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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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    <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>
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      <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
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      <link>https://rip.trb.org/</link>
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    <item>
      <title>FY 25/26 Florida Local Technical Assistance Program</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2673041</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The overall goal and associated objectives of the Florida Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Center is to deliver a highway training curriculum and technical assistance that will provide local agencies with tools to build their capacity and means to innovatively address their roadway network challenges and be reflective of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)’s current core areas of Safety, Infrastructure Management, Workforce Development, and Organizational excellence.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 24 Feb 2026 13:15:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2673041</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Texas Local Technical Assistance Program (TxLTAP)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2582672</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) is a nationwide effort financed by the Federal Highway Administration and individual state departments of transportation. Its purpose is to translate into understandable terms the best available technology and practices for roadways, bridges, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and public transportation for city and county roadway and transportation personnel. The Texas Local Technical Assistance Program (TxLTAP) is operated by the Researchers and is sponsored by the TxDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). TxLTAP is focused on preserving and enhancing the local road system by delivering quality training and technical assistance to local city and county road agencies in Texas. The training provided through this program will increase the performance of the transportation workers in Texas by ensuring they conduct their duties in a safe, efficient, environmentally sound and cost-effective manner. This program will also allow city and county agencies to maximize benefits from their often limited fiscal and staffing resources. Through training geared to local government circumstances, customized technical assistance, advice provided at events, and a library of resources, TxLTAP provides relevant and impactful information focused on road and bridge/culvert maintenance, the use of traffic control devices, and other techniques to promote traffic safety.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 01 Aug 2025 14:16:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2582672</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Building Active Communities Technical Support '23-'24</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2221865</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Montana Nutrition and Physical Activity (NAPA) Program’s Building Active Communities Initiative (BACI) was a project of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services in cooperation with Montana State University’s Office of Rural Health. With in-depth, interactive training, mentoring and ongoing technical assistance, BACI supported community-led approaches to develop active and healthy communities.  The overarching goal of the Initiative was to provide communities the tools and technical assistance they need to develop policies, plans, and projects that support more safe, connected and walkable communities.  Western Transportation Institute's (WTI’s) Small Urban and Rural Livability Center provided funding support for several of BACI’s Action Institutes. This project will build on the momentum created by the Building Active Communities Initiative Program by extending WTI’s technical support efforts.

Many of the small rural communities that have participated over the years have an ongoing need for technical assistance. At the BACI Action Institutes, these communities gathered information and developed ideas for policies, programs and projects to implement in their communities. Many of these communities lack the technical knowledge to fully implement their ideas. WTI’s Small Urban, Rural, and Tribal Center on Mobility (SURTCOM) staff have been involved with the BACI program from the beginning and have long standing relationships with NAPA, DPHHS, MDT, and Department of Commerce staff that have also been involved with providing technical assistance to BACI Action Institute and the BACI communities. In addition, WTI’ SURTCOM staff have the expertise and experience in rural bicycle and pedestrian best practices and experience working with these communities through the Safe Routes to School program.  These factors combine to make WTI’s SURTCOM ideally positioned to provide the additional technical support that these communities need to bring the policies, programs, and projects to reality.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 28 Jul 2023 13:07:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2221865</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>FY 22/23 Florida Local Technical Assistance Programs</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2035746</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The overall goal and associated objectives of the Florida Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Center is to deliver a highway training curriculum and technical assistance that will provide local agencies with tools to build their capacity and means to innovatively address their roadway network challenges and be reflective of the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA’s) current core areas of Safety, Infrastructure Management, Workforce Development, and Organizational Excellence.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 06 Oct 2022 11:12:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2035746</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Analysis and Tools to Set Priorities for EV Charging 
Station Locations on WSDOT Corridors</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1882798</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In 2020, the Washington Legislature passed HB1287 which requires Washington State Department of Transportation's (WSDOT’s) Innovative Partnerships Office to develop and maintain a publicly available mapping and forecasting tool that will provide locations and essential information of charging and refueling infrastructure to support forecasted levels of electric vehicle adoption, travel, and usage across Washington state. 
WSDOT previously supported a research project in the 2017-19 biennium led by the University of Washington entitled “Simulation environment to optimize public investments in electric vehicle charging infrastructure”. That project led to the creation of ChargEVal, an agent-based simulation tool with a web-based interface that screens Washington’s highway network for adequacy of DCFC coverage, and simulates the impacts of new, user-specified charging stations on electric vehicle (EV) travel and charging demand. This project will build upon that prior work by enhancing the functionality of ChargeEVal and by providing technical guidance to WSDOT on a work plan to deliver the mapping and forecasting tool required by HB1287]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 06 Oct 2021 12:39:17 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1882798</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Texas Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1879813</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) is a nationwide effort financed by the Federal Highway Administration and individual state departments of transportation. Its purpose is to translate into understandable terms the best available technology and practices for roadways, bridges, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and public transportation for city and county roadway and transportation personnel. The Texas Local Technical Assistance Program (TxLTAP) operated by the Researchers and is sponsored by the TxDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). TxLTAP is focused on preserving and enhancing the local road system by delivering quality training and technical assistance to local city and county road agencies in Texas. The training provided through this program will increase the performance of the transportation workers in Texas by ensuring they conduct their duties in a safe, efficient, environmentally sound and cost-effective manner. This program will also allow city and county agencies to maximize benefits from their often limited fiscal and staffing resources. Through training geared to local government circumstances, customized technical assistance, advice provided at events, and a library of resources, TxLTAP provides relevant and impactful information focused on road and bridge/culvert maintenance, the use of traffic control devices, and other techniques to promote traffic safety.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 Sep 2021 16:30:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1879813</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>DOT Technical Assistance in Using the HFG</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1877216</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of this research is to provide technical assistance to state DOT’s on applying and using the human factors guidelines (HFG) in new project designs, in the upgrading of existing roadways, and in the conduct of road safety audits. It is envisioned that these funds would permit the training of 3-6 additional state staff to use the HFG as part of their design process.   Specific work tasks will be structured around the needs of the individual states. It is expected the contractor will be able to adapt to these needs as required. It is envisioned the following types of technical assistance will be acceptable:  (1) Provide in-person training sessions to state DOT staff on the HFG to identify road user problems and to select appropriate counter measures for selected projects using the HFG.  (2) Provide a review of the previously five completed pilot studies, how they were conducted, and the results obtained.  (3) Provide information about the states having the completed pilot studies and how they incorporated the HFG in their design and review process.  (4) Illustrate how the HFG has been used in roadway safety audits to identify user problems and for selecting appropriate solutions to existing road-user design and/or operational problems.  (5) Provide limited on-going support for specific DOT project issues and questions.  (6) Provide funds for the contractor to travel to various technical meetings, i.e., states, AASHTO, TRB, ITE, ATSSA, NCUTCD, to present information on using the HFG for highway safety.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 08 Sep 2021 18:09:16 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1877216</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Building Active Communities Technical Support</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1656367</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Montana Nutrition and Physical Activity (NAPA) Program’s Building Active Communities Initiative (BACI) is a project of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services in cooperation with Montana State University’s Office of Rural Health. With in-depth, interactive training, mentoring and ongoing technical assistance, NAPA’s Building Active Communities Initiative supports community-led approaches to develop active and healthy communities.  The overarching goal of the Initiative is to provide communities the tools and technical assistance they need to develop policies, plans, and projects that support safer, connected, and walkable communities.  WTI’s Small Urban and Rural Livability Center provided funding support for several of BACI’s Action Institutes. This project will build on the momentum created by the Building Active Communities Initiative Program by extending WTI’s technical support efforts. Many of the small rural communities that have participated over the years have an ongoing need for technical assistance. At the BACI Action Institutes, these communities gathered information and developed ideas for policies, programs, and projects to implement in their communities. Many of these communities lack the technical knowledge to fully implement their ideas. WTI’s Small Urban, Rural, and Tribal Center on Mobility (SURTCOM) staff have been involved with the BACI program from the beginning and have long standing relationships with NAPA, DPHHS, MDT, and Department of Commerce staff that have also been involved with providing technical assistance to BACI Action Institute and the BACI communities.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 08 Oct 2019 15:01:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1656367</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Local Technical Assistance Program HR-296 for 2017</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1497461</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The primary objective of Iowa Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) is to provide quality training events and technical transportation-related information that is useful to local transportation agencies. These activities need to be completed, within current LTAP funding, in a manner that is effective and efficient. Desirably, these activities are also provided when they are most needed by local transportation agencies and in a format that is useful and useable. New knowledge and tools, developed through Iowa Highway Research Board (IHRB) research or other entities (e.g., the Institute for Transportation (InTrans)), are incorporated, as appropriate, into either existing or new LTAP activities. The strategic planning and decision-making needed to make Iowa LTAP a premier technology transfer resource is guided by the following principles: (1) Define and respond to customer needs; (2) Provide quality customer service through various methods; (3) Evaluate effort and track performance to improve service and communicate impacts; (4) Apply fiscal responsibility through the selection of economically feasible and sustainable activities/tasks; (5) Strive for predictable program funding and continue with highly capable staff; and (6) Expand and strengthen state and national organizational partnerships that may enhance services. LTAPs throughout the United States, through various methods, generally complete six major tasks. These tasks include, but are not limited to, the compilation and maintenance of mailing lists, creation and distribution of a newsletter and other technology transfer publications, provision of technical reference materials and information, information and referral services, the conduct and arrangement of workshops and other technical transfer events, and the evaluation of program effectiveness. The Iowa LTAP, in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT), has also added the Safety Circuit Rider program as a seventh task. The annual report of Iowa LTAP activities and proposal to the IHRB includes a description of major initiatives and the completion, continuation, and/or output of the tasks noted above. The major initiatives and task activites, however, are also categorized (when appropriate) by five subject-based program focus areas identified by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and an "organizational excellence" program focus area.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 08 Jan 2018 13:11:37 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1497461</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) for Florida Transportation Agencies - 2017/2018</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1486282</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objectives of this project are to: (1) deliver training to local agencies in Florida, and (2) provide on-call and on-site technical assistance.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 23 Oct 2017 14:24:53 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1486282</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Green InfrastructureTechniques for Coastal Highway Resilience</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1478728</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of this task order is to produce research and technical assistance that will enable transportation agencies to use green infrastructure approaches to improve the resilience of coastal roads and bridges. This project will investigate green infrastructure techniques that could be implemented as part of highway and bridge planning, maintenance and construction to preserve and/or improve natural infrastructure function, thereby increasing the resilience of highways to
the effects of storm surges and sea level rise. The project will provide information and analysis on green infrastructure techniques, benefits, costs, feasibility, and implementation considerations that transportation professionals need to make decisions on infrastructure projects. The contractor will develop a white paper, facilitate peer exchanges, and produce an implementation guide for transportation agencies based on the research and analysis conducted.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 31 Jul 2017 16:00:55 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1478728</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Tactical Initiatives from the ACRP Strategic Plan. Task 1. Dissemination of ACRP Research Results</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1455432</link>
      <description><![CDATA[No summary provided.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 15 Feb 2017 12:48:05 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1455432</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Tactical Initiatives from the ACRP Strategic Plan</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1455435</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) has an outstanding reputation and is recognized as a credible industry research program, providing airport operating agencies research products on issues that are not being addressed by other research programs. Since its inception in 2006, the ACRP has received more than $96 million and approved a total of 426 research projects, more than 300 of which were completed as of December 2014. The results of this research investment have benefited many airport practitioners.  However, to secure its future in this rapidly changing industry, the ACRP requires a unified vision and a “roadmap” to guide the program’s priorities and activities. 
To provide this guidance, the organization engaged in a strategic planning process of introspective analyses and consultation with ACRP Oversight Committee (AOC) Members and ex-officio representatives.  As the ACRP seeks to continue providing solutions to practical problems faced by airport practitioners, the program needs to be ever more responsive to the changing needs of the industry. 
Positioning the ACRP at the forefront of future airport trends is a critical step to continue meeting the research needs of airport practitioners. The organization’s Strategic Plan for years 2015 through 2020 describes how we see the program pushing boundaries and embracing opportunities, and focuses on four key strategic priorities: 
(1)  Ensure that problem statements are of the highest quality and greatest relevance to the airport industry:  Problem statements must pose a significant, important question that can be investigated and that contributes to the airport knowledge base and repertoire of practices.  Problem statements should be geared toward addressing the most critical tactical, operational, managerial, technical, and process issues faced by airport operating agencies and practitioners. 
(2) Align program products with the interests of key audiences:  To foster the research program benefits, ACRP products and services should be aligned with the needs and best interests of their users and beneficiaries and presented in ways to maximize learning and implementation. 
(3) Expand and diversify product dissemination:  An essential objective of the ACRP is to inform the airport industry and decision makers by disseminating high quality and timely research products that provide near-term practical solutions to issues faced by airport practitioners. To better meet and satisfy user demands and real market needs for applied research, the research findings and products need to be distributed and communicated effectively, including adaptation of the research results to the needs of different audiences using different communication channels. 
(4) Implement processes to monitor product quality, relevance, and timeliness:  To optimize the research value, continuous quality improvement and monitoring practices need to be integrated into the program to maximize the organization’s success in building relevance and quality into all of its products.



































































































































































]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 15 Feb 2017 12:16:42 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1455435</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SPR-4153: INDOT Highway Lighting Support Services</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1445902</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project will provide technical support, testing services, and analysis regarding the design and options for the implementation of light emitting diodes (LED) and other solid state based highway lighting. The Energy Efficiency and Reliability Center (EERC) will support development of the testing and evaluation program. A written report of results will be provided upon completion of field testing. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 19 Jan 2017 11:34:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1445902</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SPR-4122: Repair and Strengthening of Bridges in Indiana Using Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Systems</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1445826</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The application of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) has been identified as a cost-effective strengthening and repair technique for concrete bridge components that has the potential for long-term cost savings in Indiana. To ensure successful implementation of FRP systems, Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) needs assistance to determine the most suitable applications of FRP, establish proper installation techniques, and verify the increase in strength and/or stiffness provided by the material. The proposed research will result in a guidebook and recommended specifications to aid in the application of FRP. The project deliverables will provide INDOT with the resources needed for the successful implementation of FRP systems.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 19 Jan 2017 10:06:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1445826</guid>
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