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    <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
    <link>https://rip.trb.org/</link>
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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>TRB Core Program Services for a Highway RD&amp;T Program – Federal Fiscal Year 2026/TRB (State DOTs) Fiscal Year 2027</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2692353</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The transportation research community consists of numerous partnerships to aid in the conduct of research and the implementation of technologies and innovations.  The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the State Departments of Transportation (SDOTs), and the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) are among these partners, who work closely in many facets of the national research program. The Transportation Research Board's (TRB’s) mission is to promote innovation and progress in transportation by stimulating and conducting research, facilitating the dissemination of information, and encouraging the implementation of research results. TRB fulfills this mission through the work of its standing technical committees and task forces addressing all modes and aspects of transportation; publication and dissemination of reports and peer-reviewed technical papers on research findings; administration of contract research programs; conduct of special studies on transportation policy issues; maintenance of Transport Research International Documentation (TRID); and hosting an annual meeting that attracts approximately 14,000 transportation professionals from throughout the United States and abroad. This pooled fund provides a mechanism for States to transfer funds to FHWA to add to the TRB Core Program Services cooperative agreement.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 20:24:09 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2692353</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Finding the Bed Shear Stress Using the Logarithmic Law at Channel Roughness Transitions</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2672767</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Flow through transition of bed roughness occurs in many situations in highway transportation including culverts, bridge abutments, and roadways in the floodplain, where the bed materials can change abruptly from one type to another. A sudden change in bed roughness also occurs frequently in the laboratory when soil erosion and scour is studied using a sediment recess in an open-channel flume. In all the above, the bed shear stress is a fundamental flow parameter that must be determined accurately.

A research project is proposed to investigate the use of logarithmic law (log law) for finding bed shear stress near a sudden change in bed roughness. Velocity field measurements will be obtained using a Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) system. The measured data will be used to determine the distribution of bed shear stress by control volume analysis using the linear momentum equation to determine whether the log law can be applied to a developing boundary layer downstream of a bed roughness transition and develop procedures to reduce the measurement uncertainty of the method.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 23 Feb 2026 13:58:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2672767</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Concrete Materials Research Synthesis</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2671998</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The outcomes and objectives of this synthesis will include the following: (1) Compile, review, and summarize selected concrete materials research sponsored by Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). (2) Identify common themes, research findings, and implementation outcomes related to concrete durability, performance-based approaches, and mix design practices. (3) Evaluate how previous research aligns with current agency priorities and national best practices. (4) Identify gaps, challenges, and opportunities for future research that can advance the agency’s materials and construction quality initiatives.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2026 13:18:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2671998</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Designing Safer Streets</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2662686</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Designing Safer Streets is an implementation strategy in which the transportation network is planned, designed, built, operated, and maintained to enable safe mobility within the transportation system. The pooled fund will be established to conduct research on innovative strategies to design and implement a safe streets.  

OBJECTIVES: To assemble a consortium composed of State Departments of Transportation; County, regional, local, or tribal transportation agencies; additional interested entities or organizations; and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) program offices to meet national needs in support of safer streets. Activities of the consortium include: Identify planning, roadway design, human factors, safety, and operational issues related to safe streets elements and projects; Select new and existing safe Streets elements and/or projects for evaluation; Initiate and monitor research projects; Disseminate results; and Facilitate collaboration and information sharing among members.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 29 Jan 2026 16:30:17 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2662686</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Digital Twin Modeling of NOx Formation from Transient Vehicle Operations in Hilly Terrains</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2652170</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Paseo del Norte region is recognized for its high ozone (O3) concentrations, which are largely attributed to photochemical reactions between nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds from transportation sources. This issue is particularly acute in the border city, where heavy traffic flows between the sister cities of El Paso, USA, and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, significantly impact air quality. Additionally, the Paseo del Norte region is characterized by its hilly terrain, which can cause the transient operation of automobile engines with excessive NOx formation. The proposed project aims to quantify the contribution of transportation NOx from automobile transient operations in hilly terrains through collaborative research between mechanical and civil engineers. First, the NOx flow rate will be measured from on-road testing of diesel vehicles at varying traffic conditions near El Paso, Texas, while transferring the acquired data to the cloud in real time. Second, the collected data will be used to construct the digital twin model incorporating the engine simulation and NOx reaction kinetics. Lastly, the digital twin will be utilized to quantify the contribution of transient NOx at varying traffic scenarios. A thorough understanding of the NOx formation mechanism will enable policymakers to optimize transportation systems and mitigate excessive sources of NOx in urban areas. Additionally, the digital twin facilitates the evaluation of transportation NOx from neighboring regions, including Ciudad Juárez in Mexico, based on minimal traffic information. The interdisciplinary nature of the proposed study will foster future workforces in the transportation sector with unique capabilities. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 13 Jan 2026 16:14:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2652170</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Bridging Data Gaps with Modeled Data from Generative AI: Advancing Health in Transportation Research</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2652171</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Transportation-related factors, such as air quality changes and exposure disparities, have significant impact on health outcome. Communities near high-traffic corridors experience elevated exposure levels, yet efforts to assess these impacts are hindered by the lack of high-resolution health and socio-demographic datasets. Traditional air quality models, such as dispersion and interpolation techniques, estimate pollutant distributions but struggle to capture localized exposure variations and real-world uncertainties due to their reliance on static assumptions. These limitations reduce the precision of transportation health impact assessments. 

This project addresses data gaps in air quality and health outcomes by integrating AI-generated data with  traditional modeling techniques. Bridging the data gap is essential to improving exposure assessments and provide a more comprehensive understanding of transportation-related health effects. The research develops and trains generative AI models for data augmentation, using harmonized datasets to create high-fidelity modeled data that reflects real-world patterns. Furthermore, we integrate the trained AI models with air quality simulation models to estimated transportation-related air quality scenarios and assess potential health impacts.
 
The project produces a validated generative AI model for data augmentation, generating high-resolution datasets that enhance geographic and demographic granularity in transportation health research. The application of scenario-based health impact simulations provides new insights into the relationships between air quality and health outcomes, improving the ability to evaluate transportation-related interventions. By combining AI-driven data synthesis with traditional modeling approaches, this research advances methodologies for transportation and environmental health assessments, providing more reliable data for exposure studies and policy evaluations. 
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 13 Jan 2026 16:10:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2652171</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Pedestrian Route Choice and Traffic Exposures: A Case Study in Downtown Atlanta</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2652174</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Walkable neighborhoods and active mobility provide human health benefits through exercise, stress relief,  and local sustainability, but concerns over near-roadway traffic-related air pollution remain significant (Luo, 2018). Exposure to pollutant concentration exposure assessments downwind from roadway sources not only undermines the health advantages of walking, but also poses economic burdens, as indicated by the substantial costs associated with air pollution-related mortality (World Bank, 2020). Recent studies are increasingly focused on understanding how pedestrian route choice influences exposure to traffic related air pollutants (Khreis, 2020), and integrating these exposure metrics into pedestrian route planning may improve health outcomes. Shortest path, impedance-based routing tools, such as SidewalkSim, can be used to predict pedestrian paths through the sidewalk network. Route selection can account for pedestrian asset design and condition, and even route wheelchair users around crossings that are missing a curb ramp (which imposes a significant impedance on the crossing link). When second-by-second pedestrian route data are combined with spatiotemporal predictions of pollutant concentrations downwind from roadways, analysts can assess how exposure accumulates over the course of each walking trip. Because the routing tools are impedance-based, pollutant concentrations can be converted to link impedance and potentially used to route pedestrians on slightly longer routes that result in much lower pollutant exposure. This project will apply impedance methods in the context of pedestrian travel in downtown Atlanta, testing a variety of impedance functions from the assessments to evaluate the tradeoffs between route circuity and pollutant exposure across these functions. The project will develop a framework that supports healthier, lower-exposure pedestrian pathways (while maintaining reasonable routes and convenience for all users). ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 13 Jan 2026 15:38:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2652174</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Evaluating Efficiency of Rural Transit Systems</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2652175</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Rural transit agencies face unique challenges in optimizing energy efficiency due to dispersed service areas, lower ridership, and diverse vehicle fleets. Unlike urban transit systems, these agencies often lack access to tools that assess energy consumption and evaluate operational strategies effectively. This study aims to bridge this gap by developing a user-friendly lifecycle energy consumption calculator tailored to rural transit operators and applying the Mobility Energy Productivity (MEP) metric to assess the efficiency of different transit strategies.  
 
The research will involve a comprehensive literature review, development of a lifecycle energy consumption framework, adaptation of the MEP model to rural transit conditions, and case studies with selected rural transit agencies. These case studies will test the tools, gather real-world data, and evaluate various fleet configurations and operational strategies. Findings will inform best practices and provide actionable recommendations for rural transit agencies to optimize energy use while maintaining or improving accessibility for residents.  
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 13 Jan 2026 15:33:18 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2652175</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Health and Activity Impacts of Student Commute Modes</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2652176</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Active school transportation can profoundly influence children’s health, safety, and wellbeing. This project will investigate how different school commute modes – walking, bicycling, school bus, or private car – affect student physical activity and health, exposure to traffic-related air pollutants, safety, and travel disparity. Focusing on Texas school districts that currently or historically participate in Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs, we will combine new data collection with existing evidence to evaluate the benefits and challenges of various commute modes. The study will also examine how shifting school trips to active modes may reduce vehicle emissions near schools and improve air quality. We will conduct surveys to quantify students’ physical activity during commutes, assess their exposure to emissions, and gauge perceptions of safety. Recent literature (2015–2025) will be synthesized to identify how school transportation choices affect student health (e.g. obesity, respiratory health, mental wellbeing) and safety outcomes, including disparities by socioeconomic status and geography. By evaluating SRTS interventions’ effectiveness in Texas communities, the project will fill critical gaps in understanding the multi-faceted impacts of commute mode on student wellbeing. Expected outcomes include practical recommendations for school districts and transportation agencies to design safer, healthier school travel environments. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 13 Jan 2026 15:25:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2652176</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Video Summary Report (VSR) Production</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2593193</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The research team will produce Video Summary Reports (VSRs) that promote technology transfer of concluding Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) research and implementation projects. The research team will produce short videos (2–5 minutes) informing TxDOT staff and university researchers, as well as others nationwide, about the research and implementation results. The research team will plan and produce an annual Video Summary Report (VSR) production list in cooperation with TxDOT, track the detailed status of each VSR on the production list, schedule and conduct interviews (live and virtual), travel when requested and necessary to obtain B-roll for enhanced video experience, compose and create the VSRs, coordinate all reviews and approvals, and oversee the final publication and distribution of the final products. The research team will also produce other outreach materials as requested.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 26 Aug 2025 12:49:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2593193</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>District Highway Management Research On-Call (ROC)  FY26-28</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2582820</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is charged with the management and maintenance of Ohio's vast transportation system.  ODOT strives to execute this charge in the most effective and efficient manner possible.  At times, ODOT encounters situations where low-cost, short-term, focused research tasks are needed to address an urgent issue.  While important and potentially impactful, these research tasks do not warrant the level of a full-scale research project.  Due to the time-sensitive nature of these tasks, it is possible that some of these tasks go unmet because the standard contracting process requires more time than available.  To address this issue, ODOT developed the Research-On-Call (ROC) program.  The ROC is designed to provide direct, quick access to researchers in specific areas of expertise to conduct short-term, focused, urgent research tasks.  This ROC will focus on tasks to support District Offices with system management and maintenance improvements.  
             ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 04 Aug 2025 13:34:53 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2582820</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>TRB Core Program Services for a Highway RD&amp;T Program – Federal Fiscal Year 2025/TRB (State DOTs) Fiscal Year 2026</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2573045</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The solicitation will cover the period of the Transportation Research Board (TRB)'s fiscal year 2026 that began July 1, 2025, and ends June 30, 2026. Funds committed by participating States will be from their Federal fiscal year 2025 funding (previous year funding may also be used). Consult the attached spreadsheet for the amount for individual states and Washington, DC.

OBJECTIVES: To provide a mechanism for State transportation departments to support the TRB's core program services.

SCOPE OF WORK: The pooled fund study permits States to contribute their funds to the TRB Core Program Services instead of sending their contributions directly to TRB. The TRB Core Program Services provides support funding for the TRB annual meeting, committees, conferences, webinars, TRID, and TRB publications.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 11 Jul 2025 13:28:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2573045</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Legal Aspects of Transit and Intermodal Transportation Programs</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2563008</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Legal Research Digest series reports on legal issues associated with transit and intermodal law. Each document is intended to provide transit attorneys with authoritative, well-researched, specific information that is limited in scope. The studies focus on legal issues and problems having national significance to the public transportation industry. The Legal Research Digest provides transit-related legal research on a wide variety of legal topics including: environmental standards and requirements, construction and procurement contract procedures and administration, civil rights and labor standards, and tort liability, risk management, and system safety. In other areas of the law, transit programs may involve legal problems and issues that are not shared with other modes; as, for example, compliance with transit-equipment and operations guidelines, FTA financing initiatives, private sector programs, and labor or environmental standards relating to transit operations. Emphasis would be on research of current importance and applicability to transit and intermodal operations and programs.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 09 Jun 2025 23:11:17 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2563008</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Technology Transfer Support</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2560847</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The overall objective of this task is to perform necessary tasks to facilitate the publication of Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) research projects. Tasks include editorial reviews, summary and header image creation, final preparatory work for publication of final reports and summaries, and Research Showcase articles.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 03 Jun 2025 08:34:36 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2560847</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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