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    <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
    <link>https://rip.trb.org/</link>
    <atom:link href="https://rip.trb.org/Record/RSS?s=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" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
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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>
    </image>
    <item>
      <title>Evaluation of Large Truck Parameter Requirements For Crash Testing</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2712181</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Research is needed to examine test-vehicle physical properties, vehicle pre-test preparation, and relevant evaluation criteria for Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) Test Levels 4, 5, and 6, considering the current large-vehicle fleet and contemporary freight operations.

 Research needs include: Reviewing and updating the physical properties of single-unit trucks (Test Level 4), tractor-vans (Test Level 5), and tractor-tank vehicles (Test Level 6), including vehicle dimensions, mass, center-of-mass height, and other critical features, to better reflect the current large-vehicle fleet. The research should also review MASH documentation requirements for large test vehicles. Determining whether MASH test-vehicle pre-test preparation for large vehicles reflects critical and contemporary operating practices. For example, this may include determining whether rigidly anchored or translatable ballast freight distributions contribute to more severe impact conditions or vehicle instability following impact. Assessing MASH evaluation criteria, including rollover potential, occupant risk, and effects on adjacent traffic flow, in relation to the system’s intended purpose and primary function. For example, a barrier designed primarily to capture an impacting vehicle and prevent secondary collisions with roadside obstacles may be considered successful if it effectively contains and redirects the vehicle. However, research is needed to explore whether there is value in refining the evaluation criteria to include a “preferred” performance designation for systems that also minimize occupant risk, limit occupant compartment damage, and improve vehicle stability by reducing rollover potential for large vehicles.

 Potential research tasks include: Review existing physical characteristics of large vehicles in the current vehicle fleet; Review existing crash tests, including: identifying causes of testing failures and determining whether failures are associated with particular vehicle design features.Identify issues with existing acceptance criteria; Analyze large-vehicle crashes to determine the consequences of modifying acceptance criteria; Identify potential modifications to crash test procedures.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:16:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2712181</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Advancing MASH Roadside Safety Design Standards (Year 4)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2703690</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 50th-percentile crash test dummies, potentially overlooking the safety needs of a broader group of motorists of various sizes and statures. 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 5th-percentile and 95th-percentile 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. The project’s significance lies in its potential to enhance highway safety measures by considering the specific needs and characteristics of all motorists.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 15 May 2026 14:30:53 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2703690</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Develop and Evaluate Long Median Barrier Gate to Assist with Emergency Response</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2636104</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Median barriers are commonly used to separate opposing lanes of traffic on divided highways and to separate managed lanes from general purpose lanes. Concrete Median Barriers (CMBs) are often preferred on urban freeways with narrow medians due to their minimal deflection and low maintenance. However, long, continuous runs of CMBs limit access of emergency and maintenance vehicles to the other side of a roadway or a managed lane. Implementation of crashworthy median barrier gates at these locations can maintain the desired level of median protection for motorists while offering improved cross-median access for emergency and/or maintenance vehicles. The current Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) Barrier Gate (detailed on standard sheet BG-11) is 30-ft long and provides a clear opening of 27 ft between the mounting brackets. For this project, the research team will develop a longer median barrier gate to provide a greater clear opening for larger emergency vehicles and contraflow during evacuation operations. The research team will design the median barrier gate to operate without power and perform crash testing of the median barrier gate to verify compliance with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH).]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 08 Dec 2025 09:44:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2636104</guid>
    </item>
    <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>Evaluating the Influence of Vehicle Active Safety Technologies on Roadway Departures</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558379</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), such as automatic emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning (LDW), lane keeping assist (LKA), and electronic stability control (ESC), have become increasingly prevalent in the U.S. vehicle fleet. However, it remains uncertain how ADAS technologies affect vehicle dynamics during roadway departure crashes, including those involving roadside safety hardware. For example, AEB systems, which are designed to reduce rear-end crashes, may also reduce approach speeds during impacts with breakaway devices or trigger hard braking that compresses a vehicle’s front suspension, lowering the front bumper before it impacts a barrier. Likewise, LDW and LKA may influence the frequency and departure angles of roadway departure crashes.

Research is needed to better understand how ADAS technologies influence passenger vehicle roadway departures and impact conditions, and whether updates to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) or other publications are warranted.

The objective of this research is to quantify how current ADAS technologies in passenger vehicles influence roadway departures, impact conditions, vehicle interaction with roadside safety hardware, and the performance of roadside safety hardware systems. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 29 May 2025 12:38:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558379</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Traversable Postconstruction Stormwater Check Dams in Clear Zones


</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558390</link>
      <description><![CDATA[State departments of transportation (DOTs) must comply with stormwater discharge requirements under the Clean Water Act. Clear zones within the highway right-of-way often provide suitable locations for stormwater management close to the source of runoff. Roadway swales with check dams are a common, cost-effective solution for stormwater quantity and quality control in these clear zones. 

Current guidelines do not provide recommendations for the design of check dams in clear zones. Additionally, check dam design must be compatible with the primary purpose of clear zones: vehicular safety. Concerns have been raised about check dams causing vehicles to vault into oncoming traffic or rollovers. Research is needed to support the development of check dam design specifications that meet state DOT safety requirements and to help achieve water quality goals.

The objective of this research is to develop a guide and accompanying site assessment decision support tool for designing traversable postconstruction check dams in clear zones. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 28 May 2025 13:28:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558390</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Impact Evaluation for Obstacles within Barrier's Working Width


</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558421</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Barriers deform and deflect when struck by vehicles, so designers provide a clear area behind the barriers to accommodate this movement. The dimensions of this expected deflection zone, referred to as the working width, are typically determined through computer modeling and crash testing under the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) impact conditions. The working width represents the maximum lateral penetration of either the MASH test vehicle or the barrier beyond the front face of the barrier.

In practice, however, most real-world impacts are less severe than MASH impact conditions and do not require the full working width to shield natural or man-made obstacles behind barriers. Furthermore, site constraints often make it impractical to relocate obstacles outside the working width. Developing a method to measure the potential for impacts with obstacles within a barrier’s working width could help state departments of transportation (DOTs) save both time and project costs.

Research is needed to develop a tool that quantifies the potential of impact(s) with a roadside obstacle based on placement of the obstacle within the working width of the barrier. Such a tool would consider impact conditions, barrier deflection behavior, and obstacle placement within the working width. Characteristics such as obstacle type, barrier length, and average annual daily traffic (AADT) are beyond the scope of this research effort.

The objective of this research is to develop a tool to measure the potential for impacts with obstacles located within a barrier’s working width based on various impact conditions.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 26 May 2025 21:48:15 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558421</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Device to Optimize Crashworthiness of Breakaway Sign Support System to Meet AASHTO MASH</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2505728</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project will develop a device that will improve the crashworthiness of small sign breakaway support systems. The majority of these systems have not been successfully tested to the guidelines of the AASHTO Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH). The most common observed crash testing failure is the sign panels and sign support rotating into the windshield and roof and causing excessive deformation or penetration of the occupant compartment. The device to be developed in this project will attach to the small sign support system to change the rotation and trajectory of the breakaway components after an impact so that the breakaway components do not strike the windshield or the rear window or the roof of the impacting vehicle. The device is expected to work on a wide variety of existing breakaway sign support configurations. The behavior of existing sign supports will be adjusted by optimizing size, mass, and location of the device through simulated tests. The results of simulated tests will be validated through crash tests with a small car and a pickup truck surrogate vehicles and one or two sign support system configuration(s) with the prototype device attached. If successful, the mass and height of the mass necessary for each configuration to produce a crashworthy behavior will be determined. The results will be input into a program so that the mass and height can be calculated for any configuration.   ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 03 Feb 2025 22:23:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2505728</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Application of MASH Test Criteria to Breakaway Sign and Luminaire Supports and Crashworthy Work Zone Traffic Control Devices



</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2433905</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Recent crash testing of small and medium sign supports and work-zone devices has been problematic for both of the test vehicles required in the 2009 AASHTO Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH). Many of these designs have previously been successfully full-scale crash tested under NCHRP Report 350: Recommended Procedures for the Safety Performance Evaluation of Highway Features. Only the small car (1800-lb, Geo Metro or similar) test was performed under NCHRP Report 350. MASH requires testing with both a small car (2420-lb, Kia Rio or similar) and a pickup truck (5000-lb, ½-ton Dodge Quad Cab or similar) into these types of devices. Occupant Impact Velocities (OIVs) and Occupant Ride-Down Accelerations (ORAs) have not been a problem because of the increased weight of the test vehicles, even with the commensurate reduction in impact speed in MASH Test 3-60. However, the change in frontal geometry (i.e., bumper heights, increased frontal area, and wrap around distances) and increased ground clearance has changed the interaction between the vehicle and object struck. In general, small and medium sign supports used to pass over the top of the impacting vehicle with limited or no vehicle contact. With the newer MASH test vehicles, sign supports are now striking the windshield and roof of the test vehicles and failing the occupant compartment intrusion and/or penetration requirements of MASH. Similarly, vehicle collisions with portable work-zone devices are causing unacceptable windshield and roof penetrations and/or deformations as well as floor pan penetrations. No testing has been conducted to date on luminaires (light poles) under MASH, but this recent testing on other breakaway and portable work-zone devices raises questions as to the expected performance of breakaway luminaire poles under the MASH impact safety criteria. The addition of objective vehicle intrusion and deformation criteria has also brought into question the future usefulness of pendulum/bogie testing of breakaway and crashworthy designs.
 

The objective of this research is to identify and evaluate the crash performance of breakaway sign and luminaire supports and crashworthy work-zone traffic control devices that are non-proprietary and commonly used. The evaluation should address their in-service safety performance, potential failure modes (and, if possible, design modifications that might address those failure modes), and their likelihood to comply with the current MASH crash test criteria.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 23 Sep 2024 17:40:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2433905</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Conduct MASH Test Level 3 (TL-3) Evaluations of Concrete Barriers on Roadside Slopes</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2420100</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Concrete barriers are designed and crash tested for placement on flat terrains. In-field installations of concrete barriers are sometimes placed on slopes adjacent to roadways. By placing the barrier on a slope, the effective height of the barrier that engages an errant vehicle may be reduced since the vehicle may be airborne as it contacts the barrier on a downward slope. Consequently, the barrier may not be able to safely contain and redirect the vehicle. The research team will evaluate the performance of Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT's) 32-in tall F-shape and 42-inch tall single slope barrier when placed on roadside or median slopes of up to 4H:1V. The research team will develop guidance for placement of these barriers using finite element simulation analysis and full-scale crash testing. The guidance will determine the maximum allowable slope for each barrier type and any placement offsets required from the edge of the roadway or from the bottom of the ditch. The research team will evaluate the performance of the barriers using impact conditions and evaluation criteria in the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) for Test Level 3 for longitudinal barriers.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 23 Aug 2024 12:30:34 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2420100</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Redesign of Innovative Gate Arms (Ramp Closure Gate) – Phase I</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2398089</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project aims to redesign the existing ramp closure gate used by Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD). The research team will utilize FE computer simulations and laboratory crash testing to develop a modified design that passes MASH consistent test protocols as well as meets the functional requirements.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 28 Jun 2024 09:09:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2398089</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Midwest Roadside Safety Pooled Fund Program (FY25-FY29)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2394498</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Midwest Roadside Safety Pooled Fund Program is a collaborative program between state DOTs and the Midwest Roadside Safety Facility (MwRSF) dedicated to sponsoring roadside safety research. The goal of this program is to address the roadside safety needs of state DOTs, solve problems of similar interest, and standardize safety features across state borders. MwRSF and Pooled Fund member states eagerly welcome new members. The goals of the Midwest Roadside Safety Pooled Fund Program include: 1) improving highway safety by making the roadside less hazardous for motorists; 2) designing, developing, and crash testing innovative roadside safety hardware to current impact safety standards, such as the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH); 3) conducting safety performance evaluations of existing roadside features; 4) performing computer simulation modeling of vehicle impacts with roadside hardware and geometric features; and 5) developing roadside safety guidance to aid transportation agencies in improving motorist safety.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 18 Jun 2024 15:47:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2394498</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Investigation and Validation of V-Ditch Traversability Related to Crash Testing Cable Barrier Systems</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2381739</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The 2016 American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) provides full-scale test matrices for evaluating cable median barriers on level terrain and sloped median ditches. The matrices define the critical placement of cable barriers and test criteria for 4:1 (horizontal to vertical slope) and 6:1 V-ditches to evaluate the safety performance of cable median barriers. Recent full-scale crash testing of cable median barriers under the conditions described in MASH Test No. 3-16 have produced varying results for the stability of small vehicles traversing 4:1 V-ditches.

MASH Test No. 3-16 uses a 46-ft-wide V-ditch as measured from slope break point to slope break point, with the cable barrier test article placed 4 ft from the slope break point on the far side of the V-ditch. However, small vehicles have experienced inconsistent stability while traversing the 4:1 V-ditches during crash testing, and the AASHTO Roadside Design Guide (RDG) notes that 4:1 V-ditches are not a preferred configuration for median V-ditches. This raises concerns that the traversability of the V-ditch configuration used in MASH 2016 may be near the limit of vehicle stability.

Research is needed to investigate the traversability of 4:1 V-ditches to verify if the current configuration specified in MASH Test No. 3-16 produces sufficient vehicle stability for consistent and reliable test article impact conditions.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to investigate the traversability of 4:1 V-ditches for crash testing of cable median barrier systems.

]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 May 2024 11:49:24 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2381739</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Development of Critical Impact Point and Impact Angle Guidance for the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2381727</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH) provides criteria for full-scale crash testing and evaluation of roadside safety hardware (RSH) devices. As part of an RSH assessment, MASH requires that an RSH device be evaluated at its critical impact point (CIP), critical impact angle (CIA), or both, depending on the device category. The CIP or CIA is defined as the point or angle that maximizes the potential for failure of the device based on structural loading, vehicle stability, vehicle snagging, or other considerations.

While MASH has specific guidance for determining CIPs for several types of barriers (such as post-and-beam longitudinal barriers), CIP or CIA guidance is more general or nonexistent for many classes of RSH devices. In these cases, MASH recommends that CIP and CIA be determined by computer simulation. However, not all test laboratories have computer simulation capabilities, and MASH recognizes that using computer simulation solely to determine CIPs is often not practical. Even if computer simulation is used for this purpose, MASH does not detail what factors to consider in the CIP analysis. The limited procedures for determining critical impact conditions for these safety devices and tests has led to differences in how devices are tested and evaluated at different laboratories. This may result in inconsistent test results.

Research is needed to support state departments of transportation (DOTs) in establishing crash-test procedures for assessing RSH devices in a uniform and consistent manner.


OBJECTIVE: The project objective is to develop and validate procedures to determine CIPs and CIAs to assess the crashworthiness of RSH devices. The project will focus on RSH devices that currently have a range or limited criteria to determine CIPs and CIAs.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2024 16:42:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2381727</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Method for Using ISPEs in Crash-Testing Protocols</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2381712</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In-service performance evaluations (ISPEs) of roadside safety features have been recommended for over 40 years. Michie recommended ISPEs for crash-test and evaluation procedures in NCHRP Report 230: Recommended Procedures for the Safety Performance Evaluation of Highway Appurtenances, published in 1981. The importance of and need for ISPEs was reiterated by Ross et al. in NCHRP Report 350: Recommended Procedures for the Safety Performance Evaluation of Highway Features and by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) in the Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH). The ISPE criteria were finalized in NCHRP Research Report 1010: In-Service Performance Evaluation: Guidelines for the Assembly and Analysis of Data. These reports outline the potential use of ISPEs into establish crashworthiness without crash tests.
Although it has been established that ISPE studies could help state departments of transportation (DOTs) to establish crashworthiness without having to conduct many crash tests, additional investigation on how ISPE data can be used to determine roadside safety hardware crashworthiness in lieu of crash tests would be helpful. Research is needed to incorporate ISPE data into crash-testing and evaluation protocols for roadside safety hardware to support state DOTs in delivering a safer highway network for all users. 
OBJECTIVE:
The objective of this research project is to investigate how state DOTs can incorporate collected ISPE data and results in commonly used crash-testing protocols for roadside safety hardware.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2024 15:29:37 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2381712</guid>
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