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    <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
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    <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>
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    <item>
      <title>Utilizing ITS at International Ports to Reduce PM2.5 and NO2 Emissions</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772963</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The research team will develop an integrated Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) at four ports of entry, supplemented by low-cost PM2.5 and NO2 sensors, to support real-time information and monitor idling-related emissions from commercial vehicles. This project would supplement the existing ITS network managed by the City of El Paso by installing low-cost PM2.5 and NO2 sensors at ports of entry and across the network to monitor air quality and idling-related emissions. Mitigating PM2.5 and NO2 emissions from commercial vehicles is an essential component to reducing poor air quality, which has a major health impact on El Paso residents. The objective of the project is to monitor and visually-represent commercial vehicle activity and emissions in real-time simultaneously and identify congestion points and high-emission zones. This objective is achieved by combining dedicated PM2.5 and NO2 sensors with traditional ITS (fiber optic communications, lane management systems, dynamic message signs, closed-circuit television cameras, ground vehicle sensors, signal phasing and timing).  As part of Outreach Tasks, this model is intended to provide additional datasets that will be presented to the public, to logistics companies operating commercial vehicles at international ports, to decision makers that can make policy changes, and funding agencies like USDOT for funding construction improvements. Focusing on mitigating congestion and reducing PM2.5 and NO2 emissions at international ports will result in positive transportation-related health disparities and improve air quality for disadvantaged communities. This model can be replicated across all international ports along the U.S.-Mexico and U.S. Canada border and in international borders with similar commercial activity.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 10:09:42 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772963</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Building Resilience Through Technology at Land Border Crossings </title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2646952</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The 1,254-mile Texas-Mexico border is home to some of the busiest land ports of entry (LPOEs) in the world, enabling over 70% of goods traded between the United States and Mexico. However, these critical transportation nodes face persistent challenges that compromise their efficiency and resilience, including severe congestion and vulnerability to disruptions caused by extreme weather events, infrastructure failures, and security incidents. Addressing these challenges is critical to ensuring the durability of cross-border operations.  

The objective of this project is to develop a scalable, AI-powered system that enhances the operational resilience of land border crossings. The system will integrate emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to improve real-time monitoring, disruption forecasting, and stakeholder communication. Core research tasks include the development of a Concept of Operations (ConOps) to define system functionality and stakeholder roles; the creation of predictive models to anticipate disruptions and improve operational planning; and the production of a deployment and scalability guide to support future replication.  

The anticipated outcome of this research is the development of a system capable of predicting and anticipating disruptions in order to improve operational resilience under adverse operating conditions. Additionally, the system will serve as a replicable model for other U.S. land ports of entry, offering a scalable solution that integrates predictive analytics with real-time communication protocols. The approach directly supports national and regional goals of enhancing infrastructure durability, operational efficiency, and public safety in transportation systems, while also contributing to workforce development and knowledge transfer in the domain of resilient cross border mobility. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 12 Jan 2026 16:08:18 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2646952</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Evaluating Texas Ports Readiness and Opportunities for Alternative Fuels</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2593188</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The research team will conduct a comprehensive assessment of Texas ports' readiness to integrate alternative fuels, identifying infrastructure gaps, fleet transition opportunities, and economic growth potential. Key project outcomes will include a Texas Ports Readiness Index, a spreadsheet-based tool for evaluating port readiness, fleet transition feasibility assessment, and clear, actionable recommendations for advancing Texas ports readiness for alternative fuels. These outcomes will equip the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) with the necessary data, tools, and strategies to position Texas as a leader in alternative fuels at ports, enhancing port resilience and economic competitiveness in the evolving global energy landscape.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 26 Aug 2025 12:37:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2593188</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Community Resilience in Emergency Advanced Transport Education- The Next Frontier</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2536173</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Community Resilience in Emergency Advanced Transport Education -The Next Frontier project’s goal is to assist the State of Mississippi create education, training, and preparedness for transportation emergency response for professionals and communities regarding weather considerations. Moreover, the Community Resilience in Emergency Advanced Transport Education -The Next Frontier project will help local Emergency Management professionals, educators, public and private organizations, and the community increase preparedness and response initiatives through advanced disaster simulation technology training and mobile app development. This will enhance discussion-making and critical thinking and help to decrease response time when weather is a major factor during an emergency transportation event.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 10 Apr 2025 14:45:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2536173</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Inland Ports: Case Study 2 – Economic Characteristics and Stakeholder Involvement </title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2480355</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The literature and investigation of information and data for US Inland Ports is lacking. Economic Strength and Global Competitiveness cannot be assessed, measured or increased without extensive foundational information and data about the functioning of US Inland Ports. The objective of this research project is to capture and report publicly available data to evaluate the sustainability and economic strength of inland ports. Because these ports transport goods from international origins and are often linked with a deep-water port, inland ports may be in a position to increase global competitiveness. 
The proposed case study of Inland Ports in Cycle 2 is structured to add depth to the findings of the Cycle 1 project by specifically focusing on the economic contributions of the Inland Ports to the geographic locations where they are housed and ancillary benefits to the larger community. This Cycle 2 project will also describe and delineate stakeholders and community involvement in the functioning of the Inland Port. The stakeholder/community element will include an examination of the workforce required for operation at the Inland Ports. The work will define relevant economic data points for collection of the Case Study Ports. It is anticipated that economic effects will be assessed by proximity to the port location and for a peripheral site in the larger community. The economic contribution to the locale in an aggregate way will also be examined. Further, the Cycle 2 project will seek to determine the extent and role of stakeholders with interest in port operation. The number and traits of employees will be compiled as part of this study element. The case study ports from Cycle 1 will constitute this deeper investigation into the economic and stakeholder contributions to the success/competitiveness of the inland ports. The Advisory Group established during Cycle 1 will continue to give guidance to the research data and information drawn. 
	Several tasks are planned to complete the work as follows. Task 1: Develop economic impact assessment template to provide insights into revenue generated by the Inland Port from the freight and logistics perspective and to the region overall.  The boundaries will include the areas proximate to the port and the local economic impact on the region. Included in the economic assessment will be a component about the workforce and worker incomes. Task 2: Differentiate between direct and indirect effects. The study will seek to designate those economic components, such as employment wages constituting a direct effect compared to how generated employment wages are spent resulting in an indirect response. Also, the link to the closest feeder port and impact on intraregional goods distribution will be considered. Task 3: Seek an economic model most appropriate to calculate outcomes from the data points. There are several economic models available. This work will review options and identify which seems most appropriate for the outcomes described in Task 2. Task 4: Collect data and information to complete the economic template and model. Task 5: Synthesize data from Task 4 above with an eye to reflect on the impact of the inland port on the economy. Task 6: Compile report and information documents. Task 7: Implement Technology Transfer activities and distribute findings.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 01 Jan 2025 16:22:03 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2480355</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Risk-based assessment of ports and interconnected networks subjected to coastal hazards</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2422992</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Creating a more durable transportation system has been identified as a priority by public and private organizations to address the risks of extreme weather events. Ports play an important role in the economy of coastal communities across the Gulf Coast and they are significantly impacted by weather-related events. This project will focus on addressing issues related to the durability and recovery of port infrastructure in the Gulf coastal regions subjected to weather-related hazards and propose/optimize mitigation strategies.

The proposed research has three main tasks focusing on probabilistically evaluating the durability of port infrastructure accounting for system interdependencies. The tasks will involve (1) assessing the damage of ports and related transportation networks to weather-related hazards. Selected testbeds in the Gulf Coast will be identified and investigated in this study. (2) Assessing the economic impacts (direct and indirect) imposed by extreme weather events on the waterways, port facilities, and port inland connectivity. (3) Proposing mitigation strategies for decision makers to adopt to increase the durability and recovery time of port infrastructure and interconnected networks particularly in the face of coastal hazards and how to prepare for future events.

]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 31 Aug 2024 11:27:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2422992</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Estimation of logistic transportation system performance under extreme weather condition: A data-driven approach</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2422927</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This is the year two effort of the 2-year project. The objective is to utilize a data-driven
approach (e.g., Machine Learning and Deep Learning) to robustly, proactively, and trustworthily estimate the impact of impending extreme weather events (e.g., tropical cyclones) on key logistical infrastructure elements, including ports and highways. Beyond the first year’s research, the study team plans to broaden its objectives from focusing on the port system (multiple points) to encompassing the interconnected network of the highway system. The highway network will be conceptualized as a graph in which intersections and roads are nodes and edges, respectively. A Graph Neural Network (GNN) equipped with temporal attention will be utilized to estimate the impact of tropical cyclones on highway operational performance, leveraging its ability to process complex spatial and temporal dependencies within the highway network.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 29 Aug 2024 14:21:24 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2422927</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Economic Impact Analysis of Artificial Draft Restriction on the Lower Mississippi River Port Complex</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2348486</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The purpose of this research project is to conduct a comprehensive economic impact analysis to assess the effects of artificial draft restrictions on the Lower Mississippi River (LMR) Port Complex. Artificial draft restrictions involve intentional depth limitations imposed on vessels for navigational safety. Understanding the economic implications of such restrictions is crucial for stakeholders, including port authorities, shipping companies, and policymakers, to make informed decisions about infrastructure investments and operational policies.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 05 Mar 2024 19:20:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2348486</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Analyzing the Economic Development Impacts of Truck Parking in Louisiana </title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2348487</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This research analyzes the economic development impacts of establishing truck parking within the two major metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) of Louisiana. The two MSAs are major freight corridors that host the five major ports of the state which comprise the largest port complex in the world in terms of tonnage. Louisiana also ranks tenth in truck traffic nationally, with the Port of New Orleans ranked as the sixth largest container port in the U.S. This calls for improved efficiency in the intermodal system to improve productivity and safety. While there is high demand for the development of truck parking nationally, they are capital intensive and are associated with intense pushback from communities who view it as a nuisance within their neighborhoods. This study will assess how much economic development impact the establishment of truck parking may generate in the New Orleans- Metairie and Baton Rouge MSAs using the input-output method in IMPLAN. It is our aim that the findings could be utilized for securing funding for the creation of additional parking, as well as community support from the proposed neighborhoods in which the projects would be built. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 05 Mar 2024 19:13:53 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2348487</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Strategies for Potential Emissions Reductions for Commercial Maritime Vessels at Ports</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2347370</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project performs an analysis of employment opportunities in the inland waterways sector. The
analysis includes a comparative analysis of employment factors across the modes of rail trucking and
inland waterways, calculates the benefits the nation enjoys as a direct result of employment by the
inland waterway industry, and develops an educational toolkit about job opportunities in the inland
waterway sector.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 29 Feb 2024 14:33:53 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2347370</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Impact of Freight Activity in and Around Ports</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2335159</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In many parts of the United States, air pollution from freight-related sources, such as heavy-duty diesel trucks, is prevalent in and around communities near freight hubs, such as ports, railyards, and warehouses, causing disproportionate burdens on the community members, especially children, seniors, and people with underlying medical conditions. The objective of this collaborative project is to assess the air quality impacts of goods movement in communities near freight hubs. As part of this project, the project team will conduct an evaluation of the freight movement near warehouses and distribution centers in Inland Southern California, measure air quality in the nearby communities, identify actionable solutions for mitigating the air quality impacts, and engage with the communities to translate the identified solutions into community actions.  ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 06 Feb 2024 16:53:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2335159</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Characteristics, Benefits, and Challenges of Inland Ports</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2291294</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The mainland US has tens of inland ports according to the World Port Association. Viewing their map and descriptions from the literature point to the lack of consensus on what constitutes an inland port. Research and conversations with industry personnel quickly led to the term dry port and identified an inland port as not residing on a waterway. Inland ports are removed from deep water and serve an intermodal distribution function. The advantages of inland ports or dry ports are to relieve congestion at nearby port facilities and facilitate distribution to inland destinations. Another goal involves moving goods to rail thereby reducing truck volumes for air quality considerations. Finally, making use of inland locations increased as container usage grew during the latter part of the 20th century and formalized during the early 2000s. Several recent situations showed how the supply chain can be disrupted, leading to congested and unexpected consequences. 
In this phase of this project, the research team will establish the priority for focusing on inland port characteristics, attendant infrastructure, and the existing workforce. At least two ports will be identified as case study locations by the research team and named stakeholders; one will be Tulsa and another port to be named. All data are expected to be available through public sources: USDOT, BTS, Army Corps of Engineers, World Ports, Association of American Railroads, or solicited directly from the ports. There will be no issues because all public entities should be subject to Open Record’s requests. For this phase, Excel spreadsheets will be the primary input conduit for initial data characteristics. Additional steps in future years, with advanced study approaches and/or equations, may be applied if appropriate for subsequent research questions.
The following questions may be addressed in this study: (1) Does the influence on global supply matter or does local supply impact the critical inland port characteristic?; (2) What levels of infrastructure, considering the volume of inland ports, are necessary for long-term success (for roadways, railways, traffic)?; (3) Is there an optimum distance between an inland port and a deep-water port or is this not relevant?; (4) What are the potential environmental effects of inland ports?; (5) What are appropriate proximity land uses, and what is required to be a good neighbor?; (6) What is the economic perspective for the area in close proximity to the inland port? Is there a regional economic impact?
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Nov 2023 17:20:35 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2291294</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Risk Assessment of Port Infrastructure Considering Uncertainty in Coastal Forcing </title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2270235</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The goal of this one-year project is to assess the resilience of Texas and Louisiana port infrastructure, including seawalls and waterfronts, amid uncertainties tied to coastal forcing. Uncertainties that arise from the stochastic nature of coastal forces and future extreme events present challenges in optimizing the resilience of these structures. This project has three primary objectives: Objective 1: Gain insight into the current practices and policies of Texas and Louisiana coastal ports for dealing with changing coastal forcing; Objective 2: Conduct case studies of risk-based lifecycle assessment of port infrastructure considering uncertainties in coastal forcing and structural stability; Objective 3: Utilize research findings to devise strategies that reduce uncertainty, enhance risk assessment, and improve lifetime reliability. 
Insights into the current practice will be gained through targeted interviews with port employees in both states, followed by informal workshops with selected ports in each state. A comprehensive literature review of policies and practices of ports in Texas and Louisiana will be conducted in regard to changing coastal forcing. This will enable the researchers to determine the best way to approach the interviews and workshops. The research team will send out a brief survey to all deep-water ports in the Texas and Louisiana region. The responses provided by the ports will aid in narrowing down those selected for a more in-depth discussion. A probabilistic risk assessment will be conducted to evaluate the lifecycle performance of seawalls considering future uncertainty in coastal forcing, extreme events, and SLR. This approach comprises the following key components: (i) stochastic wave hazard modeling for predicting coastal forcing; (ii) stochastic deterioration modeling accounting for chronic stressors; (iii) time-dependent structural reliability analysis for estimating failure probability over structures' lifetime; and (iv) a lifecycle management model offering a risk-based tool for optimal design and maintenance strategies. The reinforced concrete curved seawall in Galveston will be used as a case study -- a structure of strategic importance in the Gulf Coast's economic port infrastructure resilience.


]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 20 Oct 2023 09:14:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2270235</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Impact of Automated Port Operations on Landside Freight Corridor Performance:
Opportunities, Barriers, and Future Directions with the Port of Long Beach</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2262834</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Automated terminals at the Port of Long Beach have helped process containers faster. Software-assisted cranes and autonomous vehicles have been crucial to improving efficiencies. However, little is known about how automation at the port synchronizes with the other conventional operations of container transportation in the multimodal freight network consisting of the freeways and highways in the Southern California Region. This research will develop tools to assess the status quo of supply chain operations and identify gaps to be filled through research and insights to build an efficient and resilient supply chain operating from the Port of Long Beach to other parts of the nation. Interviews will be conducted with the Port of Long Beach engineering and operations division and the freight truck operators of the region to gather insights into automation integration of the conventional supply chain functioning of container transportation across the trade corridors.

Of particular focus will be developing an understanding of the extent of improvements possible for the Southern California Region’s trade corridors through simulation and analytical models. The models developed will mimic the comprehensive multimodal freight operations with automation in container transportation considered backbone of supply chain activities.

The objective of this proposed research is to develop an analytical framework to evaluate the impact of the automation technologies at the Port of Long Beach (POLB) on the performance of the surrounding freight transportation network. The framework will be constructed by data and information collected through interviews with various personnel and staff at the POLB entrusted with efficient container movement across the port.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 06 Oct 2023 18:12:24 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2262834</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Innovative Freight Movement through Inland Multi-Use Ports: Estimating Public &amp; Private Benefits</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1988692</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The aim and purpose of this research effort is to develop an empirical approach that allows public transportation agencies to evaluate potential locations, value and benefits, from proposed inland port alternatives. Prior research has focused predominantly on the size/scale requirements to sustain economic viability, without adequately addressing how inland port terminals generate public benefits from improved freight efficiencies that shifts freight traffic away from congested urban highways and onto rail for import/export freight movements. These efficiency improvements span multiple commodities and supply-chain systems and potentially advancing new business opportunities. This innovative analysis framework may be applied nationwide as congested ports in urban areas face similar 
challenges providing safe, efficient and inclusive transportation that satisfies many states’ climate and equity policy goals. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 01 Jul 2022 16:13:24 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1988692</guid>
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