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    <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
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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>
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      <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>Evaluating Construction Workforce Conditions and Their Effects on Productivity and Project Scheduling</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2712203</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Transportation construction projects often involve accelerated schedules, extended work hours, and work performed in challenging environmental and safety-sensitive conditions. These conditions can affect the physical and mental well-being of state department of transportation (DOT) and contractor staff and may negatively influence workforce productivity, safety, and project delivery outcomes.

Long work hours, demanding schedules, and changing environmental conditions have contributed to growing concerns regarding workforce stress, burnout, fatigue, and mental health challenges within the construction industry. Research and industry surveys have highlighted the need to better understand how workforce conditions influence productivity and project performance. However, there is limited guidance on incorporating workforce well-being considerations into project scheduling, phasing, and construction management practices.

The objective of this research is to develop a guide to assist state DOTs in evaluating environmental, physical, and mental conditions affecting the transportation construction workforce and their impact on productivity and scheduling expectations. The research is intended to support healthier, safer, and more sustainable project delivery practices.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 10 Jun 2026 11:14:16 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2712203</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Guide to Analyzing Economic Impact of Changes in Air Service Connectivity</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2588337</link>
      <description><![CDATA[No abstract provided.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 12 Aug 2025 09:53:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2588337</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Impact of Recycling Agent Introduction Method on Plant-Produced Asphalt Mixtures






</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558397</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) usage has plateaued because of concerns about premature pavement failures associated with stiff recycled binders. While recycling agents (RAs) can enhance the activation and performance of aged binders, their effectiveness depends on (1) their characteristics, (2) the dosage, and (3) the method of introduction—either pre-blended with virgin binder or directly applied to RAP (i.e., pre-treatment). The method of introduction, in particular, influences the distribution and diffusion of the RA into the RAP binder. While the first two factors can be evaluated in a laboratory, the third is affected by asphalt plant and production practices and cannot be fully evaluated in a laboratory setting.

Research is needed to evaluate how RA introduction methods affect high RAP mixtures under plant production and field conditions while considering variables such as binder diffusion, RAP conditioning time, and plant process parameters.

The objective of this research is to develop guidelines for introducing RAs for high RAP mixtures (over 30% recycled binder ratio) during plant production. The guidelines shall be based on an evaluation of different RA introduction methods, such as pre-blended with virgin binder at the terminal or at the plant, or applied directly to RAP, through testing plant-produced mixtures and field performance monitoring.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 28 May 2025 10:09:46 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558397</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Evaluating Portland Limestone Cement Alternative for Type III Cement to Better Prepare GDOT for Production Changes in the U.S. Cement Mills</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2508938</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The primary objective of the proposed project is to initiate, develop, and provide the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) with recommendations to address potential changes in material specifications, performance standards, mixture design, and quality, in anticipation of shifts in cement production.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 11 Feb 2025 15:39:36 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2508938</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Comprehensive assessment of alternative fueling system supply chains in the heavy duty trucking sector</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2495007</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project examines production supply chains for fueling systems of heavy duty vehicles.  The project uses life cycle analysis (LCA) and extends the method to consider impacts beyond energy consumption and associated emissions, including wider societal impacts, such as air emissions generated in the production or operations process, or labor conditions for those engaged in raw materials extraction or component production.  The project builds on current research that is developing prototype supply chains and identifying “hot spots” for particular impacts.  The purpose of the research is to examine strategies for relocating resource extraction, production, and manufacturing activity to reduce overall impacts.  The case of electric batteries for trucks is used to estimate the effects of taking advantage of locations with cleaner energy mix or more robust labor standards, as for example onshoring manufacturing to the US.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 31 Jan 2025 18:42:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2495007</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>IoT-Driven Digital Twin Framework for the Design and Fabrication of Precast Elements</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2491026</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Despite the promising potential, the integration of Internet-of-Things (IoT) and digital twin (DT) technologies in precast concrete production is yet to be explored to surmount the challenges associated with their implementation. First, combining data from various IoT sensors and integrating them into DT models requires robust data management systems and interoperability between different software and hardware platforms. Also, the initial cost of implementing IoT systems and developing DT models can be excessively high, particularly for small-to-medium-sized precast companies, the widespread use of IoT in construction raises concerns about data security and the potential vulnerability of IoT-enabled systems to cyberattacks. Therefore, the primary aim of this exploratory project is to explore the integration of IoT and Digital Twin technologies into the design and fabrication of precast elements.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 Jan 2025 11:38:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2491026</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Non-Contact Energy Harvesting for Rural Grade Crossings – Year 2</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2405273</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The network of US railroads often spans remote parts of the country that are sparsely populated. In these areas, rail grade crossings are much less likely to have warning lights or crossing gates primarily due to the lack of electricity. Such unprotected or passive crossings have the majority of the grade crossing fatalities and accidents. In order to reduce rail accidents, enhanced warning systems are needed at as many passive crossings as possible. The research team proposes to create a new energy harvesting approach based on the motion of the wheels to generate sufficient power for an LED-based grade crossing warning system. Recent advances to create small and powerful magnets allow for the design of a non-contact power generation approach that is activated with each passing wheel. The feasibility of this approach has been shown in previous research and an initial prototype will be designed and tested as part of the research plan.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 22 Jul 2024 08:06:46 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2405273</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Develop an Interactive Statewide Production Rate Estimation Tool for Reliable Contract Time Determination</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2255820</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Understanding and estimating realistic production rates of major work items in a highway project are critical to determining a reasonable project contract time, evaluating the contractor’s baseline schedule, monitoring progress schedules, and ultimately completing the project on time. The research team will leverage Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT’s) historical project data to obtain the as-built information of production rates of various work items, and will develop a) an expanded version of TxDOT’s construction production rates table, b) an interactive tool that can generate color-coded heat maps to visualize feasible ranges of production rates of major work items across Texas, and c) implementation guidance and recommendations. An advanced and interactive production rate estimation tool could significantly help TxDOT achieve the goal of completing highway projects on time. The research team’s decision-aid tool could significantly improve TxDOT’s practice in determining more accurate production rates, resulting in more accurate contract time determination, the contractor’s baseline schedule evaluation, and progress schedule monitoring. The research team will aid in providing higher certainty and reliability of data-driven and practical production rates to expand TxDOT’s current construction production rates table.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 27 Sep 2023 14:01:03 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2255820</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>A Scheduling Assistant Toolkit for GDOT’s Effective Planning of Transportation Projects 

</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2046781</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This research aims to (1) capture true productivity rates for certain project activities (e.g., asphalt, GAB, grading/earthwork) through benchmarking selected Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) projects, and to identify a set of best practices for GDOT to continuously collect and capture true productivity rates in future projects, and (2) to develop a scheduling assistant toolkit for determining a recommended degree of overlapping among project activities. To achieve the goals of this proposal, this research will address the following research tasks outlined in the work plan section below.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 18 Oct 2022 13:43:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2046781</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Electric Aviation Infrastructure Assessment</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1906841</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This study will examine the existing electrical capacity at two Washington airports. The two airports that WSDOT is proposing to study are Grant County International Airport and Snohomish County Paine Field. Grant County International was identified in the Washington State Electric Aircraft Feasibility Study as one of the Beta Test Airports and Paine Field is one of WSDOT’s Sustainable Aviation Partner Airports. The study will template the demand for electrical charging using three to five different use-cases, depending on the attributes of the airport and the surrounding community, to identify peak electrical demand.  The study will obtain existing and planned electrical capability/capacity from utility providers, and determine the gap, if any.  The study will capture electricity rates during days and hours to identify peak and off-peak rate variances.  The study will identify options for onsite electricity storage (such as battery banks) and opportunities for on-site power generation (such as solar and wind).  The study will provide a report that addresses each airport and its electrical power situation, opportunities, and recommends strategies to expand and improve electrical capacity at each site.  The study will provide a framework of the process followed to develop solutions.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 27 Jan 2022 18:54:18 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1906841</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Methane Energy Generation Project Phase 4</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1906169</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project aims to build off the previous design (WA-RD 901.1) to create an energy recapture and generation system applicable to the Safety Rest Area’s (SRA) or other public facilities operated by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). This system uses methane generated in the wastewater conveyance process to create electrical energy to run the SRA with the possibility to send excess electricity to the grid. This project revolves around two high-priority problems: (1) reduce greenhouse and prevent harmful gas release into the atmosphere, and (2) quell operational and capital costs at SRA’s while fulfilling regulatory requirements. Currently, methane, as well as other environmentally impactful gasses such as hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and carbon dioxide (CO₂), escape into the atmosphere without treatment at the sewer facilities located at Safety Rest Area’s (SRA) that are operated by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). Utilizing sewer system gases at SRA’s could potentially allow for significant operational cost reductions for WSDOT, as they maintain and operate numerous facilities, as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 26 Jan 2022 11:49:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1906169</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Transportation Research Related to COVID-19. Telecommuting, Remote Work, and Hybrid Schedules: Managing the Shift to a Flexible Work Future</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1842755</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on day-to-day workplace operations at state departments of transportation (DOTs). Quarantine orders and requirements for physical distancing required shifts in business processes, including  modifications of telework policies that allow more employees to work remotely and allow employees with existing telework agreements to increase their remote work. This helped maintain business continuity through the pandemic disruption and may prove to be an effective way to respond to future disruptions.  In the wake of the COVID-19 experience, the increased use of flexible work arrangements is becoming a permanent feature of the future of work. 
Flexible work arrangements allow employees to work all or part of the workweek remotely from alternative locations (e.g., home office, co-working space, or satellite office), and/or on an alternative schedule. While often viewed as a reward offered to strong performers, flexible work arrangements can be a strategy to improve the performance of employees who thrive on a schedule and situation different from the typical, 9-to-5 office setting. 
As agency leadership, managers, and employees consider longer-term and wider adoption of flexible working environments, they must consider the benefits and risks for the agency as well as for individual employees and their supervisors. 
The objectives of this research were to (1) conduct a rapid review of the recent experience of state DOTs in increased use of flexible work environments; (2) synthesize the recent experience to identify successful practices and key considerations; and (3) develop a template for managers and employees to assess their suitability for a flexible work environment. The template is designed to inform decisions about remote work and modified work schedules for a wide range of state DOT job types. The information collected using the template can support the aggregation of assessments for reporting to agency leadership.
 ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 24 Mar 2021 18:10:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1842755</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Energy Harvester Tie for Serving the Needs of the Railroad Industry to Access Electric Power in Remote Locations</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1762963</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The primary objective of this research is to design and develop a practical energy harvester tie (EHT) that can be used for setting up remote electric power stations to satisfy the needs of the railroad industry.  The need for power in remote places often arises from the implementation of sensors or other devices that require DC power.  The lack of the availability of power has been limiting the implementation of smart technologies on railroad tracks that can bring much operational efficiency and cost savings.  This project will design and develop an EHT that can be used for providing power to track mounted systems or through a wireless charging station for devices that are not track mounted.  One such application is drones that are often railroads desire to operate, but their applications are limited with the limited flying range.  The remote station that is possible to set up through the implementation of EHT promises to not only make it possible to install smart systems on the rail but also significantly increase the operational viability of critical technologies such as drones.
This study evaluates a compact electromagnetic energy harvester that can be installed at the railroad tracks.  The design integrates a mechanical motion rectifier (MMR) with an embedded one-way clutch in the bevel gears, to convert the movement that commonly exists at the track due to passing train wheels into a unidirectional rotation of the generator.  The ball screw mechanism is configured such that it has reduced backlash and thus can more efficiently harvest energy from low-amplitude vibrations. 
A porotype energy harvester tie will be designed, fabricated, and tested expensively in the field.  The design will include the integration of a proven energy harvester concept into a composite railroad tie that is suitable as a direct retrofit with a conventional railroad tie.  The integration into a conventional railroad tie provides ease of field installation and improved the efficiency in harvesting the mechanical energy at the rail.  The integrated design, referred to as the “smart tie,” not only protects the energy harvester, the wiring harness, and supporting electronics from the maintenance-of-the-way equipment but also positions the harvester in a mechanically advantageous position that can maximize the track-induced motion, and hence the harvested power.  Although for testing purposes, the smart tie uses a modified composite tie, it can be integrated into other track tie arrangements that used for revenue service track, including concrete and wooden ties.  
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 07 Jan 2021 22:55:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1762963</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Development of Holistic Methodologies for Improving Asphalt Mix Durability Year 2</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1742794</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Asphalt mix durability have always been major concerns of all State DOTs, and they cost taxpayers billions of dollars each year to repair cracking and rutting problems. To have a durable mix, one needs to address three aspects: durable mix design, production, and placement. The objective of this project is to develop holistic methodologies for addressing all three aspects with an ultimate goal to improve asphalt mix durability. A detailed literature review has been completed during the first stage of the Yr 1 research. By the end of Yr 2, as a minimum, this project will develop (1) a systematic methodology for designing durable mixes in the laboratory, (2) a performance-related methodology for production quality control and quality assurance (QC/QA) at asphalt plants, and (3) an innovative methodology for placement acceptance in the field.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2020 13:59:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1742794</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SPR-4542: Alternative Strategies for Roadway Work Zone Safety and Productivity</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1726015</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The study will document the safety and productivity differences (a) between daytime and nighttime work zone operations and (b) between “rolling slowdown” and alternative methods for temporary closures of traffic through work zones. Intended deliverables include guidelines on which strategies to use, and under what circumstances.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2020 14:58:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1726015</guid>
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