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    <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
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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>
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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>Laboratory Evaluation of Fresh and Hardened Concrete Comprising Type IP Portland-Pozzolan Cement</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2263680</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of this project is to evaluate properties of fresh and hardened concrete comprising portland-pozzolan cement with respect to current Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) specifications for cast-in-place concrete barriers. Specifically, the effects of a potentially higher water-cementitious materials ratio on the performance of the concrete in fresh and hardened states will be investigated, as well as methods of lowering the water-cementitious materials ratio to increase compliance with specifications.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 06 Oct 2023 16:55:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2263680</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Enabling GLOSA through Domain Knowledge Aware SPAT Prediction and Queue Length Aware Trajectory Optimization</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2250699</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This study extends efforts in improving Signal Phase and Timing (SPAT) prediction and Trajectory Optimization near signalized intersections. It focuses on efficiently modeling and addressing uncertainties in intersections controlled by actuated traffic signals. One major uncertainty is using deep learning for SPAT prediction. While deep learning performs well most of the time, there are instances of faulty predictions. To address this, the study combines deep learning with traffic signal domain expertise to ensure accurate predictions aligned with traffic signal controller logic. In trajectory optimization, uncertainties arise from predicting the waiting queue and its clearance time at traffic signals. This task involves complex factors like traffic conditions, vehicle dynamics, and driver behavior, including perception reaction time. Incorporating queue length estimation and clearance time into the trajectory planning algorithm will enable fuel-efficient optimization, particularly beneficial for Green Light Optimal Speed Advisory (GLOSA) during high traffic demands when queues have a significant impact. This study will conduct a comprehensive literature review to assess the current state of SPAT prediction and queue estimation, considering relevant publications in traffic signal control, machine learning, and optimization. The aim is to identify optimal approaches for incorporating domain knowledge into SPAT prediction and integrating queue estimation into trajectory planning. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 21 Sep 2023 14:18:54 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2250699</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Showcasing and Rodeo of Emerging Concrete Technologies at TFHRC</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2077946</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This study presents a critical evaluation of promising concrete technologies; two related to rapid assessment of fresh concrete air void systms and one related to fly ash adsorption capacity.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 06 Dec 2022 09:48:39 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2077946</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Design of 3D Printable Eco-Concrete by Utilizing Rheology Modifiers for Sustainable Infrastructure</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1948649</link>
      <description><![CDATA[3D printing technology has become more commonplace in diverse industries in recent years. The popularity of this technology in the construction industry has been increasing; however, there are some challenges related to designing 3D-printable construction materials and adjusting their fresh properties for the 3D-printing process. Rheological properties, including viscosity, yield stress, and thixotropy, are the fundamental parameters to be considered for 3D printing applications. They significantly influence the key properties of 3D-printed concrete in the fresh and hardened states, including buildability, extrudability, and mechanical characteristics. Several researchers have utilized chemical admixtures (retarders/accelerator/superplasticizers/rheology modifiers) to achieve critical rheological demands. However, these are non-renewable, oil-based products containing many undesirable toxic matters that include a prospective danger towards the environment and can also cause the reinforcement's corrosion.
On the other hand, organic admixtures have the potential to replace chemical admixtures as an alternative, and they are abundantly available renewable materials. This study utilizes self-degradable additives (corn starch and cassava starch), supplementary cementitious materials (silica fume, nano-clay), and viscosity modifying admixture (methylcellulose). These admixtures will be used individually and in different combinations to evaluate their potential effects on the rheology, green strength, printability, and mechanical characteristics of the 3D-printable concrete. Fresh properties will be measured using a flow-table test. A rheometer will be used to study the plastic viscosity, yield stress, and thixotropy evolution over different intervals. The green strength will be examined using the direct shear and uniaxial compressive strength tests for different ages. The printability of the selected mixes will be assessed in terms of extrudability and buildability. Moreover, the 28-day compressive strength of the specimens will also be checked.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 09 May 2022 05:49:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1948649</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Research for AASHTO Standing Committee on Highways. Task 405. Reevaluation of the Perception and Reaction Time and Deceleration Rates for Stopping</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1877228</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The AASHTO Subcommittee on Highways issued a resolution on Flexibility in Design Standards. The current minimum Stopping Sight Distances (SSDs) in AASHTO’s A Policy for Geometric Design of Highways and Streets, 2011 (a.k.a. Green Book) are not threshold values and substantial deviations can be made without impacting crash rates or severity. The very conservative SSD criteria result in lengthy minimum sight distances, which reduce the flexibility for the design and can result in additional costs, additional use of resources, and design exceptions with no apparent safety benefit. SSD is one of the 10 Controlling Design Parameters established by FHWA and should represent a safety threshold.

The research objective is to determine a cost-effective SSD model for 2R/3R, Reconstruction, and New Construction Projects and revised text for an update of the AASHTO Green Book.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 07 Sep 2021 13:36:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1877228</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Development of the 8th Edition of AASHTO's A Policy on the Geometric Design of Highways and Streets (Green Book)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1707200</link>
      <description><![CDATA[AASHTO’s A Policy on Geometric Design for Rural Highways (the Blue Book, first published in 1954) and A Policy on Arterial Highways in Urban Areas (the Red Book, first published in 1957) were early nationally recognized standards for geometric design. In 1984, the Blue Book and Red Book were combined to create the first edition of AASHTO’s A Policy on the Geometric Design of Highways and Streets (commonly known as the Green Book). The 1984 Green Book was organized around roadway Functional Classification (Local, Collector or Arterial) and broad Context Classification (Urban or Rural) with design criteria based primarily on motor vehicles. Subsequent Green Book editions retained this basic framework for geometric design guidance. While the basic 10 chapter framework in the Green Book has served practitioners well for new construction or new location projects, it lacks the guidance needed for today’s challenging projects where transportation professionals must balance safety, mobility, and other concerns for all modes of travel.
 
Public works projects are more sensitive to funding than ever before and cost magnitude and cost effectiveness often play large roles in scoping projects. In some locations, especially constrained ones, designing to recommended Green Book criteria is neither feasible nor necessary and a flexible approach can produce a better performing design that is sensitive to the context, environment, and the needs of all of the users of the facility. Design decisions made must consider the effects on safety, mobility, reliability, resilience, accessibility, equity, public health, the environment, land use, and other factors and the rationale for these decisions be clear to the public. 

The objective of this research is to develop a draft 8th Edition Green Book (GB8) suitable for balloting through AASHTO processes.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 20 May 2020 18:31:24 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1707200</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Research for AASHTO Standing Committee on Highways. Task 398. Development of Performance-Based Geometric Design Content for the Next Edition of the AASHTO Green Book</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1673343</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of NCHRP 20-07/Task 398A was to support activities related to release of the 7th edition of the AASHTO Policy on Geometric Design.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 17 Dec 2019 12:14:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1673343</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Update of the Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets Guidance on Acceleration/Deceleration and Stopping Sight Distance Criteria</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1628617</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In September 2018, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) published the 7th edition of A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets (also known as the 2018 Green Book). The 2018 Green Book provides guidance for determining geometric design criteria of roadways, including guidance on acceleration/deceleration and stopping sight distance criteria. Acceleration/deceleration is influenced by many factors (e.g., grade, vehicle type, and maneuver type). Stopping sight distance is influenced by many factors (e.g., perception reaction time, object height, and driver’s eye height). In addition, the recent changes in vehicle fleet, vehicle technology, and driver population impact the design criteria. Research is needed to identify the limitations of the 2018 Green Book guidelines for acceleration/deceleration and stopping sight distance criteria, develop improved guidelines, and recommend changes to the 2018 Green Book for consideration and adoption by AASHTO. Improved guidance could result in reduced environmental impacts, savings in construction costs, and reductions in construction time.  
 
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to update the guidelines for acceleration/deceleration and stopping sight distance criteria contained in the 2018 Green Book.

]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 08 Jun 2019 05:14:54 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1628617</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>An Update of the Green Book Design Vehicles Requirements</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1516155</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Design vehicle classification, dimensions, and turning path templates have been an important part of AASHTO’s A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets, 7th Edition (Green Book) for over 40 years. Due to limited or nonexistent supporting data and research documentation, these design vehicle dimensions and minimum turning radii are difficult to support and verify. Also, with the increased value of right-of-ways and increased usage of modern roundabout designs and alternative intersection treatments (e.g., thru-turn, continuous flow, and displaced-left turn intersections), accurate vehicle steering angles and swept paths are of the utmost importance.

The Green Book turning path templates do not provide sufficient data for vehicle turn simulation software and computer-aided design (CAD) software to faithfully reproduce them. Critical dimensions for determining a vehicle’s swept path are its front overhang, rear overhang, wheelbase, steering angle, vehicle width, and, in the case of multi-part vehicles, the inter-vehicle angles and kingpin and hitch locations. Rear overhang and mirror widths have also generated safety concerns in the design of bus passenger platforms. Further, with industry movement toward 3D design, loaded ground clearances and heights of the key design vehicles are desirable.


The objective of this research was to develop design vehicle material for the 8th Edition of the Green Book that realistically represents the critical vehicles that influence geometric designs. The research provided conclusions for: (1) Critical dimensions and specifications (or ranges thereof) for design vehicles that can be applied to the design of intersection right and left-turn lanes, roundabout elements, and other roadway elements; (2) Guidance on using this dimensional information in design, including a selection of design vehicle(s) for a project, determination of when to allow large vehicles to encroach upon other lanes, and discussion on balancing the needs of different modes (e.g., trucks and pedestrians); and
(3) An appropriate number of turning path templates that reflect a reasonable range of variability among design vehicles and guidance on when and how they should be applied.
The final report documents the research objectives, methodology, findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Other final deliverables will include a Microsoft Excel® spreadsheet with the dimensional data for design vehicles. 

]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 18 Jun 2018 19:33:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1516155</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Testing MS Sedco INTERSECTOR Radar Detectors for Car/Bike Differentiation</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1441872</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The California Vehicle Code (CVC) 21450.5, effective January 1, 2008, states that bicycles must be detected at new or modified traffic actuated signals, or else the traffic signal must be set to vehicle recall for all phases without bicycle detection.  The Traffic Operations Policy Directive 09-06 and subsequent implementation memo mandate that bicycles must be detected and given extra initial green time if present, or else the traffic signal must be set to always give an initial green time sufficient for bicycle passage.  Therefore, the California Department of Transportation's (Caltrans’) Division of Traffic Operations is searching for technology capable of detecting both vehicles and bicycles as well as distinguishing between them.  Caltrans currently uses inductive loop detectors almost exclusively, but they cannot distinguish between bicycles and vehicles.  Using an off-pavement detection technology such as radar that can distinguish between them would allow Caltrans to only give additional initial green time to bicycles when detected.   Use of off-pavement detection technology would also help to responsibly manage California’s transportation assets through preservation of funding and environmental resources.  The lifetime cost of radar detection, including procurement, installation and maintenance, is less than that of loop detectors.  Pavement integrity would be preserved by eliminating loop cutting, which would reduce the need for congestion-causing lane closures during detector installation and maintenance.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2017 10:55:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1441872</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Sustainability FAA Greening Initiative
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1369312</link>
      <description><![CDATA[No summary provided.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 18 Sep 2015 15:39:42 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1369312</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Greening Initiative</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1363934</link>
      <description><![CDATA[No summary provided.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2015 01:00:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1363934</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Sustainable Transportation for Tourism: Indicators &amp; Standards, Green Certification Programs, and Simulation Modeling (Part 2)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1359732</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Transportation engineers often study patterns for routine daily travel: to work, to school, for social activities and errands. In this project an experienced interdisciplinary team tackles the issue of sustainable transportation in the context of tourism.  The researchers propose a model built on a matrix-based approach to define varying levels of sustainability where "indicators" are organized into a three-fold framework of environmental, social, and economic considerations. A range of "standards" for these indicators is arrayed across the matrix. Researchers are focusing on three types of geography where tourism travel is significant: tourist towns, scenic corridors and national parks. By incorporating indicators and standards a Level of Service (LOS) style metric can be extended to tourist travel.  Researchers are also considering marketing aspects of tourist travel behavior. Provision of more sustainable transportation such as a certified Green Coach is hypothesized to not only affect tourist travel decisions but to also provide public education and community/economic development.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2015 01:00:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1359732</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Sustainable Transportation for Tourism: Indicators &amp; Standards, Green Certification Programs, and Simulation Modeling (Part 3)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1359726</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Transportation engineers often study patterns for routine daily travel: to work, to school, for social activities and errands. In this project an experienced interdisciplinary team tackles the issue of sustainable transportation in the context of tourism. The researchers propose a model built on a matrix-based approach to define varying levels of sustainability where "indicators" are organized into a three-fold framework of environmental, social, and economic considerations. A range of "standards" for these indicators is arrayed across the matrix. Researchers are focusing on three types of geography where tourism travel is significant: tourist towns, scenic corridors and national parks. By incorporating indicators and standards a Level of Service (LOS) style metric can be extended to tourist travel. Researchers are also considering marketing aspects of tourist travel behavior. Provision of more sustainable transportation such as a certified Green Coach is hypothesized to not only affect tourist travel decisions but to also provide public education and community/economic development.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2015 01:00:39 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1359726</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Port Sustainability Audit</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1357364</link>
      <description><![CDATA[As public entities are held to higher standards of "green initiatives" that continue to promulgate within private industry, it is critical that significant advances be made in the way the public entities manage sustainability.  With regard to public river ports there has not been a mainstream attempt to move green initiatives forward.  This project will begin a study to establish a framework that will allow public river ports to institute a "green" policy.   If implemented by a port facility, the sustainability audit that is established as a part of this study will set the framework to allow the river ports to implement this initiative into the future and monitor/audit their own activities. The purpose of this project is to establish a sustainability auditing mechanism for public river ports along the inland waterway system.  Future phases of the project will build upon these initial findings and allow for the development of a prioritization system for sustainability initiatives within the organizations that integrates their sustainability approach with the triple bottom line of economic, environmental and social benefits.   When fully implemented, this project will allow the opportunity for the development of an individual sustainability plan for each of the public river ports that fit into the mission and strategy of each organization, allowing them to capitalize on any investments that they might make.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 12 Jun 2015 01:01:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1357364</guid>
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