<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>Road Usage Charge Communication Strategies</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558372</link>
      <description><![CDATA[A road usage charge (RUC) allows all users of a transportation system to help pay for that system in a fair manner and in proportion to how much it is used. A RUC is frequently referred to as a mileage-based user fee (MBUF), vehicle miles traveled (VMT) tax, or distance-based fee (DBF). NCHRP Project 19-18 developed NCHRP WebResource 2: Road Usage Charge Guide that compiles resources, best practices, and sample communication materials to support agencies exploring, setting up, or implementing a RUC program.

Numerous states and regional organizations have conducted pilots, research, and operational programs for RUC. These activities used a variety of communication strategies, but there has been no systematic evaluation of how effective these strategies have been.

Research is needed to help transportation agencies communicate effectively with stakeholders about RUC.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to develop and validate a communications toolkit for RUC.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 29 May 2025 13:01:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558372</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Communicating the Impacts of Research Projects in
North Carolina</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2452917</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Research & Development Unit’s research projects are multifaceted – focusing on safety, materials, operations, planning, mobility, human and natural environments, and more – and have a real impact on people and communities across the state. It’s imperative that the story of the value of these projects is told, and heard, by many. This goes beyond needing to understand how tax dollars are being spent; how can North Carolinians appreciate how NCDOT research directly benefits them when they use the state’s transportation system?

This request for proposal indicates that NCDOT prioritizes communicating the value of its research, and the UNC Highway Safety Research Center (HSRC) is excited to submit this proposal to lead an effort to launch an engaging, public-facing video series to do just that.

The Research Team will work closely with the NCDOT Research & Development Unit; Public Involvement, Community Studies & Visualization office; and Communications Office, to promote the use and impacts of NCDOT research projects and products through an informative video series, tentatively titled “NCDOT Research Reels.” These short videos will promote the results of completed NCDOT research projects, explain how these products can or have been applied, as well as promote the benefits of these products results to potential users. The Research team will conduct all steps of the video production process, creating up to twelve succinct videos showcasing different key projects and areas of NCDOT’s research portfolio with interviews, on-site footage of research implementation, discussions with community members, narration and editing, and distribution.

HSRC will conduct all steps of the video production process, creating up to twelve succinct videos showcasing different key projects and areas of NCDOT’s research portfolio with interviews, on-site footage of research implementation, discussions with community members, narration and editing, and distribution.

HSRC has a long history of working with NCDOT on a variety of projects designed to improve the state’s roadway system and engage communities across the state. HSRC's team of communications and design professionals is uniquely positioned for this type of video outreach work. With well-written scripts, knowledge of the field, and great understanding of the importance of all the different users of a transportation system, HSRC can create impactful and digestible videos for the NCDOT Research Reels project. HSRC also has a legacy of creating impactful videos that tell a wide variety of transportation stories; key examples include the HSRC Insights series, the video “Low-Cost Pedestrian Safety Zones,” and a highlight reel for the U.S. Department of Transportation University Transportation Center managed by HSRC. Said simply, research depth, technical expertise, and practical experience qualifies HSRC for success for this proposed work.

Thank you for this opportunity to express HSRC’s interest in managing the “Communicating the Impacts of Research Projects in North Carolina” video series.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 15 Nov 2024 15:55:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2452917</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Building an Effective Framework for Active Transportation Messaging</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2381710</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Active transportation consists of human-powered modes of transportation such as biking and walking. In addition to providing health benefits to users, active transportation can enable positive societal outcomes such as reducing vehicle usage and associated emissions, injuries, and air pollutants, and enhancing economic vitality in communities. As such, active transportation encompasses several complex and intersecting issues, such as public health, accessibility, data, economics, and safety. Historically, active transportation has been viewed in a silo, as an optional add-on, or as a design exception. Active transportation projects and strategies are developed by transportation and other government agencies, including state departments of transportation (DOTs), metropolitan planning organizations, localities, and municipalities. Communications and messaging are critical to raising the awareness of the benefits of active transportation and enabling the culture shift needed to consistently and sustainably provide safe active transportation. Research is needed to develop effective communication and messaging practices to reinforce and institutionalize active transportation investment.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to develop a framework for state DOTs and other government agencies to communicate the processes and strategies for institutionalizing active transportation investment.

At a minimum, the framework shall provide: Agency employees, including executives and other employees, with techniques and resources to reinforce this institutional commitment, as well as techniques for overcoming organizational barriers to implementation; Guidelines for fostering meaningful partnerships with external audiences, including elected officials, potential advocates, the public, and partner organizations.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 20 May 2024 21:57:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2381710</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Administration of Highway and Transportation Agencies. Assessing and Communicating the Economic and Quality of Life Benefits of Transportation Infrastructure Investments: Message Testing</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1777137</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In 2020, the report for NCHRP Project 23-01, “Assessing and Communicating the Economic and Quality of Life Benefits of Transportation Infrastructure Investment” was provided to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). The research for that project developed evidence-based messaging that state DOTs are using to raise public awareness of the economic and quality of life benefits of transportation infrastructure investments. The study differed from past research in its explicit focus on benefits experienced in people’s daily lives, for example by gaining more control over one’s time, having a less stressful commute, or having more jobs in one’s community. An illustrated guide provided messages and strategies for integrating them into both routine DOT communications and specialized campaigns. NCHRP 20-24(137) will refine and market-test the messages in a more realistic, practical context than was possible during NCHRP Project 23-01. 
 

The objective of this research was to build upon the results of NCHRP Project 23-01 to evaluate and refine messages and materials that communicate economic and quality-of-life benefits of transportation infrastructure investments. The research will evaluate customer responses to fully developed communications pieces that incorporate graphics and more specific pitches. These sample communications included both urban-based multimodal messages and rural messages focused on mobility and accessibility. The audience for the research results and products are communications practitioners at state DOTs, as well as agency leadership.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 23 Feb 2021 11:27:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1777137</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Objectives, Components, and Measures of Effective Traffic Safety Public Awareness and Education Efforts







</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1716998</link>
      <description><![CDATA[BTSCRP Research Report 14: Evaluating Traffic Safety Campaigns: A Guide provides insights into current practices for measuring the effectiveness of behavioral-based traffic safety campaigns. It also presents a framework for evaluating traffic safety campaigns, with the goal of designing and conducting future campaigns to more effectively promote safer road user behaviors. This report will be of interest to state highway safety offices (SHSOs) and other stakeholders concerned with understanding the effectiveness of traffic safety campaigns and associated outcomes. 

Most states have engaged in some sort of behavioral-based traffic safety programs using education and enforcement to change road user behavior. Well-known examples include NHTSA’s Click It or Ticket and Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaigns. With law enforcement agencies across the nation now facing resource challenges, many states are experiencing less participation in these types of campaigns.

Some states have launched new behavioral-based traffic safety campaigns focused more on public awareness, education, and individual responsibility. These campaigns can present some evidence of effectiveness, but such effects are often limited to communication metrics (e.g., number of impressions) rather than behavioral outcomes. A better understanding of how to measure the effectiveness of such campaigns would help create successful and sustainable initiatives. 

Under BTSCRP Project BTS-18, “Objectives, Components, and Measures of Effective Traffic Safety Public Awareness and Education Efforts,” Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University was asked to (1) identify current practices used by SHSOs and other entities to evaluate the effectiveness of traffic safety campaigns and associated outcomes, and (2) develop a practical and scalable framework for evaluating how to engage road users, through traffic safety campaigns, to change behavior and improve safety performance. The focus of this research was public awareness and education campaigns regarding nonenforcement traffic safety. 

Appendix A, Costing Tool, and an evaluation matrix are supplemental products to BTSCRP Research Report 14. These products can be found on the National Academies Press website (nap.nationalacademies.org) by searching for BTSCRP Research Report 14: Evaluating Traffic Safety Campaigns: A Guide. 

BTSCRP Web-Only Document 7 is a companion to BTSCRP Research Report 14. The web-only document describes the research methodology and can be found on the National Academies Press website (nap.nationalacademies.org) by searching for BTSCRP Web-Only Document 7: Objectives, Components, and Measures of Effective Traffic Safety Public Awareness and Education Efforts.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2020 12:06:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1716998</guid>
    </item>
  </channel>
</rss>