An undergraduate team from Gallogly College of Engineering won third place at the 2026 Asphalt Road-eo competition, held April 10–11, competing against 14 teams from eight universities across the region.
The OU team, known as the Oklahoma Asphalt Outlaws, included team captain Axel Josue Segura Alvarado (CEES), Seth-Ray P. Smith (CEES), and Omar A. Cruz (Construction Science). The team was mentored by faculty alongside the Pavement Management and System Group, with additional guidance provided by Dr. Zaman and Kenneth Hobson. Luis Urbina Barrios, a senior in CEES and former Asphalt Road-eo team captain, served as the student mentor.
Organized by the Texas Asphalt Pavement Association (TXAPA), the Asphalt Road-eo is a hands-on, team-based competition designed to give undergraduate students practical experience in asphalt materials design. Each team is provided with identical materials and challenged to develop an asphalt mixture and construct a 20-inch by 20-inch slab. These slabs are then evaluated in multiple performance categories, including friction (safety), rutting and cracking (durability), and the incorporation of innovative materials for cost-effectiveness and sustainability. Teams also present their designs to a panel of industry experts and representatives from the Texas Department of Transportation.
This year, the Oklahoma Asphalt Outlaws distinguished themselves by incorporating sustainable materials such as ground tire rubber, carbon black, and mine chat into their asphalt mix design. Their slab demonstrated exceptional performance, particularly in the cracking category, highlighting its durability. Judges also commended the team for their strong technical knowledge and effective presentation.
The third-place finish earned recognition through scholarship support for each member.
