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    <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
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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>Developing a Roadmap for Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2684169</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objectives of this pooled fund study are to: 1) Facilitate communication and information sharing among member states on the project topic, as well as with participants of the Fourth International Interactive Symposium on Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC). 2) Establish a forum for technology and knowledge exchange to enhance the practical understanding of UHPC implementation among member states. 3) Develop a strategic roadmap for future UHPC use and advancements, including the identification of research needs and the formulation of research ideas to be pursued through NCHRP, Pooled Funds, grants and other funding mechanisms.

The anticipated benefits of this pooled fund are: 1) Minimized disruption to the traveling public by reducing the frequency and duration of bridge deck repairs. 2) Lower maintenance costs resulting from the enhanced durability and performance of UHPC wearing surfaces. 3) Improved worker safety through reduced exposure to on-site repair activities due to less frequent maintenance needs.

The participating state departments of transportation (DOTs) will provide input throughout the project and benefit from shared insights into technologies used to date, as well as lessons learned from past projects across various regions. Additionally, they will gain exposure to the latest advancements to be presented at the Fourth International Interactive Symposium on UHPC, which will cover topics including UHPC material innovations, recent applications, and the long-term performance of UHPC-designed structures. Pooled fund participants will attend the symposium free of charge.


]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2026 14:07:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2684169</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Innovations to Enhance Employee Safety in the Field</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2681235</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The nation’s aging transportation infrastructure is increasing the need for maintenance and reconstruction activities conducted under traffic. While work zones are essential to address these needs, changing traffic patterns, narrowed lane widths, and the presence of workers and work vehicles create safety challenges for all road users traveling through work zones, including motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Continued traffic growth further complicates work zone operations and often pushes agencies to schedule work at night, adding additional risk factors and operational constraints.

In response, agencies are deploying a range of innovations intended to reduce worker exposure and improve safety outcomes. These include technologies that remove employees from hazardous situations (e.g., unmanned aerial systems, automated truck-mounted attenuators, positive protective systems, dynamic signing, and remote monitoring), improved engineering controls (e.g., enhanced advance warning systems, intrusion alerts, and in-vehicle notifications), and administrative approaches (e.g., speed management, move-over laws, and targeted law enforcement support). Agencies are also adopting advancements in personal protective equipment and using virtual and augmented reality for immersive safety training that allows workers to practice procedures in controlled environments. Documenting and sharing these practices can support broader adoption of safety-enhancing innovations across the highway community.

OBJECTIVE: This scan will identify and document proven innovations that highway transportation agencies are using to improve the safety of field personnel. Agencies to be examined may include state departments of transportation (DOTs), counties, municipalities, and toll agencies that have implemented effective safety innovations.

The scan will compile lessons learned and effective practices from participating agencies to inform a practical “toolbox” of resources that other agencies can adapt to their needs. The scan will also identify gaps, challenges, and opportunities to improve current approaches and technologies.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2026 15:01:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2681235</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Advanced Mobility Innovation Lab (AMIL) and Beyond</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2666833</link>
      <description><![CDATA[As the United States navigates the Fourth Industrial Revolution - defined by the convergence of physical, digital, and biological technologies - STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education has become increasingly vital to preparing students for the future workforce. Transportation, a sector undergoing rapid technological transformation, is deeply intertwined with STEM and plays a critical role in shaping economic development, public safety, and access to essential services. Yet, many K-12 students, particularly in rural areas, lack exposure to high-quality STEM learning opportunities.  The Advanced Mobility Innovation Lab (AMIL) was established through funding from the CR2C2 REE program to address this gap by providing portable, hands-on STEM experiences that fuse transportation technology demonstrations with project-based learning. This project will expand AMIL’s effort in projects R-EWD-1 and R-EWD-2, and increases the reach and impact by partnering with the University of Alabama’s robust K–12 STEM Education Outreach program, creating a collaborative model for multi-university engagement and STEM education. Together, these programs will deliver enriched STEM experiences that emphasize emerging transportation technologies, autonomous systems, and the STEM principles behind their development and operation. The initiative will culminate in two regional events - one in Alabama and one in North Carolina - featuring autonomous vehicle demonstrations and showcasing student learning outcomes.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 11 Mar 2026 15:46:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2666833</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>National Road Research Alliance (Phase-3)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2678150</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This solicitation is for the continuation of the National Road Research Alliance (NRRA) for another 5 years and to continue to support Veda development to increase efficiency and effectiveness of both efforts. The NRRA exists to strategically implement cooperative pavement research. State agencies, industry, academia, consultants and associations work together to identify problems, complete research projects and implement results. The goal is to help agencies nationwide achieve consistent benefits from real world road research. It also seeks to provide members a forum to discuss issues and an outdoor, real-world laboratory (MnROAD) for evaluating cutting-edge pavement technologies.  The NRRA consists of five project teams: Flexible, Rigid, Geotechnical, Intelligent Construction Technologies, and Preventive Maintenance and is governed by an Executive Committee made up of two representatives from each government agency participating in the study.   Each team activities include prioritization of short and long-term research, development of long-term research test sections at MnROAD and providing input for technology transfer.  


]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 06 Mar 2026 13:10:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2678150</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Transportation Workshop: Streets of the Future</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2677682</link>
      <description><![CDATA[With connected and autonomous vehicles (C/AVs), drones, and delivery robots moving from research labs to urban streets, it will not be long before these technologies wind up on city streets. Unfortunately, public and private transportation stakeholders are generally not suited to keep up with technological change, especially when multiplier effects from various strands of innovation can disrupt urban life. Therefore, there is an urgent need to train a future-focused workforce that can adapt from today's best practices and standards, be creative and critical, and come up with innovative options for road safety in the future. Likewise, there is an urgent need to demonstrate to public/private sector stakeholders the most likely transportation changes and challenges over the next two decades. This project has two aims: (i) offer a new graduate-level course focused on using urban corridors as test beds to imagine reasonably accurate future scenarios that are based on state-of-the-art knowledge from the current times, and (ii) to assemble an exhibition where the lessons learned will be shared more broadly with the transportation community through a virtual environment (VR) and posters.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 16:43:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2677682</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 applicationof 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>Traffic Control Device Analysis, Testing, and Evaluation Program</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2676078</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Traffic control devices (TCDs) are the primary means of communicating highway information to road users and play a key role in highway automation. The design, application, and maintenance of TCDs is under constant transformation as new technologies, methodologies, and policies are introduced. In addition, vehicle technologies and the roadway infrastructure industry are rapidly evolving, spurred by technology advancements, customer demand, changes in the vehicle fleet, and changes in national and state policies. The research team will provide Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) a mechanism to quickly and effectively conduct high priority evaluations of issues related to TCDs. The TCD issues to be evaluated in this project could represent new devices or technologies, new applications of an existing device or technology, TCD material performance, changes in TxDOT’s practices regarding a TCD, or other TCD related needs. Examples of various evaluations include human factors, machine vision performance, safety and operational effects, visibility assessments, and cost effectiveness analyses. The activities conducted through this project will support the development of TCD related policy, specifications, guidelines, handbooks, and training.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:32:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2676078</guid>
    </item>
    <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>Center for Efficient Mobility (CEM) Innovation Accelerator</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2636170</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project will establish an “Innovation Accelerator” for the Center for Efficient Mobility (CEM)  to act as an incubator for commercializing technologies related to healthy and efficient mobility. The CEM consortium led by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) has already laid the groundwork for this effort through the identification of stakeholders and partners and the establishment of an innovation ecosystem to accelerate the development, adoption, and commercialization of new transportation technologies, in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation.  This project will formalize the innovation ecosystem within CEM, supported by commercialization support and stakeholder engagement. It will include commercialization support from technology commercialization and licensing offices at TTI and the A&M System, with support from facilities at our partner institutions, and input and advice from stakeholders. Through support, seed funding, commercialization grants, and the necessary legal and business support, CEM will champion students, faculty, and researchers in their efforts to commercialize any intellectual property developed as part of the grant. CEM will leverage the support of Texas A&M’s Innovation Office (https://innovation.tamus.edu/). CEM will also work with their counterparts at other consortium members such as Georgia Tech's CREATE-X and Quadrant-i initiatives (https://commercialization.gatech.edu/ ) and work with researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors to spin off new companies based on CEM research.   The key aspects of this project include:  Stakeholder Engagement – CEM will formalize a stakeholder engagement and advisory function to identify needs and problems that can be solved through research and technology developed by CEM; Innovation Ecosystem – Students, researchers, and faculty will be supported as they advance research outcomes. The innovation ecosystem will connect them to experts, entrepreneurs, and business communities. Testing facilities and seed funding will also be made available as needed to support technology development.  Commercialization Support -  Commercialization experts from within the consortium  will provide education,  technical support, legal and business support   to researchers who develop technologies with potential for commercialization.  ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 12 Feb 2026 15:56:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2636170</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>University of Miami’s National Summer Transportation Institute (UM)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2663224</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Already inhabited by more than 50% of the population and contributing to more than 55% of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP), coastal regions are still continuing to grow and attract people. At the same time, coastal regions are facing increasing threats from erosion and flooding caused by chronic events  like heavy rainfall, as well as discrete extreme events such as hurricanes. These events put people and properties, as well as the region's economies, in harm's way. It is through deliberate and strategic investments in STEM education, outreach and workforce initiatives, that the USDOT has the workforce to meet challenges, while advancing and maintaining our technological superiority.
The University of Miami (UM) is requesting to host the National Summer Transportation Institute (NSTI) program to encourage the younger generations into the STEM disciplines and coastal transportation infrastructure. Activities will include lectures, laboratory hands-on activities, and fun competitions related to coastal transportation infrastructure. Participants will engage in science rich activities, and develop critical thinking, teamwork, and career development skills. The PI was the director of the 2024 CREATE UM NSTI as well as 2015-2017 UM NSTI funded by FHWA and has the experience and expertise in transportation outreach programs. The following points include the goals that the NSTI program at the University of Miami seeks to accomplish. (1) Provide an exciting and effective summer program that will depict the principles, applications and challenges of the STEM fields through use of lessons, teamwork, group activities, competitions and field trips. (2) Create awareness of the coastal transportation industry and its career opportunities. (3) Encourage high school students toward the STEM disciplines by educating them on transportation engineering career opportunities. (4) Develop teamwork, problem solving, computer, writing and reporting skills to enable high school students to excel in their intended STEM field.


The University of Miami will conduct recruitment procedures through several media to select interested and enthusiastic high school students to participate in the summer program. The following media will be implemented to recruit students for the summer program: Flyers, Website, social media, school visits, information sessions.

Program Curriculum: (Week 1: 2nd week of July) Weekly Objective: Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of engineering. As the week progresses, the components of transportation engineering will be explored. The focus of this week will be on the explanation of advanced and high-performance construction materials used in the various modes of coastal transportation infrastructure, the importance of safety in transportation engineering, the different types of transportation structures and vehicles, and the new technological advancements in the coastal transportation infrastructure engineering industry. In addition, this week will also discuss the engineering of airport terminals and airplanes. (Week 2: 3rd week of July) Weekly Objectives: Students will learn about the emerging technologies for enhancing safety and resilience in coastal transportation infrastructure. Students will become familiar with the other modes of transportation, including water, and continue to learn about the air transportation.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 31 Jan 2026 10:57:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2663224</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Role of emerging transportation technologies and safety initiatives in mitigating crashes in coastal communities</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2661744</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Coastal communities face heightened crash risks due to hazards such as hurricanes, flooding, and roadway degradation. Traditional safety countermeasures often fail to address these compounded risks, especially where evacuation routes are limited. This project will investigate how emerging transportation technologies (e.g., connected vehicle systems, advanced driver assistance systems, smart corridors) and safety initiatives (e.g., hazard-responsive traffic management, roadway design measures) can mitigate crash risks in coastal regions. Using literature review, geospatial screening of coastal corridors, and expert validation, the team will develop a prototype decision-support tool linking crash scenarios common in coastal environments with candidate technologies and initiatives. The outcome will provide agencies with a concise, practical framework to assess and prioritize safety solutions that improve infrastructure durability and resilience under coastal hazards.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 29 Jan 2026 16:13:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2661744</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Hydrologic and Hydraulic Software Enhancements 2 (SMS, WMS, Hydraulic Toolbox, and HY-8)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2640674</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This Transportation Pooled Fund (TPF) project will: 1) Enhance the capabilities of the four Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) sponsored software programs and ensure they remain consistent with the latest FHWA technical reference documents; 2) Update the software user manual documentation; 3) Make new software versions publicly available; 4) Develop and deploy technology transfer materials and workshops to test and demonstrate new software content and features; 5) Inform users of the availability of new software versions and features through website postings, email notifications, newsletter articles, conference presentations, and other avenues.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 17 Dec 2025 15:42:55 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2640674</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Optimizing Signal Timing Through New Technologies</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2640688</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Traditional signal timing optimization is time consuming and requires engineering expertise, often resulting in long delays between optimization cycles. New technologies could provide an opportunity to make the process more efficient by early identification of locations where reoccurring congestion is occurring.  The objectives of this research project are to do a detailed feasibility study of technologies that can aid in identifying locations where current signal timing is causing delays and a process document for implementation of the technology.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2025 09:06:42 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2640688</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>Highway Research and Technology -- International Information Sharing</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2617648</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Highway authorities world-wide share many common concerns in the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of highway systems. Most developed nations also support programs of research and development (R&D) on highway issues. The potential for information sharing and technology transfer is great. Coordination of research in the United States has focused primarily on technology transfer and information dissemination among the large and diverse community of state and local highway agencies within this country. There is a need to utilize a systematic exchange mechanism to learn from counterparts abroad, where many new developments have been tested and successfully used for highways. OBJECTIVE: The National Cooperative Research Program (NCHRP) 20-36 Project provides a coordinated approach to international information sharing and technology exchange. The project activities have a much broader scope than the typical NCHRP project in encompassing exchanges on all facets of highway technology, policy and management with our international partners. The project’s overall objective is to improve highway safety, development, maintenance and operations through dissemination of innovative technology and successful practices from around the globe. Such process enhances the roles of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the Transportation Research Board (TRB) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in providing coordinated leadership for the exchange of international highway research and development, and provides state departments of transportation with information on practices and technologies that could help accrue technical and economic benefits. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 05 Nov 2025 16:52:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2617648</guid>
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