<rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="https://www.w3.org/2005/Atom">
  <channel>
    <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
    <link>https://rip.trb.org/</link>
    <atom:link href="https://rip.trb.org/Record/RSS?s=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" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
    <description></description>
    <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>Sustainable Anti-Icing Solutions Reducing Concrete Damage with Organic-based Agents </title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2640693</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The goal of the research is to identify sustainable alternatives to traditional chloride-based de-icing solutions by evaluating organic-based anti-icing agents, such as beet, corn juice, etc. These agents are intended to reduce the detrimental impact on concrete infrastructure, minimize corrosion, and maintain effective performance at lower temperatures. This project will provide the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) with an innovative, sustainable approach to winter road maintenance, enhancing road safety while protecting infrastructure longevity. Reduced salt usage will lower maintenance costs over time and improve environmental outcomes, benefiting Missouri's residents and ecosystems. Organic-based anti-icing solutions can be more effective at lower temperatures than traditional salt solutions and may be less corrosive to concrete. The goal for this research project is to find an organic alternative by exploring renewable resources from organic by-products, which are both cost-effective and environmentally friendly.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2025 09:28:34 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2640693</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Effective Pre-Treatment Method for Events Beginning as Rain</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2606591</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is requesting responses for a Clear Roads project that will evaluate pre-treatment options available to winter maintenance staff for winter events that begin with rain. Currently, the use of pre-treatment options such as liquid brine is rare before a winter storm that begins with rainfall because the rain will wash away the brine before it can serve its purpose. However, by experimenting with various materials and differing mixture proportions, and altering spread rates, options may be available to effectively counter the effects of snow storms with preceding rainfall. Research recommendations can be used to inform the decision-making of state departments of transportation (DOTs), municipalities and other winter maintenance practitioners when choosing a pre-treatment option for winter events that begin with rain.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 Oct 2025 15:36:18 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2606591</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Protection of Precious Waters from Road Salt: Mitigation Through Roadside Ditch Capture</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2577115</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Roadway deicers are essential to the functioning of daily life in northern states in winter. After plowing, roadway salting is currently the most practical way of making safe transportation possible in winter. However, road deicer chloride (salt) has a severe negative effect on surrounding watersheds. Yet, currently no methods or procedures
have been developed to capture the chloride. The situation is particularly dire where highways cross small receiving streams that are the habitat of endangered and threatened species, such as the Topeka Shiner, because the high concentration of chloride in the highway runoff does not dilute sufficiently to prevent toxicity in the
hatching and juvenal rearing areas of the streams. This project developed in-ditch salt capture techniques based on mitigation of chloride migration through absorption and capture in a manufactured backfill media. Chloride mass in drainage water was observed and monitored at a range of concentrations before and after percolation through granular soil mixtures “manufactured” to capture chloride and deployed in flow-through sandbags.
Absorbance of chloride was quantified by manufactured soil sandbags in ditch-deployed configurations, allowing optimization of the deployed geometry. Field test installation approaches were designed and tested for chloride capture from actual winter maintenance operations.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 18 Jul 2025 11:30:15 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2577115</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Evaluating Liquid Deicer Properties and Performance

</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558384</link>
      <description><![CDATA[State departments of transportation (DOTs) are increasingly using liquid deicers for winter maintenance. Liquid deicers are organic and inorganic liquid materials used alone or in combination with solid materials to prevent or remove snow and ice on roads. Despite their growing use, field evaluations of liquid deicers have often been subjective and based on limited data about road and weather conditions, material characteristics, and application methods, or on vendor-provided information. Some laboratory tests exist to characterize properties such as eutectic temperature, viscosity, and absorption humidity, but there are no standardized tests for other key performance indicators, including effective temperature range or melting rate. Limited access to proprietary data and standardized protocols make it difficult for agencies to evaluate materials and predict performance.

Research is needed to develop standardized field and laboratory test protocols for evaluating liquid deicers. These protocols will help state DOTs select appropriate materials and application rates, predict treatment performance, anticipate unintended side effects, model material behavior in decision support systems, ensure product quality and consistency, protect worker safety, and minimize damage to equipment and infrastructure.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to establish validated field performance and laboratory test protocols to evaluate liquid deicers under winter weather events. The research shall also produce guidelines for state DOTs to apply the developed test protocols.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 28 May 2025 14:07:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558384</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Development of a Salt Spreader Controller Program Using Machine-Sensed Roadway Weather Parameters and Climate Data (Phase 2)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2543223</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has recently completed a research project on leveraging the instrumented mobile road weather information system (RWIS), computer vision, and a new salt application model. The research was aimed at developing four critical aspects of the intelligent salt application system, including hardware (i.e., data collection I/O and power supplies system), software (i.e., data logging, synchronization, and data fusion), algorithm (i.e., road surface classification (RSC) algorithm), and model (i.e., the salt rate prediction (SRP) model) so that an optimized salt application decision can be provided to the actuator to treat the road surfaces. Through this study, a complete hardware/software system with automated RSC and SRP algorithms has been developed, pilot-tested, and validated with promising performance. The performance of the developed system showed good results. Once implemented in a more extensive fleet of MassDOT’s material spreaders utilized during winter operations, it could save a significant amount of salt. The goal of this research is to leverage the prototype system from the previous study and to implement 1) a fully validated spreader controller system that is operated in a fleet of MassDOT’s snowplowing trucks and 2) an intelligent salt treatment program that will include weather forecasting information to better prepare for challenging situations, such as freezing rain, black ice, etc.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 23 Apr 2025 16:15:33 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2543223</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Corrosion Concerns in Alaska to Personal and Commercial Vehicles Caused by Winter Operations Chlorides</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2512615</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of this research effort was to synthesize relevant information on corrosion to Department of Transportation (DOT) equipment and vehicles caused by chloride-based deicing materials used in the state of Alaska. To accomplish this, a survey of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (AKDOT & PF) personnel was used to identify deicers used and corrosion concerns. A literature review was conducted, and a synthesis document was developed that identified common corrosion issues and best management practices (BMPs) that can be used to prevent and or reduce corrosion. Fact sheets were developed to share information on corrosion concerns and BMPs that can be used to prevent and or reduce corrosion for both AKDOT & PF and the public. Identified best practices include using corrosion inhibitors in deicing products, washing equipment and vehicles as frequently as is feasible, following washing applying barrier protection when feasible, and conducting routine inspections of equipment and vehicles to report and initiate repairs of corrosion related damage.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 21 Feb 2025 20:53:36 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2512615</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Concentration Preserving Deicing Solutions for Higher Ice Melting</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2508966</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The deicing ability of rock salt/sugar alcohols depends on their weight concentration in the deicing solution. For instance, the freezing point of salt brine falls from -4°F to 23°F when the concentration is lowered from 20% to 10%. Upon the application of the deicing solution, the melted ice dilutes the deicing solution and hence the deicing solution rapidly loses its capacity to melt more ice. Hence, additional deicing solution should be sprayed to deice the roads which will also become ineffective after melting some ice. In a nutshell, several batches of salt brine solution sprays are required to deice the roads as the deicer cannot preserve its concentration as the ice melts. A lot more snow/ice can be melted per gallon of the deicing solution if its concentration is preserved.     

This study addresses the lowering of efficiency of deicing solutions due to their dilution during the deicing process. Building on previous research experience, this will be accomplished by simultaneously spraying patentable water-absorbing material along with the deicing materials that will absorb the melted water preserving the concentration of the deicing solution which will continue to melt more ice without the need for additional sprays. The goal is to cut down the application of salt brine by half, saving material and operational costs to the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT). Lowering the application of chloride salts while improving the ice melting capacity will also benefit the general public due to the better flow of traffic, lowered passenger vehicle corrosion, improved crop productivity, and preservation of Iowa surface water bodies.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:32:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2508966</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Evaluation of Chlorides on Soil and Structural Elements</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2431160</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has adopted other DOT corrosion prevention and protection design elements with the intention they will allow the structure to perform adequately throughout, and to the required design life. In previous Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) wall rehabilitation projects, corrosion appears to be localized on the facing/strap connection directly behind the wall. In soil nail walls, full encapsulation is required per Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) design guidance if geotechnical sampling detects a corrosive environment. It is poorly known how corrosive roadway chemicals, such as deicer, are impacting the subsurface and if retaining structures are at risk from infiltration above including soil characteristics that may lead to destabilization of soil compaction. The research is to evaluate chemical migration through soils and look at if more protective design elements are warranted and to what extent those protective measures should take place.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 16 Sep 2024 08:31:55 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2431160</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Assessing the Sensitivity of Colorado’s Mountain Landscapes to Road Salt: Guidance for Sustainable Winter Road Management</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2417307</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This research will investigate how road salt affects alpine or subalpine wetlands in Colorado, which occur with different bedrock type based on natural amounts of salt and other ions. It provides the opportunity to develop region-specific salt application guidelines to minimize environmental impacts.

]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 14 Aug 2024 12:20:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2417307</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Alternative Deicer Performance Characterization: Know Before the Snow</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2398086</link>
      <description><![CDATA[MnDOT has been using alternative deicers (potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, and calcium chloride) to melt roadway ice at temperatures colder than sodium chloride can melt it alone. Using alternative deicers in brine form has been a way to leverage treatment techniques at temperatures below 15 degrees F. However, these alternative deicers have not yet had the “phase diagram” or “ice melt capacity relationship” developed to characterize their melting ability (potential and performance) by temperature and deicer concentration. Without these tools, MnDOT operators have been working on past observations, hunches and vendor recommendations, without the benefit of the science that guides their use of sodium chloride in rock salt brine. In colder regions of the state, the lack of scientific determination can be particularly troublesome as operators fight refreeze when either temperatures drop or deicer concentrations dilute down, which can result in either unsafe conditions or significantly extra material expense and environmental degradation. This project developed a phase diagram and assessed the ice melt capacity of the alternative deicer most in use by MnDOT, specifically: 1. Quantified the freeze point curve for each of ten mixtures at temperatures down to -34 degrees F. 2. Quantified the ice melting capacity for each of six mixtures at temperatures down to -20 degrees F. 3. Field tested and compared melt behavior of five mixtures, comparing performance and assessing synergies under actual winter maintenance operations.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 27 Jun 2024 17:00:21 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2398086</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Remediation of Deicer Salt Contaminated Soils using Native Montana Plants</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2342033</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) uses deicing salts in winter operations to ensure roadways are safe and passable for the driving public. These same deicing salts, once in the environment, can accumulate in the soils, surface and ground water. One promising method to remediate soils and reduce the amount of deicing salts in surface and ground water, is the use of salt tolerant plants to remove the salt from the soils and shallow water sources. 

MDT conducted a preliminary literature search that found salt tolerant species may be used to aid in remediation of soils, surface and shallow ground water contamination from salts. While the bulk of the literature was related to agricultural saline contamination, a few research projects assessed the feasibility of using salt tolerant plant species for remediation of deicer contaminated soils. Greenhouse and laboratory results were promising, but the next step of finding significant results in field were limited to non-existent.

The proposed research effort will (1) identify potential native and non-native salt tolerant plant species that could be used for remediation of deicer contaminated soils in Montana, (2) conducted a systematic greenhouse study to determine ideal performing plant species and remediation rates, and (3) make recommendations on field trials locations and methods.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 19 Feb 2024 17:14:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2342033</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>A Sustainable Snow-Free Pavement to Mitigate the Negative Effect of Road Salts on Soil and Water Environment</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2264131</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Extreme weather in winter, characterized by prolonged and severe conditions, is anticipated soon due to climate change. Consequently, the utilization of deicing chemicals such as salts (including Chloride-based, Formate-based, and Acetate solutions) is inevitable. These chemicals are employed to ensure driving safety and minimize fatal accidents, particularly on critical infrastructure like bridges, highway ramps, and transportation corridors.
However, the introduction of chemical solutions into surface runoff, with subsequent infiltration into groundwater, poses significant environmental challenges. This phenomenon can have adverse effects on both soil and water ecosystems, potentially accelerating water eutrophication. Long-term road salt application leads to elevated chloride concentration in groundwater, rivers, lakes, and freshwater bodies, which disrupts aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, sodium chloride (NaCl) impacts abiotic processes in soil and water. A recent study conducted in New York highlighted the impacts of road salts on private wells in the Town of Orleans, New York State. Moreover, road salts can alter soil structures and influence biotic communities. Therefore, it is imperative to explore alternative pavement de-icing methods to mitigate soil and water contamination.
This project aims to reduce chloride pollution in soil and water ecosystem with the use of active (circulating heat carrier fluid) or passive (use of higher thermal conductive elements) geothermal system. Shallow geothermal energy presents a viable solution for pavement de-icing, promoting safety while eliminating the environmental concerns associated with chemical deicers. In the case of active geothermal systems, heat exchanger tubes can be embedded within the concrete pavement to effectively de-ice the surface. Additionally, the project will investigate an innovative passive system that leverages geothermal energy to prevent ice accumulation on the pavement surface. The passive approach involves the installation of solid heat exchangers composed of materials with high thermal conductivity, deep within the soil (20 to 30 feet) to transfer geothermal heat to the surface. Both active and passive geothermal systems offer alternatives to chemical usage, particularly road salts, thus preventing soil and water contamination. By embracing these geothermal solutions, the project aims to revolutionize pavement de-icing practices while safeguarding the environment.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 06 Oct 2023 19:04:46 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2264131</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Subsurface Contamination Modeling and Remediation Techniques </title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2263741</link>
      <description><![CDATA[More than half of the US population consumes groundwater for drinking. Thus, introducing any type of contaminants into the groundwater table can risk the lives of more than half of the population. Contaminants from multiple sources can impact the drinking water wells and other receptors. When contaminants are transferred to the groundwater, they will make their way to water wells and drinking water supplies. Soluble contaminants, such as road salts, can easily migrate into the ground, reach the groundwater, and negatively affect the shallow groundwater and freshwater systems. An increase in road salts will have a negative effect on groundwater. Recently, several private wells in the town of Orleans in New York State reported the presence of road salts that were transferred through the groundwater flow. However, non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) that are not highly soluble may have considerably longer residence times in the soil zone. NAPLs are hydrocarbons and are classified into two categories: (i) light non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs), which have less density than water, and (ii) dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs), which are denser than water. In either case, a physical interface between the water and NAPLs prevents the mixing of groundwater and contaminants.
In this proposed study, a finite element model (FEM) will be developed to analyze contaminant transport within the vadose zone and saturated zone. The developed multiphase fluid flow models will be used to study the movement of soluble contaminants, such as road salts, as they precipitate downward to the groundwater table. Additionally, the FEM model will be further modified to capture the flow of NAPL contaminants through the soil medium. The proposed research project consists of three phases: (1) Developing and validating an FEM that can simulate the movement of precipitation and rainfall from the ground surface and unsaturated zone into the groundwater. (2) Modifying the developed FEM model to analyze the contaminants flow in the soil medium by considering the advection and the interplay of diffusion limitation, adsorption, and partitioning between contaminants and soil. (3) Reviewing and proposing several remediation techniques for various contaminants, depending on the specific job site, to be employed in practical sites selected by local and state level departments of transportation (DOTs).
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 06 Oct 2023 19:00:39 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2263741</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Developing and Characterizing Self-healing Concrete for Bridge Decks</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2262783</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This research will minimize cracking of concrete components, such as the ones observed in new bridge decks, by developing self-healing concrete (quicklime-based) suitable for applications in Utah, and quantifying the extent of crack-healing under service conditions as well as after exposure to salt-based deicing solutions.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 06 Oct 2023 12:26:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2262783</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SPR-4808:  Reducing the Dependency on Chlorides &amp; Impacts</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2232769</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project will develop an agency-level program initiative to reduce the use and impacts of chlorides while not compromising the state’s traffic safety and flows in winter times. A three-pronged approach will be used to aid INDOT in developing this future strategy: (i) a comprehensive and comparative analysis of different de-/anti-icing materials and their impacts; (ii) an analysis of operational rules, methods, and tools that crew and staff use in the stages of storage, transporting, and application of chlorides, and (iii) development of a pilot “awareness” program for the INDOT workforce that promotes a culture of sensitivity and discreteness toward salt usage.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 24 Aug 2023 15:06:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2232769</guid>
    </item>
  </channel>
</rss>