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    <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
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    <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>Advancing Pollinator Habitat Monitoring through Remote Sensing on Nebraska Roadsides</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2689394</link>
      <description><![CDATA[To meet monitoring and reporting requirements under the Monarch Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA), Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) must collect consistent data on milkweed stem density and nectar-plant cover across extensive roadside networks. Current field-based approaches, though effective, are resource-intensive, limited in spatial coverage, and require a specialized level of biological expertise. NDOT needs a scalable and cost-effective remote sensing strategy that can meet CCAA requirements. Furthermore, NDOT must understand the costs and benefits to applying this technology in-house or via external contract, and how the products could be applied to offer NDOT versatile imagery and data outputs that can support broader environmental review needs, planning, and maintenance decisions.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 2026 12:41:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2689394</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Using Unmanned Aerial Systems to Identify and Manage Protected Species Habitat</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2604538</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) or drones provide a unique but mostly unexploited opportunity to improve the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)'s right-of-way management and its current practices for planning, designing, constructing, and maintaining habitat. The research team will develop guidance on the use of UAS to identify and manage protected species habitat and determine the efficacy of multi- and hyper-spectral imagery for identifying and mapping endangered plant populations and potential pollinator conservation areas.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 29 Sep 2025 16:28:51 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2604538</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Developing and Assessing eDNA Survey Methodology for Protected Mussel Species in Texas</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2505748</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The research project will develop environmental DNA (eDNA) assays to detect 12 target mussel species in Texas waterways from collected water samples. The research team proposes to compare the detection levels of current USFWS mussel survey techniques with the results of the developed eDNA assays. A combination of Unionid multispecies metabarcoding assays and species-specific assays employing nested PCR will be developed and compared for their detection limits on the 12 mussel species. Seasonal and environmental factors will be tested, as well as limits of detection and detection by distance from source to determine best practices for eDNA sampling for the 12 species. The team proposes to directly inform the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) where, when, and how to use eDNA for monitoring freshwater mussels. Fully developed and tested protocols will be delivered to TxDOT in the form of field and laboratory manuals.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 04 Feb 2025 10:12:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2505748</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Examining the Impacts of Land Use on Air Quality in Chicago: Application of Street View Imagery and Hyperlocal Urban Climate Sensing</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2459119</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Urban climate sensors are being installed in cities all over the world in order to proactively address the growing issues posed by climate change and to monitor air quality in real time. This study focuses on the City of Chicago and evaluates air quality using Microsoft's recently released Project Eclipse sensors. Using a combination of conventional land use extraction methods and street view data from Google Street View (GSV), land use features close to the sensor locations were recovered. The distinctive qualities of street view photos were examined and spatial data was broken down using principal component analysis (PCA). In order to investigate the variables affecting air quality, the study also used SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) and XGBoost machine learning regression. It is recommended that the built environment and land use in this area be addressed by the city and local authorities in order to mitigate future dangers.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 23 Nov 2024 11:00:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2459119</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Environmental Monitoring to Support Revised Steel Pile Corrosion Protection Specifications</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2452924</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has observed early failure of the protective coatings of steel piles supporting bridges throughout the state, with some bridges exhibiting signs of corrosion within 20 years of construction, much sooner than anticipated. This has been observed primarily at stream crossings, where the steel piles act as substructure elements which transfer load from the superstructure to the soil. The most severe instances of corrosion have been observed at locations which encounter wet-dry cycles. The early failure of protective coatings has been observed in bridges located NCDOT Divisions 2-9, which suggests that specific environmental factors which are prevalent in these regions may be responsible. 

The overall research objectives of this project are to determine the cause of the early corrosion observed in the steel pile foundations, to suggest policies which can help mitigate this issue in the future. To accomplish these objectives, the following research tasks will be conducted:  (1) Perform long-term comprehensive water quality and environmental monitoring at a selected number of bridges sites throughout the state. (2) Review the effectiveness of commonly used coatings for corrosion protection, identify 
specifications for steel pile protection in corrosive environments and determine repair options for deteriorated piles through a detailed literature review. (3) Partner with NCDOT to develop new policies related to protective coatings for steel piles and/or classifying corrosive environments for steel piles.

The research products which will results from these tasks include: (1) Summary of the field monitoring campaign, including data which impacts the corrosive 
environment. This includes, but is not limited to, measured values of water velocity, size and velocity of floating debris, open circuit corrosion potential, pH, concentrations of dissolved salts, chloride and sulfide concentration, and dissolved oxygen at each of the monitored locations. (2) Recommendations for classifying sites as “corrosive environments” consistent with the results of this research and observed instances of corrosion. (3) Recommendations for corrosion protection of steel piles in new bridges based on the performance of piles observed in the field, considering their corrosive environment.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 15 Nov 2024 16:43:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2452924</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Species From Feces: A New Tool to Identify Bats in Culverts and on Bridges</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2414310</link>
      <description><![CDATA[White-Nose Syndrome has decimated the populations of three bat species in Minnesota. The Northern Long-eared Bat is listed as Endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the final Tri-Colored Bat listing decision will be made soon, and the Little Brown Bat is being considered for listing. MnDOT has documented that bat species in Minnesota roost in bridges. Bridge maintenance and construction projects can result in “take”, which is prohibited under the ESA. Because bats roosting in cracks and crevices are not visible when using or inspecting a bridge or culvert, 
Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) must assume that if bats are known to use a bridge, a listed species could be present. Assuming that listed bat species are present complicates regulatory compliance, lengthens environmental review processes, and may add costly mitigation obligations to maintenance and construction projects (e.g., seasonal restrictions on work, conservation projects to offset impacts). DNA from bat guano sampled at bridges can be identified to species. The objective of this proposal is to develop guidelines for sampling bat guano that will enable MnDOT to say with at least 90% certainty that a bat species is present or absent on a bridge. Research Team will develop sampling protocols and analysis techniques leading to a standard methodology for determining the probability of bat presence or absence on bridges in Minnesota. Guidelines will benefit MnDOT by streamlining ESA project reviews for maintenance and construction projects on bridges and culverts. This would result in reduced construction and maintenance costs, fewer restrictions on project timing, improved compliance with ESA regulations, and improved conditions for listed bat species.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 08 Aug 2024 16:38:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2414310</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Simplified Methodology for Risk-Based Air Quality Assessments of NEPA Alternatives



</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2381744</link>
      <description><![CDATA[No abstract provided.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 May 2024 14:21:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2381744</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Methods to Measure Emerging Contaminants in Stormwater

</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2381713</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Recent data on emerging contaminants has prompted state departments of transportation (DOTs) and water authorities to explore significant investments in stormwater sampling and treatment infrastructure. This proactive approach aims to more fully understand the occurrence and impact of emerging contaminants and the effectiveness of stormwater treatment systems. By gathering this data, decision-makers can offer more accurate, informed strategies for managing stormwater, leading to more efficient design, construction, and maintenance of treatment systems.

Research is needed to determine the methods and materials needed to measure concentrations of emerging contaminants in runoff, stormwater-treatment system effluent, and receiving waters to support cost-effective quantitative threat assessments and treatment decisions. 

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this project is to develop recommended practices for state DOTs for assessing sampling methods used to measure emerging contaminants as well as new contaminants identified in the future. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2024 15:52:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2381713</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>NCHRP Implementation Support Program. Implementing NCHRP Guides on Pollinator Habitat Conservation along Roadways</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2342016</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Many pollinators are in decline and roadsides can be valuable habitat for them and other wildlife. Roadside managers have an interest in pollinator conservation and are seeking information about ways to support imperiled pollinators and to preclude future listings to the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

One of the primary goals of NCHRP Project 25-59, “Pollinator Habitat Conservation along Roadways,” was to produce guides that cover 16 regions of the United States. Each guide includes regional information about site selection, design, installation, and management of roadside pollinator habitat; the native plants and pollinators of each region; and guidance on ESA regulatory compliance to reduce regulatory uncertainty and contribute to pollinator conservation and recovery. Supporting materials that accompanied the guides include videos for transportation agencies and the public, a communications toolbox, monitoring and habitat assessment tools, and plant lists.

NCHRP 20-44(55) will provide training on using the guides, and help state department of transportation (DOT) staff understand and consider pollinator habitat conservation strategies that may be effective in their jurisdiction or situation. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 20 Feb 2024 20:04:55 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2342016</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>An AI Powered Remote Sensing Framework for Monitoring and Predicting Roadside Water Quality</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2263583</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Project Description: While air pollution is the most visible environmental impact of transportation systems, water pollution and quality issues are also of great importance in the transportation and environment nexus. Specifically, transportation systems can affect water quality directly in many ways, including stormwater runoff, deicing chemicals, vehicle exhaust, oil spills, and other pollutants. However, the impact of transportation systems on water qualify is not well studied or fully understood. A significant challenge is the slow movement of ground water through aquifers and its long-lasting, detrimental effects on communities, aquatic life, and the overall health of the ecosystem. Addressing this challenge requires continuous and reliable data collection, as well as advanced data analytics techniques. The traditional method of manual data sampling and analysis is not sufficient. In this project, we will design and develop an AI powered remote sensing framework and associated algorithm for roadside water quality monitoring and prediction, as well as algorithms for causality analysis based on long-term historical data. It has been shown that remote sensing systems can be used to monitor water quality issues, and causality analytics is an effective approach to derive environmental impacts in long term. By leveraging the state-of-the-art technologies in distributed sensing, AI and big data analytics, the proposed research provides great potentials for water quality monitoring and causality discovery, leading to a better understanding of the long-term environmental impact of transportation systems.

US DOT Priorities: This project directly addresses DOT’s research priority of “Preserving the Environment” by developing novel tools and technologies to discover causal relations between the water pollution and transportation systems, leading to effective mitigation strategies to address the water quality challenges. 

Outputs: The proposed research will produce a robust remote sensing and data analytics framework for monitoring and predicting the water pollution caused by transportation systems. The novelty of the research is that it will incorporate causality analytics to learn the long-term effects of the water pollution. Figure 1 shows the system architecture and the proposed workflow. The outputs include integrated hardware and software framework, as well as causality analysis results on both the collected data and the historic data. The project will also produce publications, presentations, and technical reports.

Outcomes/Impacts: The project will produce new knowledge on the environmental impacts of transportation systems, as well as the causal relations. These findings will provide policy makers the rich information they need for making informative decisions on transportation systems design and operations. In addition, by utilizing data from different domains, the project will provide insight on effective and efficient data sharing, which is critical for the community. To further broadening participation, we will involve undergraduate students, and students in underrepresented groups in the research.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 09 Oct 2023 14:18:39 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2263583</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Water quality monitoring network to assess downstream efficacy of green infrastructure and provenance of non-point source pollutants</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2264209</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The research team proposes to establish a water quantity and water quality monitoring network that can be leveraged to evaluate the efficacy of green infrastructure to reduce runoff volumes and identify the provenance of non-point source pollutants in downstream water bodies.
In urban settings, rivers and streams are frequently afflicted by the so-called “urban stream syndrome,” which results from hydraulic alteration of stream channels, increased runoff from impervious areas, non-point source pollution, and modification to the lateral connectivity of the stream to its hillslopes. Urban streams are frequently classified as “flashy,” meaning that transport of water, sediment, other non-point source pollutants occur in brief, yet powerful pulses. This results in a stream system that simultaneously delivers increased discharge and non-point source pollutants during storms, but rapidly dries during recession periods. This has implications for both freshwater ecosystems and water-related infrastructure. 

One approach to combat the urban stream syndrome includes the application of green infrastructure in disturbed landscapes and investigation of the provenance of non-point source pollutants. To evaluate the performance of green infrastructure, extensive in situ monitoring equipment is commonly used on site. While such monitoring indicates that green infrastructure indeed improves on-site water quantity and water quality, a pressing need exists to evaluate the efficacy of green infrastructure to mediate water quantity (including streamflow permanence) and water quality in downstream waterways. Furthermore, the extent to which the effects of green infrastructure perpetuate to downstream water bodies is currently unknown.
The team proposes to establish a water quality and water quantity monitoring network to evaluate the downstream impacts of green infrastructure on water bodies and identify the provenance of non-point source pollutants. The monitoring network will consist of state-of-the-art, multi-parameter water quality and water quantity platforms. Parameters monitored at the platforms will include discharge, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, temperature, turbidity, NO3-, and streamflow presence/absence. Readings will be recorded every 15-minutes. 
The Middle Fork of Beargrass Creek, located within Louisville, KY, will be the testbed to evaluate downstream impacts of green infrastructure. 84% of the Middle Fork of Beargrass Creek is classified as “developed”, and a federal consent decree to reduce combined sewer overflows in Beargrass Creek is currently enacted.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 06 Oct 2023 19:11:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2264209</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Comparison of eDNA and Electrofishing Survey Methods for Management Purposes</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2149836</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Presence/absence monitoring for fish species is traditionally conducted via electrofishing surveys. This methodology is often time, labor, and cost intensive and results in low detection rates for low-density populations. An innovative technology, environmental DNA (eDNA), has the potential to significantly improve species detection rates while simultaneously requiring less time and labor than electrofishing surveys. An eDNA assay was recently developed by Strickland and Roberts (2019) for Roanoke logperch, Percina rex, a federally endangered darter endemic to the Roanoke and Chowan River basins. Although the Roanoke Logperch has a limited range, past and future impoundment removals should expand the occupied reach of this difficult to detect species. This study proposes to assess the utility of eDNA for routing monitoring by directly comparing detection rates between eDNA and electrofishing for Roanoke logperch. Additional analysis of the specific assay will be conducted by testing against co-occurring species; analyzing detection against various environmental factors such as temperature, turbidity, and drainage area; and increasing the examined distribution range by assaying in North Carolina waterways. Finally, a cost-comparison between eDNA and electrofishing will be conducted to further assess the future utility eDNA survey adoption for routine monitoring.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 10 Apr 2023 10:04:37 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2149836</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Documenting and Verifying Environmental Commitments</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1957109</link>
      <description><![CDATA[State departments of transportation (DOTs) and other transportation agencies routinely establish commitments to complete specific environmental impact avoidance or mitigation as part of project planning and design under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and related federal and state laws and regulations. Federal agencies and state DOTs are responsible for ensuring these legally binding commitments are implemented throughout the life of a project and ultimately fulfilled. Proper implementation of environmental commitments affects all phases of project delivery including planning, design, construction, operations, and maintenance.

Tracking environmental commitments is essential to ensuring that specific commitments are implemented. DOTs face challenges in the successful documentation and verification of such commitments. Common challenges include inconsistencies with terminology and language and failure to ensure that commitments are incorporated into design, construction, operations, and maintenance. Lost and unfulfilled commitments can lead to legal issues, violations and fines from regulatory agencies, loss of public trust, and ultimately poor environmental outcomes.

Research is needed to provide a comprehensive approach to documenting and verifying environmental commitments. 

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to produce a documentation and verification process workflow with tools to facilitate the definition, implementation, monitoring, verification, and maintenance of environmental commitments established through the life of a project. 

]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 24 May 2022 10:57:36 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1957109</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Environmental Assessment of Culvert Fish Passage using Environmental DNA</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1906839</link>
      <description><![CDATA[WSDOT is correcting hundreds of fish passage barriers in compliance with a U.S. District Court injunction. Culvert injunction implementation also requires post-project monitoring. WSDOT contracts with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) for biological monitoring to detect salmon and steelhead presence at WSDOT fish passage sites. Current methods for assessing fish use upstream of corrected barriers requires biologists walking the stream looking for evidence of salmon. 
The new method using eDNA enables the detection of species by taking water samples and analyzing the DNA which is constantly shed by organisms in the environment. This looks to be a more efficient and reliable method especially for detecting species present at low levels or those which are difficult to observe. The use of eDNA would also allow for the detection of rare or endangered species, or others of management interest which could aid in project analysis or prioritization. 
The proposed project will develop and routinize sensitive and cost-effective methods for endangered species assessments and post-project monitoring. Utilizing eDNA methods from water samples, the detection of salmonid species, ESA listed species, invasive species and other species of conservation interest will be undertaken as a continuation of a project already underway between UW and WSDOT at fish passage restoration sites in Skagit county on state roadways. Sampling protocols will be developed for three target species, along with guidelines for data interpretation. The protocols will be applicable for other species besides the three chosen for this proposal. 
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 27 Jan 2022 18:41:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1906839</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Stream Flow Turbidity Monitoring during Construction</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1895366</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Any in-stream construction work requires permits from US Fish and Wildlife Service. The permitting is based on assumptions of turbidity extent and intensity, which impacts fish health and survival. The permitting restricts us to in stream work so having better quality turbidity data should open work windows, since current assumptions are very likely conservative. This is based on our experience.
Currently the study team assumes that turbidity could go 1000 feet downstream from cofferdam placement and other activities at levels that could cause harm to fish.  There is not a good body of literature to understand and support these assumptions.  If the study team can show that the effects are lesser in extent and severity, it will help us angle for more flexible in water work windows.  
Turbidity data collection supports the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service programmatic agreement. Over the past two years, MaineDOT has hired Stantec to establish baseline data and determine future turbidity limits related to in-water construction events and their effects on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and its critical habitat protected under the Endangered Species Act. This included turbidity data collection at two sites with in-water construction in 2020 and four project sites in 2021. 
The tasks in above mentioned work include establishing monitoring points prior to construction, collecting pre-construction (baseline) and syn-construction (during construction) turbidity samples, reviewing laboratory results, and providing a summary report for each project site. The water sample data collection will be performed as described in Appendix C and D of the “User’s Guide for the Maine Atlantic Salmon Programmatic Consultation (MAP) Version 1.0, March 2017”. 
The study team has developed turbidity monitoring protocols and recently hired Stantec to collect measurements. The study team has a protocol to follow to determine turbidity levels and there’s solid research on extent and severity that can cause harm to fish. However, turbidity is very specific to the location and stream bed composition among other things. More data collection at sites with in stream work is required and a comprehensive analysis of the data before impactful results (more flexible in stream work windows) can be determined.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 Dec 2021 12:42:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1895366</guid>
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