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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>
      <url>https://rip.trb.org/Images/PageHeader-wTitle-RIP.jpg</url>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/</link>
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    <item>
      <title>Investigating the Critical Success Factors for Technology Adoption in Transportation Safety Systems</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2703924</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The United States continues to face challenges in maintaining safe and efficient transportation networks, as roadway crashes remain a leading cause of death and economic loss. Although considerable advancements have been made in vehicle and roadway safety, emerging technologies remain underutilized in practice. This limited adoption highlights a critical need to better understand the factors that influence the successful implementation of transportation safety technologies. This research addresses this gap by identifying the critical success factors and barriers affecting the adoption of digital transportation safety technologies in the U.S. The study adopts a multi-stage approach consisting of a literature review, an expert survey, and network analysis to identify key adoption factors and their interrelationships. The expected outcomes include the development of a structured framework of adoption factors and practical implementation guidelines to support transportation agencies in deploying digital safety technologies more effectively. By facilitating the transition from technological development to real-world implementation, the research supports safer and more resilient transportation networks.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 20 May 2026 09:18:35 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2703924</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>State DOT Council for Strategic AI Adoption</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2678092</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies presents significant opportunities for enhancing transportation systems across the United States. However, the fragmented approach currently observed among State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) in AI adoption leads to duplicated efforts and missed opportunities for collaboration. Some agencies often face challenges in accessing the necessary resources and expertise to implement AI effectively. A unified effort through a transportation pooled fund (TPF) study can address these challenges by fostering collaboration, accelerating adoption, reducing risks, and ensuring access to AI resources. This TPF project aims to bring together State DOTs to share insights, practical application of AI implementation strategies, and best practices, thereby maximizing the benefits of AI in the transportation sector. The State DOT Council for Strategic AI Adoption will focus on the practical application of AI technologies in state-level transportation operations. While national efforts are addressing governance, standards, and policy frameworks. This TPF study will serve as a hands-on implementation network for State DOTs, ensuring they have the capacity, resources, and peer support to translate national AI strategies into operational deployments. 

OBJECTIVES: The study aims to achieve the following objectives: 1) AI meetings for State DOTs: Organize meetings and workshops to encourage dialogue and idea exchange among state DOTs. These convenings will serve as platforms for sharing experiences, discussing challenges, and collaborating on innovative solutions. 2) Strategies for AI adoption in transportation: Facilitate coordinated efforts among states to develop strategies for AI adoption in transportation. 3) Pilot Projects: Support DOTs for the implementation of pilot projects that address common use cases across the transportation sector. These projects will act as testbeds for new AI applications, providing valuable insights and best practices that can be scaled across states. 4) Create Shared Resources: Develop shared resources such as data repositories and workforce training materials. These resources will standardize data collection and analysis and equip the workforce with the skills needed to manage AI technologies effectively.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 16:41:15 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2678092</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Techniques for Assessing Community Technology Readiness for Rural Development: Planning for Community Readiness Using Digital Twins</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2633014</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This research project aims to advance rural transportation planning by developing a Digital Twin framework to assess emerging technology readiness. Rural and small-town regions, typically with populations under 50,000, face distinct challenges such as infrastructure limitations, economic constraints, and limited planning capacity. To address these issues, the project will enhance the Tool for Assessing Community Technology Readiness (TACT-R) by integrating advanced data-driven methodologies that support scenario-based planning, disruption analysis, and informed decision-making. The Digital Twin will serve as a dynamic, virtual representation of rural transportation infrastructure. It will enable users to simulate infrastructure improvements, assess the impacts of disruptions, and evaluate the deployment of emerging technologies. Community engagement will be supported through an interactive deliberation dashboard that allows planners, agency staff, and local stakeholders to collaborate on scenario testing and investment planning. Deliverables will include a validated Digital Twin model, simulation scenarios, interactive dashboards, user manuals, and training materials to support future deployment and long-term technology adoption in rural areas. The Digital Twin and its components will be integrated into the TACT-R website and the Center for Regional and Rural Connected Communities (CR2C2) website, which will serve as the primary platform for knowledge dissemination, stakeholder engagement, and implementation support. 

]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 Dec 2025 15:05:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2633014</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Guide on Integrating and Advancing IT throughout the Airport



</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2588324</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In 2012, the ACRP published ACRP Report 59: Information Technology Systems at Airports—A Primer. As a primer, it attempts to holistically describe the technology landscape of an airport environment and help airport leaders and information technology (IT) professionals communicate about IT and appropriately plan and implement IT systems. Since it was published, many IT solutions have changed from discrete systems to integral parts of the modern digital ecosystem at many U.S. airports. The role of IT professionals and broader IT business units at airports has also evolved.

Building on ACRP Report 59, airports need a deeper discussion around the unique technological aspects of the modern airport industry to educate leaders and IT professionals coming from inside and outside the industry. Additionally, airport executives and IT leaders need guidance to address the integration of IT systems and solutions with other airport functions and business units to enable better data sharing, process optimization, and decision-making. Research is needed to identify effective strategies, frameworks, and examples that can guide airports in achieving this integration and advancing their IT maturity.

The objective of this research is to develop: (1) A guide to help airports strategically plan, implement, and maintain IT systems; (2) A primer for non-IT airport executives on the importance of collaboration between the IT unit and other internal stakeholders (e.g., operations, maintenance, planning, engineering) and of integrating IT considerations into key airport processes (e.g., capital planning, budgeting); and (3) A matrix of traditional and airport-specific IT systems and common characteristics, e.g., basic infrastructure requirements, internal and external users, the sizes and types of airports that might use the IT system, and applicable regulatory entities.

The guidebook, primer, and matrix must be scalable to all sizes of airports, speak to both IT professionals and airport executives, and address varying levels of maturity in the relationships between IT and internal and external stakeholders.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 12 Aug 2025 10:36:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2588324</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Program Management for the Automated Vehicle Pooled Fund</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2509297</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Automated Vehicle Pooled Fund Study (AV PFS) fosters collaboration within the transportation community, academia and industry to research and recommend strategies to accelerate the adoption of automated vehicles across the nation.  The AV PFS has developed a Strategic Roadmap for Accelerated Adoption of Automated Vehicles (AVs) that identifies 7 specific Pillar topic areas, Programs within each Pillar, and specific milestones aligned with and across the Pillars/Programs. Additionally, the AV PFS has developed, through a contract with PAVE, an Infrastructure Owner Operators (IOO)/Industry AV Forum, namely AccelerateAV.org. The use of the forum is expected to be integrated into all future project scopes and is a valuable collaboration tool for government, academic, and industry to discuss all topics impacting AVs.

The AV PFS has also recently kicked off a project, with Kittleson and Associates, focused on developing guidance for IOOs, namely local municipalities, for the successful integration of AVs into the transportation infrastructure. The goal of this project is to identify what modifications could be made to the transportation infrastructure to assist the AVs in their operation, while minimizing the impact on traditional forms of transportation.

While the AV PFS is led by the Ohio Department of Transportation (DOT), through DriveOhio and the Research Section, additional resources are needed for the management of the pooled fund to keep forward momentum in the projects and concepts that are being discussed by the member states.  The purpose of this project is to provide program support for the successful facilitation of the AV PFS and associated activities, in order to achieve the milestones identified in the Strategic Roadmap.
          ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 13 Feb 2025 09:55:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2509297</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Noninferiority Trial of a Simulated Kiosk for Remote Aviation Medical Exams</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2499023</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot stakeholders have raised concerns about limited access to Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) and Human Intervention Motivation Study (HIMS) AMEs in some U.S. regions due to rising demand and a shrinking examiner pool. This mirrors broader U.S. healthcare trends, where telemedicine is addressing provider shortages. To transition pilot exams from in-person to remote, the FAA’s Office of Aerospace Medicine requires evidence that remote exams are as effective as in-person ones. This builds on prior research showing that telemedicine technology can meet pilot medical exam needs. Since exams are performed by designated providers, this research will require collaboration with a healthcare system.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 28 Jan 2025 11:24:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2499023</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Guide to Help Airports Accommodate Electric Rental Car Fleet Operations






</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2413911</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Airport operators are confronted with a pressing need to prepare for the electrification of rental car (RAC) fleets. The impending shift toward RAC fleet electrification, driven in part by sustainability goals, customer demand, and regulatory compliance, poses a unique set of issues for airport practitioners: information about RAC operations is often proprietary; there are various models of RAC operations; and the rate of RAC fleet conversion to electrical vehicles (EVs) is uncertain. Given these factors, airport operators are facing new challenges that include how to plan to effectively meet the future charging and electricity demands of RACs; balance competing needs for electrical capacity among RACs and other airport users; and reexamine traditional contracting mechanisms, funding sources, and revenue streams.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to develop a guide, including an executive summary and slide deck, to help US airports incorporate RAC fleet electrification considerations into their long-range planning and operations and provide actionable near-term decision-making consistent with airport long-term goals. The research should encompass a broad range of airport sizes, rental car facilities, markets, and geographical locations.   

The guide should help airport practitioners, at a minimum: (1) Understand the fundamental components of RAC current operations, facility requirements, and business models, including variations between consolidated rental car facilities (CONRAC) and distributed lots; (2) Identify relevant internal stakeholders and understand the interdisciplinary implications of RAC EV operations for them (e.g., contracts, commercial leasing, finance); (3) Identify relevant external stakeholders and understand best practices and necessary data for approaching and coordinating with them regarding RAC EV operations (e.g., utilities, fire marshal, RAC); (4) Identify new and/or unique RAC business and operational processes and provide guidance on updating airport business and operational practices accordingly; (5) Understand the various models for ownership of RAC EV chargers and supporting infrastructure, personnel training, maintenance responsibilities, costs, and revenue generation; (6) Provide a summary of technical considerations for RAC EV charging infrastructure deployment, including levels of charging, load management, electrical upgrades, and utility connections; (7) Identify and/or describe methods for estimating future electrical demand for RAC EV fleets;
(8) Identify and/or describe methods to translate RAC EV demand estimation into electrical infrastructure requirements; and (9) Identify considerations for integrating RAC EV fleets within the broader airport resiliency framework and environmental and sustainability plans. 

RESEARCH PLAN: The research plan shall include the following interim deliverables, at a minimum, for ACRP review and approval: (1) A stakeholder outreach and data collection plan; (2) A description of fundamental components of RAC current operations, facility requirements, and business models, including variations between CONRAC and distributed lots; (3) A draft list of new and/or unique business and operational processes presented in a user-friendly format such as a matrix or table; (4) An overview of the methods that may be used for estimating future electrical demand for RAC EV fleets. It may include a summary of existing resources or tools categorized by complexity and project development phase; and (5) An interim report, including a summary of the research to date, an annotated outline of the guide, and potential follow-on research ideas to be developed into problem statements.

The research plan shall include, at a minimum, the following checkpoints with the ACRP panel: a kick-off web meeting to be held within 1 month of the Notice to Proceed;
one face-to-face interim report review meeting; and a 1-hour web meeting to be held during the week following the delivery of each quarterly progress report.

The final deliverables will include: (1) The guide, including the executive summary; (2) 
Executive summary slide deck; (3) Contractor’s Final Report documenting all research steps, results, and analysis; (4) The Summary of Key Findings; the Further Recommended Research Memo; and a technical memo titled “Implementation of Research Findings and Products”.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 05 Aug 2024 20:06:09 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2413911</guid>
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