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    <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
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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>Guidelines and Best Practices for Determining the Life Cycle Cost of Various Superstructure Types</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2731917</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The selection of superstructure type during the study phase of a design project is currently made based on the estimated
construction cost and a subjective and inexact assessment of the life cycle cost of the structure. This method of selecting the
preferred alternative has led to the introduction of bias into the decision-making process and tends to lead to the selection of
concrete superstructures more often than steel superstructures. Rarely is this decision tied to objective data based on historic
maintenance records of similar superstructures and has never accounted for 
Michigan Department of Transportation's (MDOT’S) ability to extend the life of steel
superstructures by incorporating bolted and welded repairs, which are not possible on concrete superstructures. Disregarding
this information in the selection of a superstructure type increases the risk of not using the available bridge funding as
efficiently and effectively as possible.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:05:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2731917</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>A Data-Driven and Region-Specific Optimization Framework for CCS and WIM Planning
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2719328</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The primary objective is to enhance and operationalize a data-driven process for systematically managing Office of Transportation Data’s Continuous Count Stations and Weigh-in-Motion sites programs. This project will provide improved network coverage with more accurate representation of  statewide traffic and freight flow patterns, tailored approaches that account for distinct characteristics of Atlanta metropolitan area and the rest of Georgia, and a streamlined, ready to implement decision making process for Continuous Count Stations and Weigh-in-Motion sites planning and deployment.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 25 Jun 2026 11:46:42 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2719328</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Identifying, Assessing, and Managing Events for Critical Infrastructure Resilience in Surface Transportation</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2712209</link>
      <description><![CDATA[State departments of transportation (DOTs) play an important role in protecting critical transportation infrastructure from natural hazards, human-caused events, and emerging threats. However, there is currently no consistent methodology for identifying and assessing critical infrastructure within surface transportation systems. Definitions of “criticality” vary across agencies, and existing approaches often lack integration with broader resilience, security, and emergency management frameworks.

Previous research has focused on specific threats, such as terrorism or cybersecurity, or on resilience to natural hazards, but gaps remain in developing proactive, risk-based approaches that address the full range of threats and system interdependencies. Transportation systems are closely linked with other infrastructure sectors, such as power and water systems, and disruptions can have cascading impacts across regions.

Research is needed to help state DOTs better define their role in coordinating with law enforcement, emergency responders, and other planning partners and system owners to enhance preparedness, response capabilities, proactive resilience planning, stakeholder coordination, and implementation of national infrastructure protection frameworks.

The objectives of this research are to (1) identify and assess surface transportation system interdependencies and develop a risk-based approach to managing a wide range of threats; and (2) develop an infrastructure resilience guide with case studies, a list of stakeholder roles and responsibilities, and decision-making tools to help state DOTs identify, assess, and manage risks to critical infrastructure within surface transportation systems.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:41:46 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2712209</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Cost-Benefit Analysis of Preemptive Weather-Related Road Closures</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2689390</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The decision to close a road and disrupt the flow of commerce and the traveling public results in significant costs. While maintaining roadway access is always the most preferred option, there may be scenarios, such as a multi-vehicle weather-related crashes, that induce a closure regardless of best efforts. Further, these crash scenarios place additional risk on the safety of transportation personnel, law enforcement, and emergency first responders. The resultant crash clean-up and recovery of damaged vehicles may further impede maintenance operations for a far longer duration than that of a proactive closure. The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) and the transportation community as a whole presently face unprecedented challenges with staffing shortages, financial uncertainty, and increasingly variable weather conditions. As such, the ability to determine when, where, and for how long to strategically close a road to maximize safety, minimize cost, and promote overall efficiency and reliability across the transportation network is paramount. The proposed project seeks to provide NDOT with quantitative metrics for meteorological trigger thresholds for road closures and a cost-benefit analysis of such decisions. This will allow NDOT to make consistent, justifiable decisions about when to close (and re-open) roads during extreme weather conditions.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 12:24:05 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2689390</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Capital Investment, Financing, Flood Risk, and Transportation Safety in the MidAmerica Region
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2706033</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Transportation agencies in the MidAmerica region face increasing pressure to manage aging infrastructure under fiscal constraints while improving transportation safety. Rural highways, freight-intensive corridors, and aging bridges experience elevated crash severity, yet capital investment timing and financing decisions are rarely evaluated through a safety-risk lens.
This project develops an integrated empirical and probabilistic framework to quantify how capital investment timing, financing mechanisms, and flood-related hazards influence lifecycle transportation safety outcomes. The study constructs project- and asset-level datasets linking capital programming records, delivery timelines, financing mechanisms, infrastructure characteristics, crash outcomes, and flood risk indicators. Econometric models estimate statistical relationships between investment timing and safety performance. Monte Carlo simulation propagates uncertainty in delivery delays, cost escalation, traffic growth, and flood exposure to produce distributions of lifecycle safety risk and cost. Results will support safety-oriented capital planning and risk-informed decision-making for transportation agencies in the MidAmerica region.

]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 23 May 2026 17:36:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2706033</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>A Framework for Integrated Quality of Service Evaluation using Operational and Safety Considerations</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2703926</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project addresses a critical gap in transportation decision-making by examining the relationships among safety and operational performance measures that State DOTs typically use for planning, design, and operations. While agencies rely on different metrics depending on application, such as crash-based measures for safety projects and travel time reliability or delay for congestion management, there is limited guidance on how these measures interact or how they should be jointly considered when evaluating alternatives. Using multi-source data from State DOTs and third-party providers along major corridors in Region VII, the project will quantify correlations, trade-offs, and synergies among key performance measures and develop a practical, multi-objective evaluation framework tailored to common DOT applications. The resulting framework and guidance will enable agencies to conduct more consistent, transparent, and context-sensitive evaluations that better balance safety and operational objectives.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 21 May 2026 22:41:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2703926</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Decision Support for Dynamic Risks: Determinants of Model Adoption</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2703696</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Since the COVID-19 pandemic, significant supply chain disruptions continue to impact the U.S. economy and have negative impact on transportation networks. Sudden changes in demand or freight availability contribute to increased volatility in freight prices. In turn, volatile freight rates impact the management of transportation networks and increase the difficulty of decision making. This research addresses this problem through the development of decision support tools to proactively respond to initial indicators that predict changes in driver availability and freight cost with the goal of supporting enhanced, early actions to mitigate the risk of disruptions and promote safer transportation network operations.
Work on related prior projects has underscored the importance of forecasting sources of risk to improve the management of transportation systems and the need to understand the key decision components to maximize the value of information to the decision maker. The proposed research will rely on this prior work and make advancements towards the design of an implementable system by examining the end-user perception of decision support recommendations for transportation contracting decisions. 
The research will interview transportation professionals to identify factors that influence their current decision-making and factors that would affect their adoption of a decision support tool. The results of these interviews, in conjunction with prior findings in related research, will inform the design of features for a decision support tool. Design features will be identified for an initial prototype that is suitable for conducting future usability testing of the interactive features. This research continues progress towards the development of a dynamic decision support tool that can ultimately improve the quality of transportation management decisions and continue the legacy of leadership in America’s transportation networks. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 15 May 2026 14:13:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2703696</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Sensor-informed Generative Digital Twin: High-fidelity Simulation for Sustainable Transportation and Policy Validation</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2691669</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Understanding the behaviors of vehicles and other traffic participants at busy urban intersections is critical for urban planning, infrastructure development, and policymaking. Unfortunately, such understanding often comes after a huge investment for implementation and deployment. Many complex interactions occur infrequently and are difficult to capture through after-deployment monitoring. This project will develop a sensor-informed generative digital twin that integrates real-world data from the Riverside Innovation Corridor’s sensor network. By continuously integrating real-time sensory inputs, the platform can be used to create high-fidelity scenarios and simulate rare and challenging transportation dynamics. The digital twin will serve as a decision-support tool for policy evaluation, traffic efficiency strategies, and urban mobility planning. Its predictive capabilities will assist in designing infrastructure for autonomous vehicles, optimizing multi-modal travel demand, and enhancing energy efficiency. Through engagement with policymakers and stakeholders, the project will pave the foundation for the digital twin’s application in real-world decision-making. The proposed research will serve as a bridge, connecting data-driven insights with policy implementation towards sustainable transportation systems.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:41:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2691669</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Modeling Bicyclist Behavioral Patterns and Multi-Faceted Decision-Making Strategies in Urban Settings with Limited Infrastructure: Guidance for Future Development</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2691667</link>
      <description><![CDATA[While bicycling is an essential mode of urban transportation, most parts of U.S. cities lack adequate infrastructure to keep bicyclists safe and allow them to travel efficiently. This research aims to model how psychological, street, and infrastructure characteristics influence bicyclist behavior in urban settings with inadequate bicycling infrastructure, such as in the Greater Houston area (Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land), Texas. This research will integrate quantitative and qualitative methods to develop a model that supports adaptive decision-making for bicycling in urban areas with limited infrastructure. The project will recruit 40 adult bicyclists to participate in surveys and bicycle simulator testing. A realistic urban network will be simulated in the bicycle simulator to replicate bicycling conditions under varying (infrastructure quality, traffic volume, visibility, etc.), psychological (risk perception, motivation, and attitudes, etc.), and operational (route choice, adaptation, and interaction with other modes of transportation, etc.) scenarios. Various techniques, including both qualitative and quantitative methods, can be used to identify key drivers of route choice and to develop optimal strategies for efficiency and safety. The findings will inform action-oriented urban planning and policy recommendations for enhancing bicycle infrastructure and safety. The outcomes have the potential to offer a replicable methodology for implementation in similarly challenged cities, providing active urban transportation and improved public health.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:34:35 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2691667</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>What Makes Complete Streets Projects Work?</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2690983</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project will assess community reactions to complete streets projects that repurpose vehicular travel lanes or parking spaces for bicycle lanes, sidewalks or other pedestrian amenities, and/or transit-only or transit-priority lanes. The primary research goal is to better understand the decision-making processes – how and why cities have developed complete streets project proposals and engaged with stakeholders who may have competing interests and perspectives, such as local business owners, homeowner and community groups, bicycle and active transport groups, and public transportation agencies including Caltrans and relevant transit agencies. The project will explore whether and how stakeholder concerns overlap and align and where they do not, and how conflicts are addressed and resolved, when possible. The project will also explore whether stakeholder perspectives change over time (including after project completion). The primary research method will be to conduct case study research in a sample of communities which will vary by regional location and community type. The case studies will involve interviews of key stakeholders, a survey of local business owners, analysis of business revenue data, and document review. The findings will help planners and policymakers understand the political stakes and practical challenges involved in implementing complete streets projects, and how they can successfully be managed.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:32:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2690983</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Successful Applications of Alternative Delivery Methods by Highway Agencies to Accelerate Project Delivery</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2681234</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Recent studies indicate that alternative project delivery methods—particularly design-build (DB), progressive design-build (PDB), public-private partnerships (P3s), and progressive P3s—can accelerate project development and delivery. However, adoption across State DOTs remains uneven. Some agencies have strong internal capacity, established procurement practices, and enabling legal frameworks to use these approaches effectively, while others continue to rely primarily on design-bid-build. As a result, many agencies are not realizing the full potential benefits of accelerated delivery.
This scan will assess how leading states have implemented alternative delivery models, the policies and laws that enabled their use, and lessons that may be transferable to other DOTs seeking to shorten delivery timelines. Areas of examination include: Criteria agencies use to select delivery models for major projects; The role of enabling legislation and institutional frameworks in shaping delivery options; Cost and schedule performance comparisons across DB, PDB, P3, and design-bid-build; Stakeholder management, institutional considerations, and public communication practices; Risk allocation and risk-sharing approaches between public and private partners; Use of innovative financing to improve project viability when paired with alternative delivery
The scan will also examine decision-making processes, including leadership evaluation of delivery options, the influence of institutional and technical considerations, accountability mechanisms, internal capability development, procurement practices, and the integration of lifecycle cost considerations. Barriers to broader adoption—such as limited authority, staffing constraints, and concerns regarding cost overruns and accountability—will also be documented.
OBJECTIVE:  This scan will identify lessons learned, best practices, and decision frameworks for implementing accelerated delivery models. It will document how selected agencies evaluate delivery options, structure procurements, build internal capacity, and engage stakeholders to support successful outcomes.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2026 15:10:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2681234</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Seasonal Weight Restriction Decision Making Based on Understanding and Monitoring of Frost Susceptibility of Pavement Structures</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2671988</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This study aims to critically assess the variation of stiffness, temperature and moisture throughout the base and subbase structure to better determine the capacity of roads as the seasons transition from winter to spring. The objectives of this project are to critically assess the variation of temperature, moisture, stiffness and strength throughout the base and subbase structures during different driving seasons to better determine the capacity of roads from winter to spring to summer driving seasons. And propose an interpretation and analysis protocol of continuously collected data to create a decision-making process for the frozen road declaration, midseason thaw, ending the frozen road declaration, and imposing and ending spring weight restriction in the State of Wisconsin.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2026 11:28:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2671988</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Micromobility Decision-Making Atlas</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2669653</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This work will examine how U.S. micromobility users make everyday travel and safety decisions. Participants will be identified from two experience groups: riders who integrate e-scooters or e-bikes with public transit and those who substitute them for car trips. Situated within the broader mixed-methods design, this project builds directly on the “Healthy Micromobility: Moving from Crisis to Opportunity” pilot project. It will provide explanatory depth on the psychosocial and contextual mechanisms that shape micromobility use and user safety. These findings will also inform the system-level analyses by clarifying how user experiences and perceptions translate into behavioral, safety, operations, and other relevant outcomes.   

A micromobility decision-making atlas will be designed to serve as a current, comprehensive database of local micromobility regulations and policy environments across U.S. jurisdictions, providing an updated and more detailed successor to existing resources such as the Shared-Use Mobility Center’s Policy Atlas. The atlas would compile and standardize policy data from the environmental scans, allowing users to explore and compare domains such as fleet management, parking, speed limits, and accessibility provisions. An optional infrastructure layer could incorporate indicators of supportive design conditions, such as protected lane coverage or PeopleForBikes Bicycle Network Analysis scores, to contextualize how local infrastructure aligns with policy intent.  ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 15 Feb 2026 16:30:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2669653</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Administration of Highway and Transportation Agencies. Understanding and Developing a Behavior-Based Safety Program for State DOT Employees</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2666774</link>
      <description><![CDATA[BACKGROUND: Despite significant investments in employee safety policies, training, compliance programs, and safety management systems, state departments of transportation (DOTs) continue to experience incidents with employees that result in injuries, lost time, limited work capability, property damage, and operational disruption. Workplace safety is a mutual priority for the North American Association of Transportation Safety & Health Officials (NAATSHO) and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). While incident reviews can help identify employee decision-making and behavior as contributing factors, employee actions are shaped by the conditions in which work occurs, including supervision, workload, fatigue, resource availability, peer norms, communication, production pressure, environmental conditions, and work design. 

State DOTs have a responsibility to provide workplaces free from recognized hazards while operating in complex, dynamic, and often high-risk environments. A more complete understanding is needed of how organizational systems, leadership practices, and real-world working conditions influence employee safety behavior and decision-making. Research is also needed to identify practical interventions that support safer choices without relying solely on training, communication, compliance, or disciplinary approaches. 

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this research are to develop: (1) A guide that identifies proven and noteworthy approaches, practices, and interventions that promote employee safety behavior and decision-making, including accountability at all levels. (2) A strategic plan to fill gaps in the state of knowledge regarding DOT programs, practices, and interventions that promote employee safety behavior and decision-making.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 09 Feb 2026 20:11:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2666774</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>From perception to preparedness: Virtual reality simulations of flooded roadways in coastal communities (UPRM)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2663232</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Project Description: Coastal flooding regularly disrupts transportation networks, damages infrastructure, and limits access to essential services through storm surge, tidal inundation, and extreme precipitation. These events result in vehicle failures, stranded motorists, pavement damage, and delays in emergency response and daily mobility. Communities with aging infrastructure, limited resources, or constrained evacuation options face heightened vulnerability. The total annual economic burden of flooding in the U.S. ranges from $179.8 to $496.0 billion (US Congress JEC, 2024). In addition, the National Weather Service and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous floodwater. Understanding how drivers decide whether to cross or avoid flooded roads is essential for designing warnings, signage, and roadway treatments that reduce risky behavior and improve outcomes. The use of virtual reality (VR) and immersive 360° scenarios can let residents experience rising water, blocked routes, and mitigation measures without real-world risk, increasing realism and emotional stimulus. Scenario-based VR visualizations can help translate technical flood data into intuitive, actionable information for nontechnical audiences. Local resilience depends not only on infrastructure but also on household-level preparedness and decision-making, including how individuals interpret alerts and respond to flood risks. Chacon-Hurtado (2013) advocates for embedding community preferences and preparedness considerations directly into transportation decision-making frameworks, arguing that investments should be evaluated not only on engineering metrics but also on how they advance local capacity to act under hazard conditions. 
This project will employ virtual reality (VR) simulations of flooded highways that are being developed by the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM) team to study human behavior and perception in flood scenarios, with three main goals: (1) Enhance public understanding of flood risks by immersing participants in realistic coastal flooding scenarios, (2) Evaluate driver decision-making when encountering flooded roadways, analyzing how variables such as water depth, roadway conditions, and alert systems (e.g., signage, ADAS, in-vehicle alerts) influence choices, and 
(3) Assess community preferences for flood mitigation strategies, using immersive experiences to gather feedback on potential interventions. 
Two VR approaches will be implemented. The first involves a driver simulator with 24–36 participants navigating flooded roadway scenarios to assess behavioral responses under controlled conditions. The second approach will engage community members from coastal municipalities like Isabela, Puerto Rico, in immersive 360° simulations to explore perceptions of flood risk and mitigation strategies. Pre- and post-tests will measure changes in knowledge, perception, and behavioral intent. Insights from both simulations will inform the design of more effective alert systems and flood mitigation strategies that reflect community preferences and improve safety. The findings will support transportation and emergency planning professionals in developing human-centered solutions for flood-prone coastal areas.

]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 31 Jan 2026 12:03:43 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2663232</guid>
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