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    <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
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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>
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    <item>
      <title>Advancement of Gender Equity in Transportation Safety, Design, Development, and
Evaluation of Roadside Safety Hardware – Phase II
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2627342</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials AASHTO) Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) provides guidelines for crash testing and evaluating highway safety features. However, these guidelines predominantly rely on research using male crash test dummies, potentially overlooking the safety needs of a broader group of motorists, particularly female drivers and passengers. This project aims to address this gap by investigating the suitability of the MASH impact safety requirements for a diverse range of motorists and recommending necessary adjustments.
The proposed research will evaluate the existing criteria to identify potential shortcomings in representing female drivers and passengers. By conducting thorough assessments and performance evaluations of highway safety standards, the project seeks to identify areas requiring adjustments to ensure the safety of all road users, especially females. The project’s significance lies in its potential to enhance highway safety measures by considering the specific needs and characteristics of female motorists.
Specifically, this proposal will (1) investigate the applicability of the current MASH impact safety requirements to female drivers and passengers, (2) identify potential shortcomings in the current criteria, (3) conduct preliminary computer simulations using both female and male dummies considering time and budget constraints, (4) provide recommendations for necessary adjustments, and (5) develop a future research plan to improve the inclusiveness and effectiveness of highway safety devices.
By focusing on these specific objectives, this project aims to significantly contribute to improving highway safety standards and creating a safer, and more inclusive transportation infrastructure for all road users.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 19 Nov 2025 14:50:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2627342</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Advancement of Gender Equity in Transportation Safety, Design, Development, and Evaluation of Roadside Safety Hardware</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2342039</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) provides guidelines for crash testing and evaluating highway safety features. However, these guidelines have predominantly been based on research using a male crash test dummy, resulting in a potential lack of inclusiveness and applicability to a broader group of motorists, specifically female drivers and passengers. This project aims to address this issue by investigating the suitability of the MASH impact safety requirements for a diverse range of motorists and recommending necessary adjustments and considerations. The proposed research will focus on evaluating the existing criteria and determining any potential shortcomings related to the representation of female drivers and passengers. By conducting thorough assessments and performance evaluations of highway safety standards, the project will seek to identify areas where adjustments may be necessary to ensure the safety of all road users, in particular females. The significance of this project lies in its potential to enhance highway safety measures by considering the specific needs and characteristics of female motorists. Specifically, this proposal will investigate the applicability of the current MASH impact safety requirements to female drivers and passengers, identify potential shortcomings, initiate preliminary computer simulations using female and male dummies considering the limitations of time and budget, provide recommendations for areas of adjustments, and provide future research plan to improve the inclusiveness and effectiveness of highway safety devices. By focusing on these specific objectives, this proposal aims to contribute significantly and meaningfully to improving highway safety standards and creating safer and more inclusive transportation infrastructure for all road users.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 19 Feb 2024 18:31:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2342039</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Gender Diversity in the Transportation Workforce – Challenges and Strategies for Inclusion</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2329527</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The primary objective of this research is to develop a technical report identifying the current challenges associated with female representation in the transportation industry workforce and the state of practice research highlighting reasons why this lack of diversity in the workforce occurs and strategies for alleviating it. The report will identify, to the extent possible, differences in challenges observed and specialized strategies for diverse occupations in the industry. Literature review, targeted interviews, and focus group discussions will be used to obtain data for this research. This research will provide recommendations on how to attract and retain more workers to diverse transportation professionals, making it a beneficial tool for industry leaders, policy makers, politicians, and the academic community to overcome some of the current workforce shortage challenges. Additionally, agencies that are looking to improve their business culture and attract more employees are expected to be end users of this research.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 26 Jan 2024 16:38:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2329527</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>The Impact of Children's School Format on Women Professionals in STEM</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2244203</link>
      <description><![CDATA[With many school closures during the pandemic resulting in long-term changes (more than just a month) to child education format (e.g., online or hybrid), many women took on increasingly greater home and childcare responsibilities. Even prior to the pandemic, the retention of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) faced many challenges. The research project described herein tried to capture the experiences of women in STEM with children, as (rather than in retrospect) they navigated various school formats during the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). The authors anticipate that the results of this research will highlight the challenges facing women in STEM with children when it comes to the education of their children. Three surveys were administered to women in STEM: one in October of 2020, one in March of 2021, and one in May of 2021. Forty-six, ten and three survey respondents replied to each survey. The results suggest that while overall survey respondents remained concerned about impacts that COVID-19 may have on them and their families, the level of concern seemed to dissipate over the successive surveys. Overall, women in STEM reported very limited options for additional support (e.g., a nanny). The hybrid school format was reported as requiring some of the most significant levels of support followed by online and then in-person. As a whole, women in STEM whose children were attending school in-person reported little to no impacts, often instead remarking on impacts felt during the initial lockdowns. Women in STEM with elementary school-aged children seemed to report the most significant impact. The inability to work uninterrupted was one of the most significant challenges suggested, as there are implications that the work that women in STEM are conducting requires periods of meta focus. Therefore, while the flexibility of allowing women in STEM to work at home can bring some benefits, ultimately, when her children are also at home, the benefits are significantly mitigated. Finally, while the three surveys were expected to be able to capture the oscillation between school formats, at least one survey respondent described many changes between subsequent surveys.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 08 Sep 2023 19:02:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2244203</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SPR-4805:  The Development of a Comprehensive Training and Toolkit for Recruitment and Retention of Women and Racial Minorities in the Heavy Highway Industry</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2238856</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project will take INDOT’s current affirmative action data and develop a comprehensive training and toolkit for recruitment and retention of women and racial minorities in the heavy highway industry.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 31 Aug 2023 16:47:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2238856</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Understanding How Marginalized Genders Travel Using NJ Transit</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2132217</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Through this project, New Jersey Transit (NJ TRANSIT) seeks to understand how women, girls, and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer plus community, sometimes referred to as Sexual and Gender Minorities (SGMs) travel on NJ TRANSIT so the agency can provide better accommodations for all customers, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. While women and SGMs may face 
common socio-economic and structural barriers regarding travel needs, each demographic may face their own unique challenges and ultimate solutions may be different. The goal for this research project is to gather and analyze identity-specific data that reflects how women and SGMs travel that can be incorporated into future planning and decision-making. The objectives of this research are to: (1) identify and understand the mobility barriers, challenges, and concerns that women, girls, and SGMs face when using NJ TRANSIT; (2) develop recommendations on what can be done to address the concerns, challenges, and needs of women, girls, and SGM riders so changes can be incorporated into the design of both public transportation infrastructure, such as bus stops, train and light rail stations, as well as rolling stock; (3) identify ways to improve safety for women, girls, and SGMs; and (4) improve customer-facing employee training to better understand how to serve these populations without bias or discrimination and with an understanding of the unique needs of these populations.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 06 Mar 2023 10:36:18 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2132217</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Addressing Travel Needs of Women and Families on Public Transportation



</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2083657</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Since the 1970s research presented at domestic and international conferences has documented and addressed areas where the travel needs of women are distinct. To date, this awareness has not been widely translated into public transportation planning, policies, and practices to effectively address the travel needs of women and families.  

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to develop a practical resource for public transportation agencies, planning organizations, and their partnering organizations to (1) improve the travel experience of women and families, (2) foster improved decision-making, and (3) increase transit ridership. The resource should address relevant decision-making for public transportation planning, operations, and capital investments.  ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 13 Dec 2022 09:10:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2083657</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>WorldSID Fleet Testing and Evaluation (VRTC)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2050303</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project will involve crashworthiness evaluation to support rulemaking initiatives for the WorldSID 50th male anthropometric test device (ATD), and continued support for the development of the WorldSID 5th female ATD. This involves crash testing in both moving deformable barrier (MDB) and side pole modes to evaluate vehicle and ATD performance and ATD durability.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 25 Oct 2022 10:24:51 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2050303</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>THOR-05F Evaluation/Documentation - R&amp;R and Durability (VRTC) (Evaluation of Repeatability, Reproducibility, and Durability of the THOR-05F ATD)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2050299</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The THOR-05F ATD is being developed to enable the possibility to address occupant protection concerns for small sized occupants involved in frontal crashes.  It is designed to have improved biofidelity and instrumentation as compared to existing small female frontal anthropometric test devices (ATDs). The increased capability of this dummy may also allow it to be used to assess injuries to older occupants, and makes it a prime candidate for being the most appropriate tool for assessing 5th female occupant safety in automated driving systems (ADS) alternative seating arrangements.  These projects address ATD evaluation and injury criteria development in the thorax, abdomen, neck , and knee-thigh-hip area]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 25 Oct 2022 10:24:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2050299</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Female-specific Response &amp; Injury Risk (Thorax/Ribs &amp; Abdomen)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2050295</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project involves testing small female post-mortem human subjects (PMHS) to evaluate thorax response prediction using new rib-based scaling method; assessing existing abdomen data/collecting more PMHS data to statistically compare female vs male pressure-based injury risk functions; and data analysis/development of rib fracture vulnerability metric using age and sex]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 25 Oct 2022 10:24:46 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2050295</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>THOR-05F Knee-Thigh-Hip testing for injury criteria development</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2050283</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This research looks at female-specific knee-thigh-hip PMHS testing and computational modeling to support THOR-05F injury criteria development.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 25 Oct 2022 10:24:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2050283</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>THOR-05F Finite Element Model</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2050282</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This research involves the development and validation of a THOR 5th female finite element model (FEM).]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 25 Oct 2022 10:24:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2050282</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Female-specific thorax data collection for injury risk function development</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2050280</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The research involves the collection of additional female-specific injury data for use in thorax injury criteria development for THOR 5th female dummy.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 25 Oct 2022 10:24:39 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2050280</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Equitable Workforce Outcomes: A Study of Women and Minority Representation at Airports</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2007985</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP)’s recent Insight Event on Systemic Inequalities in the Airport Industry highlighted that, while many United States airports are striving to address diversity, equity, and inclusion, there remain considerable challenges. One key challenge is the lack of robust data. For example, analysis of demographic information (e.g., gender, race/ethnicity, career stage) of U.S. airport employees would provide valuable insight into women and minority participation in different airport occupations. The data could be used to highlight the areas of greatest concern and as benchmarks that could allow the industry to measure its progress over time.
Airports also would benefit from resources and tools that would help them address challenges such as recruitment, retention, promotion, and wage disparities for women and minorities. Some airports have had success implementing initiatives that aim to support their employees and close the gender and racial wage gaps in their organizations. A better understanding of those initiatives could motivate other airports to take similar steps.
OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this research are: (1) to identify and evaluate the current state of women and minority representation among direct employees of U.S. airports, and (2) to use the information collected to develop resources and tools to address potential issues identified including, but not limited to, recruitment, retention, promotion, and wage disparity. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 16 Aug 2022 14:28:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2007985</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Synthesis of Information Related to Highway Practices. Topic 54-20. Advancing Gender Equity in the DOT Workforce</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1953245</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of this synthesis was to document current DOT practices related to advancing gender equity in their workforce. Women comprise only 15% of the transportation workforce, and this statistic declines in executive and leadership positions and does not reflect those who may not identify as men or women. For women of color, the numbers are even more disparate. 
This synthesis gathered information through a literature review, a survey of DOTs, and follow-up interviews with selected DOTs. Six case examples provide greater insight into current gender equity practices, barriers to implementation, data collection and accountability processes, and assessment findings. 
Dr. Stephanie Ivey, Ph.D. of the University of South Florida and Susan Gallagher of Montana State University collected and synthesized the information and wrote the report. The members of the topic panel are acknowledged on page iv. This synthesis is an immediately useful document that records practices that were acceptable within the limitations of the knowledge available at the time of its preparation.
The synthesis is available at: https://doi.org/10.17226/27646.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 17 May 2022 11:13:10 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1953245</guid>
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