<rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="https://www.w3.org/2005/Atom">
  <channel>
    <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" />
    <description></description>
    <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>Agent-Based Approaches in Freight Systems: Towards A Door-To-Door (D2D) Freight Optimization</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2447008</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project focuses on developing an agent-based model to optimize door-to-door freight movement by simulating container flows across multimodal networks. The study includes constructing an open-source simulator that integrates freight energy efficiency models for trains and ships, utilizing in-house simulators NeTrainSim and ShipNetSim. Through scenario analysis, the model will evaluate energy use, policy impacts, and logistical efficiencies in container movements. This project anticipates that its results will guide practices in freight logistics and improve decision-making for supply chain operations.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 30 Oct 2024 14:46:18 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2447008</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Economic Impact Analysis of Artificial Draft Restriction on the Lower Mississippi River Port Complex</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2348486</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The purpose of this research project is to conduct a comprehensive economic impact analysis to assess the effects of artificial draft restrictions on the Lower Mississippi River (LMR) Port Complex. Artificial draft restrictions involve intentional depth limitations imposed on vessels for navigational safety. Understanding the economic implications of such restrictions is crucial for stakeholders, including port authorities, shipping companies, and policymakers, to make informed decisions about infrastructure investments and operational policies.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 05 Mar 2024 19:20:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2348486</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Quantifying vessel propeller wash impacts on sedimentation in shallow-bay ports and waterways </title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2259933</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Shallow-bay ports and waterways in bay systems along the Gulf of Mexico coast are critical transportation infrastructure and the Nation’s economic drivers. The durability of this infrastructure relies heavily on dredging maintenance to keep channels navigable. Vessel propeller wash is the sediment movement induced by the hydrodynamic forces generated from propeller rotation. Deep-draft vessels with propellers located close to the channel bed during transit mobilize a large amount of sediment that may settle out in locations where it can cause unwanted extensive shoaling issues. As maritime traffic volume and vessel size are predicted to increase further in the future, so will the expensive maintenance dredging requirements. The hydro- and sediment dynamics of propeller rotation induced water jets and turbulence interacting with sediments on the channel bed and slopes are complex and depend on various parameters related to vessel geometry and propulsion, channel morphology, draft clearance, and sediment characteristics. While some limited studies on vessel-wake impact to sedimentation exist, no comprehensive field measurements of propeller wash sedimentation drivers have been conducted and it is thus not known to what extent vessel traffic is responsible for channel sedimentation issues. 

The objective of this research project is to measure propeller wash dynamics and quantify resultant sediment suspension caused by deep-draft vessels in the Houston Ship Channel in Galveston Bay, Texas. This will be accomplished by Texas A&M (Figlus) using a vessel-mounted Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) and echo sounder system capable of high-resolution 3D velocity and suspended sediment concentration (SSC) measurements throughout the water column. Texas State (Kulesza) will support field measurements with qualitative marine electrical resistivity measurements of the extent and magnitude of the suspended sediment column. Available Automated Information System (AIS) data for the deep-draft vessels and channel bathymetry data will be used to correlate measured SSC values with vessel and site characteristics and to quantify mobilized sediment mass. Using these results future researchers can better predict sediment drivers. Such data can be incorporated in asset management plans to forecast dredging needs based on supply chain projections.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 03 Oct 2023 15:13:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2259933</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Energy consumption modeling of ships: towards a Door-to-Door (D2D) freight optimization</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2250695</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The study focuses on understanding the complex dynamics of ships to estimate their energy consumption. By integrating existing knowledge, the research aims to develop a simplified model and a derived open-source simulator that replicates ship behavior under various environmental and operational conditions. The methods will encompass a thorough literature review, development of a simplified ship dynamics model, and model validation. Upon completion, the study’s findings will be shared through reports, academic journals, and potentially, an open-source simulator. Collaboration with industry and government bodies for practical implementation may also be explored.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 21 Sep 2023 14:11:15 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2250695</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Panama Canal Expansion and the Economic Impacts on New York and New Jersey States</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1362121</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objectives of this research are 1) to measure negative and positive estimates of Panama Canal expansion using secondary imports and exports data available from WISERTrade (www.wisertrade.org) and 2) to understand the possible gains that New York and New Jersey states obtain. To increase container shipment capacity, the Panama Canal Authority in 2006 decided to invest more than $5 billion to expand the Canal. The expanded Canal will accommodate larger vessels that cannot now traverse the facility. Along with capacity expansion, the project is expected to have significant impacts on U.S. water and ground carriers, including transportation systems relating to cargo distribution, port development, U.S. supply chains, and logistics. The expansion will induce an even greater flow of container trade between Asian countries and the U.S., and hence, trade volumes arriving at Gulf and Atlantic Coast ports are also expected to increase as shipping cargo shifts from the congestion experienced in West Coast ports.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2015 01:01:43 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1362121</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Alternative Fuels Usage in Maritime Transportation System</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1357226</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The project will consist of two major components: An engineering analysis of vessel characteristics (University of Delaware), and A market assessment of the potential technology, infrastructure and regulatory conditions (Marshall University). The engineering analysis will provide the basis for understanding demand considerations such as volume of fuel, capital investments required for conversion, and necessary savings for feasibility of alternative fuel use. The market analysis will further inform conditions either inhibiting or facilitating market development for alternative fuels, and will employ a survey of key stakeholders, a scan of relevant state and federal policies and regulations, and appropriate case studies from Europe where liguified natural gas/compressed natural gas (LNG/CNG) adoption has taken place. The goals of the project are to: (1) characterize the demand for alternative fuels in maritime shipping (University of Delaware), which includes assessing   fleet volume, technological and engineering requirements for vehicle conversion, and environmental impacts of vessel conversation such as emissions; and (2) characterize the market structure for alternative fuels (Marshall University), including infrastructure for transport, storage and fueling and regulatory and policy considerations. Potential Implementation includes fleet conversion to alternative fuel usage. Expected benefits and impacts include the project informing the feasibility of implementing alternative fuels within Region III for maritime shipping, highlighting barriers to adoption and potential solutions.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Jun 2015 01:01:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1357226</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Diesel/Glycerin Emulsion Fuel Project</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1315722</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project scope is to evaluate Diesel/Glycerin emulsion fuels in marine &amp;#8339;vessels. The company Sea Change Group LLC is developing the diesel/glycerin fuels that will be tested in this effort. Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) will test the fuels both in laboratory diesel engine s and in MMA work vessels  under at-sea conditions. The project will evaluate the fuel as a drop-in, low emissions, low cost fuel for use in heavy marine engines as found in marine, rail and stationary power application such as pipeline pumping stations. Glycerin is a waste product of the biodiesel industry and has significant fuel content and is very low cost. When emulsified with diesel, testing has shown that significant NO&amp;#8339; and particulate matter emissions reductions can be achieved, comparable to the emissions reductions seen using water emulsion fuels. The project will evaluate the Diesel/glycerin emulsion fuels for emissions and vessel performance in the MMA R/V Quickwater, a 41 foot coast Guard fast response vessel, that is specially equipped for high fidelity emissions and performance testing. The vessel has twin Diesel engines allowing side by side comparison testing under at sea conditions. Multiple fuels can be switched over to each engine in real time for each engine while underway, allowing unbiased comparison between two fuels simultaneously.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 11 Jul 2014 01:01:09 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1315722</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Hydrogen Injection in Diesel Fuel Project</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1315721</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project scope is to evaluate Hydrogen Injection into Diesel fuels in marine vessels as an emissions reduction technology. The company Global Marine Consulting (GMC) is developing the hydrogen injection system for use in marine vessel and will supply the hardware to be tested in this effort. Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) will test the hydrogen injection system both in laboratory diesel engines and in MMA work vessels under at-sea conditions. The project will evaluate this technology as an emission reduction and mitigation system for use in heavy marine engines as found in marine, rail and stationary power application such as pipeline pumping stations. Preliminary testing by GMC has showed that hydrogen injected into diesel fuel can significantly reduce NO&amp;#8339; and Particulate Matter. The system generates hydrogen using shipboard electrical power typically available on a marine vessel. The project will evaluate both emissions as well as engine performance using the system, including effects on vessel operating costs. The project will evaluate the GMC hydrogen injection system for emissions and vessel performance in the MMA R/V Quickwater, a 41 foot coast Guard fast response vessel, that is specially equipped for high fidelity emissions and performance testing. The vessel has twin Diesel engines allowing side by side comparison testing under at sea conditions. Multiple Fuels can be switched over to each engine in real time for each engine while underway, allowing unbiased comparison between two fuels simultaneously.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 11 Jul 2014 01:01:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1315721</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Improving Goods Movement in a Metropolitan Area Adjacent to a Port</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1229555</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Southern California and specially Los Angeles faces enormous congestion associated with increase in cargo movement from/to the regional Ports. The region has started to drown in a sea of trucks and trains. This growing congestion has elevated the costs of freight transport. Also, it resulted in greater concerns regarding environmental impacts on local communities. Considering the predicted tripling of cargo movement through the ports in the next two decades, it is crucial to develop immediate alternative arrangements for freight management. More efficient operational management of intermodal transport provides effective cargo movement and maintains environmental justice. In this study, analytical tools, such as mathematical programming, are employed to develop a new strategy for cargo movement in order to lesser congestion and environmental impact.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Jan 2013 13:44:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1229555</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ship Canal Stormwater Research Facility</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1227465</link>
      <description><![CDATA[WSDOT owns a facility for testing stormwater treatment packages. Operation is just underway, leveraging partnership funds from Seattle and Tacoma. This project would provide partial funding for more testing in 2003-05, and assumes additional partnership funds will be obtained. The intended result of the testing is improved ability to choose water quality treatments with higher benefits and lower costs.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Jan 2013 12:59:51 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1227465</guid>
    </item>
  </channel>
</rss>