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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>Evaluating the Feasibility and Benefit on Impervious Layer Inclusion Above Ground Water Table</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2364618</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The continuing increase in Sea Level Rise (SLR) results in elevated Ground Water Table (GWT), and whenever an elevated GWT is in the close proximity to subgrade, it softens the soil through enhanced moisture driven by the capillarity (i.e., upward movement of water from GWT). The moist and softened subgrade adversely affects the pavement construction and performance.

To this end, there is a need to perform a research/study to explore: (a) any existing correlation between SLR and rate of GWT rise to predict whether a project location is subjected to capillarity due to elevated GWT in future; and (b) identification of mitigation technique that is not limited to impervious layer in subgrade (that acts as a moisture barrier to hinder the capillarity from an elevated GWT), but also includes any effective local practice.

Expected Deliverables: (1) an understanding of the correlation between SLR and rise in GWT for pavements located along coastal areas in Virginia; (2) feasible mitigation technique that is not limited to inclusion of impervious layer, but also any local practice; and (3) a guideline on when, where, and how to include impervious layer in subgrade (and any additional mitigation as identified), if determined as effective and economic mitigation option.

Scope/Tasks: perform literature review, evaluating SLR and GWT in Virginia, evaluating feasibility (considering constructability and economy), and development of guideline.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 09 Apr 2024 08:20:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2364618</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Subsurface Contamination Modeling and Remediation Techniques </title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2263741</link>
      <description><![CDATA[More than half of the US population consumes groundwater for drinking. Thus, introducing any type of contaminants into the groundwater table can risk the lives of more than half of the population. Contaminants from multiple sources can impact the drinking water wells and other receptors. When contaminants are transferred to the groundwater, they will make their way to water wells and drinking water supplies. Soluble contaminants, such as road salts, can easily migrate into the ground, reach the groundwater, and negatively affect the shallow groundwater and freshwater systems. An increase in road salts will have a negative effect on groundwater. Recently, several private wells in the town of Orleans in New York State reported the presence of road salts that were transferred through the groundwater flow. However, non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) that are not highly soluble may have considerably longer residence times in the soil zone. NAPLs are hydrocarbons and are classified into two categories: (i) light non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs), which have less density than water, and (ii) dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs), which are denser than water. In either case, a physical interface between the water and NAPLs prevents the mixing of groundwater and contaminants.
In this proposed study, a finite element model (FEM) will be developed to analyze contaminant transport within the vadose zone and saturated zone. The developed multiphase fluid flow models will be used to study the movement of soluble contaminants, such as road salts, as they precipitate downward to the groundwater table. Additionally, the FEM model will be further modified to capture the flow of NAPL contaminants through the soil medium. The proposed research project consists of three phases: (1) Developing and validating an FEM that can simulate the movement of precipitation and rainfall from the ground surface and unsaturated zone into the groundwater. (2) Modifying the developed FEM model to analyze the contaminants flow in the soil medium by considering the advection and the interplay of diffusion limitation, adsorption, and partitioning between contaminants and soil. (3) Reviewing and proposing several remediation techniques for various contaminants, depending on the specific job site, to be employed in practical sites selected by local and state level departments of transportation (DOTs).
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 06 Oct 2023 19:00:39 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2263741</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Synthesis of Information Related to Highway Practices. Topic 54-19. Practices for Controlling Tunnel Leaks</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1953252</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Water infiltration is a common problem in tunnels and contributes to the deterioration of the structure and elements within and creates hazards such as icicles and slippery roadways.  A variety of methods exist today to address water infiltration but understanding the appropriate mitigation to use in specific circumstances and what limitations accompany that mitigation is the key to success.  The objective of this synthesis is to document practices used by state department of transportation (DOT) tunnel owners to control leaks.

Information for this study was gathered through a literature review, a survey of state DOTs, and follow-up interviews with selected DOTs.  Case examples of four state DOTs provide additional information on practices for controlling tunnel leaks.  

Martha Averso, Tom Leckrone, and Katie Clever, Gannett Fleming, Inc., 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.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 May 2022 09:23:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1953252</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Guidebook for PFAS Management at Airports</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1729484</link>
      <description><![CDATA[An unknown yet potentially significant number of airports have site soils, groundwater, and/or wastewater that contain one or more per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). PFAS is used in many products, one of which is fire-suppressing aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) that commercial airports are required to use by the Federal Aviation Administration. While their unique chemical properties offer enhanced fire suppression capability, there is growing attention to their release into the environment. Emerging science, increased regulatory attention, and heightened community focus are elevating PFAS issues at airports. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently issued recommendations and an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking related to PFAS, and many states are similarly moving to PFAS regulation. As greater attention is paid to the issue, airports are faced with a growing need to address PFAS legacy environmental impacts and prevent future PFAS problems. Research is needed to develop a resource for airports to help them understand the issues associated with PFAS and manage PFAS at their facility in an evolving regulatory environment. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to develop a guidebook to help airports of various levels of activity, resources, and subject matter expertise develop a plan to manage PFAS at their facilities. At a minimum, the guidebook should include sections targeted to planning and environmental practitioners, ARFF personnel, and senior management, and should help airports prepare a plan tailored to their unique situation.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2020 16:42:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1729484</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Development of a New, Effective and Low-cost Media for Sustainable Management of Polluted Road Stormwater in Highly Urbanized Areas</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1356810</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The population of the United States is concentrated in urban areas; 82% reside in over 500 urban areas. Despite many benefits, high urbanization leads to various environmental issues, such as polluted urban road runoff, the surface stormwater created by urbanization. Urban runoff largely from impervious surfaces such as roadways and parking lots is recognized among major nonpoint pollution sources for surface water, groundwater, and soil. The transportation-associated sources of runoff pollution are principally vehicles and atmospheric deposition. Among the various stormwater pollutants, heavy metals, especially lead, copper, and zinc, are of particular concern due to their non-biodegradability, accumulation in environment, and toxicity. Nutrients in urban runoff, including phosphorous and nitrogen, are also problematic because of their ability to cause eutrophication in receiving water bodies, and contamination of groundwater.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 06 Jun 2015 01:00:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1356810</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Highway Rockfall Measurements Using LIDAR</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1318016</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project plans to advance our measurement technologies of rockfall on 1 or moreclocal highway rock cuts using the laser radar (LIDAR) techniques that have developed. Previous research has shown a tentative relationship between rockfall and rainfall. This time used on installing nested piezometers to measure groundwater pressures behind the rock face so that the Principal Investigator (PI) can correlate not only rainfall and freeze-thaw cycles with the rock fall quantities, but also the cumulate buildup of water pressure behind the face. As a result the project hopes to be able to determine why some rainfalls cause rockfalls while others do not. Anticipated benefits include the advancement of a modeling capability, as well as some insight as to whether installing passive drainage in highway rock cuts would serve to decrease rockfall.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 01 Aug 2014 01:15:15 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1318016</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Environmental Impacts of Oil and Gas Brine Applications for Dust and Ice Control in New York</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1313519</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Transportation agencies are required to treat roads for dust and ice control to ensure adequate safety for travelers. This is commonly achieved through application of solid and liquid chemicals. These materials can be conventional rock salt, brine from rock salt, natural brine, or oil and gas brine. Due to the high cost of treating roads for the removal of snow and ice, in states with active oil and gas wells such as New York, the potential for using this brine to control dust or ice on roads is currently being explored. Environmental concerns exist over the use of conventional oil and gas brines due to their potential high total dissolved solids and metals concentrations. They can also be elevated in organic compounds and can contain certain chemical additives. In 2012, New York State production of natural gas was 26.4 billion cubic feet while oil production was 394,507 barrels. It has been estimated that 30 percent of the brine produced alongside the oil and gas is disposed of via road spreading. Although unconventional natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale in New York State is currently not permitted, the extraction of Marcellus Shale gas is allowed in other states (e.g., Pennsylvania) where the associated unconventional brine is used for road spreading. If conventional or unconventional oil and gas brine is applied to roadways for dust or ice control, there is the potential for runoff to impact receiving water or roadside soil. The environmental impact of the leaching of chemical components from soil impacted with oil and gas brine applied for transportation purposes is unknown. The objective of this work is to determine the potential for chemicals found in oil and gas brine to leach from soil to groundwater. Leaching studies will be conducted to compare conventional oil and gas brine and unconventional oil and gas brine. A literature review will be conducted to determine the volume and chemical characteristics of brine applied to roadways for dust or ice control. The chemicals of concern will be identified and the leaching potential of these chemicals will be determined through toxicity characteristic leaching (TCLP) tests and synthetic precipitation leaching (SPLP) tests. This work will provide local and national transportation agencies with important data regarding the environmental impacts of oil and gas brine applications.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 24 Jun 2014 01:00:36 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1313519</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Investigation of Subsidence along Segment of MO Rte 65, Springfield, Missouri</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1230885</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Geophysical data (electrical resistivity and ground-penetrating radar) will be acquired on the mine ceiling and on the ground surface in an effort to determine the orientation, density and nature of pre-existing joints, if present. It is anticipated that the ground-penetrating radar (GPR) data will provide images of the roof rock to distances on the order of fifteen feet. The GPR tool should be capable of imaging fractures or clay-filled seams/fractures (if present) in close proximity to the mine ceiling. The electrical resistivity data will provide for significantly greater depths of investigation. Clay-filled seams/fractures (if present and sufficiently large) should be imaged on these data.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:08:03 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1230885</guid>
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