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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>
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    <item>
      <title>In-Stream Vegetation for Scour Control at High-Proximity Bridge Crossing Elements</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2706037</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Scour and erosion are leading causes of bridge failure in North America and present significant safety and maintenance challenges, particularly at crossings where piers, abutments, and channel banks are in close proximity. Existing scour countermeasures are often costly, difficult to implement under complex hydraulic conditions, and require ongoing maintenance. Although aquatic vegetation has been observed to alter approach flow patterns in ways that may reduce local scour, a rigorous scientific basis for its use as a scour-control strategy at bridge crossings is not currently available.
This project employs detailed physical modeling to evaluate the effectiveness of in-stream vegetation for scour control at high-proximity bridge crossings. Experiments will be conducted in a high-gradient tilting flume with an erodible sediment bed, using particle image velocimetry and laser-based bathymetric scanning to measure velocity fields, turbulence characteristics, shear stresses, and resulting scour patterns. The research will quantify how vegetation patches influence local flow structure and sediment transport near piers, abutments, and banks. The results will form the foundation of a knowledge base supporting development of practical implementation guidelines.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 23 May 2026 18:04:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2706037</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Identifying Opportunities to Improve Temporary Sediment Basin</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2582218</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Temporary sediment basins are used to control the release of sediment laden stormwater runoff from active construction sites. If temporary sediment basins are constructed according to specifications, it is expected that 60% of sediment will be trapped by the sediment basin. Nonetheless, sediment basins can perform poorly in several instances such as in successive storm events, at sites with fine-grained soils, or due to maintenance issues. Releases of sediment laden stormwater runoff from construction sites can negatively impact the environment and require costly and sometimes time-consuming corrective actions. This project will identify common issues with sediment basins in Virginia and determine potential alternative designs to evaluate for future use in Virginia. First, interviews of Virginia’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System and Environmental Compliance Inspectors as well as personnel from other state departments of transportation (DOTs) will be conducted. Interviews will provide insights into potential common issues with sediment basins as well as opportunities for knowledge transfer. Then, select active sediment basins will be observed to better understand design limitations and contractor installation and maintenance practices. This research benefits the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) by identifying potential sediment basin design shortcomings in Virginia, possible design modifications, and potential opportunities for knowledge transfer.  This research also establishes a basis for future research on potential temporary sediment basin design modifications to improve their performance. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 27 Jul 2025 10:41:28 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2582218</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Assessment of Embedded Box Culverts for Aquatic Organism Passage</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2551253</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) designs, operates, and maintains many of the transportation systems throughout Montana. When roads intersect rivers, streams, wetlands or other water features, MDT utilizes hydraulic structures, either bridges or culverts, to pass over them. And, in situations where the waterbody has aquatic organisms, such as fish or amphibians, MDT designs the structures to not only convey water, sediment, and woody debris through them, but also to provide connectivity for aquatic species. 

In some settings, MDT designs and constructs crossings using embedded box structures with a “two” layer approach. The bottom layer in this design consists of larger rock designed to be stable and an upper layer designed to match a river channels mobile sediment regime. The upper layer is often thought of as the “active” layer as it can move with natural sediment movements in the stream or river system. 

Some state and federal agencies that review MDT projects and issue permits for them, have expressed concern with the “two” layer approach and, specifically, the use of concrete box culverts instead of open-bottom arches or bridges, in some settings. MDT also wants to ensure their designs are functioning properly by providing river and stream continuity, aquatic organism passage, and a safe, resilient road infrastructure, but at the same time not overdesign them. 

Therefore, there is a need to assess how existing box culverts designed using the “two” layer approach are functioning in terms of maintaining their sediment beds while also providing aquatic organism passage.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 12 May 2025 13:59:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2551253</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Characterization of Sediment Loads and Size Distributions in Nebraska Roadway Runoff - Phase 2</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2507239</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The goal of this project is to expand current research of sediment runoff (both concentrations and size distributions) from roadways to include data from additional districts and Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) communities. The additional data will aid in more effective design of sediment removal systems so that installation and maintenance costs can be optimized. Because the design of inline sediment removal systems requires detailed information about sediment sizes and quantities, collection of data from four additional locations will improve the reliability of system installations so that they function well for MS4 communities in parts of the state that are distinct from those sampled during the initial project.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 10 Feb 2025 11:14:39 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2507239</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Predicting downstream impacts of post-fire sediment inputs to transportation assets over management time scales</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2431162</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project will develop user-friendly models and geospatial tools to predict secondary, routed impacts to critical infrastructure (i.e., depth and rate of sediment erosion/deposition) caused by the natural down-stream transport of wildfire-derived sediment inputs over management relevant time-scales. The primary objectives are to: (1) develop Machine Learning models to predict post-fire streamflow changes and post-fire burn severity, and then (2) predict potential downstream risks to critical transportation infrastructure and aquatic habitat over time. The resulting geospatial toolkit and risk assessments for selected burned and unburned watersheds will help Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) mitigate damages associated with recent wildfires and prioritize long-term infrastructure planning and design in high-risk watersheds. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 16 Sep 2024 08:44:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2431162</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Assessing Effectiveness of Pond Sediment Removal for Phosphorus Management in Stormwater Ponds</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2387527</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Stormwater ponds are plentiful in Minnesota and can be useful in treating stormwater runoff. Some ponds, however, can re-release phosphorus. This project will investigate the effectiveness of sediment removal in improving stormwater quality and reducing phosphorus downstream. It will also explore if sediment should be treated to reduce phosphorus release during dredging.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 07 Jun 2024 09:25:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2387527</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Test Bed Mesocosms for Improved Stabilized Sediment Laboratory Specimen Preparation and Field QA/QC</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2255632</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project will utilize a combination of field and laboratory testing to (1) improve the preparation of laboratory specimens and (2) help guide the development of quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) guidelines. This project aims to improve current approaches by better incorporating the impact of the field construction process, compaction method, and curing environment.

The intended outcomes of this project are an improved methodology for creating laboratory specimens of soft stabilized sediments and guidelines for developing QA/QC criteria for construction. These outcomes will be presented both as a report as well as published in peer-reviewed journal articles or conference proceedings.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 21 Oct 2023 11:00:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2255632</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Guidelines for Resilient Erosion- and Sediment-Control Practices</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2255670</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Construction operations are regulated by the Clean Water Act, which requires construction operators to file for a Construction General Permit (CGP) and develop a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). To maintain compliance with the CGP, construction operators must implement erosion- and sediment-control (E&SC) practices during land-disturbing activities to minimize the transport and discharge of sediment impacts to downstream waterbodies. E&SC practices can incur a considerable cost, estimated to be as high as 8% of the total budget for highway construction projects. Inadequate design and implementation of E&SC practices may lead to penalties, fines, construction delays, legal actions, and increased public involvement. 

Resilient E&SC practices can withstand more frequent and intense rain events while maintaining their efficacy and performance standards. Resilient E&SC practices may involve optimizing current installation approaches to specific site conditions and regions, implementing unconventional E&SC practices with current technologies, and employing new cost-effective technologies and methods.

Research is needed to develop and provide a resiliency-based approach to the design of E&SC practices by identifying and addressing design vulnerabilities related to the performance expectations of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or state CGPs. 

The objective of this project is to develop design guidelines for the resiliency-based selection of structural and nonstructural E&SC practices during highway construction and to identify design vulnerabilities influenced by factors such as hydrologic conditions, soil types, slopes, and the drainage area disturbed.


]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 26 Sep 2023 16:58:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2255670</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Synthesis of Information Related to Highway Practices. Topic 55-16. Use of Sustainable Materials for Erosion and Sediment Control Practices</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2190452</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Erosion and sediment control (ESC) practices are used to prevent soil loss and reduce sediment-laden stormwater runoff. They could be either temporary or permanent and could be used in construction, maintenance, and operations practices.  The research team documented the current use of plastics in ESC practices across state departments of transportation (DOTs) as well as DOT policies and plans to reduce or eliminate the use of plastics for ESC practices. 

Research is complete. The final report is published as Synthesis Report 643 and is available here: https://doi.org/10.17226/29034


 ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 06 Jun 2023 16:48:28 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2190452</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Evaluate Sources and Reduction Potential for Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Vegetated and Un-Vegetated Ditches</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2114833</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ohio has one of the nation's largest roadway systems exceeding 121,000-miles and the Ohio Department of Transportation is responsible for ~16% (i.e., 19,470-miles) of the overall network (ODOT, 2020). In areas where right-of-way is relatively inexpensive, open channels (ditches) parallel to the road are constructed to efficiently drain the roadway and provide safe travel conditions during wet weather. They also provide for pollutant removal through sedimentation, filtration, infiltration, plant uptake, and soil processes (Winston et al. 2012). Finally, they can provide a host of other ecosystem services including carbon sequestration (Bouchard et al. 2013) and habitat (Forman et al., 1998) for species in landscapes that are highly managed (e.g. agriculture). These ditches often outfall into streams and rivers, contributing flow and transporting nutrients and other pollutants to receiving waters. 

The ability of ditches to function for efficient pollution control is largely dependent on the vegetation (or lack thereof) in the channel. However, most previous research on roadside ditches focuses on systems planted with turfgrass. Few studies have focused on ditches in low-lying areas which may develop (unintended) wetland conditions. These wetland ditches possess vegetation and processes which might remove nutrients more efficiently than standard turfgrass ditches. Further, ditch maintenance in both grassed and wetland ditches often requires highway technicians or contractors to "dip out" accumulated sediments to restore hydraulic capacity resulting in the complete removal of vegetation from the ditch. These denuded ditches can be subject to erosion until stabilizing vegetation takes root.

The overarching goal of the proposed study is to gain a better understanding of the extent to which roadside ditches impact watershed hydrology and nutrient processing, storage, and transport. The research team also seeks to develop methods and tools that could inform ditch maintenance decisions with water quality as a consideration. To achieve these goals, the team proposes the following specific objectives: (1) Utilize geospatial data and geographic information systems (GIS): (a) to determine the proportion of watersheds that drain through roadside ditches, and (b) to identify candidate watersheds and sites that span a range of land uses (i.e. forested, agricultural, and residential or developed) for further sampling, (2) Quantify the volume and physical/chemical properties of sediments deposited in ditches throughout the state and across a gradient of land use types to establish sediment and nutrient accumulation rates in ditches, (3) Evaluate a practical and low-cost method to determine if sediments captured in roadside ditches represent an environmental risk for nutrient release, (4) Conduct upstream-downstream water quality sampling in vegetated and unvegetated ditches, and  (5) Assess the potential for beneficial reuse of dredged ditch sediments as a soil amendment and fertilizer alternative in agricultural fields.
        ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 09 Feb 2023 09:13:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2114833</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Advanced Testing and Modeling of Dredged Sediments for Beneficial Use</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2071998</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The primary goal of this proposal is to develop modeling approaches for the beneficial use of raw and stabilized sediments in engineering applications. First, a robust material characterization and strength laboratory testing program will be performed on specimens of raw and stabilized dredged sediments. These results will then serve as reference data for developing different approaches for modeling the sediments using a variety of methodologies ranging from analytical solutions to nonlinear finite difference analyses. Approaches will be developed for a range of potential beneficial uses that require varying levels of engineering performance and modeling breadth. These modeling approaches will be used to develop guidance for modeling sediments for different beneficial uses (i.e., non-structural fill versus structural fill) in practice.

The intended outcome of the project is to provide guidance and methodology for modeling sediments in engineering applications using approaches tailored to different beneficial uses.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 16 Dec 2022 12:27:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2071998</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>A Study of Intermediate Geomaterials and Highly Erodible Rock </title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1902216</link>
      <description><![CDATA[There has been substantial research on soil erodibility the past few years at the federal level (e.g., NCHRP 915) and state (e.g., KSU 15-4; KSU 18-5). But there is extremely limited information regarding the erosion characteristics of rock or intermediate geomaterials, such as shale. When these geomaterials are exposed on backslopes or natural slopes under Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) management there is the potential for erosion. Determining the geomaterial erodibility will help to estimate the potential material transport over time and whether more stringent erosion control measures are needed. There is significant need to be able to predict the erodibility of these materials. KDOT has had issues with not being able to control shale erosion in ditch backslopes which resulted in Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fines. There are likely many factors that contribute to the erodibility of rock. This research will measure erosion characteristics of different sediments across Kansas to allow KDOT to identify where more erosion is anticipated. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 07 Jan 2022 12:43:28 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1902216</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Predicting Critical Shear Stress of Cohesive Sediments/Soils in Riverbeds</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1902211</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In 2019 K-State completed a successful two-year study on creating a new equation for predicting the critical shear stress of cohesive soils around bridge abutments (KSU 18-5 / 21-01). Prior to this study, Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) either had to make overly conservative assumptions or send samples for erosion testing, which are costly. Critical shear stress is a soil parameter needed to estimate bridge scour and erosion countermeasures for design. KSU 18-5 / 21-01 focused on samples in the overbank (floodplain) because erosion/scour around the abutments was a priority to KDOT, difficult to predict, and because sampling in the overbanks was a priority in developing the shear stress prediction equation. However, now that KDOT has a new critical shear stress equation, it should be validated for sediments in the riverbeds. Alternatively, another design equation may be required for riverbed sediments. The bridge scour estimating methods in HEC-18 include different design equations for abutment, contraction, and pier scour so it would not be unreasonable to have a different equation for riverbed sediments.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 07 Jan 2022 12:17:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1902211</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Nonstructural Approaches to Reduce Sediment and Pollutant Runoff from
Transportation Infrastructure in Urbanized Areas. (3.15)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1875103</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Stormwater management is a critical component of transportation infrastructure and reduces sediments and pollutants delivered to waterways. The primary goal of this proposed study is to assess the performance and cost-benefit of including enhanced street cleaning program in a stormwater management plan. Conventional street cleaning programs consist of once or twice a year sweeping events. In contrast, an enhanced program incorporates road-surface and catch basin sampling results and meteorological data to determine an optimal frequency of street cleaning events. Enhanced street cleaning performance will be quantified as the mass of pollutants listed on the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) such as heavy metals (e.g., zinc), nutrients (e.g., phosphorous), sediments (e.g., sand), and contaminants of emerging concerns (microplastics and Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances–PFAS) that could be removed and compared to those reported on conventional street cleaning practices. Additionally, information about littering such as plastics and cigarette waste will be collected to be used in outreach and public awareness activities. Costs and benefits will be determined based on the program’s cost compared to the increased water quality credits that could be obtained and the reduction of negative impacts on water bodies downstream to the hotspot area.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 28 Aug 2021 18:24:21 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1875103</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>RES2016-17: Highway Construction Sediment Basins: Assessment of Water Quality Treatment Performance</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1767128</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Sediment basins with outlet orifice skimmers are one of forty erosion prevention and sediment control
(EPSC) devices that the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) utilizes to meet regulatory runoff
quality permitting requirements at their highway construction sites. Regulations set in place by the US
Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
(TDEC) require performance standards that often affect TDOT’s existing design criteria for stormwater control
measures (SCM). TDOT needed to update their manual’s engineering design criteria for sediment basins based
on new regulations and modeling/monitoring datasets including field verification.
The goal of this project was to initiate a performance analysis of the current TDOT design criteria for
sediment basins, basing the basin sizes on Chapter X of TDOT’s Drainage Manual and the 2013 TDOT Report
Engineering Design Guidance for Highway Construction Sediment Basins by Neff and Schwartz. In the 2013
TDOT Report basin sizes were a developed using hydrology and sediment models on three key criteria: drainage
area size, slope, and soil type. Following the modeling effort, this study monitored the influent and effluent of
two separate highway sites with varying catchment slopes, soil types, and drainage areas. The sites were located
on US64 in Morgan County and I-640 in Knox County. The monitoring devices used at each site were chosen
for the topographic constraints, and included ISCO samplers and/or Pinson weir buckets. Per each site, the
following monitoring data were collected during rainfall events: inlet and outlet water samples, flume sediment
deposits, weather data, and volumetric flow data. Six rainfall events were collected at the Morgan County site
and five from the Knox County site. The site field data were analyzed to assess basin performance and
characterize particle size variability.
Results showed that the Morgan County and Knox County basins performed an average of 76.8% and 97.4%
mass sediment reduction between the influent and effluent, respectively. There was a large difference in
contributing sediment masses, Morgan County had an average event inlet mass of 1.93 x 10³ kg of soil, where
Knox County had an average of 1.60 x 10⁻³ kg. RUSLE2 modeled sediment yield for Morgan County resulted in
19.0 ton per acre (t/ac) compared to a field value of 22.0 t/ac; Knox County resulted in 3.8 t/ac compared to field
value of 0.13 t/ac. General design information from observations included that sediment basins need to be
located where groundwater will not impact their performance. Drainage areas over 5 acres create basins so large
that they are difficult to locate on a linear corridor highway project site. Location of the basin must not interfere
with construction staging. Also, a forebay is a vital component of the sediment basin to trap larger sediment
particle size material and not reduce the effective basin volume for the smaller particles to settle; however current
design criteria by TDEC appears to be oversized and unnecessarily large. Basin performance was variable were
the % sediment retained at the Morgan County site varied from 47.7% to 97.5%, and at the Knox County site it
varied from 94.3% to 98.4%. The difference in sediment performance was based on the inlet mass loading and
noted above the Knox County site the loadings were very small compared to that measured at the Morgan
County site. Though basin performance is a function of multiple site conditions such as site slope and drainage
area, soil source material was found to be particularly important. With only two basins monitored and wide
differences in performance, it is highly recommended that additional data be obtained to better understand the
site factors that affect sediment reductions in the basins.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 03 Feb 2021 15:28:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1767128</guid>
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