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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>Seasonal Weight Restriction Decision Making Based on Understanding and Monitoring of Frost Susceptibility of Pavement Structures</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2671988</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This study aims to critically assess the variation of stiffness, temperature and moisture throughout the base and subbase structure to better determine the capacity of roads as the seasons transition from winter to spring. The objectives of this project are to critically assess the variation of temperature, moisture, stiffness and strength throughout the base and subbase structures during different driving seasons to better determine the capacity of roads from winter to spring to summer driving seasons. And propose an interpretation and analysis protocol of continuously collected data to create a decision-making process for the frozen road declaration, midseason thaw, ending the frozen road declaration, and imposing and ending spring weight restriction in the State of Wisconsin.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2026 11:28:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2671988</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Synthesis of Information Related to Highway Practices. Topic 57-20. Practices Related to Offroad Vehicles Sharing the Road, Path, and Trail</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2630494</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In many rural areas, offroad and special purpose vehicles [e.g., all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), utility task vehicles (UTVs), four-wheelers, golf carts, and dirt bikes] share the roadway with cars and trucks. These vehicles also share trails and paths with pedestrians and cyclists. Users of offroad vehicles may be unaware of how they can legally mix with existing traffic on roads, paths, and trails. There is a gap in knowledge about how state departments of transportation (DOTs) manage offroad vehicles and the challenges these vehicles may pose.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this synthesis is to document state DOT practices for offroad vehicles on roads, paths, and trails. 

]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 27 Nov 2025 03:51:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2630494</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>The Changing Landscape of Environmental Reviews under NEPA for Airports</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2625811</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Prior to 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and airports utilized the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations to review projects subject to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). In 2024 in Marin Audubon Society v. FAA the DC circuit found the CEQ regulations ultra vires and in 2025, in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v.  Eagle County the U.S. Supreme Court held that agencies’ determinations related to the boundaries of environmental review are entitled to substantial deference, and clarified that reasonably forseeable effects are close in time and space to the project being reviewed, and subject to the agency’s regulatory authorities. The CEQ regulations were fully rescinded in February 2025. Subsequently, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) issued Order 5610.1D, Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts, and FAA issued Order 1050.1G, FAA National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures. Additionally, the 2023 Fiscial Responsibility Act ammendments to NEPA and the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act resulted in significant changes to agencies’ historical NEPA practices.

OBJECTIVE: This report will summarize the major changes in statutory and regulatory requirements, provide an overview of how Section 743 of the 2024 Reauthorization Act intersects with FAA’s National Enviornmental Policy Act (NEPA) obligations (e.g. segmentation, connected actions), and address how these changes interplay with state and local environmental laws. It should provide strategies for integrating local, state, and federal planning and environmental and permitting requirements to facilitate expedited project delivery. This report should update ACRP LRD 22, The Role of the Airport Sponsor in Airport Planning and Environmental Reviews of Proposed Development Projects Under the NEPA and State Mini-NEPA Laws.

]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 20 Nov 2025 15:14:27 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2625811</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Compliance of Alternate Transit Options with State and Federal Requirements</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2487297</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The public transit landscape has expanded beyond traditional systems, with various agencies and private companies now providing transportation options to the public. These include transportation network companies (TNCs), taxis, and paratransit service providers. When these service providers establish contractual partnerships with federally funded transit agencies, they become subject to federal requirements.
In June 2018, TCRP LRD 53: Legal Considerations in Evaluating Relationships Between Transit Agencies and Ridesourcing Service Providers was published. This digest examined whether such providers were eligible for federal financial assistance and analyzed the legal implications of their partnerships with transit agencies. At the time, ride-sourcing services were relatively new to the transit industry. TCRP LRD 53 identified significant challenges these providers faced in meeting state and federal requirements.
Updating TCRP LRD 53 is now essential due to the significant changes that have occurred in this field. Since 2018, the number of companies entering the market has grown considerably. Additionally, federal and state governments have introduced new regulations and prioritized the enforcement of existing requirements, such as those under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The legal landscape has also evolved, with increased litigation addressing key issues related to these partnerships. An updated report should reflect these changes and provide transit agencies with up-to-date legal guidance.
OBJECTIVE:
The objective of this research is to develop practical guidance and summarize relevant laws, litigation, and policy developments to support public transportation agencies, their legal counsel, and policymakers in decision-making related to contracting with service providers and ensuring compliance.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 07 Jan 2025 18:56:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2487297</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Evaluation of Spring Load Restriction Removal Protocols</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2342047</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Deciding when to remove spring load restrictions (SLRs) on roadways is complicated given the variable time window during and after thawing when excess moisture remains in the base and subgrade layers, causing the overall roadway structure to remain weak. The main objective of this project was to develop an economical and easy-to-use protocol for timing SLR removal.

To develop the model, the research team utilized falling weight deflectometer (FWD) data from three test cells at the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s (MnDOT’s) MnROAD research facility. FWD data from nine other sites were used to validate the model, with three sites in North Dakota, three in New Hampshire, two in New York, and one in Maine. Numerous statistical analyses were performed on the FWD data sets, and model/protocol development considered factors such as base layer and subgrade type, effects of moisture, and depth to the groundwater table.

The researchers created a decision tree to help agencies implement the SLR removal guidelines developed in this study. To use the decision tree effectively, it is necessary to know information about the roadway structure, base layer(s), and subgrade soils and the approximate depth to the groundwater table. Using this methodology may help transportation agencies lift their SLRs more quickly than they have in the past.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 19 Feb 2024 19:16:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2342047</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Best Practices for Structuring and Managing Statewide Resource-Tracking Databases</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2310562</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ADOT uses a Microsoft Access database to track a portfolio of  federally funded projects for ADOT, local public agencies, and statewide public-private partnerships. This database is used to track current and future projects’ lifecycles, histories, funding, allocations, apportionments, obligations, etc. Multiple groups across ADOT use this database to produce mission-critical reports used to track federal aid received by councils of governments (COGs) and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) as well as to track and monitor federal aid sub-allocated to local governments.
Each year, ADOT works to address various problems with this database, such as the database becoming unresponsive, users losing access to it, and updating it to be compatible with newer versions of MS Office. With each of these issues comes the risk of data loss in a mission-critical database. In order to find a permanent solution, ADOT would like to investigate how other state departments of transportation are managing their own similar databases and to identify best practices for technology, policies, and staffing. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 18 Dec 2023 17:24:53 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2310562</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Methods to Identify Problematic Carriers and Prevent Infrastructure Damage</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2150891</link>
      <description><![CDATA[To establish the current use and availability of datasets, method of access and integration nuances related to oversize/overweight trucking operations in Massachusetts, as well as violation types and rates for these vehicles.

Compile a comprehensive classification of relevant existing data sources, fields, and their framework of interoperability from state agencies and departments including but not limited to: MassDOT Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) Division citation, licensed drivers, registered vehicles, and crash data, as well as Massachusetts State Police (MSP) SafetyNet Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) crash and inspection data. Furthermore, MassDOT datasets including (but not limited to) overweight/size permits, freight restrictions, roadway inventory, and toll records would be examined for potential inclusion. Develop recommendations and procedures for the preferred utilization of shared datasets from multiple departments and agencies to enable MassDOT to identify and analyze height and/or weight restricted Massachusetts transportation infrastructure, and to prevent damage from problematic use by commercial carriers.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 12 Apr 2023 10:09:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2150891</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Legal Aspects of Airport Programs. Topic 15-02. Legal Issues Concerning the Safety and Security of General Aviation Airports</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2149960</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The 1926 Air Commerce Act established which aspects of aviation the federal government would and would not regulate. Although it was understood that standardization created safety and reliability, the Act did not create standards for airports. Instead, the Department of Commerce created a voluntary rating system aimed to provide objective guidance to municipalities and private companies that wanted to construct or improve facilities.

ACRP Legal Research Digest 48: Legal Issues Concerning the Safety and Security of General Aviation Airports, from TRB's Airport Cooperative Research Program, explores legal issues related to safety and security at general aviation airports, with a focus on state regulatory requirements for general aviation airports.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 10 Apr 2023 17:04:28 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2149960</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Alternative Glazing Performance Tests to Support FMVSS 205 and GTR Evaluations (VRTC)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2050292</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project involves conducting an evaluation of certain tests specified in FMVSS 205 to support possible changes to that standard, including the use of glazing samples vs. production pieces and the requirements of the glazing global technical regulations (GTR).]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 25 Oct 2022 10:24:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2050292</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Impact of New Corporate Environmental Standards Impact Airports</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2007987</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Rapid changes in corporate environmental standards will have a profound impact on airport operations and revenues, and airports need to be aware of these potential impacts and prepare accordingly.  In recent months, many Fortune 500 companies have updated their policies on employee business travel. These policies include carbon budgets that define maximum travel allowances not only in terms of dollars, but also in terms of CO₂ output and carbon penalties, which impose a “business travel fee” on each ton of CO₂ emitted over the course of a work trip. Airlines also have introduced new environmental standards into their investment screening process. For example, a global e-commerce firm recently announced that it will only invest at airports whose power supply is delivered, at least in part, through renewable energy. Such private-sector policy changes represent an opportunity and a threat for airports.  Airports need to be aware of these new investment guidelines and adapt their business development strategy accordingly.
The white paper addresses the potential impact of new corporate environmental standards on airports.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 16 Aug 2022 14:47:17 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2007987</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>RES2023-21: Investigation Into Towing Regulation in Tennessee</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2007202</link>
      <description><![CDATA[According to Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Incident Management, 25% of the congestion is 
caused by traffic incidents. It is hypothesized that because of the long 
duration of disabled and abandoned vehicle incidents on freeways, 
secondary crashes are generated. The longer the disabled or 
abandoned vehicle along the highways before towing, the higher the 
likelihood of secondary collisions or other safety related incidents to be 
generated. Connected to towing regulations, for the past few years, 
incidents on Tennessee freeways have been dominated by disabled or 
abandoned vehicles, most of them which needed to be towed. Incident 
data have showed that disabled and abandoned vehicle incidents 
increase substantially at 7% per year. This study therefore will quantify 
the effects on clearance times in TN if innovative towing regulations 
were to be enacted. It is understood that updating towing regulations 
can be controversial, and Tennessee-specific data are needed to 
quantify any positive effects on clearance time]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 12 Aug 2022 15:34:21 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2007202</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Architecture for an Information System for Reporting and Sharing Truck Regulatory Requirements Data



</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1915998</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The goal of the trucking industry is to move goods safely, quickly, and profitably. State departments of transportation (DOTs) perform regulatory functions such as safety inspections, licensing, permitting, routing, and size and weight enforcement to ensure safe and lawful truck operation. DOTs routinely share regulatory information within their own boundaries and report certain information to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, but infrequently share information directly with neighboring states. Sharing information more often and more quickly with neighboring states could reduce unnecessary duplication of inspections and other regulatory functions, avoid unexpected delays caused by differences in regulations, and better inform truckers of temporary restrictions or allowances. Such information sharing would reduce state DOTs’ administrative costs and trucking industry’s operational costs and improve the reliability of freight transport.

Sharing real-time data requires an information architecture, data standards, enabling technology, and a supporting organizational structure but no commonly accepted procedures for reporting such information exist now. There is a need to evaluate the need, feasibility, and benefits of real-time commercial vehicle data sharing among states; and develop an architecture for an information system that will support such data sharing among state DOTs and help accrue economic benefits while ensuring safety and compliance with regulations.

The objective of this research is to design and demonstrate an architecture for an information system for reporting and sharing data pertaining to truck regulatory requirements among state DOTs. For the purpose of this research, regulatory requirements encompass those pertaining to licensing, permitting, enforcement, and restrictions on vehicle movement.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 17 Feb 2022 11:03:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1915998</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>A Guidebook for Local Truck Parking Regulations</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1909927</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Freight demand continues to grow alongside population and economic growth. With the majority of freight goods being moved by trucks, industrial and residential developments are generating more truck trips and parking demand than local infrastructure can handle. Truck drivers need parking to rest, stage, and store their trucks in order to operate in the communities they serve. Truck parking and staging often conflicts with land use in densely populated areas that are often covered by local ordinances that may not reflect current parking and staging demand. Effective local truck and trailer (all types) parking ordinances help keep truckers and other drivers safe, improve highway performance, reduce road maintenance costs, support economic growth, and promote community health and livability.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this project are to (1) examine how and why local municipality, county, and metropolitan planning organizations’ (MPOs) truck staging and/or long-term and short-term parking policy decisions are made; (2) identify gaps and opportunities in truck parking and staging regulations; and (3) develop a guide that includes a range of model truck parking and staging ordinances, rules, and regulations suitable for consideration and adoption by local municipalities. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 08 Feb 2022 11:14:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1909927</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Update ACRP Report 43: Improving Environmental Performance at Small Airports</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1900309</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Report 43: Guidebook of Practices for Improving Environmental Performance at Small Airports has been a valuable resource for small airports, which often face limited resources and expertise. The guidebook outlines environmental regulations and requirements, provides guidelines on developing an effective environmental program at small airports to promote environmental stewardship, and identifies specific activities to ensure the program’s success. Since its publication in 2011, the industry has seen significant regulatory changes, technological advancements, changes to industry practice, and a growing desire to ensure environmental equity. In addition, with recent changes in how end users access and consume information, the current format of some of the material (e.g., CD-ROM) is no longer viable. Research is needed to update the information and guidelines in ACRP Report 43 to reflect the latest developments and practice as well as to improve accessibility and usability.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to update ACRP Report 43: Guidebook of Practices for Improving Environmental Performance at Small Airports, including its guidelines, list of environmental stewardship practices, and other supporting material, to reflect the latest developments in regulations, technology, and practice. The update should also improve the accessibility and usability of the report and supporting material.
 
 ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 28 Dec 2021 17:01:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1900309</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Legal Problems Arising out of Highway Programs. Topic 26-02. Analysis of Arbitration and Holdings in Construction Disputes</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1889476</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Arbitration can be a useful tool to save time and money in resolving disputes concerning the construction of transportation projects, but the process can be opaque and risky since the results are rarely made public. State departments of transportation (DOTs) would benefit from a database of the various dispute resolution processes being implemented, and the outcomes of those processes that could be used to spot trends in the processes and the results. The research team will ask state DOTs to share what processes they use to resolve construction disputes and the results from those processes, while working closely with the states to protect confidential and privileged information. Many of the available court records and reports may have sections redacted, but even heavily redacted information may be useful to help spot trends in processes and results since very little data currently exists. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to produce a legal research digest that includes the following:
1.    What state statutes or regulations are in place governing resolution of disputes?
2.    What processes are DOTs using for resolution of construction disputes (e.g., contracting officer decisions, executive directors or transportation commission decisions, mediation, dispute review boards (binding) or panels (non-binding), arbitration (binding, dispute size limits, etc.), and litigation)?
3.    What rules are used for the different processes (e.g., timing, makeup, and administration of panels, enforcement of contract clauses) and how do the rules affect the outcome of disputes?
4.    Analysis of binding dispute process decisions to determine whether it’s a useful tool to save time and money for construction disputes. Identify: (1) contract provisions that arbitrators are typically asked to enforce; (2) fact patterns and other issues that cause arbitrators to deviate from settled law and contract terms; (3) levels of proof required to prove damages; (4) percentage of holdings that materially deviate from settled law; and (5) differences in the levels of discovery conducted between the arbitration hearings and similar court hearings. 
 
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 Nov 2021 15:06:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1889476</guid>
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