Unpaved roads and airfields are flexible, cost-effective ways to connect remote areas to economic activities, families and social networks, and enable timely emergency response. Their performance and longevity can be significantly improved through modern engineering techniques. TRB hosted a webinar on Monday, September 29, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM Eastern that explored how geosynthetics and chemical stabilization can improve the durability and performance of unpaved structures. Graduate student presenters shared their research on structural enhancements using composite geosynthetics, chemical treatments, and risk-based design approaches. Attendees learned how to incorporate risk assessment into structural analysis, apply geosynthetics to improve bearing capacity, and use chemical stabilization techniques to strengthen unpaved roads and airfields.
The slides are available. 
 
Webinar agenda and presenters

• Integrating risk assessment into the design of unpaved roads in northern Canada – Gerardo Arévalo, Universite Laval
• Performance evaluation of unpaved roads stabilized with composite geosynthetic made of recycled plastic geogrid and nonwoven geotextile – Araz Hasheminezhad, Iowa State University
• Full-scale performance of chemically stabilized unpaved landing zones for military aircraft operations – Brendon Quon, Mississippi State University
• Question and answer session moderated by Laura Fay, Western Transportation Institute

The first 60 minutes of the webinar were for presentations and the final 30 minutes were reserved for audience questions.
 
Learning Objectives
At the end of this webinar, participants can:

• Incorporate risk assessment principles into the structural analysis of unpaved roads
• Use geosynthetic products to improve the bearing capacity of unpaved roads
• Improve the structural performance of unpaved roads via chemical stabilization

 
Credit Information
There were no continuing education credits associated with this webinar.