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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>
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      <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>Reducing Transportation Fire Risk Through Carbon Dot Addition for Diesel Fuels</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2706036</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Diesel fuel is essential to freight transportation across the United States and is transported in large volumes by pipeline, tanker truck, and rail. During transportation accidents such as highway collisions, tanker rollovers, and rail derailments, released diesel fuel can ignite and produce high-consequence fires that threaten motorists, infrastructure, first responders, and nearby communities. Current safety strategies focus primarily on vehicle and containment design rather than reducing the intrinsic flammability of the transported fuel.
This project evaluates a fuel-level fire mitigation strategy through the use of carbon dot nanoparticles as fire-limiting additives in diesel fuel. The research will experimentally quantify ignition delay, flame persistence, burning behavior, and extinction characteristics using droplet-scale combustion testing representative of accidental spill and spray conditions. In parallel, the study will assess suspension stability and compatibility of carbon dot–diesel mixtures to ensure practical storage, handling, and transportation performance. The objective is to identify additive concentrations that measurably reduce fire risk without degrading fuel performance.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 23 May 2026 18:02:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2706036</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Utilizing Hydrogen Fuel Technology for a Transportation Fleet</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2487229</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Minnesota Executive Order 19-27 commits the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to reducing fleet fossil fuel consumption 30% by 2030 and greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2030. Additionally, Minnesota State Statute 16C.135 establishes a zero- and low-emission preference for new fleet vehicle purchases. Hydrogen fuel technology -- specifically sustainably produced hydrogen (“green hydrogen”) -- offers a potentially promising alternative pathway to reducing carbon emissions from MnDOT’s fleet while continuing to meet operational and business needs. The objective of this research is to survey existing and emerging hydrogen fuel technology applications that could be piloted in the MnDOT fleet as a strategy for cutting carbon emissions, and to identify potential costs and benefits of MnDOT investing in hydrogen fuel technology.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 08 Oct 2025 10:19:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2487229</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Urban Network Speed Optimization for Connected Automated Vehicles: Development and Testing</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2606410</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This research develops and evaluates optimal speed control strategies for Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs) at the network level, addressing critical gaps in existing research by incorporating multiple powertrain technologies including internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs). The study addresses real-world challenges such as communication delays, data transmission errors, and vehicle actuation complexities that are often overlooked in idealized research conditions. Using the INTEGRATION microscopic traffic simulation software, the research will implement advanced communication modules for vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure interactions alongside vehicle speed control modules. The methodology involves formulating speed trajectory optimization as a constrained problem incorporating vehicle dynamics, fuel consumption models for different powertrains, and signal phase and timing data. Dynamic programming methods including A-star search algorithms will ensure real-time computational efficiency. The research includes extensive testing across varied traffic networks with different congestion levels and CAV market penetration rates, culminating in a scalable framework for generalizing results to large-scale networks including the entire U.S. roadway system through collaboration with Saudi Aramco.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 02 Oct 2025 15:21:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2606410</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Evaluating Texas Ports Readiness and Opportunities for Alternative Fuels</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2593188</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The research team will conduct a comprehensive assessment of Texas ports' readiness to integrate alternative fuels, identifying infrastructure gaps, fleet transition opportunities, and economic growth potential. Key project outcomes will include a Texas Ports Readiness Index, a spreadsheet-based tool for evaluating port readiness, fleet transition feasibility assessment, and clear, actionable recommendations for advancing Texas ports readiness for alternative fuels. These outcomes will equip the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) with the necessary data, tools, and strategies to position Texas as a leader in alternative fuels at ports, enhancing port resilience and economic competitiveness in the evolving global energy landscape.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 26 Aug 2025 12:37:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2593188</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Tailoring Alternative Project Delivery Methods to Deploy an Effective Hydrogen Fueling Infrastructure for Commercial Vehicles in Georgia</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2508956</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The major objective of this research is to assist the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) in understanding the market characteristics and laying the foundation for developing delivery approaches for the rapid integration of hydrogen fueling stations for commercial vehicles throughout GDOT’s transportation network.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 12 Feb 2025 10:01:03 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2508956</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Comprehensive assessment of alternative fueling system supply chains in the heavy duty trucking sector</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2495007</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project examines production supply chains for fueling systems of heavy duty vehicles.  The project uses life cycle analysis (LCA) and extends the method to consider impacts beyond energy consumption and associated emissions, including wider societal impacts, such as air emissions generated in the production or operations process, or labor conditions for those engaged in raw materials extraction or component production.  The project builds on current research that is developing prototype supply chains and identifying “hot spots” for particular impacts.  The purpose of the research is to examine strategies for relocating resource extraction, production, and manufacturing activity to reduce overall impacts.  The case of electric batteries for trucks is used to estimate the effects of taking advantage of locations with cleaner energy mix or more robust labor standards, as for example onshoring manufacturing to the US.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 31 Jan 2025 18:42:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2495007</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Evaluating Alternative Fuels in Snowplow/Maintenance Vehicles and Identifying Barriers to Adoption</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2344949</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Five existing snow plow trucks from DSM (N) will be outfitted with Optimus Technology Vector B100 conversion kits.  Three new plow trucks will be outfitted with the same technology. The 8th truck will be assigned to the Ames Garage and will receive fuel from the City of Ames B100 tank from a similar project and tank.  The trucks will burn pure biodiesel or B100 for the majority of the time they are running which decreases the amount of petroleum used.

DSM (N) will use the trucks for the duration of the pilot project which is 2 years starting in November of 2019.  B100 will be consumed and fuel transaction data will be collected. The list below indicates the type of data and information that will be available to evaluate: GPH fuel consumed – fuel transaction data will be available, truck performance – engine data will be available, driver experience – interview drivers with scripted questions; vector system malfunctions – document anything that failed; tank / dispenser malfunctions– document anything that failed; calculated reductions in pollutants – could be calculated; # gallons of fossil fuel displaced – could be calculated; acres of soybeans processed into B100 – could be calculated; carbon emissions reduced – could be calculated; accuracy of fuel transaction data – timely delivery etc. – data will be available for review; DPF regeneration cycles reduced – can be measured against sister trucks; and DPF regeneration system maintenance costs reduced - can be measured against sister trucks.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 27 Feb 2024 17:27:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2344949</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Use of Carbon Dots to Boost Energy Content of Biodiesel to Enable Next-Generation Hybrid Heavy Vehicles for Ground Transportation While Improving Safety</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2342031</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Increasing energy demands due to rapid industrialization and urbanization, stringent emission limits, and depleting sources of conventional fossil fuels urges the scientific community in search of renewable, reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly alternative and sustainable options. In the transportation sector, this has translated as both electrification and increased adoption of biofuel. The electrification seems sufficient for light duty vehicles but for heavy duty vehicles, hybrid model will be the way forward during technology transition. Thus, biofuel, particularly biodiesel, has become a center of research initiatives as a replacement or a supplement to conventional petroleum-based fossil fuels [1-6]. Biodiesel was the second most produced and consumed biofuel in the United States in 2021 and accounted for about 11% and 12% of total U.S. biofuels production and consumption respectively [7]. Also, 1.64 billion gallons of biodiesel were produced in 2021 of which Soybean oil-based biodiesel contributes the most to this production (around 68%). Biodiesel can be blended and used in many different concentrations, including B100 (pure biodiesel), B20 (20% biodiesel, 80% petroleum diesel), B5 (5% biodiesel, 95% petroleum diesel), and B2 (2% biodiesel, 98% petroleum diesel). B20 is a common biodiesel blend in the United States.
     
Biodiesel advantages include low or no sulfur content, no aromatics content, high flash point, inherent lubricity, biodegradability, reduction of most regulated exhaust emissions, miscibility with petro-diesel in all blend ratios and compatibility with the existing fuel distribution infrastructure [4-6]. Technical challenges associated with biodiesel include reduction of NOx exhaust emissions, improvement in specific energy density and improvement of oxidative stability and cold flow properties. Achieving the same energy content as petro-diesel is a major challenge which will enable the widespread adoption of biodiesel for heavy duty diesel vehicles as biodiesel typically have ~10% lower energy content compared to their Petro-diesel counterpart. Carbon nanoparticles have emerged as a unique and potential addition to current fuel additives used in biodiesel and diesel fuels, resulting in lower emissions and improved engine performance [5-6]. Carbon nanoparticles offer unique features (such as greater surface area/volume ratio, higher combustion rate, increased energy density and so on) that make them ideal for various engineering purposes. In addition, nanometric materials may achieve the necessary chemical and thermal properties standard. Combining different nanoparticles with biodiesel provided evidence of enhancement in engine performance and reduce pollution. In addition, Carbon nanoparticles’ prospects as fire safety additives has been explored in the previous works [8-15]. However, the inclusion of Carbon nanoparticles is limited by their adverse effects on environment and health. Thus, biocompatible and bio-degradable carbon nanoparticles come into play for commercial use of nanoadditives for biodiesel. 
    
Hence, the focus of this project will be evaluating the biocompatible and bio-degradable carbon nanoparticles (e.g.: Carbon dots) as fuel additive for biodiesel particularly enhancing the energy content of biodiesel without compromising the positive benefits associated of using biodiesel. The work will also include technology transfer issues like testing, tuning, and validating the fuel additive mixture performance when combined with existing fuel additives, low and high temperature storage and operation, and other performance specifications as needed for commercial introduction.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 19 Feb 2024 17:07:51 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2342031</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Emerging Vehicle Technologies and Operating Strategies for Tribal and Rural Communities</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2335158</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Often, new technologies and advances in transportation are not readily accessible to all, resulting in their benefits being unavailable to several underserved communities, such as in rural and tribal areas. Technological advancements in transportation, including emerging vehicle technologies and the development of “new mobility” options and other advancements, are generally geared toward serving urban areas. This project will investigate how rural and tribal communities can optimally use new technologies and operating strategies. The general objective is to investigate the feasibility of adopting different vehicle technologies or operating strategies by rural and tribal transit operators. Specific objectives are to measure current adoption rates and identify challenges and opportunities for new vehicle technologies in rural and tribal areas; research strategies for on-demand rural ridesharing and the potential for improved efficiencies. The study, which will incorporate a mixed-methods approach, will provide information about adoption rates, deterrents, challenges, and successes in rural and tribal areas. It will examine the cost, fuel efficiency, and feasibility of operating on-demand rideshare programs in rural areas with different types of vehicles. This project will apply CEM’s 14 Pathways to Health framework to rural and tribal communities. Results will help to ensure an equitable distribution of benefits and disbenefits of these new technologies for rural and tribal communities. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 06 Feb 2024 16:56:15 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2335158</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Modernizing Fuel Tax Revenue Forecasting</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2307248</link>
      <description><![CDATA[State departments of transportation (DOTs) are facing funding challenges because state and federal fuel tax revenues are changing and becoming harder to accurately forecast. One of the factors responsible for changes is improvements in vehicle fuel economy. For example, there are increases to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)’s Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, fleet economy changes, electric and alternative fuel vehicles, and changes in vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Some state legislation has inadvertently decreased fuel revenues as a side effect. For instance, more than a dozen states have adopted regulations through legislation or other government actions to rapidly scale down emissions of light-duty passenger cars, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles and require an increased number of zero-emission vehicles to meet air quality and climate change emissions goals.

Six separate excise taxes are imposed to finance the federal Highway Trust Fund (HTF) program. Three of these taxes are imposed on highway motor fuels (gasoline, diesel fuel and kerosene, and alternative fuels) and generate the majority of the revenues dedicated to the HTF. The FHWA’s Highway Revenue Forecasting Model (HRFM) provides projections for a 20-year time horizon for HTF and new revenue sources. The model uses VMT and fuel economy projections, as well as changes in composition of vehicles over the forecasting period. The fuel efficiency projection incorporates anticipated penetration of fuel-efficient vehicles, including electric vehicles (EVs). The model provides revenue projections, contribution of the 21 different vehicle classes to revenues, and costs (tax burdens) to households by income group and other demographics. Outputs from this model are primarily used for conducting highway cost allocation (HCA) studies (https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policy/hcas/final/).

Research is needed to help state DOTs develop improved models to accurately forecast motor fuel transportation revenue in the near and long term for operational and planning needs. Further, these forecasts are necessary to quantify and understand potential shortfalls in revenue that need to be replaced by alternative sources of revenue.

The objective of this research is to develop a method and model(s) to help states forecast motor fuel transportation revenues in light of increased fuel efficiency and alternative fuels.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 11 Dec 2023 21:33:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2307248</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SPR-4861: Updating Cost Allocation and Revenue Attribution</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2306933</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Indiana’s road expenditures are financed primarily by highway user fees. The basic principles of highway financing are user-fee equity and statewide revenue adequacy. It is only through analysis of past costs and revenues that Indiana can develop an equitable pricing structure for its road users and an efficient revenue generation system to cover expenditures. Such studies are needed periodically to ensure user equity and revenue efficiency keep pace with changing travel demand and distributions, construction technology and materials, and above all, new/emerging vehicle technologies including electrification. This proposal is based on a request made to Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) by Indiana’s Legislature, to update Indiana’s 2016 Cost Allocation Study. The goal is to measure/predict/address the impacts of alternative-fuel technology (particularly, electric vehicles) on Indiana’s highway revenue adequacy and equity.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 08 Dec 2023 10:37:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2306933</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Environmental Impact and Lifecycle Costs of Electricity Charging and Hydrogen Refueling Stations to Support Future Advanced Vehicles</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2244375</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The lack of electric vehicle recharging stations or hydrogen refueling stations is one issue that hinders the dispersion of electric vehicles or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in the United States. The research team proposes to conduct research on the environmental impact evaluation and lifecycle cost analysis of future supporting transportation infrastructures for electric vehicles and hydrogen vehicles with two focuses on electric vehicle recharging stations and hydrogen-fuel-cell vehicle fueling stations. The team will build comprehensive lifecycle inventories for electricity generated from renewable energies, including solar and wind farms and hydrogen production via biomass gasification and water electrolysis, electric vehicle charging stations, and hydrogen refueling stations. The team will evaluate the environmental impact of electric vehicle charging stations, hydrogen refueling stations, and future integrated electricity-hydrogen charging/refueling stations with lifecycle assessment. The team will also conduct an exergy-economic analysis of these stations, i.e., lifecycle cost analysis with different types of electricity/hydrogen supplies, e.g., US electricity generation mix, renewable electricity, an integrated solar hydrogen refueling station, gaseous hydrogen delivered by pipeline, and liquid hydrogen truck delivery from a large hydrogen production plant, where hydrogen is produced through biomass processing or water splitting with electricity produced from solar/wind farms. Different charging methods and infrastructure facilities, such as regular AC charging, fast DC charging, and hydrogen storage for regenerating electricity, for electric vehicles will also be compared for their economic and environmental impact.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 13 Sep 2023 12:51:28 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2244375</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Preparing for Hydrogen at Airports</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2226004</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Interest in and use of hydrogen in the airport environment is expected to grow as manufacturers are quickly developing new types of vehicles and systems that use hydrogen as a fuel. Additionally, many airports have established net-zero emissions goals. All these factors are driving a need for joint efforts to renew and improve energy infrastructure in and around airports. 
The integration of hydrogen as a fuel for both aircraft and ground vehicles could be challenging for airports, given that it will likely require significant updates to airport infrastructure, operations, and safety protocols. Because the technology is evolving quickly, there is limited understanding of hydrogen power and considerable uncertainty about the timing and degree of market penetration, readiness, and practical implications of using hydrogen at airports. The objectives of this research are to identify likely facility, operational, safety, and workforce requirements needed to accommodate the generation, supply, transportation, handling, use, and storage of hydrogen at U.S. airports, and to develop a guide to help airport practitioners understand the potential for hydrogen uptake at their facilities.


]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 08 Aug 2023 06:43:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2226004</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>A Comparative Analysis of Alternative Fuel Fleet of Buses (AFB) to Enhance Mobility in Central Florida</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2093462</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objectives of the project can be summarized as follows: (1) Collect performance data from the buses in real time with trip mapping to perform various sustainability analytics. (2) Conduct a comparative analysis for the alternative fuel bus technologies to quantify their life cycle sustainability impacts, including environmental impacts (e.g., carbon footprint, air pollution, energy consumption), social impacts (e.g., human health), and economic impacts (e.g., life cycle costs). (3) Investigate the impacts under different policy-relevant scenarios such as charging infrastructure, different ridership profiles, and different routes to better aid effective policymaking. (4) Determine the optimum fleet composition including the number of refueling stations under different market penetration rates, using multi-objective optimization techniques to help ease the transition period and avoid unnecessary investment in the infrastructure to aid transit agencies in optimizing fleet utilization and policymakers in designing effective policies.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2023 15:03:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2093462</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Evaluate test procedure for Hydrogen Temperature Pressure Relief devices</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2050267</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This research conducts fire testing of high pressure hydrogen cylinders temperature pressure relief devices (TPRDs) to evaluate suitability of draft GTR test procedures for self certification.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 25 Oct 2022 10:24:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2050267</guid>
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