In editing the text of this book, I have had considerable assistance from many people. They are listed in the acknowledgements. However, a number of people warrant special mention. David Rockliff of Rock40C and Ian Walsh of Babtie were pestered by me on a number of occasions and always responded with expertise, courtesy and efficiency and I am very grateful to these two giants of the industry. However, there are two other gentleman without whom this enterprise would never have been completed. The first is Dr John Read who never failed to help me through either his own encyclopaedic knowledge or his vast network of contacts on the many occasions when I needed answers or text or whatever. The other is the main reason why this book came into being, Dave Whiteoak. Dave is known in our industry as the font of knowledge on all subjects associated with bitumen. In addition, all who have met him consider him to be the nicest guy you could wish to meet. He produced the 1990 edition and without him this new book and the opportunity which it affords all of us to enhance our knowledge of asphalt technology would simply not exist.

Whilst editing this text, I was constantly reminded of the enormous contribution which has been made by Shell Bitumen to asphalt technology. Indeed, this book demonstrates that continued commitment. This new edition reflects many of the very significant advances which have taken place in the period since the last edition was published. I am confident you will feel that this is a worthy addition to your asphalt book shelf.

Dr Robert N Hunter
Technical Editor
May 2003