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    <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
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    <atom:link href="https://rip.trb.org/Record/RSS?s=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" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
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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>
    <image>
      <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
      <url>https://rip.trb.org/Images/PageHeader-wTitle-RIP.jpg</url>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/</link>
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    <item>
      <title>Evaluate the Safety Effects of Multiple Vehicle Synchronized Warning Lights in ODOT Work Zones
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2701274</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In 2024, 56 Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) crews were struck while working on the highway system. As of March 2025, 43 ODOT crews have been struck. With safety being of the upmost importance to ODOT's Executive Leadership, protecting road crews and individuals working on ODOT jobsites remains a common theme when investigating new technologies and techniques to help reduce and minimize these accidents. Currently ODOT has a variety of light-emitting diode (LED) warning light systems in use on its fleet of maintenance vehicles. When these vehicles are concentrated in a work zone, there has been concern that these lights, while flashing independently, can lead to confusion among the motoring public as they enter the work zone. Added to this, ODOT operates work zones during all times of the day and in all weather conditions further exacerbates the situation.  This can result in unsafe driving practices and increased accidents. 

There is a growing opinion among transportation professionals that synchronizing warning lights and/or customizing patterns to evolve situationally could alleviate, if not resolve, these dangerous work zone crashes. ODOT is looking to evaluate the effectiveness of a system that synchronizes the warning systems of all vehicles present in a work zone.   A system that could increase driver awareness and reduce safety related incidents would be useful not only to ODOT but to local public agencies, emergency responders, and other state departments of transportation (DOTs).

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this research is to identify the effectiveness of using synchronized warning light systems versus non-synchronized warning light systems on work zone vehicles.
             ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2026 10:43:15 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2701274</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Improving Large Litter Collection from Paved Surfaces
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2646925</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has over 730 miles of concrete barrier wall with the majority of that being median barrier. The paved shoulders that require litter and sweeping process is over 1,300 miles. ODOT continues to build Ohio's highway system, closing in unpaved medians and adding Smart Lanes which allows for periodic use of paved shoulders as traffic lanes. These projects add more miles of paved shoulder that will require more frequent cleaning and debris removal.

When street sweepers are run along barrier walls to clean shoulders, a road crew typically runs in front of them to gather the large debris (e.g., tire treads, lumber, car parts, etc.). Normally it takes at least 2-3 workers in a truck picking up this large litter, then a street sweeper follows. The workers in the lead truck have to constantly stop, get out of the vehicle, pick up the debris, place it in the truck bed, get back into the truck, and then pull forward to the next large piece of debris. All of this is followed by a crash attenuator truck for safety purposes. Altogether, this process utilizes 4-5 workers and 3 pieces of equipment starting and stopping on busy freeways. When not doing a full street sweeping operation, there is still the crew of 2 to 3 staff in a pickup truck that have to constantly stop, get out, pick up, get back in and repeat as they move along the road. Variations in this process may occur across the state. Previous studies have looked at litter collection but have typically focused on all forms of litter and collecting it from roadsides, under guardrails, throughout grass infields, etc. These studies did not include detailed time studies in order to compare various processes and equipment.  

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this research is to determine the best method(s) for providing safe, efficient and cost-effective ways to pick up/collect large litter and debris from paved shoulders and under guardrail.
                         ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 31 Dec 2025 13:44:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2646925</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>DOT Application of the Palmiter Stream Management Technique in Small Streams

</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2633332</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has one large experimental installation of the Palmiter Method in Clark County along the Mad River.  ODOT is interested in expanding the use of this technique across the state. Rapid deployment/implementation of the method on smaller streams with erosion concerns near infrastructure is potentially a better application of the method.  It is unclear how the method can be deployed and what benefits and drawbacks are likely in a small stream.  There is potential that the Palmiter Method is much better suited for small stream erosion issues, using low-cost materials, and potentially beneficial to stream habitat (as measured using OEPA sampling methods).  

The Palmiter Method was initially vetted using a Researcher-On-Call (ROC) contract with Ohio University who looked at what was known about the technique and potential applications in the DOT. No actual installations were constructed and monitored for risks/benefits/cost comparisons with traditional methods. ODOT manages thousands of stream erosion issues across the state. The most predominant stream type and stream/road interaction in the system are smaller streams that erode around culverts, into embankments, and undermine road shoulders. Research is needed to investigate the use of the Palmiter Methods on small streams comparing the cost, time, success/failure, biological impact, permitting, stream hydrology, and structure longevity compared to more traditional methods used to maintain erosion on small streams.

The goal of this research is to compare the Palmiter Method to traditional methods for erosion control in small streams.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 Dec 2025 13:37:51 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2633332</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Pavement Condition Rating Method and Use for Local Agencies 
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2618201</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) collects pavement condition ratings (PCR) on the state network annually and a subset of the local network that is federal aid eligible on a biennial basis. This data is made available to local public agencies (LPAs) through the TIMS system. Many LPAs also collect their own set of pavement condition ratings on all pavements within their jurisdiction to identify roads for resurfacing, repair, and other planning purposes. The data sets collected by LPAs may differ significantly from ODOT's PCR and in most cases the detailed level of distress information collected in ODOT PCR may not be necessary for their purposes. In addition, the collection methods, schedules, and data types differ from locality to locality statewide.

Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO's) use ODOT's PCR ratings to help compare the condition of various areas and for grant applications. While ODOT PCR may be helpful to MPOs, the feedback ODOT has received from LPAs who are responsible for maintaining the local roads is that ODOT's PCR data may not be helpful in many cases. In addition, LPAs would prefer to have data on the whole local network as opposed to a subset. Since ODOT collects and reports pavement data on federal aid eligible roads, identifying a pavement rating methodology that would be useful for all parties (LPAs and MPOs) is desired.
 
The goal of this research is to recommend pavement rating methods that would be useful to cities, counties, townships, and MPOs. Findings from this research will help ODOT to focus current efforts to collect local pavement condition ratings to be useful to the agencies responsible for the routes the data represents. Identifying and implementing a pavement rating methodology that would be useful for all parties (LPAs and MPOs) would help reduce duplication of effort and enhance data integrity and utilization. A more unified approach to pavement data collection can ultimately improve pavement management for local agencies.
                 ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 04 Nov 2025 15:32:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2618201</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Model as a Legal Deliverable: Exploring the Technological, Implementation, and Legislative Pathways for ODOT
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2617997</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) currently has no process in place to allow for the delivery of Building Information Modelling (BIM)  models as part of the project contract, nor does ODOT have a full grasp of all the regulations or codes that exist in Ohio that may prevent or support this process. While ODOT develops 2D/3D models for design, that data is used to create traditional (2D) plan sheets and supplemented with extensive documentation before being provided as reference information on a construction contract. The contractor then uses the design information from the plan sheets which are the contract document and will generate a new 2D/3D model to be used to understand construction needs and for their due diligence, usually at a cost to ODOT. With new technology and the implementation of BIM for Infrastructure strategies, there is an opportunity to streamline processes, enhance collaboration, and improve design/construction accuracy through the development and delivery of model-based deliverables. Other states have already begun adopting BIM models as legal deliverables and have demonstrated the benefits of native model-based and advanced digital delivery processes.

There is a pressing need to modernize ODOT's approach to model deliverables to keep pace with technological advancements and industry standard practices. Research is needed to provide a comprehensive analysis of benefits and challenges associated with adopting a model-based approach.  The goal of this study is to determine the feasibility and implications of adopting a model as a legal deliverable approach for transportation projects in Ohio. 
                       ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 04 Nov 2025 14:22:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2617997</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Effectiveness and Benefits of Connected Work Zones
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2603850</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Many Infrastructure Owner Operators (IOOs) have begun to adopt technologies to broadcast near real-time information about the location and state of work zones and maintenance activities within their jurisdictions. While these technologies have seen continued improvement in the information that they are sharing, it is unknown how that information is able to be translated into motorist safety and internal benefits for the deploying agency. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and DriveOhio are interested in gaining additional data showing actual safety improvement numbers related to the deployment of these technologies and measurable statistics that define the internal benefits to the agency and their relation to the agencies list of Event Streaming Platform use cases. 

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this research is to provide data and associated recommendations relating to the deployment of connected work zone technologies within the state. This research will benefit ODOT by determining the benefits, both internal and external, that connected work zone technologies enable for the safety and efficiency of roadside workers and the motoring public. Thie results of this project will help inform the direction that ODOT will take in the area of connected work zones in the future. 
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 25 Sep 2025 11:24:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2603850</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Scour Critical Shear Stress of Ohio Soils
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2601291</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Currently, Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) assumes all cohesive soils to be granular soil with the same gradation as fine Ottawa sand, which is the most scourable soil material. This is an unreasonable assumption for cohesive soils, and it over-predicts scour to an unrealistic degree, potentially costing Ohio from a few thousand to millions of dollars per bridge foundation at water crossing structures with cohesive foundation soils. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) "NextScour" program, "The result of this assumption can be too conservative when soils other than the uniformly graded granular soils are encountered and can dramatically increase the cost of many bridge foundations."

ODOT needs to develop reasonable scour guidelines and analyses based on soil scour critical shear stress (tc) to provide realistic predictions of scour depth for scour design floods and scour check floods, so that appropriately efficient and economical foundations can be designed for Ohio bridges. ODOT needs an economical and practical way to estimate tc for input into scour analyses, based on common laboratory soil testing index properties, without the need to resort to expensive and time-consuming flume soil testing to measure tc for each project.

ODOT proposes to develop better soil scour guidelines and analyses based on scour critical shear stress (tc), including estimation of tc based on common laboratory soil testing index properties through this study.
                          ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 17 Sep 2025 08:35:07 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2601291</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>District Highway Management Research On-Call (ROC)  FY26-28</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2582820</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is charged with the management and maintenance of Ohio's vast transportation system.  ODOT strives to execute this charge in the most effective and efficient manner possible.  At times, ODOT encounters situations where low-cost, short-term, focused research tasks are needed to address an urgent issue.  While important and potentially impactful, these research tasks do not warrant the level of a full-scale research project.  Due to the time-sensitive nature of these tasks, it is possible that some of these tasks go unmet because the standard contracting process requires more time than available.  To address this issue, ODOT developed the Research-On-Call (ROC) program.  The ROC is designed to provide direct, quick access to researchers in specific areas of expertise to conduct short-term, focused, urgent research tasks.  This ROC will focus on tasks to support District Offices with system management and maintenance improvements.  
             ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 04 Aug 2025 13:34:53 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2582820</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Improved Non-Invasive Detection of Cryptobranchus Allegeniensis using Multiplexed Total Nucleic Acid eDNA/eRNA Comparisons</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2561922</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) is a scarce and reclusive aquatic salamander that resides in swiftly flowing streams within isolated regions of Appalachia. Hellbender populations have been decreasing for decades and Hurricane Helene's recent devastation of Western North Carolina further disrupted population strongholds with reports of the animals displaced and killed due to flash floods in the Hurricane's wake. The recent U.S. Fish and Wildlife request for federal protection under the Endangered Species Act has emphasized the importance of ongoing conservation efforts for the animal, including monitoring and preserving the existing population. Traditional field surveys (TFS) make up the bulk of Hellbender detection efforts although multiple, non-invasive environmental DNA (eDNA) assays have been developed in recent years. Adoption of any eDNA method requires meticulous testing and verification, as some published primer sets for Hellbender have been shown to produce off-target amplification.

The goal of this research is to increase the sensitivity and accuracy of eDNA detection methods for the Eastern Hellbender, and to provide an additional molecular target for Ohio stream conservation assessments. This work will consist of developing an RNA molecular marker to examine Eastern Hellbender in conjunction with a DNA marker for Spotted Darter populations through environmental nucleic acids-thus, widening the scope of past Hellbender eDNA assays and providing additional information and confidence in results through eRNA. Both primer sets will be validated by rigorous testing on diverse nucleic acid extractions as performed previously                ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jun 2025 15:01:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2561922</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Applications of AI to LiDAR Data: Innovating Surveying Practices</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2534021</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Traditional surveying methods, such as leveling and total station surveys, rely heavily on manual processes for data collection and classification. These methods are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and susceptible to human error, which can lead to inaccuracies in the surveyed data. As a result, errors in point classification (e.g., distinguishing between pavement, vegetation, and utilities) can compromise the quality of information used for infrastructure planning and design. Additionally, these outdated techniques often lack the ability to capture comprehensive, high-density spatial data in a single survey, limiting their effectiveness for large-scale or complex projects. Consequently, relying solely on traditional tools can increase project costs, extend timelines, and necessitate costly revisions during later stages of construction and maintenance.

This research explores the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly object detection in Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data, to identify infrastructure assets, mainly manholes and drop inlets and classify them with relevant information such as global positioning system (GPS) coordinates, elevation, and type. The study aims to advance surveying practices by leveraging AI-driven insights to enhance accuracy and efficiency.  The primary goal of this research project is to leverage existing LiDAR data to enhance surveying practices through automation and AI integration. The specific objectives include: (1) identify the best AI model to detect selected infrastructure assets from LiDAR Data; (2) train and validate the selected AI models; and (3) develop guidelines for implementing the developed AI to analyze Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) LiDAR data and provide outputs in the corresponding formats: .LAS, .BIN, and CSV (COGO Points).
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Apr 2025 08:55:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2534021</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Iowa Public Works Service Bureau</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2509061</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Over the past year, a study to determine the interest in developing a public works service bureau in the state of Ohio was conducted. The premise is that a public works service bureau would provide a mechanism of communication and information exchange regarding emerging issues as well as to improve efficiency of public works operations.

Following positive responses to a questionnaire sent to all cities with a population of at least 250 people, the organizational structure and costs associated with a public works service bureau was examined.

The recommended organizational structure calls for development of a service bureau within the umbrella of the Statewide Urban Design and Specifications (SUDAS) program at Iowa State University. Permanent funding for the service bureau is proposed as an off-the-top allocation of 1/8 of 1% from the city portion of the Road Use Tax fund. That funding mechanism would mirror the type of funding of the Iowa County Engineers Association Service Bureau.

PHASE 2 CONCEPT
It is likely to take the better part of two years to successfully complete a legislative change and the required administrative processes to set up the service bureau street construction funding. Therefore, interim financing for startup activities is critical. The Phase 2 proposal would involve establishing the Iowa Public Works Service Bureau within the SUDAS program by initiating the activities identified in the approved recommendation from the feasibility study (IHRB Project TR-761).

The recommended actions include a two-year startup. The first year of Phase 2 involves expanding SUDAS staff to include a webmaster/programmer and a subcontractor to work on the initial database applications. As that work is being accomplished, SUDAS staff will initiate discussions with involved organizations and their members about support for the proposed legislative change to establish the off-the-top allocation from the Road Use Tax Street Construction Fund.

The second year of Phase 2 would involve the addition of a second programmer in order to expand database applications. In addition, a major focus will be working with the Governor’s office and the legislature to pass the Road Use Tax off-the-top allocation to create the permanent funding source. 

Establish the Iowa PWSB website, market the service bureau to cities throughout the state, initiate and populate database applications, and modify the Road Use Tax law to establish a public works service bureau fund through designation of a 1/8 of 1% off-the-top allocation.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 12 Feb 2025 19:00:21 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2509061</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Laying the cornerstone of Advanced Air Mobility infrastructure: A Low-Altitude Airspace Surveillance System Optimized for Reliability, Robustness, Resilience, and Cost
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2502108</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This proposed research project aims to: (1) analyze and assess the reliability, robustness, and resilience of surveillance systems for detecting and tracking Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) traffic in the low-altitude national airspace system (NAS); then, building on research findings, (2) develop a sensor network design software tool to design a surveillance sensor network for AAM optimized for reliability, robustness, resilience, and cost, across major cities of the state of Ohio; and, lastly, (3) formulate a safety protocol for AAM traffic managers and operators to follow during AAM surveillance outages or when the performance of the AAM surveillance system is impaired due to failure events. 
                     ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 03 Feb 2025 10:50:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2502108</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Vulnerability Assessment of Bridges Crossing Major US Rivers in Support of a Safe and Resilient Transportation System</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2499097</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project will assess and evaluate the vulnerability of bridges on major inland waterways to allisions. The project will compile and synthesize the inventory of vehicle bridges across the Mississippi, Columbia, and Ohio Rivers.  A list of allision incidents from 2003-2024 will be compiled using Coast Guard marine casualty reports.  Based on the latest requirements for design of bridges to withstand allisions, the project will identify the bridges that are most vulnerable.  The project will review options for bridge protection, considering bridge strengthening versus replacement.  An estimate of annual barge traffic passing under the bridges will be used to indicate criticality.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 29 Jan 2025 16:07:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2499097</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Validation and Correlation of Multi-Speed Friction Data Testing
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2475944</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Pavement friction testing is conducted by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) in accordance with ASTM E-274, "Standard Test Method for Skid Resistance of Paved Surfaces, using a Full-Scale Tire". The standard speed of testing in Ohio is 40mph. Due to safety concerns related to testing on cloverleaf ramps, roundabouts, curves, interstate, and divided highways ODOT would like to have the capability to collect friction data at a variety of speeds (i.e., 20mph, 40mph and 60mph). Research is needed to develop a repeatable methodology for collecting friction data while traveling at different speeds and correlating the new data to historical data that was collected at 40mph. 

The goal of this study is to provide for a safer, multi-speed (20MPH,40MPH, and 60MPH) friction collection and correlation process.                      ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 13 Dec 2024 09:18:34 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2475944</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Evaluation of Traffic Speed Deflectometer for Collecting, Reporting, and Utilizing Network and Project Level Structural Data in Ohio
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2475943</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Currently, major rehab decisions and pavement management logic rely on the visual pavement condition survey (PCR).  Traffic speed deflectometer (TSD) may have the ability to help further prioritize projects needing structural treatments or validate when they are not needed to help refine scopes in the work plan process. Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) does not currently use structural measurement in pavement management, so this could be an enhancement to that process.    

The goal of this research is to utilize a TSD to collect deflection data on ODOT's network, perform data analysis to determine the applications/limitations of the results, provide data analysis methodology utilizing commercially available software (MS Excel, TSD manufacturer, etc.), and to perform cost benefit analysis on the process.               ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 13 Dec 2024 08:53:09 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2475943</guid>
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