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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>
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      <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
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    <item>
      <title>Subsurface Analysis Planning Tool for Cost Reduction, Rapid Emergency Evaluation, And Data Support for Rural Service Areas</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2726188</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Transportation professionals often make important decisions about system dependability, project design, and emergency response with limited time and data. This is particularly true as it relates to the underlying soil, rock, and groundwater conditions that directly affect the design and repair of critical infrastructure. Typically, designers and engineers rely on drilling boreholes and performing in-situ tests to characterize subsurface conditions and associated problems for applications ranging from bridges to roadways to stream crossings to landslides. Unfortunately, these exploration techniques are expensive, time-consuming, inherently risky, and often accompanied by significant lead times. Further, the complex nature of this data can be very difficult to interpret and the uncertainty difficult to quantify.

This research project will leverage investments from CLiP, Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) SPR786, and SPR808 to improve GOSEP algorithms for predicting subsurface information for planning and emergency response, with a focused aim for extrapolation improvement in rural, data sparse regions. This project also aims to expand the GOSEP database and thereby its capabilities by adding more geotechnical data and parameter datasets as well as by improving the OCR borehole log scanner for archived handwritten borehole logs.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2026 17:34:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2726188</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Guide for Roadway Material Designs for Public At-Grade Highway-Railroad Crossings


</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558368</link>
      <description><![CDATA[BACKGROUND - There are over 200,000 at-grade highway-railroad crossings in the United States. Railroad companies report that the average life of a crossing is only 7–10 years, depending on rail and road traffic loads. Some only last 3 years. Railroads repair or replace 10,000 to 15,000 railroad crossings each year at $50,000 to $75,000 per crossing. The annual estimated combined cost to the railroads and state departments of transportation (DOTs) can exceed $750 million to $1 billion. This high cost is typically shared by the railroads and the responsible road authority (e.g., the state, county, or local transportation department) and presents a challenge for transportation agencies across the United States. 

One contributing factor in road degradation at railroad crossings is the instability of the foundation of the road as currently designed. Crossing material is supported by ties and ballast. Depending on the road material used, the material is typically fastened to ties via lag screws. The heavy weight of the rail traffic causes vertical movement of the rail and ties due to track modulus of elasticity. Over time with traffic, the ballast will wear, causing the rail to sink. Compounding this constant movement, the lag screws are moving in the ties along with water degradation around the lag screws, causing the lag screws to loosen. All this motion will degrade the road surface. This contributing factor is recognized by the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) Manual for Railway Engineering, Chapter 5, Section 8.4.1. 

Research is needed to identify alternative road material designs that improve safety, create smoother at-grade railroad crossings, lower maintenance costs, prolong the life of the crossings, and reduce road crossing closure times. 

OBJECTIVE - The objective of this research is to develop a guide that assists state DOTs and rail stakeholders in selecting and implementing roadway material designs for at-grade railroad crossings that improve safety and ride quality, extend service life, reduce maintenance needs, and minimize roadway closure times. 

Accomplishment of the project objective will require at least the following tasks. 

TASKS - PHASE I – Planning: (Task 1) Conduct a literature review of relevant research. This review shall include: (1) Availability of common classes of materials to be used on road support systems at railroad crossing within the United States; (2) Public at-grade highway-railroad crossing support systems located on the National Highway System; (3)
Performance metrics of train traffic volume and speed (i.e., minimum 12 trains/day, 25 mph, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Class 2 higher rail tonnage traffic); (4) Current regulations and standards (FRA, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and AREMA); and (5) Published and unpublished research conducted through the NCHRP; FHWA; and other national, international, state, and pooled fund sponsored sources. 

(Task 2) Develop a survey for collecting information to identify and summarize information needed to characterize the state of practice as it relates to public at-grade highway-railroad crossing support systems, including: (1) Track standards for public at-grade highway-railroad crossing support systems from Class 1 railroads and the AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering; and (2) Design, construction, and maintenance practices relating to public at-grade highway-railroad crossing support systems. 
(Task 3) Prepare Technical Memorandum #1 that documents Tasks 1 and 2. 
(Task 4) Execute the Task 2 survey, conduct a critical analysis to synthesize the results from Tasks 1 and 2. Identify knowledge gaps and opportunities as they relate to the construction, installation feasibility, safety, maintenance, and materials for public at-grade highway-railroad crossing support systems to be addressed in this research. 
(Task 5) Develop a comparison analysis matrix based on the findings from Tasks 1 through 4 as it relates to public at-grade highway-railroad crossing support systems. At a minimum, the matrix should validate the strength of the road and highway-railroad crossing materials. (Task 6) Prepare a preliminary outline and table of contents for the draft guide based on the findings from Tasks 1 through 5. (Task 7) Propose a research plan to be executed in Phase II to achieve the research objective. At a minimum, the research plan shall include: (1) Developing proposed testing methods for the validation of the strength of the road and highway-railroad crossing materials and new support systems; (2) Identifying key factors for installation feasibility of support systems for public at-grade highway-railroad crossings; (3) Identifying methods and practices for improving highway surface without negatively impacting the railroad crossing surface or driver safety; (4) Identifying methods and practices for extending the service life of the crossing surface component at a railroad crossing and immediate roadway approaches; (5) Identifying cost and time saving strategies for repair, maintenance, and reduced road closure times; (6) Developing a guide and proposed acceptance plan with relevant design figures, draft requirements for materials, proposed requirements for highway-railroad crossings, and examples of typical cross-sections; (7) Applying the comparison analysis matrix for evaluating public at-grade highway-railroad crossing support systems; and (8) Developing a stakeholder outreach event plan for the purpose of fostering interaction and collaboration between state DOTs, rail industry, and relevant stakeholders and providing an opportunity for industry feedback of the guide and implementation strategies. (Task 8) Prepare Interim Report No. 1 that documents Tasks 1 through 7 and provides an updated work plan for the remainder of the research. 

PHASE II – Execution: (Task 9) Execute the research plan according to the approved Interim Report No. 1. (Task 10) Revise the comparison analysis matrix developed in Task 5. The matrix shall validate the strength of a new support system(s) and demonstrate installation feasibility. (Task 11) Based on the findings from Tasks 1 through 10, prepare the draft guide. (Task 12) Conduct the stakeholder outreach event with at least 20 representatives of state DOTs, rail industry, and other stakeholders to review the research findings. Revise the draft guide according to the outcomes of the outreach event. The invited representatives shall be approved by NCHRP. (Task 13) Prepare Interim Report No. 2 that documents Tasks 9 through 12 and provides an updated work plan for the remainder of the research. 

PHASE III – Final Deliverables: (Task 14) Revise the guide after consideration of the panel’s review comments. (Task 15) Submit the final deliverables, including (1) the guide, (2) a conduct of research report summarizing the entire research effort and findings, (3) presentation material and resources, and (4) a stand-alone technical memorandum on implementation (see item IV). ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 26 May 2025 22:53:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558368</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Multi-Criteria decision-making approach for Building Resilient and Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1597877</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project will develop and validate a multi-criteria decision-making approach for enhancing the longevity of transportation infrastructure built on problematic test site conditions that includes poor subsoil conditions. In the United States, the annual cost of damage to constructed facilities built on problematic subsoil conditions was approximately $13 billion, and a significant portion of this amount can be attributed to damages sustained by pavement infrastructure. With continuing pressure on transportation agencies across the nation, several techniques including replacing the existing material and treating the problematic soils were implemented. Despite the efforts, one of the key uncertainty is lack of a rational multi-criteria approach that evaluates available alternatives and provides a reliable solution that increases the resiliency of the transportation infrastructure. This project will develop a multi-criteria decision-making approach by accounting both resilient and sustainability factors in building resilient transportation infrastructure on problematic test site conditions with poor subgrade soils. The developed approach accounts for different variables including treatment techniques, type of stabilizer, curing period, life cycle cost analyses including user costs and agency costs, environmental effects, and performance monitoring data. The developed multi-criteria approach will be illustrated and validated on two different test sites including stabilized pavement infrastructure and at a bridge infrastructure. The proposed research is of significant importance to Federal and State Highway Agencies as well as the construction industry at large. Any reductions in maintenance costs will be considered as huge savings to transportation agencies and these savings could be invested in other transportation needs.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 06 Apr 2019 19:39:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1597877</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>In-situ Scour Testing Device</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1358562</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of this research is to prove or disprove the viability of such an in-situ scour testing device for use as a foundation design aid by the highway engineering community. The field device for the proposed study could consist of a water jet directed vertically downward into the soils that are to support the bridge pier foundations.  The jet would be calibrated through physical model testing and computer simulation to produce the predicted scour depth in a sand-bed channel for the design hydraulic conditions and proposed pier geometry.  The water jet would be run until equilibrium conditions are reached in the resulting scour hole, or until some maximum period of time has elapsed (such as the expected cumulative time the foundation will be exposed to the design discharge over the life of the bridge).  The in-situ soils would thereby be exposed to the energy necessary to develop the scour depth, as predicted by the currently used equation. Any equilibrium or maximum scour depth resulting from a field test that is less than the predicted depth for a sand-bed channel would be attributable to the erosion-resistant characteristics of the in-situ soils. It is envisioned that this scour-testing device would be used for foundation analysis and design in a manner similar to present-day soil borings in that several tests would be conducted across the channel and floodplain area to be occupied by a proposed new or replacement bridge.  The scour hole information resulting from the field test(s) would be used, in conjunction with the subsurface soil boring information, to adjust the design scour depth predicted by the equations for sand-bed channels, as appropriate, for the actual soil conditions at the bridge site. The Turner-Fairbanks Highway Research Center (TFHRC) Hydraulics Laboratory will collaborate on this proposed research and will provide Lab capabilities and technical assistance.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 23 Jun 2015 01:02:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1358562</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Mapping Subsurface in Proximity to Newly-Developed Sinkhole Along Roadway</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1253629</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Missouri University of Science and Technology (MS&amp;T) will acquire electrical resistivity tomography profiles in immediate proximity to a newly-developed sinkhole in Nixa Missouri. The sinkhole has closed a well-traveled municipal roadway and threatens proximal infrastructure. The intent of this investigation is to characterize the subsurface expression of the sinkhole so that appropriate mitigation efforts can be designed and implemented.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 26 Jun 2013 01:00:21 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1253629</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Determination of Optimum "Multi-channel Surface Wave Method" Field Parameters</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1239471</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Multi-channel surface wave methods (especially the multi-channel analyses of surface wave method; MASW) are routinely used to determine the shear-wave velocity of the subsurface to depths of 100 feet for site classification purposes.  Users are aware that the output shear-wave velocity function at a specific site will vary if acquisition parameters (including array orientation, geophone spacing, shot-to-receiver offset) are varied.  However, these variations have never been statistically analyzed (quantitatively or qualitatively).  As part of this investigation, the researchers will acquire MASW data at multiple study areas in karst terrain with a view to statistically analyzing the extent to which variations in field parameters can affect data quality, data utility, the output shear-wave velocity function and the output site classification]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 01 Feb 2013 01:15:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1239471</guid>
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