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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+PGZpbHRlciBmaWVsZD0iaW5kZXh0ZXJtcyIgdmFsdWU9IiZxdW90O0RyYWlucyZxdW90OyIgb3JpZ2luYWxfdmFsdWU9IiZxdW90O0RyYWlucyZxdW90OyIgLz48L2ZpbHRlcnM+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>Improving Stormwater Systems for Debris and Contaminant Capture</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2712206</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Highway runoff carries a complex mix of pollutants, including debris, heavy metals, and nutrients. Oil, grease, and combustion byproducts from vehicles further add to the contaminant load. In addition to these conventional pollutants, scientific advances have highlighted contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) that were not fully recognized when most departments of transportation’s (DOT’s) stormwater programs were first developed.

Unlike conventional pollutants that degrade over time, many of these debris and CECs persist. They clog inlets and ponds, reduce hydraulic conductivity, and increase pollutant loads to downstream waters. For DOTs, this creates two major challenges: rising costs to maintain stormwater assets, and regulatory risk under municipal separate storm sewer system permits if pollutant control cannot be demonstrated.

The objective of this research is to develop a guide for reducing broad pollutants, which include macro-debris, microplastics, and tire wear particles, which have been demonstrated to contain compounds toxic to certain aquatic organisms.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:28:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2712206</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Improving Culvert Performance with Diffusers and Energy Dissipators</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558375</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Culvert and stormwater outfall performance presents challenges for hydraulic practitioners. Two challenges often encountered with culvert performance are inadequate capacity under outlet control and excessive energy at the downstream end of stormwater outfalls under inlet control. 

Previous research and applications have demonstrated that diffuser systems are a practicable option for increasing culvert and stormwater outfall capacity. However, diffuser systems are an emerging technology, and additional methods and application guidelines are needed to support effective design and implementation. 

Current energy dissipator designs often result in large structures that are costly to construct and may require additional right-of-way. There is a need for design approaches that support more compact energy dissipator systems suitable for constrained right-of-way environments. It is important that such systems be adaptable for retrofitting existing culverts to mitigate scour issues. Advancements in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling allow for efficient comparisons between initial prototype designs, saving time and money on physical modeling.

Research is needed to provide hydraulic practitioners with a design and application guide for implementing (1) diffuser systems to increase capacity, and (2) compact energy dissipator systems for retrofitting culverts. 

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to develop a guide for the design and application of culvert diffuser and compact energy dissipator systems. The guide will give hydraulic practitioners the methods needed to deploy these systems in new and retrofit projects. 

RESEARCH PLAN: At minimum, the research plan must include the following elements:
(1) Diffuser systems: (a) document and verify the ability of diffuser systems to increase small culvert capacity; (b) run a combination of CFD modeling and physical modeling (flume studies) to establish scale model performance curves for diffuser systems for a variety of configurations; (c) develop software-ready equations and algorithms; and
(e) develop the design and application guide for identifying projects amenable to successful diffuser system application. (2) Compact energy dissipator systems: (a) use a combination of CFD modeling and flume studies to establish scale model dissipator exit velocity evaluations for a variety of configurations; (b) run CFD models at field scale conditions for promising configurations; (c) develop software-ready equations and algorithms; and (d) develop the design and application guide to assist hydraulic practitioners with general applicability and site evaluation.

Note: “Compact energy dissipators” should be interpreted as smaller than those presented in the Federal Highway Admiration’s Hydraulic Engineering Circular Number 14 (HEC-14) Hydraulic Design of Energy Dissipators for Culverts and Channels.

The research plan shall explicitly address these elements across the following four required phases: Phase I — Planning: conduct literature review, develop a conceptual design for the compact energy dissipator system, and propose methods for conducting base case tests and a full testing matrix. Phase II — Base testing: conduct base case tests and propose a full test matrix for (a) diffuser systems and (b) compact energy dissipator systems.
Phase III — Final testing matrix: complete the test matrices for (a) diffuser systems and (b) compact energy dissipator systems. Phase IV — Guide and validation: develop the guide; incorporate feedback; and prepare final deliverables.

Interim research products must include: (1) Interim Report No. 1 and Interim Meeting No. 1 with the NCHRP project panel. Interim Report No. 1 shall contain (a) the results of completed tasks in Phase I and (b) a detailed plan and schedule for Phases II and III. Panel Meeting No. 1 will take place after the panel review of the interim report. (2) Interim Report No. 2 and Interim Meeting No. 2 with the NCHRP Project panel. Interim Report No. 2 shall document work completed during Phase II and provide an updated work plan for the remainder of the research. The updated plan must describe the process and rationale for the work proposed for Phase III. (3) Interim Report No. 3 and Interim Meeting No. 3 with the NCHRP Project panel. Interim Report No. 3 shall (a) document work completed during Phase III, (b) provide an updated work plan for the remainder of the research, (c) an annotated outline of each of the final research product(s), and (d) strategies for dissemination and implementation of the final research deliverables. The updated plan must describe the process and rationale for the work proposed for Phase IV.

The final research products must include: (1) The guide for design and applications in a practitioner ready format. (2) A conduct of research report that documents the entire research effort and findings. (3) A PowerPoint presentation with speaker notes summarizing the project and clearly illustrating how the results can be applied. (4) A technical memorandum titled “Implementation of Research Findings and Products.”]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 29 May 2025 12:56:43 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558375</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Guide for Culvert and Storm Drain Rehabilitation

</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558411</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Culvert and storm drain systems constitute critical nodes in U.S. transportation networks; however, many of these structures have met or exceeded their design service life. Replacing culverts under difficult constraints (i.e., high fills, high-volume roadways, difficult maintenance of traffic conditions) presents unique challenges causing transportation agencies to explore rehabilitation options. Much of the maintenance and restoration performed on buried structures is based on past practices and procedures in which state departments of transportation (DOTs) are familiar and experienced with implementing. 

Many times, standardized guidance for the rehabilitation design process is local. Meanwhile, new rehabilitation technologies continue to emerge without sufficient information on when and how they should be applied. The recent American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Culvert and Storm Drain System Inspection Guide (CSDSIG) published in 2020 provides a roadmap for the inventory and inspection of culverts and storm drains. The next logical step is to determine a course of action for assets identified as deficient.  Research is needed to develop strategies for state DOTs on when to replace versus rehabilitate and the choice of a rehabilitation method.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this project is to develop a guide for state DOTs for evaluating when to either replace or rehabilitate culverts and storm drains. The guide will also assist designers in the selection of the most appropriate rehabilitation method(s) along with the applicable loading conditions and design method to use when applying the chosen method. 

]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 27 May 2025 20:50:33 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558411</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Characterization of Sediment Loads and Size Distributions in Nebraska Roadway Runoff - Phase 2</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2507239</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The goal of this project is to expand current research of sediment runoff (both concentrations and size distributions) from roadways to include data from additional districts and Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) communities. The additional data will aid in more effective design of sediment removal systems so that installation and maintenance costs can be optimized. Because the design of inline sediment removal systems requires detailed information about sediment sizes and quantities, collection of data from four additional locations will improve the reliability of system installations so that they function well for MS4 communities in parts of the state that are distinct from those sampled during the initial project.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 10 Feb 2025 11:14:39 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2507239</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Roadway Runoff Impacts to Trout Streams Studies for MS4 Permit
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2342067</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objectives are to prepare and implement a study plan that evaluates the impacts of roadway runoff through Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) outfalls to trout streams with the focus on impacts to temperature and DO levels, and to determine if GDOT roadway runoff discharges are impacting trout streams and if so, to determine best management practices (BMPs) that can be used to mitigate these impacts.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 20 Feb 2024 14:23:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2342067</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>A Synthesis of Usage and Performance of Daylighted Bases in Comparison to Edge Drains</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1918988</link>
      <description><![CDATA[There is a need to develop a synthesis study in order to document relative and respective performances of various bases when they are daylighted versus when they are enhanced with edge drains.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 18 Feb 2022 12:20:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1918988</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Benefit Analysis of Barrier Inlet Screens</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1875933</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Currently, large roadway debris (e.g., hubcaps, plastics, tire shreds) can enter storm sewer systems via the windows of barrier inlets. When the large debris clogs the outlet pipe, other sediment and debris builds up resulting in Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) needing to use vacuum sewer trucks to clean out these basins. If left unattended, clogged pipes can lead to ponding on the roadways creating dangerous conditions for motorists. The cleanout process is both labor and time consuming. It also requires extensive maintenance of traffic (MOT) setup and tear down and exposes highway workers to prolonged unsafe conditions along busy stretches of interstates. An alternative to slowing or even stopping the debris buildup could be barrier inlet screens.

This research will assist ODOT in determining the best method for providing safe, efficient and cost-effective ways to keep litter/debris from clogging the urban highway drainage system. The chosen method should at a minimum provide safer working conditions and reduced cost for the department. 
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 01 Sep 2021 10:38:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1875933</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Development of a Stormwater/Infiltration Systems for Urban Highways using Permeable Lightweight Cellular Concrete, Phase I</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1875795</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The research team proposes developing a decentralized stormwater detention system using permeable cellular concrete (PLCC) as an "underground" detention/infiltration material. This system will benefit urban roadways where land or utility constraints do not allow for conventional detention and stormwater treatment. The team believes the underground storage and infiltration of runoff can reduce the negative impacts of urban flooding on safety and roadway durability. This decentralized system will also benefit downstream waterways and groundwater by minimizing erosion, improving aquatic ecology, and providing in situ stormwater quality treatment.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 30 Aug 2021 15:07:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1875795</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Effective and Economical Cleaning of Pipes and Underdrains - Phase 2

</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1463394</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has embarked on a Transportation Asset Management Program (TAMP) that focuses on system preservation. Part of the focus points of this program is the cleaning of the state's underdrains. This cleaning is important for the preservation of the pavement to extend its life as long as possible.  Currently, ODOT uses a self-propelled "Vactor-Jet" for clearing and cleaning Small diameter pipes and underdrains. This piece of equipment is large and requires lane/shoulder closures to use. It cannot be driven off the pavement due to its weight. It is also expensive, which prohibits purchase of more than one or two. This limits the use due to mobilization and need to share. The "Vactor-Jet" type of equipment also has vacuum ability which is not always needed.

Phase one of this research conducted an in depth analysis of ODOT's current practice of clearing and cleaning of pipe and underdrains and provided recommendations on how to improve safety, production and cost effectiveness.  The goal of Phase 2 of the research is to provide ODOT with the best practice for cleaning underdrains and other pipes when a vacuum is not needed by fabricating a modified cleaning system (MCS) that meets the requirements provided by ODOT, evaluating the effectiveness of the MCS at cleaning pipes and underdrains, to provide an economic evaluation of the MCS, and recommend a final implementation plan for the new system.  ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 31 Mar 2017 10:08:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1463394</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Contaminant Release from Storm Water Culvert Rehabilitation Technologies: Understanding Implications to the Environment and Long-Term Material Integrity</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1377907</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The primary project objectives are to determine the following:  (1) The scope of the problem across departments of transportation (DOTs) (i.e., the extent of use of these technologies and the scale of their impacts to water quality);  (2) The effectiveness of existing construction specifications at minimizing contaminant release from rehabilitated culverts; and  (3) The degree to which the structural integrity and longevity of rehabilitated culverts are compromised by chemical leaching.  Results of this project will enable DOTs to make informed decisions with regard to culvert rehabilitation selection and specification development.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 22 Dec 2015 11:54:17 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1377907</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Shaking Table Testing to Evaluate Effectiveness of Vertical Drains for Liquefaction Mitigation</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1366542</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Although blast liquefaction studies have shown that vertical drains greatly increase the rate of drainage under field conditions, they have not prevented liquefaction. In addition, it is difficult to compare pore pressure development during blasting and an earthquake. At present, no direct field or laboratory data is available to confirm whether or not the drains have the ability to limit pore pressures and resulting settlement to acceptable levels. However, shaking table tests can be conducted with a large shear box (20 ft high, 9 ft wide, 16 ft long) containing drains at State University of New York (SUNY), Buffalo and compared with identical testing currently underway for another funded study. Tests will be performed at progressively higher acceleration levels and durations to allow comparison of performance (pore pressure &amp; settlement) for earthquake conditions. Perform shaking table tests on sandy soils with vertical drains installed to confirm whether or not the drains have the ability to limit pore pressures and resulting settlement to acceptable levels during the earthquake event.  Three objectives are outlined for this study: (1) Evaluate the ability of vertical drains to prevent liquefaction during an earthquake event as a function of acceleration and duration. (2) Compare settlement of treated sand relative to untreated soil when subjected to shaking and drained with vertical drains. (3) Evaluate the accuracy of simple models and computer models to predict measured behavior.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 22 Aug 2015 01:01:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1366542</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Plastic Pipe for Highway Construction-Phase 2</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1360383</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Culvert pipes used for highway cross drains have historically been concrete or corrugated metal (steel and aluminum). However, over recent years, the plastic pipe industries have been pushing state transportation agencies, including the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), to give equal consideration to plastic pipes. In 2006 the political emphasis culminated in regulation that broadened the types of culvert materials that should be considered for drainage applications on federal-aided highway projects. The regulation required that "equal consideration" be given when specifying alternate pipe materials--including plastic and corrugated aluminum--that are "judged to be of satisfactory quality and equally acceptable on the basis of engineering and economic analysis." Although this requirement was relaxed through the "Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act" (MAP-21) in 2012, the plastic pipes industries continue their push to expand their market to include widespread use of plastic pipes for cross drain applications. Although the most common types of plastic pipes, namely profiled wall high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyvinylchloride (PVC) pipes, have been developed specifically for highway drainage applications and integrated into American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) standard specifications, there are still many concerns, and confidence in their use for cross-drain applications remains low. The most prominent of these concerns revolve around the long-term integrity of plastic pipes and their joints. Plastics such as HDPE and PVC are viscoelastic materials, and by definition, creep under loading, and their rigidity characteristics change considerably (Gabriel and Goddard 1999; Goddard 1994). Table 1 provides material stiffness and strength (modulus of elasticity and yield strength) for plastic pipes as defined by AASHTO and the Plastics Pipe Institute (AASHTO 2009, AASHTO 2010, PPI 2003), along with comparable information for concrete and metal. The drastic stiffness change over time, which is used in standard design calculations, can be noted, with the modulus of polyethylene dropping by 80% and the modulus of polyvinylchloride dropping by 65%; likewise, the yield stress used in design calculations for polyethylene and polyvinylchloride drops by 70% and 47%, respectively. As discussed thoroughly in the report "Evaluation of HDPE and PVC Pipes Used for Cross-drains in Highway Construction" from the initial plastic pipe project, these properties are merely estimates based upon accelerated test methods and modeling that were adopted from the gas pressure pipe industry (PPI 2003, McGrath et al. 2009, Stuart et al. 2011). Although material quality control has improved over recent years, it has also been demonstrated that the resins used to manufacture plastic pipes can vary significantly between pipe producers. The long-term stability concern is further complicated by the fact that, unlike concrete pipes, plastic pipes are flexible-walled conduits 10 whose strength and structural integrity relies upon the arching effect provided by the surrounding backfill. The arching effectiveness, along with tendencies for the soil and backfill to also creep through time, is highly dependent upon the backfill and compaction quality during installation.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 2015 01:00:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1360383</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Improved Operations of Small Drains</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1227462</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Storage of runoff from roadway projects requires detention ponds and regulating outlet (drainage) structures. Many of these drains are small size orifices of an inch or less. Experience has shown that these small orifices are a maintenance problem due to clogging,, and detention ponds are not operating as designed. There is a decreased storage effect and downstream discharge beyond allowable levels. This project will combine field and lab work to find low cost methods of decreasing or eliminating clogging in small drains.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Jan 2013 12:59:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1227462</guid>
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