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    <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
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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>
    </image>
    <item>
      <title>Digital process methods and implementations for field</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2724769</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Static information created by siloed production methods can lead to duplication of effort and lack of connectivity between
phases as information is passed between survey, design, construction, and asset management. In addition, not utilizing
effective change management strategies to update processes and train staff can slow progress in adoption of new digital
processes and approaches. This research will build on previously completed research to investigate and provide actionable
methods and change management strategies for utilizing digital processes and technology for construction field applications.
This research will identify and present strategies for streamlining processes for construction including but not limited to,
equipment procurement, staff training, integration of tools, and digital inspection methods.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 07 Jul 2026 09:55:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2724769</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Establishing a Unified Data Governance Framework for Reliable Project Prioritization in Transportation Agencies</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2712205</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Project prioritization is a cornerstone of effective transportation planning and investment. However, many state departments of transportation (DOTs) struggle with fragmented data systems, inconsistent data definitions, and unclear data ownership. These challenges result in decision-making that is often delayed, misinformed, or misaligned with strategic goals. The absence of  centralized, authoritative data source leads to duplication of effort, conflicting reports, and a lack of transparency. Moreover, undefined policies around data governance—such as who owns the data, who can access it, and how it should be maintained and secured—further exacerbate inefficiencies.

To address the fragmented data ecosystem that hinders effective decision-making, this research will examine successful strategies from leading transportation agencies, drawing on case studies that highlight the importance of interagency coordination, standardization of data formats, and robust digital delivery workflows. The research will identify scalable solutions to common workflow and workforce challenges, including the need for clear roles and responsibilities in data stewardship, ongoing workforce training, and adoption of compatible software infrastructure. The resulting data governance model and blueprint will be informed by national and international best practices, positioning state DOTs to deliver efficient, transparent, and high-impact transportation investments.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to develop a unified data governance model and delivery framework that enables transportation agencies to provide timely, accurate, and reliable data for project prioritization.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:26:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2712205</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Developing Workflows for Digital Project Delivery to Support Transportation Asset Management</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2712189</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Digital project delivery (DPD) is emerging to address challenges in the traditional delivery of transportation infrastructure projects, such as low productivity, workforce shortages, and the complexity of managing multiple stakeholders, vendors, and site-specific conditions. Utilizing DPD can enhance project outcomes related to schedule, cost, quality, and safety. A major component of DPD is the creation of digital design models during pre-construction, along with the collection of digital project data during construction to inspect and verify work against those models. While recent research has explored methods for creating digital as-builts (DABs) through field data collection, there is still a need for standardized workflows to transfer this information from construction into long-term operations and maintenance.

Data collected through DPD has significant value beyond project delivery and can be reused to support Transportation Asset Management (TAM) and life-cycle decision-making for transportation assets. State departments of transportation (DOTs) are already adopting DPD to improve project performance while also working to maintain and improve asset conditions with limited resources. As digital technologies continue to evolve, the need for practical strategies that connect project delivery data with long-term asset management is becoming increasingly important. Research is needed to (1) identify current practices and assess emerging strategies for integrating DPD data with TAM business needs, and (2) develop implementable strategies to streamline comprehensive workflows to improve user/owner outcomes.

The objectives of this research are to: (1) Identify approaches developed by state DOTs to implement DPD, (2) Identify challenges experienced by state DOTs in transitioning to DPD, (3) Identify approaches to generating DABs as part of DPD efforts to support TAM and the maintenance of data throughout the asset life cycle, and (4) Develop guidelines for bridging the gap between project delivery and asset management phases to better integrate available data and close the data loop.


]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:57:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2712189</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Workforce Development in Digital Transportation and Infrastructure Technologies for State DOTs</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2712186</link>
      <description><![CDATA[State departments of transportation (DOTs) are undergoing rapid transformation as digital technologies—such as data analytics, sensor networks, connected and automated systems, artificial intelligence, and digital asset management—become integral to transportation systems. While these tools are reshaping how agencies plan, design, and operate infrastructure, they require new technical and interdisciplinary skill sets beyond traditional engineering roles.

Many state DOTs face challenges in keeping pace due to workforce constraints, including skill gaps, an aging workforce, and difficulties recruiting and retaining talent with digital expertise. Legacy workforce structures and limited training capacity further hinder agencies’ ability to adapt, creating a gap between technological advancement and workforce capability.  

The objective of this research is to develop a framework and practical tools to help state DOTs plan, implement, and sustain workforce development strategies aligned with digital transformation. The research will assess workforce capacity and skill gaps and develop guidance to support recruitment, reskilling, retention, and long-term workforce readiness.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:10:37 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2712186</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Connected Corridor Advancement Initiative</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2712040</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Connected Corridor Advancement Initiative (CCAI) aims to modernize corridor operations, enhance safety, and optimize economic efficiency by aligning efforts across state, federal, and private sectors. Objectives include developing and implementing open data standards for Work Zone Data Exchange (WZDx), Truck Parking Information Monitoring Systems (TPIMS), and national interoperability of communication data feeds to enable seamless communication across jurisdictions. Additionally, the initiative seeks to prepare the corridor for connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technologies by supporting data interoperability between states, agencies, emergency services, industry partners and the traveling public.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 2026 11:10:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2712040</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Modernization and Web-Based Implementation of the Illinois Pavement Feedback System</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2677555</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project will modernize the Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT's) Illinois Pavement Feedback System, a pavement management system that contains detailed construction history, performance data and traffic data of the Illinois interstate system. Researchers will transition the database from a mainframe-based system into a secure, web-based pavement data management and analysis platform. Transitioning to a web-based platform will provide IDOT with an easy way to access the data, monitor interstate sections, and make informed maintenance and rehabilitation decisions. The system will also have a detailed dataset on Illinois’ interstate system available to researchers.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 09:22:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2677555</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>Rockfall Hazard Assessment and Monitoring Program for New Mexico's Transportation Infrastructure</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2607967</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) Geotechnical Team proposes to develop and implement a geotechnical asset management program that integrates remotely sensed drone data (including photogrammetry, LiDAR, and thermal imagery) with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to enhance the state’s rockfall monitoring program. Historically, rockfall events have been documented using paper records and Excel spreadsheets. This initiative will modernize data collection and management practices, improving the accessibility, consistency, and utility of rockfall monitoring across New Mexico. Recent advancements in remote sensing and geospatial analytics will equip NMDOT to conduct proactive maintenance, inform planning, and implement long-term risk mitigation strategies for transportation corridors susceptible to rockfall and other slope failure hazards - particularly those exacerbated by changing climate conditions. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 09 Oct 2025 13:11:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2607967</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Utilizing historic geotechnical data for the development of state-specific design correlations - Part 1: Data Entry</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2607966</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The purpose of this innovative project is twofold, and the project will be broken into two parts. The first purpose is to organize historical geotechnical borehole data into a usable format. For each proposed bridge replacement that involves new foundation construction, the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) Geotechnical Exploration Section typically completes at least one geotechnical boring at each substructure element (i.e., each pier and abutment). Approximately 2,000 digital files in the form of PDFs or Excel files, dating back to the early 2000s, can be found in the NMDOT Geotechnical Section share folder. However, the files are not in a format that can be easily tied to a geographic location or specific formation. This project will organize the historical data into the OpenGround database, currently used to log new boreholes or another DIGGS-compatible database. This could be incorporated into preliminary desk studies that are conducted in the early stages of new construction projects (Geotechnical Scoping Reports). It could also be used to supplement and support the data that is collected during the exploration phase of a design project, help fill in gaps in the data, and provide greater context for the type of material that is anticipated to be encountered during construction. Therefore, having this data available in the existing internally accessible OpenGround database would be a great asset to the Department. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 09 Oct 2025 12:53:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2607966</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Research Data Management Plan</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2601430</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project will develop a comprehensive Data Management Plan (DMP) to guide how research data is stored, accessed, and shared within Idaho Transportation Department's (ITD’s) Research Program. The plan will improve data organization to ensure long-term accessibility and reuse, reduce duplication of effort, and make research findings more readily available to inform future projects. It will also establish protocols for collaboration with external partners and help ITD prepare for potential future data compliance requirements. Overall, the DMP will promote more consistent, transparent, and impactful management of ITD’s research outputs.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 17 Sep 2025 16:32:09 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2601430</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>E-Ticketing Technologies for Efficient Asphalt Ticket Collection and Quantity Calculation</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2596426</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Every Day Counts program has highlighted e-Construction as a proven innovation to shorten the project delivery process, enhance roadway safety, reduce traffic congestion, and integrate automation. The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) has implemented many e-Construction innovations. The use of e-Ticketing software on construction projects will complement existing NMDOT e-Construction technologies.   
The decision was made to use an e-Ticketing platform by Haulhub Technologies on NMDOT projects during the 2024 project season. Biweekly meetings with Haulhub and the NMDOT e-Ticketing implementation team commenced in January 2024. User accounts for the implementation test were created for training and testing purposes.  An NMDOT landing page with a picture and a quote from the technology champion was created as an initiative introduction to contractors and vendors. 
Two Haulhub-led e-Ticketing training sessions were scheduled with construction crews and audit sections throughout the state. The sessions were held virtually and covered how to interact with ticket data on the mobile application online (how to mark tickets as delivered, input notes, and take pictures) and offline, how to submit a missing ticket report, and how to interact with the web interface including flex grid overview and daily and delivery reporting options.
A list of construction and audit users was sent to Haulhub for account creation in preparation for the training sessions. Once the accounts were created, users were able to interact with the e-Ticketing platform in advance of the training sessions. This interaction allowed users to formulate questions to ask during training sessions.   
E-Ticketing was optional for contractors starting on the July 2024 bid letting. When projects were let and subsequently awarded, the contractor was allowed to use e-Ticketing technology on their project. The contractor was reimbursed for the cost of any associated equipment via a bid item in the contract and submitted invoices. Contractors were notified of the potential for e-Ticketing use on projects via the Notice To Contractors (NTC). Information on the use of e-Ticketing was also dispersed through partnership associations with the Associated Contractors of New Mexico (ACNM) and the Asphalt Pavement Association of New Mexico (APANM). Contractor use of e-Ticketing will be mandatory starting in the September 2025 bid letting for all projects over 10,000 tons of asphalt.

]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 03 Sep 2025 12:57:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2596426</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>KYTC Geotechnical Data 
Transition Support and 
Application Development</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2593940</link>
      <description><![CDATA[With the planned discontinuation of gINT, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) must transition to a new geotechnical data management system. This project will facilitate that transition by ensuring geotechnical data can be accurately transferred, validated, and integrated across existing and proposed systems. Researchers will investigate current geotechnical data transfer protocols and data validation tools before developing Cabinet-specific tools that can maintain data quality and enable efficient data sharing within the agency and with external partners.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 28 Aug 2025 11:32:34 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2593940</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>A Guide for Holistic Information and Knowledge Management



</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558404</link>
      <description><![CDATA[As state departments of transportation (DOTs) generate and manage increasing amounts of data and undergo digital transformation, the importance of cohesively managing these data as an asset has grown. For example, most state DOTs have their data, email, web content, engineering content, and records managed within separate units or locations. Information management becomes even more fragmented within individual business units, where specialized applications support specific processes and units may pursue integration and accessibility in isolation. 

This limited coordination creates multiple repositories with different search interfaces, access requirements, and use restrictions, which lead to further data duplication and quality issues. These issues, in turn, make it difficult for employees to find what they need, affecting their proficiency, decision-making, and the timely performance of their jobs. Stakeholder outreach activities conducted as part of NCHRP Project 23-14, “Research Roadmap for Knowledge Management” and described in NCHRP Research Report 1134: Knowledge Management at State Departments of Transportation highlighted state DOTs’ concerns about fragmentation of information, data, and knowledge at their agencies. Research is needed to provide guidelines on holistic approaches to managing these resources. 

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to develop a guide on holistic information and knowledge management (IKM) that (1) provides methods for how state DOTs can align, coordinate, and execute practices for managing and governing information, data, and knowledge; (2) identifies key risks, opportunities, and challenges and how to address them; and (3) conveys the benefits gained from implementing successful IKM practices identified in the research. 

]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 28 May 2025 09:45:27 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558404</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>FY 24/25 Florida Local Technical Assistance Program</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2516406</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The overall goal and associated objectives of the Florida Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Center is to deliver a highway training curriculum and technical assistance that will provide local agencies with tools to build their capacity and means to innovatively address their roadway network challenges and be reflective of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)’s current core areas of Safety, Infrastructure Management, Workforce Development, and Organizational Excellence.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 27 Feb 2025 08:11:36 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2516406</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>High Performance Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Modeling Services for Highway Hydraulics</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2498991</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of this Transportation Pooled Fund study is to provide research and analysis for a variety of highway hydraulics projects managed or coordinated by state departments of transportation (DOTs); to provide and maintain a high-performance computational fluid dynamics computing environment for application to highway hydraulics infrastructure and related projects; and to support and seek to broaden the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) among state DOT employees.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 28 Jan 2025 18:08:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2498991</guid>
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