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    <copyright>Copyright © 2026. National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.</copyright>
    <docs>http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss</docs>
    <managingEditor>tris-trb@nas.edu (Bill McLeod)</managingEditor>
    <webMaster>tris-trb@nas.edu (Bill McLeod)</webMaster>
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      <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
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      <title>Development of Design Profiles &amp; Parameters using Measurement While Drilling (MWD) and Permeafor Data</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2582031</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) has recently invested in two new technologies to improve geotechnical site characterization for stormwater best management practices (BMPs) and to improve the efficiency and accuracy of geotechnical subsurface models for bridge and roadway designs.  The need for time consuming borehole infiltration testing and standard penetration testing may be reduced through further deployment of Permeafor and Measurement While Drilling (MWD).  
This project will advance integration of these technologies by ensuring current hardware, software, and data analysis methods are updated with best available methods.  It will also assist in installation and troubleshooting of new equipment on a recently acquired drill rig, train field staff on the use and care of these technologies, and train technical staff on data reduction and interpretation of results. Specifications will be proposed for inclusion in the NHDOT Geotechnical Manual. 
This project builds upon work conducted under previous Projects 26962 and 42372F which led to significant improvements in the capabilities of the NHDOT Geotechnical section to meet their needs for the design of various structures across New Hampshire. These efforts will support more efficient use of design and construction resources, reduce the chance of delays due to unexpected subsurface conditions, and potentially help reduce the time associated with conventional subsurface investigation programs in the long term.  ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 24 Jul 2025 14:03:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2582031</guid>
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      <title>Laboratory Testing &amp; Field Performance of NHDOT Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) Mixes</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2582030</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Since 2016, UNH has performed testing on over 60 New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures. These tests provide measurements of stiffness, fatigue cracking, low temperature cracking, and overall durability.  The information gathered from these tests can be used in mechanistic-empirical pavement design and various indices can estimate the relative performance of the mixture in the field under real-world applications. This research will compare the laboratory performance predictions to year-to-year field collected pavement condition data. 
The objectives of this project are to evaluate correlations between mix design attributes, performance properties, and field performance to support specification updates.  Predictive models will be developed for estimating mixture performance properties from mix design attributes to support balanced mix design (BMD) and PavementME implementation in NH.  A model will be developed to estimate longevity of different mixture and pavement types in NH. This in future can support on-going NHDOT AMPS effort on asset management performance models.  Recommendations will be provided to NHDOT regarding how it can improve processes (e.g. mix design and material specifications). 
This project builds upon work conducted under previous Projects 15680R, 26962O, and 26962N. These projects conducted extensive testing and developed appropriate laboratory conditioning methods for HMA mixtures to simulate NH conditions. The results of this project will help NHDOT better understand the performance of HMA mixes and inform decisions by lowering life cycle costs and increasing service life and mix performance. 
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 24 Jul 2025 13:59:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2582030</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Wildlife Vehicle Collisions Data Gathering and Best Management Practices Part 2
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2083742</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Wildlife vehicular collisions (WVCs) pose inherent threats to wildlife populations and human safety throughout the State. Roads create barriers that reduce free movements of wildlife species. Plymouth State University Wildlife Vehicle Collisions Data Gathering and Best Management Practices Study (Part 1) has synthesized the available data about WVCs in NH and developed a statistical model to analyze road, temporal, and wildlife specific factors that contribute to areas with more collisions. The study found positive relationships between WVCs and local road density, which corresponds to population centers within the state. However, it also revealed that there is more variability and less predictability in the data than was expected.
This research will refine the model and complete on-the-ground research to identify some hot spots where mitigation should be considered in New Hampshire. The proposed research includes: Continuing data analysis from Part 1 of the project; Using cameras, wildlife tracking, or roadkill surveys to evaluate the presence of wildlife and analyze the data to identify locations for WVC mitigation projects; Investigating the 23 USC 171: Wildlife crossings pilot program and make recommendations to the Technical Advisory Group;   Developing a guidance document for Wildlife Crossing Best Management Practices (BMPs); and Facilitating a meeting to include NHDOT personnel from Operations, Project Development and NH F&G to workshop a crossing project proposal.

The project could result in design features to mitigate WVCs in the vicinity of WVC hot spots and future stand-alone projects to reduce WVCs. The BMP manual could lead to reduced WVCs throughout New Hampshire, providing a safer travelling environment for drivers and for wildlife.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 13 Dec 2022 15:57:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2083742</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Comparing Plow Blade Wear and Tolerances on NHDOT Trucks and Roads</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2083741</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Different plow blades wear at different rates. There are varied technologies and systems being promoted at a range of pricing. Plow blades that are changed less frequently and wear longer enable staff to focus more on plowing saving time and the associated labor costs. A more expensive, lighter plow blade can also result in fewer injuries to highway maintainers and NHDOT personnel and potentially fewer workers comp claims.
The goal of this research is to determine which blades are the most cost effective and to share this research data with national organizations collecting similar data from other states. The research consists of sampling 3 to 5 different types of plow blades on trucks with Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) installed to accurately measure the miles plowed and to record plowing speeds. Research results are dependent on snowstorm weather so trucks with the blades can be used in real time and authentic conditions. A tally of related injuries during the use of these blades would be factored into the total cost with comparison to heavier plow blades.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 13 Dec 2022 15:48:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2083741</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Underwater Drone (ROV) Asset Review and Documentation</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2083740</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Many New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) assets that can be documented with drones have a portion below the surface of the water that is difficult or impossible to see and document. These assets can include but are not limited to bridge abutments/piers, box culverts, cofferdams, and beaver mitigation devices. In emergency situations a below water surface view of an asset could be needed in a rapid timeframe to determine the stability of the asset. Also, during construction of below water surface assets there is difficulty documenting the actual completed condition or supporting trouble shooting when issues arise during construction.
This research will evaluate several cases of NHDOT underwater asset review and documentation and include the purchase of an underwater drone (ROV) and appropriate support equipment. The case studies, solicited from throughout NHDOT representing the potential diverse use of this technology, will detail the evaluation, challenges, and benefits of the data acquired with the underwater drone (ROV). The potential savings of underwater drone (ROV) data providing targeted areas for divers to inspect an asset where in-person inspection is required will also be evaluated.
The use cases will include the types of data needed by the Department’s asset stakeholders along with an evaluation of the equipment’s capabilities. The study will identify pros and cons to using this type of technology for the safe, efficient, and cost-effective underwater asset review and documentation needs of NHDOT.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 13 Dec 2022 15:40:17 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2083740</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Transportation Education Development Pilot Program - Part 2</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1359744</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The grant awarded to the Transportation Research Center (TRC) will fund four new programs to help transportation leaders attract and maintain workers in this challenging environment. Transportation Systems Institute--is focused on maintaining or recruiting new talent to the DOT workforce in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Second Careers in Transportation Program--is focused on attracting retirees from other industries to bring their skills to bear on the 21st century challenges in transportation. Transportation Systems Academy--provides hands-on training for transportation industry jobs to students in the Community High School of Vermont Northern State Correctional Center campus and will provide this training at technical high schools. Community Colleges--Working with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) the project is collecting information about what community colleges are doing now and could do in preparing the next generation of transportation workers. The project will present the results of this effort at the 2010 AACC Workforce Development Institute (WDI).]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2015 01:00:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1359744</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Transportation Education Development Pilot Program - Part 1</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1359722</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The grant awarded to the Transportation Research Center (TRC) will fund four new programs to help transportation leaders attract and maintain workers in this challenging environment. Transportation Systems Institute--is focused on maintaining or recruiting new talent to the DOT workforce in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Second Careers in Transportation Program--is focused on attracting retirees from other industries to bring their skills to bear on the 21st century challenges in transportation. Transportation Systems Academy--provides hands-on training for transportation industry jobs to students in the Community High School of Vermont Northern State Correctional Center campus and will provide this training at technical high schools. Community Colleges--Working with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) the project is collecting information about what community colleges are doing now and could do in preparing the next generation of transportation workers. The project  will present the results of this effort at the 2010 AACC Workforce Development Institute (WDI).]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2015 01:00:36 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1359722</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Transportation Education Development Pilot Program - Part 3</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1357381</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The grant awarded to the Transportation Research Center (TRC) will fund four new programs to help transportation leaders attract and maintain workers in this challenging environment. Transportation Systems Institute--is focused on maintaining or recruiting new talent to the DOT workforce in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Second Careers in Transportation Program--is focused on attracting retirees from other industries to bring their skills to bear on the 21st century challenges in transportation. Transportation Systems Academy--provides hands-on training for transportation industry jobs to students in the Community High School of Vermont Northern State Correctional Center campus and will provide this training at technical high schools. Community Colleges--Working with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) the project is collecting information about what community colleges are doing now and could do in preparing the next generation of transportation workers. The project will present the results of this effort at the 2010 AACC Workforce Development Institute (WDI).]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 12 Jun 2015 01:01:39 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1357381</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>The Social Network Mapping of Sustainable Transportation Leaders</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1357367</link>
      <description><![CDATA[There are a number of key environmental, political and financial issues facing transportation leaders attempting to promote policies and programs that advance sustainable transportation objectives in the 21st Century.  This project seeks to understand how leaders of those organizations use their communication strategies to promote sustainable transportation, preferred policy outcomes and position within the organizational network. The project will build on previous research that investigated the network positions of 121 organizations engaged with sustainable transportation programs and policies in the states of Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire.  That project mapped the network structure of those organizations and their interorganizational communication patterns.  In this project we interview the leaders in those organizations to understand their communication strategies, leadership approaches and perceived influence over different steps in the policy process focusing on how they communicate between organizations and the general audience media.  The project then compare this qualitative data with the network analysis-data previously collected and an analysis of the appearance of these organization in the media discourse.  This work contributes to the understanding of transportation leadership, the role of communications in organizational network position and appearance in the media discourse.  This research will also add to the understanding of how leaders of sustainable transportation use communications as a tool to promote their preferred policy outcomes.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 12 Jun 2015 01:01:17 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1357367</guid>
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