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    <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
    <link>https://rip.trb.org/</link>
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    <language>en-us</language>
    <copyright>Copyright © 2026. National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.</copyright>
    <docs>http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss</docs>
    <managingEditor>tris-trb@nas.edu (Bill McLeod)</managingEditor>
    <webMaster>tris-trb@nas.edu (Bill McLeod)</webMaster>
    <image>
      <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
      <url>https://rip.trb.org/Images/PageHeader-wTitle-RIP.jpg</url>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/</link>
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    <item>
      <title>Pavement Condition Rating Method and Use for Local Agencies 
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2618201</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) collects pavement condition ratings (PCR) on the state network annually and a subset of the local network that is federal aid eligible on a biennial basis. This data is made available to local public agencies (LPAs) through the TIMS system. Many LPAs also collect their own set of pavement condition ratings on all pavements within their jurisdiction to identify roads for resurfacing, repair, and other planning purposes. The data sets collected by LPAs may differ significantly from ODOT's PCR and in most cases the detailed level of distress information collected in ODOT PCR may not be necessary for their purposes. In addition, the collection methods, schedules, and data types differ from locality to locality statewide.

Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO's) use ODOT's PCR ratings to help compare the condition of various areas and for grant applications. While ODOT PCR may be helpful to MPOs, the feedback ODOT has received from LPAs who are responsible for maintaining the local roads is that ODOT's PCR data may not be helpful in many cases. In addition, LPAs would prefer to have data on the whole local network as opposed to a subset. Since ODOT collects and reports pavement data on federal aid eligible roads, identifying a pavement rating methodology that would be useful for all parties (LPAs and MPOs) is desired.
 
The goal of this research is to recommend pavement rating methods that would be useful to cities, counties, townships, and MPOs. Findings from this research will help ODOT to focus current efforts to collect local pavement condition ratings to be useful to the agencies responsible for the routes the data represents. Identifying and implementing a pavement rating methodology that would be useful for all parties (LPAs and MPOs) would help reduce duplication of effort and enhance data integrity and utilization. A more unified approach to pavement data collection can ultimately improve pavement management for local agencies.
                 ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 04 Nov 2025 15:32:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2618201</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Implementation of AASHTOWare BrR Program for Rating Iowa Bridges</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2484651</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Since the deployment of the National Bridge Inspection Oversight program, many States have performed a large majority of their load ratings in specific software for the benefits of ensuring quality and efficiency in re-utilizing the rating data and bridge models to manage the bridges over their life cycle. There is more emphasis from Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) this year in the assessment of Load rating quality control/quality assurance (QC/QA) program and procedures. A QC/QA program could be implemented more efficiently when standardized software and databases are used for performing the approximate 20,000 LPA bridge analyses.

Tools that Iowa Department of Transportation (IADOT) currently licenses, LARS and AASHTOWare Bridge Rating, could be used to model and store most local agency inventory load ratings. The local agencies and consultants could manage most of the load ratings within this software; the software can evaluate most of the common and standard plan bridges that have been used by local agency bridge owners in Iowa. There may be other software, such as BRASS, that could be used as a standardized tool.

AASHTOWare offers a ‘Supersite’ license that would allow access to the software with no direct costs to the county engineers and consultants, as well as other licensing options for agency sponsored consultants. Once implemented the entire network of bridges can be analyzed at the push of a button when considering future legislation changes.

To implement a statewide rating system, a research project is desired to develop standard files to be used by all users of the AASHTOWare rating software. These standard files will represent the standard bridges in Iowa. All agencies in Iowa, IADOT, County, and Cities will be included in the implementation of the AASHTOWare software.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 30 Dec 2024 12:26:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2484651</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Data-Driven Compensation Models for Enhanced Efficiency and Service Quality at License Plate Agencies</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2414051</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In the state of North Carolina, a network of 128 License Plate Agencies (LPAs) are vital community hubs for vehicle titling and registration services, serving as critical points of communication between citizens and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). These LPAs offer diverse services ranging from title work and registration to wildlife services and commercial vehicle in different parts of North Carolina and are indispensable due to NCDMV's continued use of paper titles.  However, the efficient operation of these LPAs while maintaining exceptional customer service has been a challenge. The current compensation model, governed by NCGS 20-63(h), rewards LPAs with payments per transaction, inadvertently incentivizing faster transactions over quality of service.
The overarching goal of this study is to enhance customer service quality and optimize transactional efficiency within LPAs by designing innovative tiered compensation models leveraging data-driven approaches. This research goal is driven by three core needs: enhancing customer service, ensuring the financial sustainability of LPAs, and aligning with the evolving technological landscape of digital services while preserving the crucial role of LPAs in our communities. This goal will be achieved through five tasks: (a) reviewing compensation models, (b) assessing stakeholder needs through data collection and conducting data-driven analyses of current LPA operations, (c) developing innovative compensation models with contract terms and incentives and performing detailed cost-benefit analysis, (d) conducting case studies and feedback for validation, and (d) facilitating technology transfer. 
The project's impact is threefold: first, it aims to reshape LPAs' service delivery approach, prioritizing customer satisfaction and financial sustainability. Second, it integrates insights from diverse fields, including compensation models, queuing theory, and multi-stakeholder analysis, into designing tier-specific compensation models. Lastly, the project is immediately relevant, given the rising customer complaints, reduced compensations, and the shift towards online services. The project is highly significant and time-critical for the state, as it will provide insights for improving LPA functions through stakeholder analysis and data-driven approaches. This, in turn, will inform future contracts and policy decisions, potentially serving as a model for other states. The anticipated research products include comprehensive reports, documentation of proposed compensation models, stakeholder insights, guidelines on benefit and cost evaluation of proposed models, and knowledge dissemination materials, all geared toward improving LPAs' operations and customer service. These products along with preliminary implementation plan will enable the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and NCDMV to ensure financial sustainability for LPAs, adapt to evolving technological landscape, and ultimately deliver great customer service (NCDOT’s Goal #2)
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 08 Aug 2024 10:57:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2414051</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>TRB Core Program Services for a Highway RD&amp;T Program – Federal Fiscal Year 2024/TRB (State DOTs) Fiscal Year 2025</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2364579</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The transportation research community consists of numerous partnerships to aid in the conduct of research and the implementation of technologies and innovations.  The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), state departments of Transportation (DOTs), and the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) are among these partners, who work closely in many facets of the national research program. The mission of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) is to promote innovation and progress in transportation by stimulating and conducting research, facilitating the dissemination of information, and encouraging the implementation of research results. TRB fulfills this mission through the work of its standing technical committees and task forces addressing all modes and aspects of transportation; publication and dissemination of reports and peer-reviewed technical papers on research findings; administration of contract research programs; conduct of special studies on transportation policy issues; maintenance of Transport Research International Documentation (TRID); and hosting an annual meeting that attracts approximately 14,000 transportation professionals from throughout the United States and abroad. This pooled fund provides a mechanism for States to transfer funds to FHWA to add to the TRB Core Program Services cooperative agreement.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a mechanism for State transportation departments to support the TRB's core program and services.

Scope of Work: This pooled fund study permits States to make their contributions to the TRB Core Program instead of sending their contributions to TRB directly.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 08 Apr 2024 16:11:51 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2364579</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Feasibility of a National Traffic Safety Enforcement Database</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2259089</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of this project is to produce a document that assesses, updates, and adds to the recommendations described in the 2011 NHTSA report, “Feasibility of Collecting Traffic Safety Data from Law Enforcement Agencies” for developing and implementing a nationally representative database of traffic safety enforcement activities. In addition to discussing the 2011 report, this document will describe what data elements would be feasible to include in such a database, what methodological considerations should be made when sampling law enforcement agencies for the database, and what barriers or challenges might be encountered when implementing and maintaining the database.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 29 Sep 2023 07:04:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2259089</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Expanding the Transportation Workforce: Roadway Maintenance Workers</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2204565</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Most local transportation agencies across Minnesota find themselves in a similar place: struggling to hire staff, and particularly roadway maintenance workers. Through both an awareness building campaign and the development of a training course roadmap (a checklist outlining suggested training courses new hires should complete), the focus of this project is to expand the number of people applying for roadway maintenance jobs within local agency transportation departments.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 29 Jun 2023 16:42:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2204565</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Advancing Equity in Capital Investment Decision-Making</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2186148</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Transportation capital investment planning plays a crucial role in shaping infrastructure that supports community growth and well-being. While many studies have examined capital investment decisions within specific jurisdictions, there is limited understanding of how equity is defined, measured, and integrated into these processes more broadly. This research addresses that gap by investigating how equity is incorporated into transportation capital investment planning and decision-making across Minnesota localities and Native Nations. The study includes a literature review, a statewide survey, and nine case studies reflecting diverse populations and practices. Findings shed light on the development of three key resources: (1) a set of successful practices for integrating equity into capital investment decisions, (2) a list of quantitative and qualitative equity metrics, and (3) a community engagement toolkit to support trust-building with historically underserved communities. These findings and tools aim to support local governments and Native Nations in improving transportation investment practices and advancing equity in infrastructure planning processes and outcomes.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 25 May 2023 10:36:51 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2186148</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Reduce Fatal and Serious Injury Crashes</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2186024</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Towards Zero Deaths (TZD), Vision Zero (VZ), and Road to Zero (RTZ) are national strategies on transportation safety with a vision of a transportation system free of fatalities, changing the safety culture to the point where even one traffic related death is unacceptable.  Another initiative recently adopted by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is the Safe System approach to transportation safety.  Like TZD, VZ and RTZ, the Safe System approach aims to eliminate fatal and serious injuries for all road users.  It does so through a holistic view of the road system that anticipates human mistakes and keeps impact energy on the human body at tolerable levels. To accomplish this goal, every user of the transportation system and traffic safety decision maker must change the way they think about traffic safety. For South Dakota (SD) to implement a zero-fatality initiative, it needs an implementation plan that defines the roles and responsibilities of multiple state and local government agencies.  These agencies include the Office of the Governor, Dept. of Transportation, Dept. of Public Safety, Dept. of Health, Dept. of Education, Unified Judicial System, Local Transportation Assistance Program, SD Police Chiefs’ Association, SD Sheriffs’ Association, SD Association of County Highway Superintendents, and Tribal Partners. The proposed research project will use resources available to coordinate with these agencies in developing a zero-fatality initiative implementation plan specific to South Dakota.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 24 May 2023 14:13:55 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2186024</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Coordinating and Integrating Transportation Systems Management and Operations and Safety Programs.</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2100904</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This study will identify opportunities to improve the coordination and synergies between state and local agency Safety and Operations Planning and Project Delivery. It will also produce technical memos, white paper, case studies, and a webinar]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Jan 2023 11:17:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2100904</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Develop an Evaluation Protocol for Non-LNG Release Hazards - Modeling</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2093140</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project will provide regulatory agencies with the means to properly evaluate modeling tools for any of the hazards that are required to be evaluated, thereby  providing clarity to LNG plant developers and their safety consultants regarding which models may be used and which safety factors must be applied.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 03 Jan 2023 13:53:18 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2093140</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Intercity Bus: The State Role Updated</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2083653</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Requests to the states by intercity bus carriers for financial aid during the COVID-19 pandemic have raised questions about the role of the intercity bus service. States are obliged to follow the requirements of the Section 5311(f) program concerning the 15% set-aside requirement, including the need for a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) compliant consultation process. 
Many key reference documents regarding the state role and intercity bus service, including Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Report 79: Effective Approaches to Meeting Rural Intercity Bus Transportation Needs (2002), were completed decades ago and need to be updated. Since publication of these documents, additional models for intercity bus programs have been developed, such as using the value of connecting unsubsidized intercity bus service as the in-kind required match.
Some states are expanding their roles with branding and marketing for state-funded or state-operated services and developing models that contract services and provide grants to rural operators for feeder routes. Other major developments include the restructuring of intercity bus routes in 2005-06; the growth of curbside bus transportation; the loss of privately owned terminal locations; and the major impact on ridership and revenue resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. 
The intercity bus network is increasingly fragmented and is being reinvented. There is a need to update strategies and determine best practices on the state's role in administering the FTA intercity bus program mandated by 49 U.S.C. &sect; 5311(f). State program managers and interested stakeholders need to fully understand the options available to them and have tangible examples of successful scenarios and best practices.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to update TCRP Report 79 and provide strategies and tools necessary to plan, fund, build, deploy, operate, and expand sustainable intercity bus services and facilities. 
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 13 Dec 2022 09:59:05 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2083653</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Legal Aspects of Airport Programs. Topic 15-01. Accommodating Federal Agencies at Airports and Related Contractual Concerns</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2061057</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Airports host multiple federal agencies that play key roles in the operations, safety, and security of their facilities. Planning and operation of airports across the United States may require accommodation of multiple federal agencies, but the legal authority defining airports’ rights and obligations to these agencies is varied and at times unclear.
ACRP Legal Research Digest 47: Accommodating Federal Agencies at Airports and Related Contractual Concerns, from TRB's Airport Cooperative Research Program, seeks to provide a single source of information concerning airports’ rights and obligations to accommodate federal agencies and to enter into cooperative agreements and other agreements.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 15 Nov 2022 20:01:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2061057</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>National Liaison Program</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2062458</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This research involves working with multiple Federal permitting agencies on permitting reform activities and programmatic approaches.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 15 Nov 2022 16:17:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2062458</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Reducing Vehicle Licensing and Titling Fraud</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2039853</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Kentucky’s Division of Motor Vehicle Licensing (DMVL) works to prevent vehicle licensing and titling fraud by monitoring vehicle transactions, transacted vehicles, and documentation associated with transactions. Fraud can take several forms. Individuals may attempt to obtain a clean title for a wrecked vehicle deemed unfit for roadway usage in another state; the vehicle may be stolen; or the vehicle may be subject to odometer manipulation or another form of deception. Preventing fraud and enforcing anti-fraud laws is mostly left up to DMVL. Currently just two DMVL employees work on these efforts. DMVL administrators believe anti-fraud efforts are substantially underfunded and want to explore changes to the program. 
This project will do the following: 
(1) identify funding mechanisms to purchase subscriptions to anti-fraud software and services; 
(2) uncover ways to enhance anti-fraud prevention efforts by comparing Kentucky’s program to those in other states;  
(3) investigate funding mechanisms for enhanced anti-fraud efforts; and
(4) develop best practices and recommended procedural, regulatory, and statutory changes for the anti-fraud program.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 12 Oct 2022 12:57:53 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2039853</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Evaluations of FHWA Research &amp; Technology Program Projects. Evaluation of FHWA's Initiative on Integrating NEPA and Permitting
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2018403</link>
      <description><![CDATA[[No abstract provided.]]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 06 Sep 2022 11:23:21 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2018403</guid>
    </item>
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