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    <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
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    <atom:link href="https://rip.trb.org/Record/RSS?s=PHNlYXJjaD48cGFyYW1zPjxwYXJhbSBuYW1lPSJkYXRlaW4iIHZhbHVlPSJhbGwiIC8+PHBhcmFtIG5hbWU9InN1YmplY3Rsb2dpYyIgdmFsdWU9Im9yIiAvPjxwYXJhbSBuYW1lPSJ0ZXJtc2xvZ2ljIiB2YWx1ZT0ib3IiIC8+PHBhcmFtIG5hbWU9ImxvY2F0aW9uIiB2YWx1ZT0iMTYiIC8+PC9wYXJhbXM+PGZpbHRlcnM+PGZpbHRlciBmaWVsZD0iaW5kZXh0ZXJtcyIgdmFsdWU9IiZxdW90O0NvbnNvcnRpYSZxdW90OyIgb3JpZ2luYWxfdmFsdWU9IiZxdW90O0NvbnNvcnRpYSZxdW90OyIgLz48L2ZpbHRlcnM+PHJhbmdlcyAvPjxzb3J0cz48c29ydCBmaWVsZD0icHVibGlzaGVkIiBvcmRlcj0iZGVzYyIgLz48L3NvcnRzPjxwZXJzaXN0cz48cGVyc2lzdCBuYW1lPSJyYW5nZXR5cGUiIHZhbHVlPSJwdWJsaXNoZWRkYXRlIiAvPjwvcGVyc2lzdHM+PC9zZWFyY2g+" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
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    <language>en-us</language>
    <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>Designing Safer Streets</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2662686</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Designing Safer Streets is an implementation strategy in which the transportation network is planned, designed, built, operated, and maintained to enable safe mobility within the transportation system. The pooled fund will be established to conduct research on innovative strategies to design and implement a safe streets.  

OBJECTIVES: To assemble a consortium composed of State Departments of Transportation; County, regional, local, or tribal transportation agencies; additional interested entities or organizations; and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) program offices to meet national needs in support of safer streets. Activities of the consortium include: Identify planning, roadway design, human factors, safety, and operational issues related to safe streets elements and projects; Select new and existing safe Streets elements and/or projects for evaluation; Initiate and monitor research projects; Disseminate results; and Facilitate collaboration and information sharing among members.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 29 Jan 2026 16:30:17 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2662686</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Traffic Control Device (TCD) Consortium (4)
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2519214</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Traffic Control Device (TCD) Consortium was originally established in 2003. It was previously Pooled Fund Project TPF-5(065), TPF-5(316), and TPF-3(447).
Members include state departments of transportation (DOTs), national organizations, city, county, and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Program Offices. All new Funding Commitments will need to be made on the Pooled Fund Website to this new project and all new funds will be transferred to the Lead State/Agency by the partners. The Lead State/Agency will have the responsibility for Receiving, Obligating, Expending, and Balancing the funding for this project. OBJECTIVES: To assemble a consortium composed of State Departments of Transportation; additional interested entities or organizations; County, regional, and/or local transportation agencies; and FHWA program offices to meet national and state needs in support of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Activities of the consortium include: a) Identify human factors, safety, and operational issues related to TCDs; b) Select new and existing TCDs for evaluation; c) Initiate and monitor research projects; d) Disseminate results; and e) Facilitate collaboration and information sharing among members.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 07 Mar 2025 17:09:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2519214</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Northeast Transportation Research Consortium (NTRC)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2470681</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The American Association of State Transportation and Highway Officials (AASHTO) Research Advisory Committee Region 1 presents this Transportation Pooled Fund initiative to enhance collaboration among member states.  The purpose is to provide a method for Peer Exchange support annually.

Plan and conduct Northeast Transportation Research Consortium (NTRC) meetings to identify priorities and opportunities for peer exchange planning purposes.
Conduct an annual multi-state peer exchange for up to three (3) NTRC member state hosts on topics of their choosing, in which each host state will need written approval from their respective Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Division office.

SCOPE OF WORK: It is anticipated that the funds will be used to acquire a contractor who will be responsible for leading the organization of an annual peer exchange, meeting and travel logistics for participants, facilitation, writing the peer exchange report, and pooled fund documentation.  Each year’s host states will play a large role in the pre-exchange planning and organization.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 05 Dec 2024 17:15:42 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2470681</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Technology Transfer Concrete Consortium (2025-2029)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2437940</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Increasingly, state departments of transportation (DOTs) are challenged to design and build longer life concrete pavements that result in a higher level of user satisfaction for the public. One of the strategies for achieving longer life pavements is to use innovative materials and construction optimization technologies and practices. In order to foster new technologies and practices, experts from state DOTs, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), academia and industry must collaborate to identify and examine new concrete pavement research initiatives. The purpose of this pooled fund project is to identify, support, facilitate and fund concrete research and technology transfer initiatives.
OBJECTIVES: Main objectives include: Identify needed research priorities by region; Provide a forum for technology exchange between participants; Develop and fund technology transfer materials; Provide on-going communication of research needs faced by state agencies to the FHWA, industry, and the National Concrete Pavement Technology Center (CP Tech Center) ; Provide technical leadership for concrete related national initiatives to advance state-of-the-art construction and material practices.
It is anticipated that this consortium would become the national forum for state involvement in the technical exchange needed for collaboration and new initiatives and provide tactical strategies and solutions to issues identified by the member states.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 08 Oct 2024 15:23:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2437940</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>New England Transportation Consortium VII</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2427635</link>
      <description><![CDATA[A transportation research program, where research projects are conducted primarily by the Land Grant Universities of the New England states. This study was preceded by TPF-5(222), TPF-5(201), TPF-5(168), SPR-3(089), SPR-3(029), and SPR-3(009). Other state departments of transportation (DOTs) may participate in individual research projects by providing funds and a project technical committee member to represent their agency. The New England Transportation Consortium (NETC) is a research cooperative between the state DOTs of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. The NETC is a valuable regional partnership for the identification, prosecution and dissemination of shared transportation research initiatives. The NETC represents: Financial leveraging opportunities and regional partnerships; Stronger partnerships between university faculty and state DOTs; User-defined, diverse research topics; Opportunities for research dissemination and training to practitioners in the field. Now in its third decade, the NETC was developed to help New England states meet their special research needs by pooling resources and expertise. The NETC is now a well-established successful multistate partnership. OBJECTIVES: To pool the financial, professional and academic resources of the region and to use them to research and develop improved methods of dealing with common problems in the planning, design, construction, maintenance, rehabilitation, reconstruction, and operation of transportation systems in the participating states. The program is intended to supplement, not to replace, ongoing state and federal research activities and other national programs such as the Cooperative Research Programs of the National Academies.


]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 12 Sep 2024 16:23:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2427635</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>MAASTO Connected Automated Vehicle (CAV) Steering Committee</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2404186</link>
      <description><![CDATA[As connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) technology and Cooperative and Automated Transportation (CAT) sectors advance, several states have established programs or designated staff to plan and prepare for the changes these technologies bring to transportation. The Mid-America Association of State Transportation Officials (MAASTO) Board unanimously nominated the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to lead an initiative to coordinate and facilitate the creation of a pooled fund study project.  
The intended purpose of the proposed Transportation Pooled Fund (TPF) study is to support a collaborative research and project consortium on the topic of CAV technology. There is a need for establishing a common strategic direction for advancing CAV’s deployments amongst its member states. This proposed pooled fund project will focus on movement toward resolution of a common direction for the body of ten (10) states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin) in the Region.
 
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this TPF study is to provide as needed engineering and/or technical support services for the research, development, and deployment of CAV technology and assist/support advancing various CAV related initiatives.

]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 18 Jul 2024 15:43:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2404186</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Innovation Consortium (TTTF, TxSTIC)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2312899</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) needs support to manage the Innovation Consortiums – projects or programs that facilitate collaboration, dissemination, and development of innovative transportation technologies and practices. The Innovation Consortiums include three previous standalone programs: Texas Technology Task Force (TTTF), the Texas State Transportation Innovation Council (TxSTIC), and the Everyday Counts (EDC) program. Closer coordination of these programs will further help to accomplish each programs individual goals. The TTTF, authorized by Texas’s 83rd Legislature General Appropriations Bill, S.B. No. 1, Item 44, VII-31, was established in 2013 to enhance its vision for the future of Texas’s transportation systems. The TTTF began with a core knowledge group of transportation experts and has grown into a successful program that is responsible for managing the Emerging Technology Portfolio, publishing white papers on critical topics, delivering strategic plans such as the Technology Utilization Plan, developing communication strategies, and conducting TTTF meetings with in-depth technical analysis. The TxSTIC was the 51st STIC established on the 22nd of March 2016, by the STIC State of Texas Charter and renewed the 20th of November 2019.  The TxSTIC was established to foster a collaborative culture for the rapid implementation of ready to deploy and beneficial innovations and technologies among stakeholders to efficiently deliver a safe and effective transportation system to the State of Texas. The TTTF, TxSTIC and EDC program, together serve as a catalyst for rapid deployment of nationally and state identified new technologies, strategies, and methods that have already been demonstrated to be successful in real world applications and would lead to improved performance and effectiveness of the transportation system within the State of Texas.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 20 Dec 2023 10:40:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2312899</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Western Transportation Research Consortium</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2288966</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Research Advisory Committee (RAC) Region IV presents this transportation pool funded initiative to conduct strategic research and foster collaboration among member states.  
Its purpose is to pool the financial, professional, and academic resources of the region to develop improved methods of dealing with common problems in the planning, design, construction, maintenance, management and operation of transportation systems.  
The consortium will gather state department of transportation (DOT) research and innovation professionals, virtually or in-person, to prioritize transportation needs and allocate resources.  It will also address high priority transportation research topics of common interest to RAC IV states.  The lead state will manage contracted services and adhere to the consortium charter.
Benefits of the partnership include: Regional collaboration on common problems will allow participants to more effectively use its resources; Collaboration will provide an effective way to focus resources on the Region’s transportation research priorities; The program will provide an additional way to leverage research and technology transfer funding of the state DOTs; The program will provide a means to define, support and share technology of mutual interest; The program will provide a method for Peer Exchange support; The partnership will develop a longer-range plan of collaboration (strategic plan); A focused program will help promote interest in transportation related fields by researchers and students within the research institutions in the region.
The program is intended to supplement, not to replace, ongoing state, federal, and university research activities and other national programs such as the National Cooperative Highway Research Program. It is intended to reduce duplication of research and provide means for better communication of on-going research activities in the state research programs.
OBJECTIVES: Addressing high priority transportation research topics of common interest and for which expertise exists in these states.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 08 Nov 2023 20:31:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2288966</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Southeast Transportation Consortium - Phase II</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1894843</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The current Southeast Transportation Consortium (STC) is nearing its second extension to round out 10 years of productive work. In that 10 year period at least 12 research products have been produced on a wide variety of topics of interest to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Region 2 member states. Additionally, the technology transfer and idea sharing between the states has benefited all involved states immensely.
Objectives: 1) Plan and conduct STC meetings to establish research priorities, share research findings, and exchange information in a peer exchange setting. Each member state may utilize funds for one member of each organization to attend and participate; 2) Discuss and screen potential research or synthesis projects and seek partners from the public academic, and private sectors to collaborate on these projects utilizing available resources to ensure research is not duplicated; 3) Conduct research and synthesis studies; 4) Hold a multi-state peer exchange for up to three (3) STC member states on a topic of their choosing, in which each state will need written approval from their respective Division office; 5) Communicate and disseminate research results and innovative practices through publications and other technology transfer activities; 6) Communicate the impacts of the STC to national leaders in transportation.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 01 Dec 2021 17:20:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1894843</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Consortium for Asphalt Pavement Research and Implementation (CAPRI)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1744896</link>
      <description><![CDATA[As owners and operators of the nation’s surface transportation infrastructure, state departments of transportation (DOTs) are striving to design and build longer lasting and more cost-effective asphalt pavements that meet a higher level of sustainability, safety and user satisfaction for the public. To achieve this goal, state DOTs continue to adopt innovative technologies and optimized practices for designing, constructing, and preserving asphalt pavements. The adopted innovative technologies and practices are often developed from the collaborative research efforts supported by the state DOTs, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and industry. To continue fostering the development of new technologies and practices, this pooled fund study will identify and address national priority research and implementation needs for asphalt pavements that state DOTs face today and in the future. The Consortium for Asphalt Pavement Research and Implementation (CAPRI) will operate as a voluntary consortium of flexible pavement stakeholders that is open to all state, local, and federal highway agencies, industry associations, individual companies, academic institutions and research organizations. The Alabama DOT will serve as the lead state and the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) at Auburn University will handle administrative duties for the project. Each participating entity may appoint one voting representative to CAPRI.

Objectives

The goals of CAPRI are to: • Provide technical guidance on current and evolving specifications for asphalt materials. • Develop asphalt pavement research needs. • Conduct small-scale studies to address knowledge gaps or explore new topics. • Foster the implementation of practical research findings to help improve the performance, sustainability, value, and safety of asphalt pavements. As a consortium of all asphalt pavement stakeholders, CAPRI will be a key resource to the AASHTO Committee on Materials and Pavements, state DOTs, FHWA, and industry.

]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 13 Oct 2020 11:16:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1744896</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Traffic Control Device (TCD) Consortium (3)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1686460</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Traffic Control Device (TCD) Consortium was originally established in 2003. It was previously Pooled Fund Project TPF-5(065) and TPF-5(316). All new Funding Commitments will need to be made on the Pooled Fund Website to this new project and all new funds will be transferred to the Lead State/Agency by the partners. The Lead State/Agency will have the responsibility for Receiving, Obligating, Expending, and Balancing the funding for this project. OBJECTIVES: To assemble a consortium composed of state departments of transportation; additional interested entities or organizations; County, regional, and/or local transportation agencies; and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) program offices to meet national and state needs in support of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Activities of the consortium include: a) Identification of human factors, safety, and operational issues related to TCDs; b) Selection of new and existing TCDs for evaluation; c) Initiating and monitoring research projects; d) Dissemination of results; and e) Facilitation of collaboration and information sharing among members.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 13 Feb 2020 17:19:16 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1686460</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Continuous Asphalt Mixture Compaction Assessment using Density Profiling System (DPS)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1653577</link>
      <description><![CDATA[It is well known that having adequate and uniform asphalt mixture compaction is critical for pavement life. Multiple studies have estimated that a 1% decrease in density can reduce pavement life by approximately 10%. Currently, a target compaction density is widely used for asphalt mixture compaction acceptance. However, common quality control and acceptance practices for density reply on randomly checking density with nuclear density gauges or cores taken on spot locations. This approach is labor intensive and provide limited information on overall pavement compaction quality, many times missing insufficiently compacted areas. Research conducted by the 2nd Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP2) R06C has demonstrated a breaking new technology, where a density profiling system (DPS) can be used for routine operation to evaluate density and uniformity of asphalt mixture compaction with continuous pavement coverage of the entire pavement area.
As part of SHRP2 R06C, several state DOTs have evaluated a particular Ground Penetrating-Radar (GPR) DPS system, called the Rolling Density Meter (RDM) with overall, very promising results. A calibration method for the RDM system has been developed and recommended. In addition, a probability histogram of measured dielectric constant is found to be an effective tool for assessing pavement compaction quality and uniformity. Based on this evaluation, state DOTs have found that the system can be used for compaction assessment of essentially the entire pavement area as part of Quality Assurance. However, some additional research and improvements are still needed to use DPS systems for acceptance.
The objective of the proposed pooled-fund project is to establish a research consortium focused on (1) further advancing and improving the system based on experience and needs from participants so that the system can  effectively and efficiently  support their Quality Assurance Programs; (2) supporting communication; (3) providing training and technical assistance that includes providing support for specification development and strategies for agency full implementation; and (4) conducting technology promotion and marketing for the system.  Specific tasks within this multi-year program will be developed in cooperation with the consortium participants.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 25 Sep 2019 09:42:33 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1653577</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Technology Transfer Concrete Consortium (FY20-FY24)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1644215</link>
      <description><![CDATA[

Increasingly, state departments of transportation (DOTs) are challenged to design and build longer life concrete pavements that result in a higher level of user satisfaction for the public. One of the strategies for achieving longer life pavements is to use innovative materials and construction optimization technologies and practices. In order to foster new technologies and practices, experts from state DOTs, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), academia and industry must collaborate to identify and examine new concrete pavement research initiatives. The purpose of this pooled fund project is to identify, support, facilitate and fund concrete research and technology transfer initiatives. The Iowa DOT will serve as the lead state for the execution of the pooled fund project described in this proposal. The Iowa DOT, through the National Concrete Pavement Technology Center (CP Tech Center) at Iowa State University, will handle all administrative duties associated with the project. The CP Tech Center will also serve as the lead research institution for the project.
The goal of the TTCC is to: • Identify needed research priorities by region • Provide a forum for technology exchange between participants • Develop and fund technology transfer materials • Provide on-going communication of research needs faced by state agencies to the FHWA, industry, and CP Tech Center • Provide technical leadership for concrete related national initiatives to advance state-of-the-art construction and material practices It is anticipated that this consortium would become the national forum for state involvement in the technical exchange needed for collaboration and new initiatives and provide tactical strategies and solutions to issues identified by the member states.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 06 Aug 2019 12:21:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1644215</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Pavement Structural Evaluation with Traffic Speed Deflection Devices (TSDDs)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1632287</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of the proposed pooled-fund project is to establish a research consortium focused on providing participating agencies guidelines on how to specify collection and use data collected with traffic speed deflection devices (TSDDs) for network- and project-level (if feasible) pavement management applications. Specific tasks within this multi-year program will be developed in cooperation with the consortium participants.  In addition, the consortium will also provide participating agencies with a mechanism to conduct pilot demonstration testing in their respective networks.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 01 Jul 2019 19:39:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1632287</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Traffic Control Device (TCD) Consortium</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1492967</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of this project is to assemble a consortium composed of regional, State, local entities, appropriate organizations and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in order to (1) establish a systematic procedure to select, test, and evaluate approaches to novel traffic control device (TCD) concepts as well as incorporation of results into the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD); (2) select novel TCD approaches to test and evaluate; (3) determine methods of evaluation for novel TCD approaches; (4) initiate and monitor projects intended to address evaluation of the novel TCDs; (5) disseminate results; and (6) assist MUTCD incorporation and implementation of results.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 22 Dec 2017 11:34:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1492967</guid>
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