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    <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" />
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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>Identifying and Quantifying Microplastics Generated from the Roadway Environment: Field Monitoring and Analysis</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2742704</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Microplastics (MPs) generated from roadway materials and vehicle activity are an emerging environmental concern, yet their sources, behavior, and impacts remain poorly quantified. Transportation agencies use plastics in erosion control netting, road markings, and increasingly in recycled plastic modified (RPM) asphalt, all of which have the potential to shed MPs through weathering and abrasion. Tire wear particles further dominate MP emissions. At the same time, the lack of standardized analytical methods limit reliable measurement of MPs in stormwater and roadside soils. 

This research will improve understanding of roadway-derived MPs and advanced analytical consistency by (1) comparing TGA-FTIR and Py-GC-MS to develop a validated mass-based quantification workflow: (2) quantifying polymer-specific MPs across rural, urban, and RPM asphalt sites; (3) evaluating relationships between traffic volume and MP abundance; and (4) examining how antecedent dry periods influence MP mobilization during storm events. Integrated laboratory testing and field sampling will link analytical precision with real-world roadway conditions. 

The results will provide transportation agencies, including Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), with robust methods, source-specific MP data, and insights needed to anticipate and inform future regulations and guide more sustainable roadway material and stormwater management practices.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 09:56:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2742704</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Feasibility Studies of the Conceptual Novel Elevated High-Speed Rail System with a Case Study in Texas</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2736754</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The high-speed rail system is a powerful rapid transportation tool with significant mobility, financial, and accessibility benefits. The United States is one of the first countries to develop high-speed trains, dating back to 1969. Recently, there has been another wave of inventions and studies of high-speed rail systems, including the California and Texas high-speed rail plans. Among them, the conceptual novel elevated high-speed rail (CNE-HSR) is unique due to its (1) fast construction speed (3 miles per day); (2) elevated design that affords minimal ground field land needs and minimal disruption to existing infrastructure and property, and no displacement of existing communities; (3) independent pods for exclusively nonstop travel and flexible allocation between passenger and cargo needs; and (4) deep last-mile reach. This seed grant project will conduct feasibility studies of CNE-HSR with a case study in Texas along the Houston-San Antonio corridor. Transportation, land use, socioeconomic, and other information will be collected with the assistance of local transportation agencies. The retrieved information will be fully employed to test the identified assessment tools for studies of impacts on the regional economy, housing and real estate development, job market growth, as well as socioeconomic progress. The research team will conduct engagement activities to incorporate advisory comments from policymakers, planners, engineers, community leaders, and others. Eventually, this project will develop recommendations and implementation strategies for the evaluated CNE-HSR system in Texas.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 14:42:33 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2736754</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Research for the AASHTO Standing Committee on Planning. Task 66. Improved Methods for Assessing Social, Cultural, and Economic Effects of Transportation Projects
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2706280</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of this project is to review practices in state Departments of Transportation and Metropolitan Planning Organizations that are using information about the human environment earlier in the transportation planning process and synthesize effective approaches.  In addition, identify existing or emerging community and social impact assessment practices to develop indicators of quality of life (QOL) to be employed in the CIA process.  These cross-cutting indicators should include information about the human environment such as community cohesion, impacts to housing and employment, cultural resources, aesthetic values and the availability or access to public facilities and services.  These components of QOL will be translated into a measurement tool using a variety of data sources that will serve to develop a baseline assessment of a community from which projections of effects can be made.

The report includes a description of current state DOT and MPO practices in assessing transportation impacts on the human environment; examples of indicators or criteria that contribute or detract from QOL; a baseline set of QOL measures that can be derived from typical data sources; and a description of the uses of QOL indicators in assessing transportation impacts on communities.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 27 May 2026 14:55:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2706280</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Influence of Traffic Noise and Light on Wildlife Movement Near Highways</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2691660</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Traffic results in noise and light propagated from roadways into surrounding landscapes, including human and natural communities. A previous National Center for Sustainable Transportation (NCST) project has supported the development of multi-scale (local to state) models of traffic illumination and noise extending from highways. These traffic-effect areas may be habitat for a wide range of species, including wildlife attempting to cross highways via existing culverts and bridges, or purpose-built wildlife crossings. With previous NCST research using camera traps, researchers found that coyote and mule deer have varying behavioral responses to traffic noise at wildlife crossings. This project extends both the noise and light modeling and the previous investigations of wildlife crossings to include more species (mountain lion, mule deer, and Peninsular bighorn sheep) and many more highways and regions. The research team will statistically model the effect of traffic noise and light from traffic on occurrence of these 3 species and movements of global positioning system (GPS)-collared individuals as they approach highways. This information is critical in informing and making more effective the massive investments that local, state, and federal governments are making in wildlife crossings and fencing to improve driver and wildlife safety. In other words, knowing the traffic effects on wildlife as they approach highways will allow mitigation of those effects using design and construction of the crossings, such as barriers and berms. Because wildlife crossings are the primary investments transportation agencies make to reduce wildlife impacts and increase driver safety, understanding wildlife ability to get to these crossings and use them is critical to the effectiveness of the investment and the role the investment plats in environmental sustainability.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:12:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2691660</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Use of “Plazrok” Aggregate to Produce Durable Grade 3.0 and 4.0 Concrete</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2652729</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The rising demands for high-quality aggregates, alongside efforts to reduce the environmental impact of mining, have encouraged using recycled material as aggregate in concrete. Over the decades, plastic production has surged, yet only 25% of used plastics have been recycled or incinerated (US EPA 2023). Numerous studies investigating the strength development and modulus of elasticity of concrete containing plastic waste as an aggregate have reported reduced strength and stiffness with increasing replacement levels. Despite this reduction in strength compared to traditional mixes, Kansas State University developed mixtures containing Plazrok, a commercially available extruded product containing fly ash, waste plastics, and glass, that achieved sufficient strength (5264 psi) to be classified as grade 4.0 concrete.
The increasing replacement of mined aggregate with Plazrok was found to have a greater impact on the compressive strength than the modulus of rupture and tensile strength. Furthermore, structural testing of a 10-inch by 6-inch by 12-foot beam demonstrated that a beam containing Plazrok (at 30% replacement level) performed similarly to other lightly reinforced normal-weight concrete members. Moisture corrections (to account for the wash water of the concrete truck drum) were not applied during this preliminary investigation, therefore, the reported mechanical properties may be an underestimation. Another issue identified during this preliminary study was the potential for Plazrok to float to the top of the forms, but no segregation was observed in hardened concrete samples.
Building on these experiences, the primary goal of this study is to develop grade 3.0 and 4.0 concrete with maximum possible Plazrok content. Environmental Produce Declarations (EPDs) for successful mixture designs will be produced to help demonstrate the environmental impact of such concretes. Segregation will be monitored as it is a known possible issue and, if observed, will be controlled by modifying the viscosity of the paste and/or increasing the fine/coarse aggregate ratio for the concrete mixture.
Another focus area will be studying the freeze-thaw durability of Plazrok concrete. Since Plazrok particles have low absorption and stiffness, and the concrete containing Plazrok retained tensile strength (compared to the control), it could be hypothesized to have satisfactory freeze-thaw durability provided the paste is protected with adequate air content. If deemed freeze-thaw durable, concrete containing Plazrok could be suitable for outdoor applications like sidewalks, provided they meet the strength requirement for grade 4.0 concrete.
Since aggregates impact the stress-strain behavior of concrete, this project will also document elastic properties for plazrok concrete. Furthermore, impact on other mechanical, durability, and fresh properties such as modulus of rupture, shrinkage, permeability, slump, etc. will also be recorded.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 13 Jan 2026 16:28:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2652729</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Promoting Teachers' and Young Learners' Engagement of Transportation Issues</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2652184</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project will develop, implement, and distribute standards-aligned curriculum that focuses on real-world transportation issues to include stormwater runoff and erosion mitigation and air quality issues. The curriculum will serve as educative curriculum materials (ECM) for teachers as they engage students with research-based instruction focused on Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) and transportation industry research and recommendations, science content ideas (e.g., water cycle, erosion), and non-science considerations (e.g., economic, ethical, social, legal). The curriculum will also profile the authentic work of TTI researchers, other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)  professionals, and the characteristics of their work. Research will be conducted on how professional and curriculum development affects knowledge bases and practices, and how implemented curriculum impacts students’ knowledge of science and engagement of real-world societally important scientific issues.   ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 13 Jan 2026 14:13:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2652184</guid>
    </item>
    <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>Detection of Passages Beneath Highways </title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2640689</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Missouri has over 8,000 known caves and at least 350 mines. Internal investigations reveal that about a tenth of each (800 caves and 35 mines) are within 500 feet of Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) rights of way. However, it is challenging to determine which of these have passages beneath MoDOT roads and rights of way, as well as the depth of these passages. Addressing these questions is critical to ensuring infrastructure stability. In the case of threatened and endangered species and sensitive cave environments, understanding these locations can help better assess project impacts. This research should produce a comprehensive literature review detailing technologies and documented case study results. This will provide MoDOT with critical insights into advanced detection and mapping technologies for caves and mines beneath highways. By identifying more accurate, efficient, and minimally invasive methods for subsurface assessment, MoDOT can enhance infrastructure stability, minimizing the risk of unexpected subsurface collapses or disruptions. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2025 09:16:07 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2640689</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>DOT Application of the Palmiter Stream Management Technique in Small Streams

</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2633332</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has one large experimental installation of the Palmiter Method in Clark County along the Mad River.  ODOT is interested in expanding the use of this technique across the state. Rapid deployment/implementation of the method on smaller streams with erosion concerns near infrastructure is potentially a better application of the method.  It is unclear how the method can be deployed and what benefits and drawbacks are likely in a small stream.  There is potential that the Palmiter Method is much better suited for small stream erosion issues, using low-cost materials, and potentially beneficial to stream habitat (as measured using OEPA sampling methods).  

The Palmiter Method was initially vetted using a Researcher-On-Call (ROC) contract with Ohio University who looked at what was known about the technique and potential applications in the DOT. No actual installations were constructed and monitored for risks/benefits/cost comparisons with traditional methods. ODOT manages thousands of stream erosion issues across the state. The most predominant stream type and stream/road interaction in the system are smaller streams that erode around culverts, into embankments, and undermine road shoulders. Research is needed to investigate the use of the Palmiter Methods on small streams comparing the cost, time, success/failure, biological impact, permitting, stream hydrology, and structure longevity compared to more traditional methods used to maintain erosion on small streams.

The goal of this research is to compare the Palmiter Method to traditional methods for erosion control in small streams.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 Dec 2025 13:37:51 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2633332</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Optimal Design of Inland Waterway System to Increase Supply Chain Resilience</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2625874</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project seeks to conduct research to develop mathematical models of supply chain network resilience that leverage the US inland waterway system. Extending the research conducted during year 1, which laid the foundation for developing advanced optimization and simulation methodologies to increase the resiliency of the inland waterway freight transportation system. Given the increasing threats from accidents, weather-related hazards, and terrorist attacks that have heightened risks for both freight and passenger transport systems, this project recognizes the pivotal role of inland waterways in mitigating these vulnerabilities. The resilience of intermodal systems, which are often significantly impacted by such events, leading to considerable economic losses, can be substantially improved by integrating inland waterways. This integration will be examined through the lens of network topology, investigating how different configurations and connectivity within the waterway system can influence key resilience metrics such as recovery time, system throughput, and adaptability in the face of disruptions. The expected deliverables include a characterization of resilient network topologies. A final synthesis report will present the research findings, including methodology, results, and recommendations for policymakers, stakeholders, and industry players. Reports will be shared with relevant stakeholders and research conferences, fostering public awareness of the benefits of inland waterway freight transport to increase supply chain resilience. The research endeavors seek to pave the way for a more resilient, interconnected, and environmentally friendly freight transportation network within the United States.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 18 Nov 2025 13:46:39 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2625874</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>International Conference on Ecology and Transportation 2027</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2620531</link>
      <description><![CDATA[There have been fourteen biennial International Conferences on Ecology and Transportation (ICOET) since its origin in 1999. The most recent conference was in May of 2025 in Denver, Colorado and was a combination of in person and virtual.  This pooled fund will support the next conference in 2027 that will be in-person in Portland, Oregon cohosted by the Oregon Department of Transportation and the Washington State Department of Transportation with support from the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife and the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.  The conference will be organized by the University of California Davis Road Ecology Center. There will be a virtual conference option available. ICOET continues to serve as an invaluable conduit for transportation and ecology professionals to share applicable research and best practices, and to transfer knowledge between experienced practitioners and future leaders. The ICOET program includes podium presentations, posters on current research, panels, workshops, field trips, and exhibits on topics of interest to researchers, biologists, engineers, planners, project managers, administrators, and policy makers. The folks that regularly attend ICOET represent thousands of professionals that work for government, Tribal, academic, non-governmental and private industry from the United States and other countries. The 2025 conference in Denver had 644 total participants with 513 in person and another 131 virtual participants. There were 16 countries and 44 U.S. states in attendance. This new pooled fund will supersede the previous pooled fund (TPF 5-527) that will be completed June 30, 2025. 
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 05 Nov 2025 17:03:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2620531</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Freeway Corridor Economic Impact</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2606590</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The aim of this research is to provide a framework to better estimate the impacts of freeway corridor alternative projects by also considering mode, scale, land uses, community engagement practices and environmental impacts.

A planning-level evaluation tool will be developed to objectively estimate the economic impacts of alternatives considered for a freeway redesign. The tool will operationalize findings from the preceding research in terms of the three key elements of economic value: mobility benefits, developable land opportunity, and environmental impacts.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 Oct 2025 15:21:21 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2606590</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Watchful Electronics Eliminating Destructive Species</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2604569</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) is tasked with maintaining thousands of miles of roadways and associated rights-of-way (ROW) across diverse and often challenging terrain. Noxious weed infestations along these ROW pose significant threats, including compromising roadway integrity, competing with desirable vegetation, reducing land productivity, degrading habitat, and increasing long-term maintenance costs (Kuni, 2025). Managing these weeds effectively is crucial but is particularly difficult in areas that are hard-to-reach, steep, or hazardous, where traditional ground-based spraying methods are inefficient, unsafe, and cost-prohibitive. MDT requires innovative solutions to augment existing Integrated Weed Management (IWM) efforts, prioritizing crew safety and fiscal responsibility while effectively controlling infestations across large geographic regions. There is a specific need to accurately identify the location and species of weeds to enable targeted, rather than broadcast, treatment, thereby optimizing herbicide use and minimizing environmental impact.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 29 Sep 2025 17:07:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2604569</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>The Effects of Road Types and Construction Activities on Particulate Matter and Development of Best Practices for PM2.5 Reduction</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2604527</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The research team will evaluate the impact of roads (paved and unpaved roads, and unpaved shoulders) and construction on 2.5 microns (PM2.5) emissions and develop strategies for reduction. Objectives include quantifying PM2.5 emissions from roads and construction sites, identifying high-risk areas using thematic mapping, and designing cost-effective mitigation measures like dust suppression and optimized paving practices. The research team will create a user-friendly decision-support toolkit to help prioritize interventions and assess emission reduction strategies. The project outcomes will provide actionable solutions for air quality planning at both project and regional levels, enabling the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to meet environmental regulations, improve public health, and reduce PM2.5 impacts. The research team will collaborate with the TxDOT project 0-7256 "Monitoring and Speciation of Particulate Matter Under 2.5 Microns (PM2.5) Composition across Texas Counties" to enhance data collection and analysis, ensuring effective mitigation efforts.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 29 Sep 2025 16:24:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2604527</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>State of Practice of Pozzolanic Concrete in Infrastructure Projects



</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2600544</link>
      <description><![CDATA[With the understanding of the advancements in the use of pozzolanic concrete to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works has requested reports on the use of low-carbon materials, including pozzolanic concrete, in federally funded projects. The request noted that the report should include steps taken to assess the durability, strength, cost, and environmental impacts of pozzolanic concrete compared with existing concrete products. The U.S. Department of Transportation Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (US DOT OST-R), in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), will submit to the Committee a report on the use of pozzolanic concrete in federally funded infrastructure projects. The US DOT OST-R requested the TRB Cooperative Research Programs (CRP) to facilitate the conduct of this work and the preparation of the requested report. Research is needed to document the use of pozzolanic materials in concrete used in infrastructure projects and prepare the requested report.

The objective of this project is to document the use of pozzolanic materials in concrete used in infrastructure projects and prepare reports on the state of practice of pozzolanic concrete in infrastructure projects and in federally funded infrastructure projects. The latter report shall be prepared in a format appropriate for submission to the U.S. Congress. The research shall consider the use of fly ash, silica fume, and other pozzolans, both singularly and in combination. The documentation shall include the criteria and methods used to assess suitability of these materials for use in concrete structures, e.g., concrete properties such as durability and strength, estimated service life, economic considerations, and environmental impacts. For this project, pozzolanic concrete is defined as concrete containing pozzolanic materials. The research shall consider FHWA funded projects, projects located on federal lands, and projects using the formula and discretionary grants funds.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 18 Sep 2025 16:08:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2600544</guid>
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