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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>
    <image>
      <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 Standardized Framework for Real-Time Freight-Specific Traveler Information and Route Restrictions for Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators; Truck Parking Data Exchange Standards</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2709247</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operations increasingly rely on maps and navigation systems that were not designed to address the unique needs of freight operations. This mismatch contributes to increased safety risks, including unplanned diversions, bridge strikes, congestion in freight corridors, lane geometry constraints, and other routing errors.

Today, the lack of a standard, consistent data structure or framework for sharing real-time freight-specific information remains a foundational challenge for public agencies and for the economy that depends heavily on the national roadway network. Public agencies currently lack a widely accepted standard or shared framework for communicating restrictions, alerts, and disruptions to CMV operators. Existing standards such as the Traffic Management Data Dictionary (TMDD) and SAE J2354 (Advanced Traveler Information Systems) support general traveler messaging but do not include freight-specific data elements.

In addition, the growing need for timely and reliable truck parking information, coupled with the rapid expansion of truck parking information systems, demonstrates the need for standardized methods to collect and disseminate truck parking data. As technologies used in these systems become increasingly ubiquitous, and as industry expectations and preferences continue to evolve, standardization of both information and dissemination tools becomes a critical next step.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this research are: (1) to develop a unified data framework for delivering time-sensitive, relevant, and actionable freight-specific traveler information messaging to CMV operators; and (2) to develop proposed data standards for real-time, public and private truck parking availability and attributes (including the number of spaces, size, hours of availability, and available amenities).

]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 14:33:24 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2709247</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Improve pavement surface distress and transverse profile data collection and analysis, Phase III</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2666773</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The technical capabilities of systems to collect and analyze pavement surface distress and transverse profile (PSDATP) have increased dramatically in the last 5-10 years. Many state highway agencies (SHAs) are in the process of assessing the procurement of equipment/systems or procuring vendor services for network and project level pavement condition assessments. The collection of quality PSDATP is critical for pavement management and design. The current national and State efforts to develop and refine pavement performance measures highlight the high value provided by quality PSDATP. The implementation of new project delivery methods with medium- to long-term maintenance agreements (Design Build Maintain, Design Build Operate, etc.) justifies the need for high-quality PSDATP data. Accurate and repeatable measures are essential for proper planning and the allocation of funding. The implementation of the Mechanistic Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) highlights the need for quality PSDATP to maximize the potential of the MEPDG and all other pavement design models. The emphasis on preventive pavement maintenance activities provides the opportunity for additional value from greater resolution of pavement surface distress quantification. TPF-5(299) and TPF-5(399) comes to end in 2026, and this pooled fund study will continue the work of that pooled fund study. The 24 State Highway Agencies of TPF-5(399) support starting this new pooled fund study. The activities of the pooled-fund study will be communicated with other appropriate committees and groups in the pavement community, such as, the Road Profiler User Group, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Committee on Materials and Pavements (COMP), National Cooperative Research Program (NCHRP) and the Transportation Research Board (TRB). The AASHTO COMP currently manages several standards related to pavement surface characteristics measurement. Many of these standards continue to need refinement and updating. This pooled-fund study is being established to provide direction and funding to unify the strategies, support implementation efforts, and promote best practices that improve the accuracy and repeatability of the data collection and analysis systems, as well as advance the understanding of PSDATP measurements. It is expected that this study will be completed within 5 years.

OBJECTIVES: Improve the Quality of Pavement Surface Distress and Transverse Profile Data Collection and Analysis by assembling SHAs, the FHWA, and industry representatives to: Identify data collection integrity and quality issues; Identify data analysis needs; Suggest approaches to addressing identified issues and needs. Based on this information, the SHAs and the FHWA will: Initiate and monitor projects intended to address identified issues and needs; Disseminate results; Assist in solution deployment.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 09 Feb 2026 19:52:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2666773</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Synthesis of Information Related to Highway Practices. Topic 57-08. Siting Electric Transmission Lines in State Department of Transportation Right-of-Way
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2630486</link>
      <description><![CDATA[A growing population increases electricity demand and requires reliability. However, expanding the electric grid’s capacity to meet additional energy demand requires installation of new transmission lines to deliver electricity to end-users. Key steps in this expansion include land permitting to host the electric transmission lines and right-of-way (ROW) acquisition for energy stakeholders to address additional ROW needs. Federal agencies have encouraged state departments of transportation (DOTs) to consider accommodating energy transmission lines within highway ROWs through utility accommodation policies or as alternative use provisions under 23 CFR 710.

The objective of this synthesis is to document practices for siting electric transmission lines in the state DOT–owned ROW. This synthesis will encompass emerging practices and policies for co-locating electric transmission lines in the highway ROW.

Information to be gathered includes (but is not limited to): (1) Current guidelines and policies that support the siting of electric transmission lines within the state ROW, including state-specific codes that classify transmission lines as a transportation need; (2) Identification of state-level practices for managing the siting of electric transmission lines and maintaining them once sited within the state DOT ROW; (3) Evaluation of the impediments for siting electric transmission lines in the state DOT ROW and identification of potential solutions; (4) Description of the permitting procedures required for siting transmission lines within the ROW; (5) Methods for determining the frequency and conditions under which a state DOT has sufficient ROW to accommodate electric transmission lines; (6) Methods for determining appropriate timing for energy agencies and utility stakeholders to address additional ROW needs in coordination with the state DOT permitting process, particularly when the existing ROW is insufficient; (7) Current formal design standards or technical criteria to evaluate and approve the siting of electric transmission lines within the ROW; (8) An evaluation of the impediments encountered by state DOTs that classify transmission lines as a transportation need to evaluate the impact on siting feasibility. Document state DOTs that do not classify transmission lines as a transportation need; and (9) Written ROW retention policies and the identification of surplus land by state DOTs for use as utility corridors.
Information will be gathered through a literature review, a survey of state DOTs, and follow-up interviews with selected DOTs for the development of case examples. Information gaps and suggestions for research to address those gaps will be identified.

Information sources (partial): (1) Blaug, E., and Nichols, N. (2023). Recommended Siting Practices for Electric Transmission Developers. Americans for a Clean Energy Grid. (2) Hunrington, D., and Wen, J. (2005). NCHRP Synthesis 351: Access Rights. Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC. (3) Amaral, T., and Rhode Island Sea Grant Law Fellow. (2023). Renewable Energy Transmission Co-location in Highway Rights-of-Way. Marine Affairs Institute at Roger Williams University School of Law. (4) National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2025). Reinventing the Right of Way: Policy, Technical, and Economic Implications of Siting Transmission Lines Along Transportation Corridors: Proceedings of a Workshop—in Brief. Washington, DC: National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/29178.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 26 Nov 2025 17:21:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2630486</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Instrumentation And Monitoring For G-Beam/Stillwater Avenue Bridge Replacement</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2582413</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In the proposed project, the research team plans to deploy an extensive instrumentation and communication system that will be embedded in the G-Beam girders proposed for the Stillwater Avenue bridge in Orono/Old Town.  Some of the details of the specific monitoring plan will need to be deferred to coincide with girder design.
The study will include the following. First, an array of fiber optic cabling will be installed along the longitudinal beam axis at different locations relative to the neutral axis.  Each cable will include discrete sensors at different locations along the beam axis to capture strain at those points.  Second, an array of accelerometers will be located it key locations in order to capture frequencies and modes of vibration during service.  Both the accelerometers and the fiber optic system will be connected to a communications network that both collects data from the sensor array and broadcasts the data over a wireless network to a server at University of Maine (UMaine).  Depending on collection rates, the data will either be transmitted over a conventional 5G cellular network, or more likely via a closed network that sends the data through a series of discrete repeaters in between the bridge site and the server.  Third, the team proposes a system of digital cameras that will be used both to trigger the acquisition and transmission system, but also through machine vision, be able to identify the vehicle type (e.g. number of axles.)  Once triggered, the array of strain gages and accelerometers, will preprocess data and send to the UMaine server.  In this way, resulting strain and vibration data can be tied to load types.  Fourth, a weather station will monitor current temperature, sunlight, and relative humidity data to complement the acquired structural data.  Depending on design issues, additional on-site sensors can monitor water level, ice status, and other environmental conditions that may be relevant. Finally, we will conduct diagnostic live load tests on the completed structure immediately before it is opened to traffic and approximately one year after its completion]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 31 Jul 2025 14:23:33 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2582413</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Transition to Cellular V2X for Georgia's Connected Vehicles
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2511181</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This research aims to provide technical guidance for the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) on DSRC-C-V2X transition, ensuring the seamless operation of Georgia's connected vehicles and ITS infrastructure. By addressing this interference issue, the research team aims to pave the way for broader acceptance and implementation of intelligent transportation systems. The significance of this research stems from the limited number of studies addressing in-band interference from Wi-Fi in the 5.9 GHz band due to the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC's) recent order. Notably, these studies that were conducted by relevant organizations such as U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and FCC lack technical details in regard to the bandwidth reduction to the ""upper 30 MHz."
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 18 Feb 2025 15:08:07 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2511181</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Towards GNSS-less Navigation: Exploiting Terrestrial and LEO Satellite Signals of Opportunity</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2321512</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Today’s vehicular navigation systems extract position information from a suite of diverse and complementary onboard sensors. For example, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver provides stable absolute position information and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and other dead reckoning sensors (e.g., wheel encoders) provide short-term accurate information. After prolonged periods of GNSS signal unavailability, the position solution degrades to unsafe levels as error-corrupted dead reckoning information is integrated without correction from an absolute position information source. Vehicle-mounted sensors (e.g., cameras or lidar) can reduce IMU drift during GNSS unavailability by tracking features in the environment (e.g., walls, light poles, trees, etc.) and then inferring the vehicle’s relative motion with respect to the features via a simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) framework. However, after extended periods of time without GNSS aiding corrections, the vehicles’ position estimate will still drift due to the accumulation of sensor errors (e.g., camera scale factor and lidar range errors due to dust and water particles). Over the past decade, signals of opportunity (SOPs); such as AM/FM radio, cellular, digital television, and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite signals; have been studied and demonstrated as an effective backup or alternative source of absolute positioning information, providing corrections to an inertial navigation system (INS) in the absence of GNSS signals. SOPs possess several desirable characteristics for vehicular navigation: (1) available in most environments of interest; (2) difficult to jam all SOPs, since their signals are scattered throughout the spectrum; (3) produce low geometric dilution of precision, since their transmitters are geometrically diverse; (4) signal reception with carrier-to-noise ratio that is often tens of decibels (dBs) higher than that of GNSS signals; (5) free to use with SOP navigation receivers that do not require network subscriptions; and (6) no deployment cost, since their infrastructure is already operational and maintained by service providers. This project will study the achievable performance of GNSS-less navigation with SOPs, with a focus on cellular 5G and LEO. The study will compare the performance as a function of: (1) number of utilized transmitters (terrestrial 5G alone, LEO alone, and a fusion of both); (2) differential versus non-differential frameworks; (3) fusion with other onboard sensors; and (4) sensitivity to model mismatch.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 11 Jan 2024 16:07:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2321512</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Augmenting the Hearing of Safety-Critical Sounds for Highway Workers using Artificial Intelligence</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2140094</link>
      <description><![CDATA[

Highway construction workers are regularly exposed to loud and complex noise environments from equipment, tools, and nearby traffic. While hearing protection equipment (HPE) is essential for preventing hearing loss, it often blocks important warning sounds—such as backup alarms or vehicle intrusion alerts—that are vital for worker safety. This tradeoff leads many workers to avoid using HPE, putting them at greater risk of both hearing damage and serious accidents.

The objective of this project was to investigate a new sound filtering system for hearing protection equipment using artifical intelligence (AI) that can distinguish and attenuate undesired signals while enhancing safety-critical ones.

The outcome of this research is a novel AI-Augmented Hearing Protection (AI-AHP) device, designed to address the persistent safety challenge of protecting highway construction workers exposed to loud, complex, and unpredictable noise environments. Unlike conventional hearing protection equipment that indiscriminately attenuates all sounds, the AI-AHP device introduces a transformative capability: selective noise filtering that suppresses unwanted noise while preserving or amplifying safety-critical signals, such as backup alarms and intrusion warnings.



]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 20 Mar 2023 17:30:24 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2140094</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis--The Transit IDEA Program. Magnetic Rail Movement Measuring Device (MRMMD)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2137599</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project developed a Magnetic Rail Movement Measuring Device (MRMMD) that improves railway safety and maintenance by enabling early detection and timely alerts to mitigate derailments, track damage and costly repairs. Under full dynamic loads, this portable device measures true rail temperature, track bed temperature, ambient temperature, lateral and vertical movements, and superelevation in real-time using specialized sensors. It features a cloud-based data communication system that relays sensor data to a dashboard or smart devices, facilitating real-time warnings and preventive actions. Unlike existing methods, the MRMMD tracks key data points based on actual dynamic loads and temperatures. Magnetically attached to the rail, the MRMMD operates in several modes, including an automatic mode that activates upon train approach to measure and record horizontal rail push, vertical track pumping, superelevation, and rail temperature. The device sends alerts when preset tolerances are reached and allows data to be accessed remotely via Bluetooth and cloud connectivity. Twenty prototypes of the MRMMD were developed and tested successfully with major rail and transit agencies, demonstrating the system's feasibility. 
The Final Report is available here.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 13 Mar 2023 16:27:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2137599</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SPR-4607: Full-scale Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer and Pilot Project Implementation</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1862992</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objectives of this project are: (i) develop a better understanding of pavement/ dynamic wireless power transfer (DWPT) system interaction, including DWPT reaction to environment and traffic loads and pavement materials responses to operational DWPT; and (ii) support the design and installation of a 215 kW DWPT system pilot for heavy-duty vehicles on an existing INDOT roadway. The pilot project will help develop construction techniques and provide a real-world testbed for optimizing the pavement/DWPT system. 
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 02 Jul 2021 13:53:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1862992</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Utilizing Cooperative Automated Transportation (CAT) Data to Enhance Freeway Operational Strategies</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1707210</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of this research is to assess operational scenarios and use cases where freeway operations strategies could be improved through the transmission of data between a traffic management system (TMS) and the larger cooperative automated transportation (CAT) system (either directly or through a third party). This assessment should (1) spur development of enhanced and new operational strategies and (2) help agencies justify gaining access to additional CAT data.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 20 May 2020 09:12:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1707210</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Essential Communications: A Guide to Land Mobile Radio (LMR)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1466748</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Transportation agencies and other public safety organizations face an array of funding and technology choices with respect to methods and levels of communications. State, local, tribal, and territorial DOTs have invested heavily in Land Mobile Radio (LMR) communication systems to support their field staff during daily activities and incident response or emergencies, and LMR communication continues to be the backbone of infrastructure protection, coordination, and emergency management.  With the proper planning and design, those same communications systems may be able to acquire and provide information from field elements. 
 
Field elements such as Dynamic Message Signs, Traffic Signal Systems, Road Weather Information Systems (RWIS), and other sensor networks are frequently dependent on leased services (e.g., cell phone technology, private telephone lines). Relative to wireless networks operating on exclusive government frequencies, cell phone technology and private telephone lines are often unreliable during communications surges in emergencies and may be unavailable in rural, less traveled areas. The ability to communicate and gather travel information is critical to field crews that, for example, increasingly base winter highway treatment decisions and traveler information on reliable information.  The recurring costs associated with cell phone technology and private telephone lines can hinder investments in field elements required to adequately monitor a corridor or specific areas of a roadway. Use of LMR technology is a means to assure availability and reliability. Additionally, the incoming Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (First Responder Network Authority or FirstNet) system may be available to provide some data communications services to public safety providers throughout the nation. Research was needed to provide comprehensive guidance to DOTs to inform decision-making for the design, funding, and selection of wireless communications systems.
 
The objective of this research was to create a guidebook to be used in designing, funding, procuring, and governing statewide, regional, or local Land Mobile Radio (LMR) systems. The guidebook and associated resources will assist state, local, tribal, and territorial departments of transportation; transit; and other public safety entities in understanding and making key decisions with respect to the selection of wireless voice and data communication systems.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 12 May 2017 10:32:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1466748</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Project 38 - Whole House Noise Reduction Modeling
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1369236</link>
      <description><![CDATA[No summary provided.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 17 Sep 2015 15:17:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1369236</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Project 02 - Sound/Emission Propagation 
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1368945</link>
      <description><![CDATA[No summary provided.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 16 Sep 2015 15:57:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1368945</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Project 02 - Sound/Emission Propagation 
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1368943</link>
      <description><![CDATA[No summary provided.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 16 Sep 2015 15:46:09 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1368943</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Noise-FICAN
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1368929</link>
      <description><![CDATA[No summary provided.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 16 Sep 2015 14:08:03 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1368929</guid>
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