<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>Practices to Expand the Transit Workforce through Program Evaluation</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2506302</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Transit agencies have implemented a variety of recruitment and retention strategies to address the challenges associated with the shrinking workforce. While existing studies emphasize the importance of evaluating the effectiveness of workforce planning and development programs, there is no comprehensive source that documents how transit agencies evaluate their recruitment and retention programs, the outcomes of those evaluations, or the challenges associated with evaluating these programs. This project addresses that gap by exploring how fixed-route transit agencies evaluate their recruitment and retention programs.

To accomplish the objectives of this research, the research team will conduct a literature review, scanning survey, and expert panel discussions to explore recruitment and retention program evaluation processes. The findings will be synthesized into a final report and used to create a framework for selecting effective approaches to evaluate transit recruitment and retention programs. The findings can be used to understand how fixed-route transit agencies evaluate these programs and the challenges they face during implementation and monitoring. The value of this research is extended through the framework, which can be used by agencies as they apply new or improved approaches to monitor and benchmark their workforce recruitment and retention programs.

This project directly supports the U.S. DOT's priorities for Job Creation and Fiscal Health and Organizational Excellence; as well as the U.S. DOT Research, Development, and Technology (RD&T) strategic goals for Economic Strength and Global Competitiveness. Evaluation is a fundamental step in ensuring that implemented programs are effective. The process of evaluating programs allows agencies to identify what is working well and where modifications are needed for the agency to meet its goals. This research is specifically concerned with recruitment and retention program evaluation processes used by fixed-route transit agencies. Upon completion of this research, we will have a better understanding of how transit agencies are measuring success as they work to expand their workforce. The research results in the final report will include notable, effective, or unique practices for evaluating recruitment and retention programs. The framework will enable practitioners to understand how they can improve their processes and more effectively quantify the outcomes of their programs.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 09 Feb 2025 16:13:43 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2506302</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Synthesis of Information Related to Transit Practices. Topic SA-63. How Transit Operator Health and Wellbeing Affects Workforce Strength</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2410394</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Public transit agencies are facing significant operator workforce shortages that was only exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The lower-than-normal hiring and retention rates, coupled with an aging workforce and stressors affecting operators’ physical and mental health are the leading factors contributing the workforce shortage conundrum. Research finds that transit operators are experiencing adverse impacts on health and wellbeing given the demands and stressors of the occupation. According to an article published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine, exposure to work‐related psychosocial hazards is projected to become a major occupational health and safety threat. There is an urgent call to address work‐related psychosocial hazards and improve worker well‐being.

Increased probabilities of poor health outcomes for transit operators may be tied to the larger health disparities. These factors are contributing to the operator recruitment and retention phenomenon, in which transit agencies are starting to pilot innovative approaches aimed at reducing the stresses associated with role. A few examples include alternative scheduling approaches, new classifications of leave time that allow for recovery following trauma exposure, and material benefits such as childcare supports. While these approaches are in a novel stage, there is minimal research exploring the relationship between operator health, the health risks associated with being a transit operator, and how actual or proposed workforce solutions consider these issues. 

The purpose of this synthesis is to better understand how exposure to psychosocial hazards impact operators’ health and wellbeing. This synthesis shall identify strategies transit agencies are employing to reduce the risk of adverse impacts on operator health and well-being.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 29 Jul 2024 15:58:55 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2410394</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Factors Affecting Recruitment Retention and Safety of Commercial Drivers: Supervisory Styles, Safety Culture and Long Work Hours</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2379556</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Commercial truck drivers are an essential component of the national supply chain ensuring the timely and safe delivery of goods to manufacturers and retail outlets. However, the alarming increase in driver turnover post-pandemic and national shortages in qualified workers in the transportation industry are continuing cause for concern. The present study proposes to develop a model of the factors contributing to driver turnover and retention for use in ongoing recruitment and selection efforts based on a national survey of existing, but satisfied and experienced drivers. Identification of key factors can lead to increased retention of qualified and satisfied workers throughout the industry.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2024 15:13:39 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2379556</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Gender Diversity in the Transportation Workforce – Challenges and Strategies for Inclusion</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2329527</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The primary objective of this research is to develop a technical report identifying the current challenges associated with female representation in the transportation industry workforce and the state of practice research highlighting reasons why this lack of diversity in the workforce occurs and strategies for alleviating it. The report will identify, to the extent possible, differences in challenges observed and specialized strategies for diverse occupations in the industry. Literature review, targeted interviews, and focus group discussions will be used to obtain data for this research. This research will provide recommendations on how to attract and retain more workers to diverse transportation professionals, making it a beneficial tool for industry leaders, policy makers, politicians, and the academic community to overcome some of the current workforce shortage challenges. Additionally, agencies that are looking to improve their business culture and attract more employees are expected to be end users of this research.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 26 Jan 2024 16:38:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2329527</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>A Guide to Developing Construction Inspector Career Path Programs</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2301578</link>
      <description><![CDATA[State departments of transportation (DOTs) are experiencing a shortage of trained, experienced, and credentialed transportation construction inspectors (CIs).  For over two decades there has been an attrition of CIs due to retirements and agency downsizing in the post-interstate era of the state DOT workforce. 
The National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Research Report 1027: Guide to Recruiting, Developing, and Retaining Transportation Infrastructure Construction Inspectors identifies 18 factors affecting an agency's ability to attract and retain skilled and certified CIs. One of the more significant of these factors is the lack of clearly defined career paths for CIs where specific professional development can lead to specific career advancements and opportunities. 
State DOTs face substantial competition in the hiring and retention of CIs from the vertical construction industry (building) and by private sector contractors, where career opportunities may be better defined and promoted. For many state DOTs, the career advancement opportunities for a CI are unclear and individuals look at inspection positions as a job and not a career.
Career paths for CIs should lead to improved staff retention of highly skilled employees with responsibility for safeguarding the quality of state DOT infrastructure during construction, while also providing transferable skills that could be applied to other agency jobs. Research is needed to identify proven practices and strategies for developing career paths that could be adopted by state DOTs to build and retain construction inspection labor pools. 
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to develop a guide to the development and implementation of career paths for CIs at state DOTs. The guide will lead agencies through a process for selecting from and implementing a range of career path components that would meet their agency's needs. The guide should provide options that will help state DOTs to tailor career path programs that will attract and retain CIs.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 05 Dec 2023 09:48:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2301578</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Telehealth's Effect on Rural Veteran Healthcare and Mobility</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2239886</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The main objective of this research is to identify veterans utilizing telehealth for their medical needs and to quantify the transportation cost savings associated with this technology. Secondary objectives will include analyzing the role of telehealth in rural America, and how the COVID-19 pandemic along with public transportation workforce shortages has led to a substantial increase in telehealth usage among veterans.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 06 Sep 2023 12:42:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2239886</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Transportation Research Related to COVID-19. Scoping Supply Chain Challenges and Solutions amid COVID-19</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1842758</link>
      <description><![CDATA[NCHRP Research Report 1154: Supply Chain Challenges and Solutions amid COVID-19 provides a guide for addressing critical supply chain logistics challenges during major disruptions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. It features case studies, lessons learned, and strategies to enhance supply chain resilience and minimize interruptions. An accompanying toolkit should help practitioners at state and local government agencies identify effective responses to critical disruptions. These resources will benefit public and private sector professionals responsible for supply chain logistics and resilience.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in lockdown orders, border closures, and port congestion, which contributed to nationwide supply chain disruption. This disruption led to increased demand and shortages of essential goods, including medical equipment, paper products, cleaning supplies, manufacturing inputs, and certain food items. The pandemic highlighted supply chain vulnerabilities and exposed the risks of reliance on internationally sourced materials, especially critical medical supplies. Research was needed to explore supply chain disruptions, adaptations, successes, and failures during the pandemic, to gain insights to help state and local government agencies prepare for and mitigate impacts during future major supply chain disruptions.

Under NCHRP Project 23-13(04), “Scoping Supply Chain Challenges and Solutions amid COVID-19,” Dewberry was asked to fulfill two objectives: (1) develop strategies for state and local government agencies to plan for future supply chain disruption, and (2) create a toolkit to help practitioners identify effective practices associated with overcoming supply chain challenges and leveraging opportunities. The study included case studies conducted to gain a better understanding of supply chain processes, limitations related to infrastructure and labor, challenges, opportunities, effective practices, and lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Accompanying NCHRP Research Report 1154 are a toolkit with summary content and resources to help practitioners overcome supply chain challenges, a PowerPoint summary of the project, and an implementation plan, which can be found on the National Academies Press website (nap.nationalacademies.org) by searching for NCHRP Research Report 1154: Supply Chain Challenges and Solutions amid COVID-19.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 24 Mar 2021 18:35:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1842758</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Supply Chain, Mobility, and Accessibility Impacts from Precautionary and Opportunistic Buying Behaviors</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1716536</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Panic buying during pandemics and natural disasters are common and can lead to shortages of essential products and services. This project aims to characterize pre-cautionary and opportunistic shopping behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic, and propose solutions in terms of new delivery business models (e.g. crowd shipping), delivery strategies (e.g., pick-up/drop-off delivery zones) and technology-driven delivery modes (e.g., AVs and robots).  ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 25 Jun 2020 17:46:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1716536</guid>
    </item>
  </channel>
</rss>