<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>Linking Landslide Triggering and Runout Hazard with Surface Deformations for Optimized Infrastructure Systems Resiliency</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2726550</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Landslides are one of the most significant geohazards impacting North Carolina's transportation network, causing fatalities, property loss, and long-term economic disruption. These events are frequently triggered by extreme precipitation from hurricanes and tropical storms, which have historically produced hundreds to thousands of debris during a single event. For example, Hurricane Helene (2024) triggered more than 2,000 reported landslides across the Southern Appalachians, resulting in widespread road closures, bridge damage, and tens of billions of dollars in direct and indirect losses. As the frequency and intensity of extreme precipitation events increase, the risk of cascading infrastructure failures is expected to grow. Current North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Geotechnical Asset Management (GAM) tools primarily operate reactively— tracking known unstable sites and coordinating post-disaster repairs. Therefore, there is a critical need for proactive capabilities to anticipate landslide hazards before they disrupt the network.

The objective of this project is to create a robust, scalable, and computationally efficient framework to predict landslide triggering and runout at a regional scale, supporting optimized maintenance, emergency response, and risk-informed investment decisions. This work will integrate the North Carolina Geological Survey (NCGS) Post-Helene Landslide Inventory, surface deformation mapping, and AI enhanced triggering predictions. The research will pursue four main objectives: (1) consolidate and curate a high-quality georeferenced dataset of landslide and debris flow events in North Carolina; (2) develop machine-learning models informed by physics to predict triggering susceptibility based on rainfall thresholds, slope geometry, and hydrologic conditions; (3) link surface deformation signals to slope stability through finite-element-based surrogate models; and (4) compute landslide runout using depth-averaged Material Point Method (DA-MPM) simulations that account for three-dimensional topographic effects and infrastructure exposure.

The approach follows a hierarchical and computationally efficient workflow. Regional-scale data-driven models will rapidly screen the entire state for slopes with high triggering potential. For these critical sites, limit equilibrium analysis (LEA) using existing NCGS models will identify likely failure surfaces and factors of safety. The outputs will serve as inputs to physics-based DA-MPM simulations that predict debris flow runout, impact zones, and potential consequences for NCDOT-managed assets. This strategy maximizes coverage while focusing on high-fidelity simulations where they are most needed, thereby balancing predictive power with computational cost.

The anticipated products include trained machine-learning models, enhanced infinite-slope analysis incorporating AI training, a verified and validated DA-MPM module, and geographic information system (GIS)-integrated hazard/risk maps. Integration into NCDOT's existing GAM system will enable decision-makers to: (i) develop watchlists of critical slopes, (ii) anticipate maintenance and debris removal needs, (iii) coordinate detour planning and emergency response, and (iv) communicate risk more transparently to stakeholders. Training workshops will be held with NCDOT and NCGS engineers and geologists to ensure usability and gather feedback for future system enhancements.

This project represents the first step toward a real-time, data- and physics-informed landslide early warning and infrastructure risk management system. By combining machine learning, geotechnical modeling, and large-deformation simulation, this work will strengthen North Carolina's landslide risk assessment and improve transportation resiliency, reduce lifecycle maintenance costs, and protect the safety and mobility of the traveling public.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 2026 09:02:15 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2726550</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Quantifying Impact of Soil Strength Degradation on Long-term Slope Stability</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2703925</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Soil slopes are integral to embankments, levees, bridge abutments, and natural terrain, and form a vital component of transportation infrastructure, highways, railways, and waterways. Soil strength degrades gradually with time due to unfavorable environmental conditions (e.g., water saturation, wet-dry cycles, freeze-thaw cycles, erosion, and chemical/biological degradation). Soil strength degradation increases chances of slope failures, which will pose significant safety risks to both human and transportation infrastructure. The primary objective of this project is to produce actionable procedures that facilitate the assessment of soil strength degradation tailored to unfavorable environmental conditions, quantify the impact of soil strength degradation on long-term slope stability, and provide informed decision-making procedures for slope safety and economics. The methodology involves a comprehensive review of literature and findings from related projects including the ongoing 
Mid-America Transportation Center (MATC) project at University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). This project will evaluate the soil strength degradation models for different fill materials and their interactions with reinforcement and chemical binders under unfavorable environmental conditions considering the key influence factors. Utilizing numerical software, this project will assess the performance of soil slopes with different fill materials and mitigation methods changing with time by considering soil strength degradation under unfavorable environmental conditions. This project will also perform Life Cycle Cost Analysis to assess all costs incurred during the life of a project, such as initial design, construction, maintenance, repair, and re-construction with different fill materials and construction/mitigation methods.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 19 May 2026 13:42:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2703925</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Modernizing Rockfall Assessment</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2698372</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Using targeted remote sensing and other advanced survey techniques, combined with data-driven analysis, this pilot study will evaluate how well these approaches can identify meaningful changes in slope conditions and determine whether rockfall material reaches the roadway or is effectively contained (e.g., within ditches). The results will help 
Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) improve the consistency of slope evaluation and prioritization of mitigation efforts, supporting more efficient use of maintenance resources, improved safety, and reduced traffic disruptions. The study will also provide insight into how repeated observations can be used to track changes in slope condition and performance over time, supporting long-term planning and asset management.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 01 May 2026 16:56:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2698372</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Reinforcement Mechanism of Articulating Concrete Mats (ACMs) and Geosynthetic Fabric for the Design of Highway Embankment in Coastal Louisiana </title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2646938</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Coastal highway embankments differ significantly from conventional highway embankments or levees due to their exposure to hurricanes and tropical storms. These events generate substantial hydrodynamic wave pressures that must be considered in design. Reinforcing soil fills at different elevations with geosynthetics is a common approach, but doing so effectively requires research that enhances existing design methods and clarifies their underlying rationale. Design elements such as tensile forces, reinforcement length, and vertical spacing depend on understanding the mechanical behavior of these materials under extreme loading.  

Because coastal embankments are subjected to wave pressures from storms with defined return periods, engineers must account for the maximum hydrodynamic loads these storms generate. In particular, the unique reinforcement roles of geosynthetics and articulating concrete mats (ACMs) must be thoroughly understood to optimize the design. Key factors include ACM layer thickness, the number and arrangement of non-woven geotextile separator layers, and failure modes such as tensile rupture and pull-out resistance in geogrids and woven geotextiles.  

Building on the results from Southern Plains Transportation Center (SPTC)-funded Cycles 1 and 2, this project will use experimental and numerical methods to evaluate the behavior of geosynthetic reinforcements placed at various elevations within embankment fills. Emphasis will be placed on understanding how these materials fail under load and how their performance changes with elevation and storm intensity. In addition to continuing the work from earlier phases, this project will also assess the seepage-reduction capabilities of non-woven geotextiles and the surface stabilization benefits of ACMs applied to embankment slopes.  

Large-scale direct shear testing will be conducted to analyze both tensile rupture and pull-out failure mechanisms in conditions representative of coastal environments. Seepage and slope stability analyses will complement this testing to evaluate the combined performance of ACMs and geotextile separators under storm loading.  

The findings from this research will help validate and refine current design guidelines for coastal highway embankments that incorporate geosynthetics and ACM armor. The study will also contribute to a deeper understanding of conventional geosynthetic failure mechanisms in coastal applications. Ultimately, the research will yield practical, implementable steps for assessing both internal and external stability in coastal embankment design.  ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 05 Jan 2026 22:35:37 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2646938</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Selecting Appropriate Mitigation Methods for Soil Slope Failures: A Safety and Equity-Centric Approach
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2628205</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Soil slope failures pose significant risks to both human lives and infrastructure, necessitating effective mitigation strategies. This research proposal aims to investigate the selection of appropriate mitigation methods for soil slope failures, with a dual focus on safety and equity considerations.
The proposed study will employ a multidisciplinary approach, integrating geological, climatic, geotechnical engineering, and socioeconomic perspectives. It will begin with comprehensive review of existing mitigation methods, including slope flattening, stabilization, lightweight fill, and drainage. Subsequently, a systematic evaluation framework will be developed to assess the efficacy of these methods in terms of safety enhancement and equitable distribution of benefits.
Safety considerations will encompass factors such as slope stability and resilience to extreme weather events. Equity considerations will involve analyzing the distribution of risks and benefits among different socioeconomic groups, with a particular emphasis on vulnerable communities disproportionately affected by soil slope failures.
Taking advantage of the collected field slope data for the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) geotechnical asset management system, computational modeling techniques will be employed to quantify the performance of various mitigation strategies under different scenarios. Additionally, stakeholder consultations will be conducted to incorporate local knowledge and community perspectives into the decision-making process.
The anticipated outcomes of this research include a set of guidelines for selecting optimal mitigation methods tailored to specific soil slope failure scenarios, taking into account both safety and equity. By integrating technical expertise with social equity principles, this study seeks to contribute to the development of more resilient and equitable disaster risk reduction strategies for soil slopes. This research will contribute to the knowledge and procedure for selecting optimal mitigation methods of soil slopes to address their safety and community equity. 
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 21 Nov 2025 14:23:07 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2628205</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Assessing and Characterizing Geotechnical Soil Strength Parameters for a systematic process to analyze slope stability in accordance with LRFD methods.</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2431165</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The purpose of the study is to review previous project mitigation measures and determine associated soil strength parameters used for the design of various landslide and embankment mitigation measures constructed around the state. The soil strength parameters will be characterized by geologic type with the unit weight, phi, and cohesion of the subsurface materials associated with the analysis and mitigation measures for the project. Furthermore, the use of load and resistance factor design (LRFD) methods applied and integrated for both slope and structural considerations for a reasonable level of mitigation would be developed.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 18 Nov 2025 07:39:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2431165</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Vulnerability Assessments of Critical Slope Areas Using Advanced Monitoring Techniques</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2577111</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) recently conducted a multi-phase study on developing a geographic information system (GIS)-based model to determine the risk of slope failure along state highways. The risk assessment identified 1.4% of the studied ;and as Critical Slope Areas (CSAs). The proposed study aims to utilize state-of-the-art sensor technology, having both LIDAR and camera sensors, mounted on uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) to provide high-resolution data to reevaluate the slope vulnerability assessments of the areas identified as CSAs by the current model.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 18 Jul 2025 10:58:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2577111</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Cenozoic fracture systems in western North Carolina and their contribution to large, slow-moving, deep-seated landslides</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2563763</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Recent studies have shown that multiple fracture systems occur across western North Carolina that are associated with linear topographic lows, such as the Swannanoa Lineament that contains the I-40 corridor from Swannanoa through Asheville. Earthquakes have occurred on several of these lineaments suggesting they are seismically active. Multiple large, slow-moving landslides have been identified within these lineaments. This study will test the hypothesis that bedrock fractures within Cenozoic aged lineaments across western North Carolina are planes of weaknesses that contribute to these large, slow-moving landslides. This study will combine geologic mapping in the field and from high-resolution LiDAR data with kinematic slope stability analyses and topographic studies. This work will (1) constrain the bedrock structures that act as failure planes, (2) relate these structures to the lineament fracture systems, and (3) characterize the topographic evolution that resulted from these fracture systems that may influence the stability of slopes. Understanding the dynamics of these large, slow-moving landslides will enable the 
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to develop efficient practices to mitigate damage to infrastructure.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 13 Jun 2025 12:08:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2563763</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Guidelines for Post-Wildfire Inspections of Unstable Slopes, Slope Reinforcement, and Slope Protection Systems



</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558420</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Geotechnical asset management is crucial for the safety and resilience of transportation infrastructure. Historically, state departments of transportation (DOTs) have focused on mitigating unstable slopes and maintaining constructed slope protection and stabilization systems through protocols such as Washington DOT’s Geotechnical Asset Management Plan (GAMP). State DOTs have experienced an increase in wildfire frequency and intensity due to droughts, higher temperatures, and dense vegetation accumulation. Wildfires have placed additional strain on slope protection and stabilization systems and amplified risks such as heat-induced material degradation, erosion, rockfall, and debris flow hazards. 

While the direct short-term impacts of wildfires on geotechnical assets have been observed, the indirect long-term effects, including soil and rock slope degradation, degradation of installed slope reinforcement, and damage to protection systems, have not been thoroughly examined. Research is needed to develop protocols and methods to help state DOTs with post-wildfire evaluations of affected slopes and slope protection systems.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to develop a guide and field decision support tool to evaluate post-wildfire impacts on affected slopes and slope protection and stabilization systems.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 26 May 2025 22:22:34 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2558420</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Effects of Tunnel Location on Slope Stability (UTI-UTC 11)
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2543320</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project investigates how the placement and alignment of tunnels influence the stability of surrounding slopes, with a focus on mountainous regions such as those near the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel (EJMT). The research integrates geotechnical data, historical slope movement records, and numerical modeling to assess the interaction between tunnel excavation and existing slope conditions. By simulating various tunnel alignments and depths, the study identifies critical scenarios that may exacerbate slope instability or trigger landslides. Tools such as slope stability analysis software and custom Excel-based calculators are used to evaluate factor of safety and deformation responses. The goal is to provide transportation agencies with reliable, data-driven insights for selecting tunnel routes that minimize geotechnical risks and support long-term infrastructure resilience.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 24 Apr 2025 15:58:33 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2543320</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Assessing Wicking Geotextile for Enhanced Drainage and Stability in Highway Slopes: A Field Study in Central Texas</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2509301</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Highway slope failures are a significant geo-environmental hazard, disrupting transportation networks, causing costly repairs, delays, and endangering lives. Rainfall is a key contributor to these failures, reducing soil shear strength through infiltration. As extreme weather events intensify, there is a growing need for effective drainage solutions to enhance slope stability and ensure transportation infrastructure resilience. Multifunctional wicking geotextiles, known for their moisture redistribution capabilities, have emerged as a promising solution for improving slope stability by facilitating water drainage. This study builds on the previous SPTC project, ‘Multifunctional Geosynthetic-Based Stabilization to Increase Coastal Infrastructure Resilience’, which evaluated wicking geotextiles in laboratory settings. 
The current research aims to assess the field performance of wicking geotextiles in reinforced highway slopes through full-scale tests. Test sections will be constructed in central Texas, using both conventional and wicking geotextiles. A comparative analysis will focus on drainage efficiency and slope stability, particularly under extreme weather conditions. Data on soil moisture and slope deformation will be collected using moisture sensors and remote sensing technologies, such as Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). 
The objectives of this study will be accomplished through 5 tasks. Task 1 involves literature review and material procurement. Task 2 involves site selection and soil sample collection. Characterization of engineering properties of soil will be pursued in Task 3. Task 4 will involve design and construction of test sections. Task 5 involves monitoring of slope and data analysis. This study will provide critical insights into the long-term performance of wicking geotextiles, contributing to the development of more resilient and sustainable transportation infrastructure capable of withstanding extreme weather events.

]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 13 Feb 2025 15:04:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2509301</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Machine Learning for Slope Monitoring</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2431159</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Remote sensing technologies (e.g. lidar and photogrammetry) have demonstrated applications for slope monitoring and risk assessments. Application of remote sensing technologies are used in the context of asset management and are supplementing traditional visual inspections. Many agencies with slope assets have begun to invest in the development of remote-sensing-based monitoring programs, including Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).

As the application of remote sensing technologies to slope monitoring has grown, significant efforts have been devoted to improving and automating different parts of the data processing pipeline necessary to convert raw data into useable results (e.g. Lague et al., 2013; Bonneau et al., 2019; Kromer et al., 2019; Schovanec et al., 2021). However, most automated processing pipelines end at the point of producing a “change map”, which shows areas where the 3D point clouds obtained for different time periods differ from one another. This change map must then be manually interpreted to identify where actual notable slope changes of practical interest have occurred. For example, BGC Engineering is currently monitoring a rock slope in Manitou Springs with a fully automated data collection and processing pipeline that requires an engineer to manually check automatically generated change maps to develop a report of where rockfalls have occurred on the slope.

As the amount of data collected continues to grow, the automation of the interpretation of change maps represents a critical opportunity to unlock the full potential of remote-sensing-based monitoring. Given that this is a data rich problem and no obvious direct algorithmic approaches exist, machine learning represents a natural avenue to explore.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 16 Sep 2024 08:26:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2431159</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Green Landslide Repair Using Deep Rooted Vetiver Grass for MDOT</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2264430</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The proposed study will evaluation the performance of Vetiver stabilized slopes in different locations of Mississippi and Develop a Proactive Landslide Repair Protocol using Vetiver

The specific objective of the proposed study is to:
(1) Evaluate the overall performance of highway slopes in Mississippi stabilized with Vetiver Grass.
(2) Develop a simple Design and direct implementation technique for MDOT Districts.
(3) Develop Specification for Field Implementation of Vetiver. 
(4) Train MDOT Material Division (Geotechnical Section) and District Engineers on the Slope Stabilization Technique using Vetiver.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 09 Oct 2023 09:27:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2264430</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>A Smart IoT-Based Detection System for Remote Earth Movement of Highway Embankment</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2244371</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The slope movement of highway embankments generally occurs slower depending on climatic factors and man-made activities. The movement of earthen slopes, specially constructed with problematic expansive soil, is triggered by climatic conditions such as precipitation and temperature fluctuations. Often, the initial movement of the slope remains unsighted as the overall earthen slopes’ performance seems satisfactory. However, the initial movement of the slope causes the eventual major failure. Therefore, it is extremely important to monitor the slope’s movement periodically, especially for the slopes prone to failure or steep in nature, and timely actions be taken accordingly for the durability and resilience of the earthen slopes. However, it is not easy to monitor each slope periodically. This research would attempt to use different sensors such as Wi-Fi modules, moisture, and temperature sensors, tensiometers, and Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and actuators such as vibration, tilt, and motion sensors in the laboratory prototype embankment and develop an IoT-based detection system that can indicate the movement of the slope remotely. The project aims to investigate the remote detection of slope soil movement using IoT-based systematic and real-time data monitoring and correlate significant soil hydrologic and displacement parameters. The remote detection of soil movement to be investigated by IoT-based monitoring is anticipated to help the appropriate end users immediately repair the slope before a major failure occurs.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 13 Sep 2023 12:39:34 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2244371</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Use of Innovative Geosynthetics to Improve the Resiliency of Highway Embankment Slopes Under Extreme Climatic Conditions</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2244349</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Expansive clays and frost susceptible silty soils are worldwide problems that trigger slope instability problems that can cause extensive damage to the highway embankments. This problem is dependent on soil types, their moisture content variation due to seasonal changes, and the external stress state conditions. The geomechanical behavior of such embankment soils is highly dependent on the changes in matric suction values associated with moisture variation. These fluctuations in the moisture and saturation levels of the soils are affected by freeze-thaw, wetting-drying cycles, and groundwater location. The changes in moisture level would result in frost heave-thaw settlement and swell-shrinkage on the embankment slopes which would yield a significant volume change that would ultimately cause significant damage to transportation infrastructure. While there are various techniques developed to mitigate the slope stability problems caused by these soils in embankments, this study proposes to test and evaluate innovative geosynthetic materials (e.g., wicking geotextile, capillary barrier geocomposites, geonets and others) to drain water out of the slope systems to minimize the swelling and shrinking of clays and heaving and thaw settling of silty soils. It is hypothesized that these innovative geosynthetics will prevent the migration of water from groundwater and/or other sources (e.g., precipitation, snow melting) and keep the embankment slopes under fully unsaturated conditions. This, in turn, prevents swelling/shrinking and/or heaving/thaw settling and improves the shear strength/slope stability. In this study, a detailed literature review including case histories, a field-relevant laboratory study, actual field instrumentation effort, and development/verification of a numerical model for use of geofabrics in embankment slopes are proposed to determine and evaluate the performance of the use of innovative geosynthetics in slope applications.  ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 13 Sep 2023 11:48:37 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2244349</guid>
    </item>
  </channel>
</rss>