<rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="https://www.w3.org/2005/Atom">
  <channel>
    <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" />
    <description></description>
    <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>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>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>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>Impacts of Connected Vehicles and Automated Vehicles on State and Local Transportation Agencies--Task-Order Support. Task 20. Workforce Capability Strategies for State and Local Agencies</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1905539</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The transportation industry is rapidly expanding, and new technologies are creating connective networks that are merging the physical and digital worlds of transportation. The pace at which these technologies are evolving is creating workforce challenges for the transportation industry as new skills are quickly becoming essential to deploy, operate, and maintain these technologies. The transportation industry requires new and modified training opportunities to effectively acquire these advanced skillsets.  
New technologies, such as connected vehicles, connected infrastructure, smart cities, and automated vehicles, are changing the landscape of the physical and digital worlds of transportation and redefining necessary skillsets to achieve successful deployment. These changing workforce needs for state and local agencies must be researched. Key research objectives include:  
(1) Understanding the array of training opportunities/resources currently available to state and local agencies, 
(2) Understanding the areas of incoming technologies that state and local agency personnel feel most comfortable/uncomfortable with, 
(3) Determining the new/anticipated skillsets that will be required of state and local agency personnel and which will require the most training, 
(4) Determining gaps between currently available training resources and necessary new skillsets, 
(5) Understanding the most impactful method of delivery/resource format for the needed new training materials, and 
(6) Understanding how to best evaluate the effectiveness, employee satisfaction, and return on investment of suggested workforce development strategies.  
Outputs of this research will inform state and local agencies on how to best prepare their personnel for successful connected and automated vehicle (CAV) deployments. Research results will determine the current training landscape, anticipated skillsets/training needs, training gaps, and strategies for successful training delivery/evaluation. Enhancing the focus on newfound/anticipated training needs and achievement strategies will promote a universal understanding of CAV concepts throughout state and local agencies while effectively guiding personnel to successful CAV deployments.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 25 Jan 2022 15:54:34 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1905539</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Interdependence of Federal, State, and Local Transportation Funding and Ownership



</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1854209</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Multimodal transportation infrastructure and services are built, owned, maintained, and operated by multiple levels of government and the private sector with a complex mix of interdependent funding and financing sources. This paradigm presents challenges for project development, operations, and service delivery. Navigating this complexity requires creative strategies to leverage all eligible resources available.

In the face of this complexity, transportation agencies at all levels need assistance to understand the increasingly interdependent funding and financing options available to them. Challenges presented by the current funding and financing structure include:

Less certain revenue streams from federal and state formula grants as use of discretionary and competitive grants increase;
Changing relationships and expectations among levels of governments;
Tension among competing policies and priorities at different levels of government;
User-fee revenue not keeping up with needs;
Evolving stakeholder values and goals for the transportation system; and
Emerging technologies (such as connected and automated vehicles) that may require smart infrastructure.

The objectives of this research are to: (1) detail the funding and financing from local, regional, private, state, and federal sources for transportation, how they are used, and their interdependence; (2) identify the challenges, constraints, or conflicts transportation agencies experience with interdependent funding and financing sources for current and future needs; (3) document current practices and strategies used by local, regional, state, and private transportation agencies to navigate these funding and financing sources; and
(4) identify alternative approaches that local, regional, state, and private transportation agencies are considering to address these challenges and constraints.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 28 May 2021 19:35:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1854209</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Impacts of Connected Vehicles and Automated Vehicles on State and Local Transportation Agencies--Task-Order Support. Toolbox for Navigating the Land-Use Impacts of the Automated Vehicle Ecosystem</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1745954</link>
      <description><![CDATA[No abstract provided.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 19 Oct 2020 19:36:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1745954</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Impacts of Connected Vehicles and Automated Vehicles on State and Local Transportation Agencies--Task-Order Support. Updated Research Roadmap for NCHRP 20-102, Impacts of Connected Vehicles and Automated Vehicles on State and Local Transportation Agencies</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1657857</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Building upon the efforts of National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Projects 20-24(98) and 20-102(19), the objective of this project is to refresh the connected vehicle/autonomous vehicle (CV/AV) research roadmap and to maintain the roadmap for the duration of the contract by providing regular updates as new and relevant information or issues are identified by the research team and NCHRP project panel. The research team will be expected to use many sources, including the literature, relevant American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) events, relevant research underway or planned by other research institutions, the annual Automated Vehicle Symposium sponsored by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) and the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), and the TRB Forum on Preparing for Automated Vehicles and Shared Mobility.

A contractor report that documents the entire research effort and any lessons learned is available. In addition, there is a Webinar presentation for the NCHRP Project 20-102(19)B available in pdf and pptx format.  ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 08 Oct 2019 23:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1657857</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Applications of Enterprise GIS for Transportation, Guidance for a National Transportation Framework (AEGIST)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1632301</link>
      <description><![CDATA[There are now many advantages to adopting an enterprise perspective to the roadway inventory for those states that have not yet done so. State departments of transportation (DOTs) are taking a more integrated approach to transportation system management. Adopting such an approach requires business rules that address data quantity, quality, and the need to integrate data across and between multiple levels of government. This is a massive undertaking, even for those DOTs that already have an integrated highway inventory. Many DOTs are struggling to deploy enterprise linear referencing systems (LRS) that will relate work processes, transportation system data editing, and publication (data reporting, distribution, and sharing). At its core, the problem they face is a lack of understanding of entrenched business processes on the part of those implementing and using enterprise LRS management systems. It is common that the DOT workgroups responsible for map editing do not generally include staff familiar with the business data that will be placed on the maps by others. Many people doing the work today do not have the institutional knowledge regarding how and why the systems were developed, and implicit business rules were not formally documented. Adding to the problem is the absence of knowledge across functional business groups regarding each other’s business data, as well as, the fundamentals of geographic information systems (GIS). As a result, most DOTs have evolved as a collection of “stovepipes”—independent groups that focus on a single aspect of the state’s transportation system (e.g., pavement management, bridges, traffic operations, planning, project development, etc.). While making the transition to an enterprise LRS that provides the roadway facilities upon which these functional units are expected to base their own data, DOTs are dealing with legacy systems and work processes that were developed within this stovepipe environment. Most of these functional units have long-established data systems and work processes that evolved over time and often lack a documented set of rules. This is further complicated by incorporating new (to the functional units), geospatially-based workflows. As a result, DOTs across the country are struggling with such questions as: • What are the data business rules and who is responsible for them? If they presently exist, are they well documented and understood by staff? • Who owns or acts as a steward for what data? • What cartographic abstractions and standards are needed by each user group? • Do existing business rules need to evolve to reflect current and future needs/technology? • All States uses an LRS. What linear referencing models (LRM(s) do they use? Is it ingrained in their culture • How can the DOT maintain a statewide map of local roads to meet the ARNOLD mandate when the agency may or may not directly work with local roads or agencies? • Should the DOT’s LRS be extended to non-DOT facilities, or do they need a different approach? • How does the DOT address the evolving nature of the transportation system (changes over time, eliminated roads or future roads to be built, realignments, etc.)? • How does the LRS support non-DOT functions, like NexGen911, local road traffic, local road traveler information (511), and other essential functions. This pooled-fund project will assist DOTs, MPOs, and local governments create enterprise GIS data management systems based on data governance best practices that support collaboration through shared business rules and standards that support the principle of “measure once, use many times,” with the goal of a single roadway dataset that meets the needs of multiple groups. The first phase of the project will develop guidance to be named, a document that will guide the nation’s DOTs to one geospatial transportation standard. Once the guidance is finalized, the Pooled Fund Study will provide assistance to the participating Sates to implement the guidance.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 30 Jun 2019 17:38:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1632301</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Speed Feedback Sign Loan Program Workplan</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1601800</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The primary objective of this project is to develop a speed feedback sign loan program in a manner that is used by local agencies, sustainable in its operation, and makes the speed feedback signs as easily available to local agencies throughout Iowa as possible.  The results of the tasks noted below will determine the implementation of this program.  In addition, the schedule and activities in these tasks will be coordinated as much as possible with the speed feedback sign guidelines project that is expected to be completed by others at the Institute for Transportation.

The tasks described below focus on the determination of need for speed feedback signs by local agencies, what type of sign they would use (e.g., post mounted or trailer or a combination of both), how the signs would be delivered/returned, shipment liability, ongoing maintenance of the signs, purchase of the signs, and estimated level of annual effort.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2019 12:56:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1601800</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Impacts of Connected Vehicles and Automated Vehicles on State and Local Transportation Agencies--Task-Order Support. State and Local Impacts of Automated Freight Transportation Systems</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1571375</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Automation of the freight transportation sector is evolving rapidly, and the developments are posing challenges and opportunities for state and local agencies. For instance, much of the impetus toward trucking automation is coming from the private sector, including technology companies as well as trucking firms. Their expectations are that the public sector will maintain or build infrastructure, and enact regulatory changes that enable any new technology to enter the market. Before this can happen, significant government action will be required to create the operational, infrastructure, and regulatory environment conducive to known automation technology, with the flexibility to incorporate unforeseen technologies.
 
There are several near-term freight system automation developments. The relative ease of automating limited-access urban highway is encouraging new operational concepts where distribution centers and warehouses are located adjacent to highway access points in anticipation of scenarios where drivers deliver trucks to an access point, followed by an automated line haul run to access points where drivers once again take over. There is widespread experimentation in first- and last-mile automated freight delivery, and already local governments are struggling to keep up with legal, regulatory, safety, and land use issues. Multimodal environments, including rail terminals, inland ports, sea ports, and airports present different operating environments for the introduction of the same types of automation technologies.
 
Research is needed to enable state and local agencies to determine questions that must be addressed and decisions that are required regarding automated freight transportation movement technologies, and to identify the information and data required to guide those decisions.
 
The objective of this research is to develop a decision framework for state and local agencies to (1) identify, evaluate, and address the potential impacts (both positive and negative) of connected and automated freight transportation movement technologies on policies and practices; and (2) identify ways in which state and local agencies can enable automated freight transportation technologies.   The decision framework should be simple, scalable, and sustainable.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 03 Dec 2018 16:03:28 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1571375</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Multimodal Planning at the Multi-Jurisdictional Scale</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1522722</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The purpose of this research is to advance the multi-jurisdictional planning concept from theory to planning practice.  Local agencies and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) recognize and see value in the concept of multi-jurisdictional planning; however, there remains many barriers to implementation.  The contractor shall use a case study methodology to identify solutions to these barriers and lead to a “how-to” guide on incorporating multi-jurisdictional principles into the transportation planning process for local governments and MPOs.  An APA Planning Advisory Service (PAS) memorandum and webinar/learning resource to support multi-jurisdictional planning integration will also be developed.  These resources will promote a formalization of multi-jurisdictional planning which will lead to planning innovations, large scale projects to promote shared economic development, expedited project delivery, shared resources, and better leveraging of non-federal funds.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jul 2018 15:14:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1522722</guid>
    </item>
  </channel>
</rss>