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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>
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      <title>Evaluating the Effect of Heat Vulnerability on Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Incidents in Austin, Texas</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2459120</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Extreme heat exposure and sensitivity have been a growing concern in urban regions as the effects of extreme heat pose a threat to public health, the water supply, and the infrastructure. Heat-related illnesses demand an immediate Emergency Medical Service (EMS) response since they might result in death or serious disability if not treated quickly. Despite increased concerns about urban heat waves and relevant health issues, a limited amount of research has investigated the effects of heat vulnerability on heat-related illnesses. This study explores the geographical distribution of heat vulnerability in the city of Austin and Travis County areas of Texas and identifies neighborhoods with a high degree of heat vulnerability and restricted EMS accessibility. The research team conducted negative binomial regressions to investigate the effects of heat vulnerability on heat-related EMS incidents. Heat-related EMS calls have increased in neighborhoods with more impervious surfaces, Hispanics, those receiving social benefits, people living alone, and the elderly. Higher urban capacity, including efficient road networks, water areas, and green spaces, is likely to reduce heat-related EMS incidents. This study provides data-driven evidence to help planners prioritize vulnerable locations and concentrate local efforts on addressing heat-related health concerns. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 23 Nov 2024 11:03:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2459120</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Long-Term Pavement Structural &amp; Functional Evaluation on State Route 76</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2264428</link>
      <description><![CDATA[MDOT funded the construction of an instrumented semi-rigid pavement test section at the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) test track.  An unexpected but interesting finding was observed in strain gage readings located at the interface between the hot mix asphalt (HMA) and the cementitious stabilized base (CTB) layer: during hot summer months, compressive strain measurements were recorded under truck traffic loading, contrary to expected tensile strain measurements.  NCAT described these findings in a TRB paper that help to explain in part why some MDOT semi-rigid pavement sections may experience fatigue cracking originating at the mid-depth of the HMA rather than at the typical bottom of HMA location for this type of cracking.  MDOT is further investigating the phenomenon observed in the MDOT NCAT structural section by building a test section in Mississippi, specifically located on SR 76 in District 1.  NCAT will install strain gages and monitor the same.  

Pavement structural and functional evaluation using non-destructive testing on the SR 76 test section is needed to accurately monitor pavement condition and deterioration rate of pavement layers with time. Pavement performance monitoring will be accomplished using Applied Research Associates, Inc. (Consultant) testing equipment including the three dimensional (3-D) Ground Penetration Radar (GPR), Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) and the state-of-the-art high accuracy GPS semi-automated pavement distress survey vehicle equipped with the Laser Crack Measurement System (LCMS). This State Study (SS) will focus on data collection and analysis to monitor the reduction in modulus of both the cementitious stabilized soil base layer and HMA layers, and development of distresses within the pavement structure from the time of new construction up to three (3) years after opening to traffic. 

]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 09 Oct 2023 09:22:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2264428</guid>
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      <title>Development of a Machine Learning-Based Model to Determine the Optimum and Safe Restriping Timing of Thermoplastic Pavement Markings in Hot and Humid Climates</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1904966</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of this study is to develop new cost-effective restriping strategies for
thermoplastic pavement markings when applied to pavements in hot and humid climates.
To achieve this objective, the field performance (retroreflectivity and durability) of
thermoplastic pavement markings under hot and humid climate service conditions will be
evaluated. Based on the results, the research team will develop performance prediction
models that could predict the thermoplastic pavement marking service life based on the
roadway conditions. This will assist transportation agencies maintain minimum
retroreflectivity levels in conformance with the proposed Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA) requirements with minimal risk of under restriping or over restriping. Eventually
life cycle cost analysis will be conducted to compare different restriping strategies. The
implementation of this research will significantly improve traffic safety in rainy conditions
encountered in Region 6. In addition, the results of this research are important to ensure
safe and reliable navigation of autonomous vehicles through the roadway, which are
recently emerging in Region 6. The results of this research will be used to implement and
optimize the use and maintenance of thermoplastic pavement markings in South-Central
United States, and to reduce costs.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 20 Jan 2022 14:12:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1904966</guid>
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      <title>Self-Healing Concrete using Encapsulated Bacterial Spores in a Simulated Hot Subtropical Climate</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1491307</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Concrete is one of the most commonly used construction materials in the world, due to its relatively low cost and high compressive strength. However, its weakness in tension makes it susceptible to cracking and thereby exposes any steel reinforcement to harmful agents that cause corrosion. Several techniques are currently used for crack-sealing, but with the current funding limitations, it is especially harder to afford the costly and labor-intensive maintenance and repair services needed to extend a structure’s service life.
A potential solution is a bacterial concrete, which has become one of the most promising self-healing alternatives due to its capability to seal crack widths up to 1 mm by reacting directly with the cementitious matrix to form calcium carbonate. It is developed by adding alkali-resistant bacterial spores, which do not impose hazards to human health, in the concrete mixing process. Furthermore, microbial induced calcium carbonate precipitation is directly compatible with Portland cement materials and promotes economic and environmental benefits by increasing durability and water-tightness in concrete.
In this study, the authors aim to develop an encapsulation procedure that will allow for testing two bacterial strains at varying dosages (by weight of cement) in concrete. The effects of encapsulated bacteria will be evaluated with respect to the crack-sealing efficiency observed, the effects on the intrinsic mechanical properties, as well as the self-healing processes over time after inducing damage. The concrete specimens will be cured in wet-dry cycles to determine their feasibility in region 6.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 23 Mar 2018 11:39:17 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1491307</guid>
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