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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>
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    <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>Developing a Replicable, Group-Based Cybersecurity Assessment Methodology for Small and Rural Transit Operators</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2506303</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Despite years of education and advocacy, increased availability of free training and resources, increase funding availability, and new requirements for cybersecurity programs as a prerequisite for new federal discretionary grants or insurance, the gap in cyber resilience among small to mid-sized transit and their larger counterparts continues to grow.  Agencies continue to struggle not due to a lack of commitment but because of limited funding, insufficient expertise, and a clear regulatory mandate.

This project responds to this gap by developing a new approach to conducting National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) - based Cyber Resilience Reviews (CRR) for small and rural transit agencies. Unlike traditional individual assessments, this project will develop a group-based methodology that fosters shared learning and collective improvement to minimize shared vulnerabilities and risk among similar transit authorities.

U.S. DOT Priorities

The primary objective of this project is to strengthen the cyber resilience of small and rural transit agencies by developing a replicable innovative, collaborative approach to conducting NIST CRR– based cybersecurity assessments in group settings rather than individually, this project seeks to foster a culture of shared learning and best practices, benchmarking among peer agencies, and collective progress towards overall industry resiliency.  Doing so aligns with the U.S. DOT objectives of protecting critical infrastructure, advancing global competitiveness, and enhancing economic strength.  All sectors of critical infrastructure must be equally secure to ensure that “every community can connect to the people, places, and opportunities that make their lives meaningful.”]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 11 Feb 2025 13:38:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2506303</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Quick-Response Research on Long-Term Strategic Issues. Task 53. Optimizing Work Schedules for Transit Frontline Workers</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2464333</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the frontline worker shortage, particularly for operators at public transit agencies. In response, agencies have modified recruitment, hiring, and training processes to attract more candidates, while also focusing on strengthening agency culture, boosting morale, and improving working conditions to retain staff. Although agencies are adjusting practices, rigid work schedules remain a major barrier that hinder workforce retention across the transit industry, limiting agencies’ ability to support employees in balancing operational demands with personal responsibilities.

The APTA Transit Workforce Shortage Report (2023) highlighted undesirable work schedules as a top reason frontline transit workers resigned from transit agencies. The report found that adjusting work schedules is more difficult than altering pay structures, and that altering compensation alone may not be a sufficient means to reduce employee turnover. To further address the problem, TCRP Project J-07/Topic SA-64, “Transit Scheduling and Dispatch Practice that Increase Operator Quality of Life” is identifying current strategies, practices, and outcomes of transit agency efforts to attract and retain operators through changes to schedule design and assignment.

While the previously cited studies identify scheduling solutions to address the transit operator shortage problem, there remains a broad and pressing industry-wide need to explore how changes to work schedules can help improve recruitment and retention of frontline transit workers.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of research is to explore and identify what gaps remain, barriers to adopting more work-centric scheduling, and how pilot or emerging business practices (planning, scheduling, allocation of the work, and labor agreements) affect staffing outcomes. The factors that can potentially improve transit operator job satisfaction by favorable work schedules resulting in enhanced quality of life and potentially increased hiring and retention rates shall be explored.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 26 Nov 2024 06:29:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2464333</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Synthesis of Information Related to Transit Practices. Topic SA-64. Transit Scheduling and Dispatch Practice that Increase Operator Quality of Life</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2410389</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Changing employee expectations is causing public transit agencies to modify transit scheduling practices to improve the quality of life for operators. In recent years, agencies have started providing a package of incentives to attract and retain personnel that not only enhance the quality of life for operators but mitigates the impacts of the workforce shortage conundrum. Examples include offering hiring bonuses, paid Commercial Driver License (CDL) training, work-life balance choices (i.e. flexible schedules), and role stress-induced mitigators (i.e. on-site fitness center). At the same, the emergence of competitive industries and roles, for example, driving for Transportation Network Companies (TNC) allow employees to set work schedules contributing to an improved quality of life, also contributing to the workforce shortage problem.

Recognizing the employee demands and role competitiveness, agencies are reimaging traditional scheduling practices. Addressing these challenges requires a review of the structure of operator assignments, including the selection and assignment for operators, in addition to the daily markup and dispatch of operators. An emerging solution is agencies are shifting from cafeteria-style scheduling towards rostering-style scheduling.[1] While the techniques and strategies to maximize the efficiency of operator schedules are well-documented, there is minimal research on the effectiveness of different scheduling and dispatch approaches that contribute to improving operator’s quality of life.

The purpose of this synthesis is to identify the current strategies, practices, and outcomes of transit agency efforts to attract and retain operators through changes to schedule design and assignment. This synthesis shall identify the factors that can potentially improve transit operator job satisfaction resulting in enhanced quality of life and potentially increased hiring and retention rates. This synthesis should consider the following questions: (1) What sequence of activities and what revisions to labor contract provisions are necessary to develop vehicle and operator work assignments that will attract and retain personnel?
(2) What scheduling practices are available, which of those are easy to implement? (3) What scheduling incentives are necessary to encourage operators to take undesirable assignments?
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 29 Jul 2024 18:10:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2410389</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Licensing Public Transportation Vehicle Operators</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2307250</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of this project is to examine the positive and negative impacts of commercial licensing requirements for U.S. public transportation providers. This project should address the current commercial driver’s license (CDL) testing requirements and identify the key challenges public transportation agencies face. The public transportation services addressed in this project include publicly available fixed route and demand response services.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 13 Dec 2023 12:09:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2307250</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Air Quality Inside Buses</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2149961</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The COVID-19 pandemic brought air quality to the forefront of the transit industry. In the summer of 2022, due to the immediate need to understand the issue, the Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) conducted its first Insight Event. TCRP Insight Event--Air Quality in Transit Buses explored how air quality inside transit vehicles, especially buses, may contribute to the spread of infections. During that event, presentations and conversations about dispersion, ventilation, circulation, and filtration issues were held. Presentations from the event and the literature search results are available on the TCRP Insight Event web page at https://www.nationalacademies.org/event/06-21-2022/trb-tcrp-insight-event-air-quality-in-transit-buses. 

Since that event and the end of the pandemic’s restrictions, the public transit industry has learned that air quality inside transit buses matters to bus operators and passengers. There is an increased focus on reducing the concentration of pathogens containing respiratory aerosols and other harmful pollutants in the air inside a bus cabin. Transit agencies are working to increase operators and passenger confidence in air quality. With increased confidence, riders will return, and it will be easier to hire bus operators. 

Transit systems are analyzing the current air quality inside their buses to better understand current airflows and possible risks. Measuring and controlling air quality inside the bus cabin has proven difficult.  Buses idle, constantly open their doors to embark or disembark passengers, and are exposed to traffic-related air pollutants, such as  exhaust.  

This reality has not hampered the desire to improve air quality inside cabins. Transit agencies are employing the following solutions to mitigate poor air quality: dilution, which consists of bringing more fresh air inside the bus while sending indoor air out; filtration with the use of better-quality filters; and cleaning, including the use of ultraviolet light and photocatalytic oxidation.  

Research is needed to find clear solutions to improve air quality on buses for operators and passengers. Transit systems are doing the best that they can to protect their employees and passengers. However, research can provide information to improve air quality and standardization of practice. 

The objective of this research is to create a research document that helps transit agencies understand air circulation inside a typical 40-foot heavy-duty transit bus and finds solutions to protect employees and passengers without decreasing passenger comfort, safety, and reliability of the system. The research should help guide the development of future design and performance criteria to support better transit rolling stock procurement and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) operations in emergency conditions (e.g., airborne diseases and wildfires).]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 10 Apr 2023 17:08:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2149961</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>High-Quality Simulation for Maintenance and Transit Operator Training</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1883834</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Human Factors Research Group at the Mississippi State University Center for
Advanced Vehicular Systems has conducted an in-depth investigation into the use of high-quality simulations and/or virtual training for the training of transit and maintenance (mowing) operators as a possible solution to several MDOT safety and efficiency concerns. This report compiles the information and findings of this project in order to (1) provide a clear definition of the problem space with respect to MDOT’s training needs, (2) provide an understanding of the requirements for simulators that would meet these needs, (3) provide an overview of the current state of the art of simulation and virtual reality technologies relevant to the specific needs of MDOT, and (4) make recommendations for the implementation of simulators to achieve MDOT’s training goals.
Six governing tasks were accomplished during the scope of this investigation: (1) A literature review was conducted specific to the use of simulators for safety and efficiency training, with special attention to use within transit and maintenance operations. (2) A review of simulation use by other state DOTs was conducted. (3) A review was conducted regarding the use of simulation and virtual technologies for training vehicle operators in other industries. (4) A set of requirements were developed for a transit simulator and a tractor simulator. (5) Discussions with potential simulator vendors were conducted to understand the state of the art
regarding simulator and virtual technologies, as well as vendor capabilities. (6) Project management tasks included deliverables and progress meetings. Based on the findings of this study, recommendations are provided regarding MDOT’s potential acquisition of simulators for transit and maintenance operator training.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 08 Oct 2021 08:54:46 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1883834</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Guide for Protecting Transportation Employees and the Traveling Public from Airborne Diseases</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1753479</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Protecting the health and safety of transportation employees and the traveling public is a key goal of all transportation agencies. The COVID-19 pandemic, transmitted by an airborne virus, created a global health crisis not seen in a century, affecting all modes of transportation that convey groups of people in closed vehicles.  
 
Bus operators are the most public-facing transportation employees and are therefore among the most vulnerable to airborne contagion. Other transportation employees (e.g., rail operators, paratransit operators, ferry employees, station attendants, security personnel, shared-mobility drivers, roadside assistants, toll booth collectors) are at risk of contracting an airborne contagion because they interact with the public who may be infected, work in enclosed spaces, and cannot work remotely.  Additionally, many transportation employees are at risk because they work in crews that don’t allow for physical distancing. These crews include road and vehicle maintenance, facility and utility repairs, and construction. These transportation support personnel have increased exposure to airborne contagion while working at, or traveling to, worksites, often in agency-owned vehicles. 
 
It is essential for transportation agencies to know what it takes to protect the health and well-being of their employees and the traveling public from airborne disease. Improved understanding of (1) effective near- and longer-term contagion mitigation strategies and practices, (2) better methods for conveying information, and (3) more thorough implementation guidance (that addresses costs and effectiveness) will assist transportation agencies respond during the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for future pandemics. This research project was jointly funded by the National Highway Cooperative Research Program (NCHRP) and the Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP). The primary audience for this research includes public transportation agencies (i.e., agencies that provide bus, rail, ferry, and paratransit services) and departments of transportation.
 
The objective of this research is to develop a guide for public transportation agencies and departments of transportation to mitigate exposure to airborne diseases to protect the health and well-being of transportation system employees while at work and to protect the traveling public. The research should identify near- and longer-term strategies and practices that will (1) reduce the likelihood of transportation employees and the public from contracting airborne diseases, (2) increase confidence in the safety of transportation systems, and (3) help agencies make more informed decisions regarding the health and well-being of their employees and the traveling public during periods of airborne contagion.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 23 Nov 2020 16:33:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1753479</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Florida Transit Operator Trainer Training Program</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1344898</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In 2000, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) at the University of South Florida (USF) partnered to develop the Florida Transit Operator Trainer Training Program. The program offers training courses to Florida's transit operator trainers through a voluntary state and federal certificate program.   The program is overseen by the Florida Operations Network (FON) who serve in an advisory capacity. The FON meets quarterly to discuss the program's goals and accomplishments and provide direction to the project team. The FON also meets to discuss industry issues, problem-solve, network and institute positive changes in transit on a statewide level.  The Florida Operations Network (FON) members are highly motivated Florida transit operations managers. This proposal outlines CUTR's effort to continue to meet the goals, missions and objectives set forth for both the training component and FON elements of the Florida Transit Operator Trainer Training Program.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 28 Feb 2015 01:00:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1344898</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Evaluation of Electronic Data Recorder for Incident Investigation, Driver Performance, and Vehicle Maintenance</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1229924</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of the research project will be to evaluate the benefits Event Data Recorders provide to transit agencies in threes areas: incident investigation, driver performance, and vehicle maintenance.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Jan 2013 13:50:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1229924</guid>
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