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    <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
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    <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>Synthesis of Information Related to Highway Practices. Topic 57-07. Utility Coordination: Staffing, Organizational Structures, Training Programs, and Certifications</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2630480</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Utility coordination is a process carried out by state departments of transportation (DOTs) during various project phases to identify existing utilities within project boundaries and manage utility-related risks. With the degree of variability in state DOT organizational structures, utility coordination staffing varies across different agencies. Also, some DOTs outsource utility coordination services to alleviate the workload on internal coordinators or for procuring specialized expertise to tasks such as utility investigations.

State DOT staff conducting utility coordination require information regarding state DOT–specific policies, procedures, and tools employed in utility coordination. These coordinators need an understanding of roles and responsibilities, right-of-way procedures, and utility reimbursement practices, among other procedures. With ongoing changes in state DOT workforces due to turnover, and to ensure the readiness of staff and external service providers, many agencies have used training materials and certification requirements to support knowledge acquisition and retention. Some state DOTs have developed training materials for utility coordination practices that are intended for both internal staff and external professionals working with their agencies. Also, external training courses or certification programs offer further opportunities for qualification and knowledge acquisition. 

The objective of this synthesis is to document state DOT practices for utility coordination regarding staffing allocation, organizational structure, training programs, and certification requirements. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 26 Nov 2025 18:25:39 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2630480</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Guide for Meeting Current and Future Airport Utility Needs</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2588330</link>
      <description><![CDATA[No abstract provided.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 12 Aug 2025 10:19:33 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2588330</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Revenue Opportunities from MDOT Fiber
Infrastructure
and Other Utility Types</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2562269</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Various state highway agencies permit telecommunications to be located longitudinally along freeway rights-of-way (ROW). 
Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is interested in a study of alternative sources of transportation revenues that could be phased in over time to replace
revenue lost as motor and diesel fuel decline become obsolete. MDOT focus would be on non-vehicle related revenue streams,
such as, leasing rights-of-way for Fiber Communications and/or other utility types, possibly private transportation facilities,
and/or public-private partnerships.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 06 Jun 2025 15:08:55 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2562269</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Managing the Prior Rights and Prescriptive Rights of Utilities

</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558399</link>
      <description><![CDATA[State departments of transportation (DOTs) manage and remediate prior rights and prescriptive rights when construction necessitates property ownership transfer from utilities. NCHRP Research Report 1054: Acquiring Utility Property Interests and Reimbursing Utility Relocation Costs: A Guide provided practitioners approaches to acquire utility-owned property and reimburse utility owners for eligible relocation costs. The research scope did not address management of prior rights and prescriptive rights claims, however. State DOTs still confront issues with determinations of prior rights and prescriptive rights claims that can differ greatly from one parcel or jurisdiction to another.

A comprehensive framework to identify and manage all types of compensable and noncompensable property interests in connection with utility relocations would assist state DOTs with inconsistencies in current processes and procedures. Research is needed to review pertinent laws, regulations, and practices; document case examples that identify best practices; and identify implementation opportunities.   

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to develop a guide for managing prior rights and prescriptive rights for utility relocations. The guide will contain successful applications from the state level and will incorporate varying methods and statutory requirements.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 28 May 2025 10:03:16 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558399</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Guide to Link and Manage Information About Property Interests with Existing Utility Infrastructure Data</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558401</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Utility facilities and the property interests that govern their placement are often not fully aligned or documented. Many utilities have been installed outside of designated easements, and municipal utilities frequently lack clearly defined boundaries. During relocations, older facilities are sometimes abandoned in place without proper records. As a result, state department of transportation (DOT) rights-of-way (ROW) contain numerous utilities with uncertain legal status.

Across the country, documentation of older easements is often vague, incomplete, or unrecorded, and state DOTs may struggle to obtain missing information without cooperation from utility providers. Data-sharing challenges—driven by proprietary concerns, security restrictions, workforce limitations, and changes in ownership—further complicate efforts to verify utility locations and associated property rights.

Research is needed to create a secure, collaborative system for state DOTs and utility providers to link, store, and manage utility infrastructure and property interest data.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to develop a compendium to help state DOTs collaborate with utility providers to integrate property interest information with existing utility infrastructure data. At a minimum, the compendium shall include a data governance framework, a technical architecture for linking existing utility facility data to its associated property interest, a spatial data framework holding the linked information, and implementation guidance.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 28 May 2025 09:56:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558401</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Understanding the Benefits and Barriers of Permitting Utility Infrastructure in Transportation Rights of Way</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558403</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The use of transportation rights-of-way (ROW) for the co-location of utility infrastructure has become increasingly common as the demand grows for expanded energy, telecommunications, water, broadband, and other essential services. As both urban and rural regions experience rising infrastructure demands, transportation corridors offer a practical location for utility installations due to existing land use and established access. Because the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has long recognized the public interest in accommodating utilities within highway ROW, no uniform national framework guiding how these installations are planned, permitted, and managed across jurisdictions remains. Additionally, regulatory requirements and processes vary widely at the state and local levels, often creating inefficiencies and coordination challenges between transportation agencies and utility providers.

From a technical operations perspective, co-location introduces considerations related to the structural integrity of roadway assets, access for maintenance, and preservation of safety during construction and ongoing operations. Conversely, transportation maintenance activities can pose risks to utility systems, particularly where coordination is limited or asset data are incomplete. While co-location may reduce the need for new corridor development, associated costs can have economic and environmental implications, which require compliance with federal and state regulations. Research is needed to address evolving business practices for utility infrastructure in transportation ROW with regard to regulatory requirements, ensuring public safety, promoting sustainable infrastructure development, and clarifying the associated costs and benefits.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research project is to develop a compendium to identify and evaluate the benefits and barriers associated with utility infrastructure in transportation ROW. The compendium shall include, at minimum, an implementation guide and application tools for ROW management.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 28 May 2025 09:48:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558403</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Reconciling One-Call Results and Subsurface Utility Engineering Data with Actual Utility Location</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558410</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Highway contractors are legally obligated to contact the One-Call system prior to initiating construction, regardless of accuracy or completeness of utility information in the contract bid package. This requirement is mandated by damage prevention laws and regulations to ensure safety and prevent damage to underground utilities. Standard practices will have the utility markings within industry-accepted tolerances typically 18 to 24 inches horizontally off centerline of utility marks and should match the information given to the state departments of transportation (DOTs) and highway contractor(s) involved. However, utility markings that exceed accepted tolerances can create risks for the state DOT or highway contractor.

Understanding the location and impacts of utility owners’ infrastructure continues to be key to successful completion of highway construction projects, and this requires thorough and accurate information about existing or relocated utility facilities in every contract bid package. Many state DOTs incorporate utility investigations using ASCE 38-22, Standard Guideline for Investigating and Documenting Existing Utilities, apply utility conflict management practices to identify and resolve utility conflicts, and advocate the importance of preparing utility as-builts after relocation. In January 2000, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) commissioned a study entitled, Cost Savings on Highway Projects Utilizing Subsurface Utility Engineering, which has been instrumental in promoting the use of subsurface utility engineering (SUE) as a practice to reduce project costs and risks.

Research is needed to analyze the return on investment (ROI) and risk mitigation for SUE practices and the differences between reconciling One-Call data results, SUE, and information on the actual utility location collected by state DOTs throughout the project delivery process as it relates to existing and relocated utility facilities.

The objective of this research project is to develop a compendium that supports state DOTs, utility owners, and contractors to manage design and construction issues related to reconciling One-Call data results, SUE data, and the actual location of existing utilities. The compendium shall include, at minimum, value analysis of One-Call and SUE data (including ROI), implementation guidance, and tools to support the use, comparison, and communication of utility information.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 27 May 2025 20:55:42 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558410</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Efficient Utility Relocation Planning</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2543851</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Like in any state, transportation construction projects delivered by the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) often conflict with existing utilities, and these conflicts need to be resolved. Identifying these conflicts is a complex process because location data for existing utility facilities may not be always readily available with the required accuracy when it is needed in early design phase. Utility conflicts often lead to the need for their relocations on transportation projects. In addition, the project detailed design (including ROW) is not known upfront, which makes the conflict identification a complex and time-consuming process. Such conflicts are typically not recognized early enough during the design to avoid them. Most conflicts are resolved by relocating the utilities, which might result in additional issues, particularly during construction, if not managed properly. While identifying utility conflicts in a timely manner is a challenging task, the utility relocations are often reported to be a significant cause of delays in transportation project delivery.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 28 Apr 2025 09:07:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2543851</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Improve Utility Investigations through AI Data Fusion and Reliable Quality Assessments</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2437689</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Identifying and documenting existing utility facilities within the proposed right-of-way (ROW) is crucial for successful project delivery. There is a need to leverage data collection technology’s strengths and minimize weaknesses for a more robust and reliable determination of utility locations and develop and test metrics to assess the utility investigation quality levels in ways that make sense to project design teams. Improvements will lead to a better stakeholder understanding to communicate the quality levels commonly used by the SUE industry (D, C, B, and A), the basis for assessing utility investigation deliverable quality, and would be able to tie quality levels to quantifiable performance metrics such as positional accuracy, error, and completeness, which are common in engineering and surveying when collecting field data for a project.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Oct 2024 10:31:18 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2437689</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>RES2025-03: Determining Ways to Mediate Inaccurate Utility Estimates for Planning, Design, and Bid Prices at Letting</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2437328</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Over the past decade and a half, the State of Tennessee has witnessed a remarkable surge in its population, unprecedented in its history. This rapid growth has not only resulted in a significant increase in traffic volume but also in the accelerated degradation of state routes and the burgeoning development along these crucial corridors. In response to these challenges and to accommodate the burgeoning demands of its growing population, the state legislature passed the Transportation Modernization Act. This landmark legislation has earmarked billions of dollars for the enhancement of Tennessee's roadways and infrastructure, aiming to elevate the infrastructure across various types and levels of service on Tennessee roadways to meet current and future needs. 
 The State of Tennessee has witnessed significant growth over the past decade, which has led to
increased traffic, accelerated wear on state routes, and a surge in utility infrastructure within state
highway rights of way. The TDOT faces challenges in coordinating the relocation of these utilities
due to inaccurate preliminary cost estimates, leading to project delays, cost overruns, and disputes
with utility companies. This proposal introduces an innovative solution: the development of an
Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based tool designed to provide accurate utility relocation cost
estimations. This tool aims to streamline budgeting processes, reduce discrepancies between
estimated and actual costs, and minimize project delays and disputes.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 30 Sep 2024 15:51:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2437328</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Assessing Ohio's Approach to Clearing Utilities on Highway Projects Process Improvements
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2431341</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has incurred over $30 million dollars in construction related delays in addition to extended traveling time to the public and potential delays to other projects. One leading cause of construction delays is the untimely relocation of utility infrastructure as well as other utility conflicts, including unmarked or mismarked utility locations. The current utility relocation process relies on leveraging communication and good working relationships between ODOT and Utility company staff, with no practical enforcement tools within the law. Research is needed to determine the most cost effective, practical, and safest way to initiate and execute utility coordination. The goal of this project is to identify processes, procedure, and/or statutory changes that could decrease the risks of utility related construction delay occurrences. 

The objectives of this research include the following: (1) Review and identify common causes/factors that have led to utility related construction delays, which may be extrinsic or intrinsic to ODOT, the Utility company, or force majeure. (2) Develop an analysis/spreadsheet/report that identifies projects that have historically been affected by a utility related construction delay broken down by District, utility (type/name), duration (if known), cost (if known). (3) Conduct a review of ODOT's current process to determine successes and opportunities for improvement. (4) Review Utility relocation practices from other DOTs to identify best practices. (5) Provide recommendations on policies and procedures, laws, etc. 
                     ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 17 Sep 2024 14:27:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2431341</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Field Verification Processes for Utility Installation and Relocation: A Guide



</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2381757</link>
      <description><![CDATA[State departments of transportation (DOTs) regularly negotiate contractual agreements with utility owners during project development and delivery, which includes issuing permits that enable utility owners to occupy public rights-of-way (ROW). At times, these agreements may remain in place after a project is completed. State DOTs and local agencies review and approve each proposed utility installation to ensure the latest amended installation or any relocation complies with a state DOT’s utility accommodation policies and rules, relevant specifications/provisions, and industry standards or specifications.

Additionally, field verification processes are integral components for monitoring and certifying that proposed utility installations or relocations have been constructed and/or installed according to the utility construction documents and plans. Field verifications are a potential utility-related risk that could also be attributed to communication oversights between utility owners and transportation agencies (e.g., notification of construction start time and providing sufficient lead time for a state DOT’s inspectors). Other barriers identified include limited resources and tools to conduct inspections (e.g., guidelines, workforce readiness, and formal inspection training/certification). Research is needed to develop essential field oversight processes during utility installation and relocation.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to develop a guide for state DOTs to assist with field verification processes for utility installation and relocation.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 28 May 2024 16:24:55 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2381757</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Improving Relationships between DOTs and Utility Companies</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2381733</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Coordination between transportation agencies and utility companies is key to successful implementation of transportation projects and utility accommodation on public rights-of-way (ROWs). Coordination at the programmatic, planning/design, and field levels is particularly important to minimize infrastructure damage and cost overruns, mitigate design-utility conflicts, and anticipate ROW impacts during utility investigation/relocation. Coordination has often been challenging, and the recent combination of several factors has made that coordination even more challenging: staff turnover within transportation agencies and utility companies; increasing numbers and complexity of transportation projects; varying legislation across the states; varying structures of transportation agencies and utility companies; use of innovative project delivery processes; and use of ROWs for broadband and green energy initiatives. The need for enhanced, mutually beneficial partnerships between transportation agencies and utility companies at all levels continues to be critical and could lead to improved coordination and project outcomes. 

The objective of this research is to develop a guide to improve the interaction and coordination between transportation agencies and utility companies. The guide will focus on successful practices in both transportation agencies and utility companies implemented at the legislative, program, project, and field levels, as they relate to utilities in publicly owned ROWs. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2024 20:17:09 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2381733</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Build America Buy America Requirements in Utility Relocations: A Guide for Transportation Agencies



</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2381714</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Buy America (BA) law was enacted in 1981 and modified in the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). In 2022, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) added the Build America Buy America Act (BABA), which expanded the list of materials required to be domestically sourced on federally funded projects. These legislative changes added requirements that impacted utility relocations on projects administered through the Federal Highway Administration. Utility companies, often operating without federal funding in their regular business practices, are not consistently familiar with the terms of BA/BABA, and procurement contracts may not expressly require BA/BABA compliance. In some cases, their interactions with state departments of transportation (DOTs) requiring BA/BABA compliance result in refusals to participate, contract, or relocate, impacting project costs and schedules. Differences in interpretation of federal BA/BABA requirements along with differences in regional laws, policies, and procedures reflect the need for additional guidance on ensuring BA/BABA compliance when working with utility companies. 

The objective of this research is to develop a guide for transportation agencies to implement practices for consistently ensuring compliance with BA/BABA requirements in utility relocations. 
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 21 May 2024 16:07:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2381714</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Best Practices for Utility Management in the Public Right of Way</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2344966</link>
      <description><![CDATA[As utility companies seek to expand and enhance the services they provide, more utility infrastructure is being crowded into public rights of way (ROW). These new facilities are often installed with minimal oversight and without consideration of other future utility space needs. When new utility facilities are installed to replace existing infrastructure, the existing utility facilities are seldom removed and become abandoned, further congesting the public right of way. To complicate this situation, utility permit and documentation requirements for utility installations vary considerably throughout the United States. Within Iowa, ROW management of construction and utility activities varies between cities, counties and the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT). This variation has led to differing methodologies and unorganized coordination within public agencies on infrastructure projects containing utilities. There is a need for a broader utility management approach to control the planning and installation of utilities within public ROW, require documentation of utility as-built plans and location information, and manage this information so it can be useful to future construction efforts. Without such an approach, the accommodation of utility facilities will continue to be disorganized, inefficient, and cause increased costs and delays in construction projects. This study will provide benefit to public municipalities in managing the right of way. This will be achieved by preparing policies to enforce proper installation and documentation of utilities in the ROW.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 28 Feb 2024 11:51:51 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2344966</guid>
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