To achieve the goal of leading in South China and reaching national excellence in high-level academic disciplines, the Road Engineering Department at South China University of Technology is strategically targeting the forefront of international transportation infrastructure construction. In collaboration with the University of California Pavement Research Center (UCPRC), the department organized an online academic salon, aiming to establish a platform for talent development and research cooperation between South China University of Technology and the University of California. This academic exchange activity received strong support from the Guangdong Provincial Department of Science and Technology's Overseas Distinguished Professor project.
Faculty and students from the Department of Road Engineering attending the academic lecture offline.
On September 16, 2022, Professor John T. Harvey from the University of California, Davis, delivered a high-impact academic lecture titled Improving pavement sustainability through integrated design, construction, management, LCA, and LCCA. This lecture garnered significant attention within the domestic and international road engineering community. Since 2002, Professor Harvey has served as the Director and Chief Scientist of the UCPRC. The center, established jointly by the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, the California Department of Transportation, and the University of California (Davis & Berkeley campuses), stands as one of the world's most influential and competitive road research centers. It focuses on a wide range of areas, including durable pavement materials, structural design methods, environmentally friendly multifunctional pavement materials, lifecycle environmental impact analysis, pavement material recycling, and next-generation pavement management systems.
Professor Zhang Yuan and Associate Professor Zhang Lijuan hosting the academic lecture.
The academic lecture by Professor John Harvey was conducted both online and offline, with Professor Zhang Yuan and Associate Professor Zhang Lijuan from the Road Engineering Department jointly hosting the event. Over 300 participants, including experts, scholars, students, and industry professionals from more than 20 domestic and international institutions, attended the event either in person at the Traffic Building Room 410 or through Tencent Meeting live broadcast.
Professor John Harvey delivering the academic lecture.
During the lecture, Professor Harvey introduced the UCPRC and discussed the challenges and solutions in the current road engineering landscape, emphasizing the necessity of reducing costs and environmental impact in sustainable road construction. He presented sustainable road construction strategies based on effective decision-making throughout the entire system life cycle and explored new initiatives and technologies. The participants engaged in in-depth discussions with Professor Harvey, gaining insights into the opportunities and challenges of sustainable road construction in the context of a carbon-neutral environment.
Professor John Harvey exchanging ideas with Professor Leng Zhen from Hong Kong Polytechnic University
This academic gathering not only widened the international perspective for South China University of Technology's students and faculty but also provided a valuable platform for domestic and international experts in road engineering. The success of this event, featuring the distinguished presence of Professor John Harvey, contributes significantly to the development of the road engineering discipline at South China University of Technology. It also aligns with the broader goals of promoting the construction of a strong transportation nation and supporting innovation-driven development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The engaging discussions and knowledge exchange during the event further emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing the field of road engineering on a global scale.
Faculty and students participating in the academic lecture taking a group photo with Professor John Harvey
Speaker Biography:
Professor John Harvey is a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Davis. He serves as the Director of the UCPRC and the Urban Pavement Upgrade Center. Professor Harvey has played a key role in various pavement material research, design, asset management, cost, and environmental projects for the California Department of Transportation, the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration, the California Recycling Agency, the California Air Resources Board, the Transportation Research Board, and other state transportation departments and industry. He holds a bachelor's degree from Oregon State University and master's and doctoral degrees from the University of California, Berkeley. Professor Harvey is a registered civil engineer in California and the founder of the International Conference on Pavement Life Cycle Assessment.
Professor John Harvey's academic lecture recording on Bilibili link: https://b23.tv/rn1Xszd