.” Between Buzz and Dave, they have over 70 years of experience designing, constructing, maintaining and experimenting with asphalt pavements.  For 15 years, Myth Busters would The post MixBusters – Three asphalt myths to consider appeared first on Asphalt magazine.

  • MixBusters – The truth about asphalt myths
    by Dave Johnson, P.E. on November 26, 2024 at 5:32 pm

    Most of you are probably familiar with the Discovery Channel program, “Myth Busters.” For 15 years they would address various myths or urban legends to try to determine if they were true or not. We enjoyed the application of science and engineering to determine whether a commonly held strong belief was actually false. Typically, a The post MixBusters – The truth about asphalt myths appeared first on Asphalt magazine.

  • Asphalt Sustainability – Pavement Management Systems
    by Dr. Chait Bhat, Ph.D., LCACP on October 18, 2024 at 2:13 pm

    By Dave Johnson, P.E. and Dr. Chait Bhat, Ph.D., LCACP Data-driven validation of pavement sustainability through well-maintained pavement management systems A significant amount of funding is being provided to state, local and non-governmental road agenciesas part of the low-carbon transportation materials program in the United States1. This article highlights the need to efficiently maintain, update The post Asphalt Sustainability – Pavement Management Systems appeared first on Asphalt magazine.

  • Future challenges for the asphalt paving industry
    by Dr. Jon Epps, Ph. D., P.E. on April 4, 2023 at 7:37 pm

    Much has transpired in the asphalt industry over the past five decades. Advancements in binder, mix design and construction technology have all worked together to improve the quality of flexible pavements. Moreover, advances in testing methods (laboratory and field) and equipment now can offer to technicians and engineers more precision and greater confidence in test The post Future challenges for the asphalt paving industry appeared first on Asphalt magazine.

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