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    <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" />
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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>
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    <item>
      <title>SPR-5135: CARSx Traveler Information Message (J-2735) Module Development</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2709429</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project will facilitate joint engagement between Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), and Castle Rock Associates. The objective of this proposal is to establish a collaborative, cost-sharing approach for work currently defined under an existing scope of work developed by Castle Rock for MnDOT, while ensuring that each state receives its own independent implementation.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2026 13:27:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2709429</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Improving Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) for Rural Application</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2709239</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Benefit-cost analysis (BCA) is a requirement for U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) discretionary grant programs and plays a significant role in project evaluation and funding decisions. Rural and small urban communities often face challenges in preparing competitive BCAs due to limited technical capacity, data availability, and methodologies that may not fully capture the benefits of rural transportation investments.

Rural transportation projects can provide benefits related to economic connectivity, freight movement, access to essential services, and system resiliency, which may not be fully reflected in conventional BCA approaches. In addition, smaller communities and regional organizations may lack the staff expertise, tools, or resources needed to complete BCA requirements for funding applications.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to develop a guide to help state departments of transportation (DOTs) improve BCA methods and practices for rural and small metropolitan transportation projects. The research will identify methodological and data gaps in current BCA approaches, evaluate barriers faced by smaller communities in completing BCAs, and develop tools to support effective and competitive project evaluation processes.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2026 11:51:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2709239</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Snapshots of Planning Practices (Continued Practice Highlights)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2709241</link>
      <description><![CDATA[NCHRP Project 08-36, “Research for the AASHTO Standing Committee on Planning,” was established to provide a flexible, ongoing program of quick-response research and development capabilities for states to address near-term improvements in statewide and metropolitan transportation planning, as well as project development processes. Under NCHRP Project 08-36, 138 individual tasks were completed that provided new and/or enhanced technical and policy tools to support planning processes and decision-making systems for the transportation community.

NCHRP Project 08-36(120) produced “Snapshots” of planning practices of existing and/or innovative transportation planning practices nationwide. Each Snapshot featured innovative ideas, effective practices, links to resources, and contacts for agency use to improve their transportation planning practices and results. This project was completed in 2018, with follow-up work under NCHRP Project 08-128, which was completed in 2025, both providing valuable insight to the Planning Committee. This research is needed to build on the success of the previous work and ensure timely Snapshots to be provided to the community hereafter.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to produce Snapshots of planning practices to present relevant information in the form of concise summaries of current and/or innovative transportation planning practices currently in use nationwide. The Snapshot topics chosen will represent a variety of topical subjects including practical solutions to current technical challenges, responses to legislation or administrative rules, organizational designs used by agencies to accomplish their work, and means of influencing agency decision-making.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2026 11:23:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2709241</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Incorporating Cost-Based Estimating Techniques into Bid-Based Estimating</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2709242</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Accurate and defensible cost estimates are critical for state departments of transportation (DOTs) to program funds, award contracts, and deliver projects on time. Most agencies rely on historical bid-based estimating, which is efficient but often fails to meet federal accuracy benchmarks. Contractors, by contrast, use cost-based estimating (CBE), building unit prices from labor, equipment, materials, and productivity. CBE is generally more accurate and defensible, especially during volatile markets or for unique items. Yet only a few state DOTs rely primarily on CBE, as compared with bid-based and hybrid approaches.

State DOTs require practical, low-burden methods to integrate CBE into bid-based workflows. Research is needed to (1) identify transferable CBE techniques that improve estimate reliability; (2) develop guidelines, decision trees, and templates for hybrid estimating; (3) define a minimum viable data specification for labor, equipment, and productivity inputs; and (4) validate guidelines developed and deliver an implementation playbook with training modules. 

The objective of this research is to provide guidance, resources, and tools based on CBE techniques that can be readily incorporated into a state DOT’s existing bid-based estimating process to produce more reliable and defensible engineer’s estimates. The desired outcome is a practical hybrid estimating framework that strengthens accuracy without requiring the full resource commitment of traditional CBE. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 03 Jun 2026 11:18:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2709242</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Enhanced Risk Management for Surface Transportation Projects</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2702875</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Threats to develop transportation projects on-time and on-budget should first appear as project risks. Not properly identifying, evaluating, or responding to these risks can directly jeopardize the project’s success. The existing risk management guidance from Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) recommends practices that approach risk through a qualitative lens. The result is risk management practices among VDOT and locality project managers that vary widely. This initiative will create a Risk Library that quantifies risk in terms of impacts on project success, including budget impacts, schedule impacts, and realization of the project, along with strategies to reduce and mitigate risks at various stages in project development.  Project risks will be identified by an extensive literature review and stakeholder outreach. Risk quantitative characteristics will be vetted by industry experts and approved by VDOT Project Management Office (PMO). The result will be a new Risk Library that will empower project managers and their teams to be more effective and efficient, while positioning VDOT to pursue unprecedented consistency of risk governance and risk integration into the development of their Six Year Improvement Program (SYIP).]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 14 May 2026 11:07:42 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2702875</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Successful Approaches to Applying Project Management Performance Metrics to Achieve Strategic Process Improvements</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2681236</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Transportation agencies use a range of project management performance measures to track the status of engineering and project delivery activities. Most state departments of transportation (DOTs) monitor “on-time” and “on-budget” performance and report these measures to internal leadership and external stakeholders. While these metrics appear straightforward, definitions and calculation methods vary significantly across agencies, influencing how performance is interpreted and communicated.
Given public expectations for timely and cost-effective project delivery, DOTs are seeking practical approaches to more consistently track development progress and clearly communicate results to stakeholders.
OBJECTIVE: This scan will document how state DOTs define, measure, and apply “on-time” and “on-budget” performance metrics. The team will examine key elements such as:
When measured activities begin and end; How and when current schedules are compared to baseline schedules; Which cost estimates are used to establish baselines and track current performance, and at what project milestones.

Recognizing the interrelationship among scope, schedule, and budget, the scan will also explore how agencies monitor and manage scope throughout project development, if and how scope changes are captured, and how those changes inform performance reporting.
In addition, the scan will document the organizational structures supporting project delivery performance management, including centralized and decentralized models (e.g., project management offices, Chief Engineer’s Offices, strategic initiatives offices). The study will identify practices that support effective implementation and reporting of established performance measures.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2026 15:06:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2681236</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Federal Transportation Funding Utilization by States and Strategies to Maximize Efficient and Effective Use</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2666776</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Federal requirements translate into higher project delivery costs compared to when state departments of transportation (DOT) use non-federal funds for projects. As a result, the share of federal versus non-federal investments of total national transportation investments may be less. To maximize federal funding impact and improve investment strategies among state DOTs and other recipients, an inventory and analysis of best practices is needed. This inventory would assist state DOTs with implementation of the next transportation reauthorization.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to scan and analyze practices by state DOTs and partners that maximize the return on investment of federal transportation funds. Practices may include strategic program and project prioritization processes, aligning federal and state priorities for federal discretionary grants, or coordination efforts among states and partners through fund source swaps (federal for state) or other means to better align the use of federal funds.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 09 Feb 2026 20:44:35 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2666776</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Synthesis of Information Related to Highway Practices. Topic 57-15. Institutionalizing Innovations and their Associated Skillset from Alternative Contracting Methods</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2630495</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Project delivery methods have evolved significantly in recent decades as public owners seek to accelerate schedules, reduce claims, encourage innovation, and incorporate life-cycle considerations. State departments of transportation (DOTs) increasingly use alternative contracting methods (ACMs), such as construction manager/general contractor (CM/GC), design–build (DB), progressive design–build (PDB), and public–private partnerships (P3). These approaches often require closer collaboration between designers and contractors, rely on performance specifications, and provide opportunities to pilot new practices such as 3D design and building information modeling. While some states have institutionalized these innovations, practices vary and are not widely shared. A synthesis is needed to document how ACMs have supported innovation in design and construction and to identify the staffing, skills, and training needed to implement such efforts.

The objective of this synthesis is to document state DOT practices on using CM/GC, DB, and PDB project delivery methods to inform future advances and innovative design and construction practices.

Information to be gathered includes (but is not limited to): (1) Use of ACMs, their evolution, and their impact on efficiency, cost, and industry adoption; (2) Innovative solutions enabled by ACMs, including common patterns, applications, and benefits; (3) Programmatic changes in design and construction practices resulting from ACM-driven innovations; (4) Processes and procedures DOTs and state highway administrations (SHAs) use to identify, evaluate, and institutionalize innovations; and (5) Skillsets, knowledge, and training strategies needed to support innovation and leadership in ACM implementation.

Information will be gathered through a literature review, a survey of state DOTs, and follow-up interviews with selected DOTs for the development of case examples. Information gaps and suggestions for research to address those gaps will be identified.

Information sources (partial): (1) FHWA Publication No: FHWA-RC-BAL-04-0015 Innovative Contracting Solutions: Alternative Contracting Methods, https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/resourcecenter/teams/construction/cpm_6ics.pdf (2) FHWA Publication No: FHWA-HRT-17-100 – Alternative Contracting Method Performance in U.S. Highway Construction, 2018. (3) Tran. D., Gransberg, D., and Harper, C. NCHRP Synthesis 518: Staffing for Alternative Contracting Methods. (2018). Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC. https://doi.org/10.17226/25211 (4) FHWA Alternative Contracting Methods (ACMs) Library: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/construction/contracts/acm/ (5) Tran, D., Harper, C., and Minchin, R. E., Jr. NCHRP Synthesis 504: Strategic Program Delivery Methods. (2017).  Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC. https://doi.org/10.17226/24719   ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 25 Nov 2025 16:49:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2630495</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Synthesis of Information Related to Highway Practices. Topic 57-14. Practices Related to Cost Estimating for Early Project Development Phases</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2630497</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Most state departments of transportation (DOTs) develop early-stage cost estimates during planning and programming phases to support budgeting, project selection, and funding requests. These early estimates are typically developed using conceptual or parametric methods due to preliminary project scope and limited information about design development. Despite their widespread use, state DOTs vary significantly in how they perform, manage, and document these estimates.

 A 2025 national survey of over 30 state DOTs revealed wide differences in estimating tools, methodologies (e.g., parametric, bid-based), adjustment techniques for inflation and scope changes, and communication of estimate uncertainty. Many agencies reported low confidence in their parametric estimates, highlighting a need for improved data, training, and standardization.

While recent research addresses model accuracy, construction cost indices, and stochastic estimation techniques, resources do not appear to document how state DOTs implement conceptual or parametric estimating practices. Understanding how these practices vary in data sources, staffing, estimation policies, and integration into decision-making is important for identifying potential gaps that could guide future research.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this synthesis is to document current state DOT practices for developing, managing, and applying cost estimates during early project development phases, including estimation methods, tools, data sources, staffing responsibilities, adjustment techniques, and integration of early estimates into programming and decision-making processes.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 25 Nov 2025 16:09:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2630497</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Comparing Safety Outcomes and Overcoming Implementation Barriers for Street Redesign Projects</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2625581</link>
      <description><![CDATA[There are a handful of innovative street redesign projects that have been implemented to improve street safety, but few have been evaluated to measure their impact on aspects such as activity levels, safety outcomes, economic benefits, as well as health, wellbeing, walking rates, safety, noise and economic development benefits. Furthermore, given the nature of the opposition that precedes the implementation of some projects, successfully implemented projects can also provide guidance towards how to overcome the challenges of building such projects. There are few studies that provide a full picture of what it takes to get the projects built, although unpopular at first. In fact, to the research teams' knowledge, no comprehensive framework exists for such an evaluation, especially at the community level. The team has identified the following projects as candidates from different parts of the country that deserve further study via a comprehensive framework:  1. University Place, Bridgeport Way, WA 2. University Place, Grandview Drive, WA 3. Bird Rock, City of San Diego, CA 4. Encinitas, San Diego County, CA  Additional sites to be considered 5. Hamburg, NY 6. Hillsborough Street, Charlotte, NC, Pine Street 7. Tallahassee, Fl, Gaines Street 8. Albert Lea, MN 9. Muscatine, IA  Despite the promising intentions behind these initiatives, there remains a gap in empirical research analyzing the direct impacts of these improvements on street safety, community well-being, and economic vitality. There is also na eed to understand what it takes to get projects built, even if they are unpopular at first. Such information is critical to evaluating these investments' effectiveness and guiding future planning, policy, and funding decisions. Specifically, there is a need to assess how these interventions affect safety outcomes and economic development benefits.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 18 Nov 2025 15:45:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2625581</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Assessing Bat Use of Culverts in Virginia and Identifying Opportunities for Streamlining the Consultation Process for VDOT Projects: Phase I Study</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2617664</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) must comply with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for transportation projects that may impact federally listed bat species. In 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) released several updates relevant to these requirements, including the updated Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Programmatic Biological and Conference Opinion (PBO) for transportation projects. 

Although these updates and associated tools include several changes to improve consultation efficiencies, certain aspects of the coordination process remain outside their scope. In addition, structure assessments for bat occupancy represent a significant workload for VDOT and USFWS staff and an area where additional research is needed in Virginia. An understanding of culvert use by bats is an issue that has not yet been examined through a robust statewide study.

This research will inform the development of Virginia-specific tools and strategies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of regulatory coordination for project reviews. The project will be conducted in two phases. Phase I will use literature findings VDOT bat survey data to develop a targeted sampling plan for Phase II field surveys to identify potential conditions where bat presence may be highly unlikely.  Phase I will also include a review of programmatic agreements from other states and gather input from VDOT, USFWS, and other DOT staff to find opportunities to increase the efficiency of consultation process.  The study findings will inform regulatory decisions for streamlining the project review processes and decreasing the workload for Virginia’s transportation and regulatory staff.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 04 Nov 2025 10:05:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2617664</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>E-Ticketing Technologies for Efficient Asphalt Ticket Collection and Quantity Calculation</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2596426</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Every Day Counts program has highlighted e-Construction as a proven innovation to shorten the project delivery process, enhance roadway safety, reduce traffic congestion, and integrate automation. The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) has implemented many e-Construction innovations. The use of e-Ticketing software on construction projects will complement existing NMDOT e-Construction technologies.   
The decision was made to use an e-Ticketing platform by Haulhub Technologies on NMDOT projects during the 2024 project season. Biweekly meetings with Haulhub and the NMDOT e-Ticketing implementation team commenced in January 2024. User accounts for the implementation test were created for training and testing purposes.  An NMDOT landing page with a picture and a quote from the technology champion was created as an initiative introduction to contractors and vendors. 
Two Haulhub-led e-Ticketing training sessions were scheduled with construction crews and audit sections throughout the state. The sessions were held virtually and covered how to interact with ticket data on the mobile application online (how to mark tickets as delivered, input notes, and take pictures) and offline, how to submit a missing ticket report, and how to interact with the web interface including flex grid overview and daily and delivery reporting options.
A list of construction and audit users was sent to Haulhub for account creation in preparation for the training sessions. Once the accounts were created, users were able to interact with the e-Ticketing platform in advance of the training sessions. This interaction allowed users to formulate questions to ask during training sessions.   
E-Ticketing was optional for contractors starting on the July 2024 bid letting. When projects were let and subsequently awarded, the contractor was allowed to use e-Ticketing technology on their project. The contractor was reimbursed for the cost of any associated equipment via a bid item in the contract and submitted invoices. Contractors were notified of the potential for e-Ticketing use on projects via the Notice To Contractors (NTC). Information on the use of e-Ticketing was also dispersed through partnership associations with the Associated Contractors of New Mexico (ACNM) and the Asphalt Pavement Association of New Mexico (APANM). Contractor use of e-Ticketing will be mandatory starting in the September 2025 bid letting for all projects over 10,000 tons of asphalt.

]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 03 Sep 2025 12:57:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2596426</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Streamlining Right-of-Way 
Processes to Accelerate Project Development</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2593934</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The right-of-way (ROW) process is an integral but sometimes underexamined aspect of project development. By conducting appraisals, reviewing appraisals, negotiating with property owners, managing acquisitions and relocations, and overseeing property management, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet's (KYTC's) Division of Right of Way and Utilities offers critical support to project development staff as they work to identify the most cost-effective project designs. Despite being a linchpin in project development, the Cabinet has difficulty recruiting and retaining ROW staff due to a competitive job market. Personnel shortages can delay the ROW process and thus project delivery. As such, KYTC needs to identify and implement proven best practices that facilitate a ROW process that is leaner, more streamlined, and which supports on-time project delivery while also bolstering the agency’s recruitment and retention of staff.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 28 Aug 2025 11:32:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2593934</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Emerging Artificial Intelligence-Induced Risks in Highway Construction Quality Assurance


</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558387</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the highway construction industry and quality assurance (QA) practices. However, there are limited studies on how AI tools can be misused to falsify and manipulate construction data, particularly in infrastructure projects where safety, quality, and compliance are critical. While foundational to ensuring quality and safety, QA practices are increasingly susceptible to manipulation through AI. Research is needed to provide a comprehensive framework for detecting and mitigating against AI-driven data manipulation in the highway construction industry. 

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to develop a framework to mitigate unexplored and emerging risks that are induced by generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) and related tools in highway construction QA practices. At a minimum, the research shall include: Exploration of the potential misuse of AI tools, such as falsifying and manipulating construction data; Detection of AI-related QA data fabrication and falsification; and Mitigation of compromised infrastructure quality.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 28 May 2025 14:00:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558387</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Project Cohorts</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2553661</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of this project is to review the 151 projects that are ongoing or recently completed to categorize each into research topics (buckets) to increase agility in sorting and reporting on strategic topic areas, themes, and investments. This will include a focus on enabling useful gap analyses and improving knowledge management.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 14 May 2025 13:29:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2553661</guid>
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