<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>Scoping Study: Vertical Visibility Constraints -- Vertical Curvature Traffic Control Devices</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2709249</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Horizontal and vertical curves can obscure key roadway features or activity that may lie ahead of unaware drivers. Roadway curvature is a significant factor in roadway departure crashes, injuries, and fatalities. As land use has developed and activities on roads have changed, the potential for conflicts has grown. It is impractical and beyond the resources of roadway authorities to improve all roadway alignments to attain optimal sight distance. This is a growing concern as active transportation increases in many rural areas, especially those experiencing increased tourism. Horizontal curvature on roadways where drivers’ views are obstructed has been thoroughly researched, leading to well-accepted strategies for traffic control devices in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). However, similar research has yet to be conducted for vertical curves.

OBJECTIVE; The objective of this research is to develop a scoping study to clearly define and refine the research needs, objectives, and expected products necessary to address vertical visibility constraints, including exploring the relevance of crash data to vertical curves and developing a research work program to explore solutions. The intent of potential larger, follow-on, NCHRP study is to obtain data from vertical-curvature-related crashes to assess the details of occurrence, frequency, and severity, and to better understand road user needs, rather than relying on approaches used in prior studies.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 13:49:43 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2709249</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Using Head-Mounted Virtual Reality to Measure Dynamic Driver Sight Distances and Blind Spots</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2625595</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In highway and road design, accurately measuring a driver’s line of sight is critical to ensuring unobstructed views that allow drivers to detect, respond to, and safely stop their vehicles before colliding with an object or pedestrian. This safe stopping distance, referred to as Stopping Sight Distance (SSD), is a key design control variable, especially when determining appropriate vehicle speeds on roadway segments with curves, grades, or intersections.  At intersections, sight distance becomes even more vital due to frequent interactions between vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists. These interactions, occurring across multiple directions—straight, right turns, and left turns—significantly increase the potential for conflicts, esp. the conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians or bicyclists. Traditional methods for measuring sight distance are, however, time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to variability based on the engineer’s experience.  A driver’s blind spots, or blind zones—areas outside their field of view—can further complicate sight distance measurement. These blind spots are influenced by factors such as the driver’s eye height and the vehicle’s design. For example, large A-pillars and oversized rear mirrors in taller vehicles can obstruct a driver’s view, particularly during turning maneuvers. Properly evaluating both sight distance and blind zones is crucial for selecting design speeds and optimizing roadway features to improve safety and functionality.  Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies offer promising solutions for addressing these challenges and improving the state-of-the-art technology for measuring and understanding drivers’ SSDs and blind spots. By combining realistic driving simulations with real-time eye and head tracking, VR/AR can enable efficient and accurate assessments of sight distance and driver blind zones more efficiently and more comprehensively than is currently done. This project seeks to explore the following research questions:  1. How does dynamic driver modeling differ from static driver modeling regarding the driver’s ability to observe the road, pedestrians, and their surrounding environment?  2. How does dynamic driver behavior affect sight distance and driver blind zones at intersections?  3. How will the choice of driving speed and path differ with and without driver blind spots and sight limitations?  Answering these questions will provide a deeper understanding of driver blind spots and sight limitations, enabling engineers to optimize roadway designs for enhanced safety and efficiency. Furthermore, these insights can assist drivers in selecting appropriate speeds and navigation paths, reducing the likelihood of conflicts with pedestrians and bicyclists. By leveraging VR/AR technologies, this research aims to streamline the evaluation process and advance roadway design practices, ultimately contributing to safer, more efficient transportation systems.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 17 Nov 2025 14:56:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2625595</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Developing a Prototype System for Measuring Intersection Sight Distances</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2437841</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of this research is to develop a vehicle-boardable prototype for the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) that can measure intersection sight distances (ISDs) in real-time. With this prototype, WYDOT will be equipped to assess and reassess sight distances at both existing and new intersections, regardless of their type. The prototype aims to reduce the costs associated with ISD assessments by automating many of the tasks involved in the process. Additionally, it will contribute to reducing intersection-related crashes, particularly those caused by inadequate sight distances. By enhancing its ability to evaluate sight distances, WYDOT will also be better positioned to protect itself from liability in the event of crashes, especially severe incidents resulting from insufficient ISDs. Furthermore, the prototype will assist local jurisdictions in efficiently assessing sight distances for both existing and new intersections, improving overall road safety and infrastructure management.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 07 Oct 2024 16:01:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2437841</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Assessing Pedestrian Sight Distance for Crossing Decisions

</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2381747</link>
      <description><![CDATA[A pedestrian can safely cross a street only if one of two conditions is met: either a vehicle comes to a full stop for the pedestrian or an adequate gap in traffic occurs that allows the pedestrian to cross without conflict. To assess such gaps, a pedestrian needs adequate visibility to make the decision.

Currently, evaluating sight distance for crosswalks is typically done from the perspective of a driver’s ability to stop for a pedestrian using stopping sight distance (SSD). However, limited guidance exists on how to evaluate pedestrian decision sight distance. Pedestrian sight distance can be assessed by modifying methodologies from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ (AASHTO) A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets (hereafter the AASHTO Green Book) or Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities. However, criteria are not specified to determine the pedestrian crossing time in certain cases, such as Case B3 outlined in the AASHTO Green Book.

Research is needed to establish procedures and methodologies to support state departments of transportation in assessing and ensuring adequate pedestrian decision sight distance during the project development process.

The objective of this project is to develop a framework for assessing sight distance for pedestrian crossings across various roadway contexts and pedestrian types.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 23 May 2024 10:06:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2381747</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Developing sight distance guidelines for U-turn maneuvers</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2339986</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The goals of this research project are to develop a structured set of guidelines and specifications for appropriate sight distances for U-turn maneuvers, tailored for Georgia roadways that can be included in the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) policy for traffic operations, design, and safety.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 15 Feb 2024 14:41:43 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2339986</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Update of the Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets Guidance on Acceleration/Deceleration and Stopping Sight Distance Criteria</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1628617</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In September 2018, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) published the 7th edition of A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets (also known as the 2018 Green Book). The 2018 Green Book provides guidance for determining geometric design criteria of roadways, including guidance on acceleration/deceleration and stopping sight distance criteria. Acceleration/deceleration is influenced by many factors (e.g., grade, vehicle type, and maneuver type). Stopping sight distance is influenced by many factors (e.g., perception reaction time, object height, and driver’s eye height). In addition, the recent changes in vehicle fleet, vehicle technology, and driver population impact the design criteria. Research is needed to identify the limitations of the 2018 Green Book guidelines for acceleration/deceleration and stopping sight distance criteria, develop improved guidelines, and recommend changes to the 2018 Green Book for consideration and adoption by AASHTO. Improved guidance could result in reduced environmental impacts, savings in construction costs, and reductions in construction time.  
 
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to update the guidelines for acceleration/deceleration and stopping sight distance criteria contained in the 2018 Green Book.

]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 08 Jun 2019 05:14:54 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1628617</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Comprehensive Driver Behavior Assessment under Restricted Intersection Sight Distance</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1229825</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The study will use driving simulator to conduct a comprehensive driver behavior assessment for restricted intersection sight distance scenarios with different control devices, turning maneuvers, horizontal curves, etc. The results will be studied carefully and compared with existing American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) design standards to identify potential issues and improve design and operational safety concerns in the future.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Jan 2013 13:49:16 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1229825</guid>
    </item>
  </channel>
</rss>