We have curated this list of the continued learning and PDH credit opportunities we find most impactful.
Professional development hours are more than a box to check. For those of you looking to get the most from your time and bring back meaningful insights to your work, these are our favorite events and resources.
Key In-Person Events
Illinois Transportation and Highway Engineering (T.H.E.) Conference
March 3 & 4, 2026 in Champaign, IL
- This Midwest conference offers a forum for professionals to exchange knowledge on emerging innovations and key challenges facing our transportation systems. Over 1000 engineers, officials, contractors, researchers and academics from Illinois and beyond attend.
- The programming includes general and break-out sessions focused on design and construction, bridges and structures, local roads and streets, operations and safety and transportation and material innovations.
Purdue Road School
March 17-18, 2026 in West Lafayette, IN
- In 2025, Purdue Road School boasted 18 technical tracks, with over 230 combined hours of technical sessions (all PDH-qualified) for the 3000+ transportation professionals in attendance. The programs are designed for agencies from the local to federal level, as well as academic, consulting, and industry colleagues.
- This conference is well regarded for its cross-functional networking opportunities and robust discussions on infrastructure advancements.
- To explore previous Road School presentations, visit this archive.
Virtual Options
Road Resource Network Bootcamp – Become a “Roadvocate”
March 10-12, 2026, Virtual (Register by 2/27/26)
- For road engineers looking for a practical, high-value way to earn PDH credits, this course is a must-take. It goes beyond theory to focus on the real decisions engineers face every year: how to evaluate treatment plans, prioritize projects with limited funding, and select the right treatments for the right roads.
- The training is hands-on and applied, helping you close the gap between understanding pavement preservation principles and confidently implementing them within your own networks. We highly recommend it.
Asphalt Institute: Constructing Quality Asphalt Pavements
- AI’s Asphalt Academy provides a wide range of foundational classes for engineers, both in-person and with virtual options.
- This interactive course walks participants through every key step of asphalt pavement construction—from materials and mix design to placement, compaction, and quality assurance—giving you the confidence to apply proven best practices that lead to longer-lasting pavements.
- In addition to live training seminars, a large library of recorded webinars are available for free or a small fee.
National Highway Institute Courses
- The FHWA and NHI present an extensive catalogue of courses for transportation agency engineers and personnel. Some are web-based, some are instructor-led, and some are a combination.
- For example, Introduction to Asphalt Pavement In-Place Recycling Techniques (NHI 131050A) is a strong option for agencies looking to stretch rehabilitation dollars by using in-place recycling more effectively. Through web and instructor training, it gives participants practical guidance on selecting the right recycling technique, materials, and specifications, helping ensure projects are built efficiently and perform as intended.
- Explore the catalog
FHWA Center for Local Aid Support
- The FHWA’s online training library is a solid, easy‑to‑access option for transportation professionals looking to build skills and earn PDH credits. With short, practical modules focused on real‑world transportation challenges—and support from your state’s Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP)—it is a convenient way to keep learning without stepping away from your day‑to‑day work.
Bonus Bite-Sized Learning
NCAT’s From Research to Implementation Webinar Series
- The National Center for Asphalt Technology translates innovative research findings into practical application through this series of engaging webinars. Each month, an NCAT researcher joins an industry professional to highlight a new advancement in asphalt pavement performance.
We hope this overview helps you spot a new learning opportunity that fits your role, interests, or current challenges. Continuing education plays an important role in our shared goal of strengthening community transportation systems—making them safer, more cost‑effective, and more resilient for everyone who depends on them.
If you are looking for more personal guidance, our team is here to help: jbandinfo@thgrp.com
