<rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="https://www.w3.org/2005/Atom">
  <channel>
    <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
    <link>https://rip.trb.org/</link>
    <atom:link href="https://rip.trb.org/Record/RSS?s=PHNlYXJjaD48cGFyYW1zPjxwYXJhbSBuYW1lPSJkYXRlaW4iIHZhbHVlPSJhbGwiIC8+PHBhcmFtIG5hbWU9InN1YmplY3Rsb2dpYyIgdmFsdWU9Im9yIiAvPjxwYXJhbSBuYW1lPSJ0ZXJtc2xvZ2ljIiB2YWx1ZT0ib3IiIC8+PHBhcmFtIG5hbWU9ImxvY2F0aW9uIiB2YWx1ZT0iMTYiIC8+PC9wYXJhbXM+PGZpbHRlcnM+PGZpbHRlciBmaWVsZD0iaW5kZXh0ZXJtcyIgdmFsdWU9IiZxdW90O1RyYWluaW5nJnF1b3Q7IiBvcmlnaW5hbF92YWx1ZT0iJnF1b3Q7VHJhaW5pbmcmcXVvdDsiIC8+PC9maWx0ZXJzPjxyYW5nZXMgLz48c29ydHM+PHNvcnQgZmllbGQ9InB1Ymxpc2hlZCIgb3JkZXI9ImRlc2MiIC8+PC9zb3J0cz48cGVyc2lzdHM+PHBlcnNpc3QgbmFtZT0icmFuZ2V0eXBlIiB2YWx1ZT0icHVibGlzaGVkZGF0ZSIgLz48L3BlcnNpc3RzPjwvc2VhcmNoPg==" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
    <description></description>
    <language>en-us</language>
    <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>
    </image>
    <item>
      <title>Advanced Sustainable Transportation Workforce Development Initiative in California’s Inland Empire</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2692313</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Spurred by significant government investments and regulatory landscape, advanced sustainable transportation (connected, automated, energy-efficient, and shared vehicles) and its supporting infrastructure is well underway in Inland Southern California. Not only are advanced vehicles becoming common among California’s Inland Empire residents, but the region is at the heart of medium- and heavy-duty vehicle programs associated with goods movement. As a result, many advanced transportation and infrastructure manufacturers are now locating to the Inland Empire due to its favorable economic landscape. What’s lacking is an advanced sustainable transportation workforce in the region that is needed for: (1) manufacturing, maintaining, repairing advanced vehicles; (2) setting up, deploying, and maintaining advanced vehicle infrastructure; and (3) responding to incidents associated with advanced vehicles and their supporting infrastructure. The project team will launch a comprehensive Advanced Sustainable Transportation Workforce Development Initiative for California’s Inland Empire, pulling together a variety of existing educational programs, developing these programs further into a cohesive vehicle/infrastructure training program, and creating a coalition of local manufacturers in this advanced vehicle space. This initiative seeks to position the Inland Empire as a national leader in advanced vehicle manufacturing and adoption. This bold vision positions the region as a model for sustainable growth, advancing the region’s goals while uplifting communities. The key goals of the initiative include: (1) Integrating workforce development, industry needs, and policy goals into a cohesive, impactful strategy. This project will deliver comprehensive training programs in advanced vehicle technology, associated infrastructure, and managing vehicle incidents across a wide range of technologies (light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles, buses, trucks, rail, aircraft). (2) Creating high-quality jobs in the region. The team’s plan is to fill the expected thousands of advanced transportation jobs with locally sourced talent, emphasizing pathways that promote societal advancement.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:12:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2692313</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Advancing Rail Infrastructure Asset Management and Hazard Mitigation: Educational Tools and Practitioner Decision Support Systems</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2691664</link>
      <description><![CDATA[As rail infrastructure ages and faces intensifying system stressors (e.g., flooding, icing, and extreme heat), agencies need to identify pathways to enhance the durability and operational reliability of their physical assets. However, there is a significant gap in available training material regarding Rail Infrastructure Asset Management (IAM) for both university students and current practitioners. Building upon the researcher’s ongoing research into adaptive capacity and international rail best practices, this project will translate rigorous research findings into accessible educational and research tools and practical decision-support systems. The project focuses on three primary technology transfer and workforce development initiatives:


(1) Interactive Rail Asset Management Platform: The team will develop a web-based, interactive learning module (utilizing platforms such as Tigyog) targeting students and practitioners. This resource will cover the principles of IAM, condition assessment, and decision-making under uncertainty. It will feature "gamified" scenarios and narrative case studies drawn from the team's research, contrasting infrastructure failures (e.g., the East Palestine, Ohio derailment) with successful engineering adaptations (e.g., the Shinkansen automatic braking systems in Japan). Users will engage with a "build-your-own" asset management framework to apply these concepts in real-time.
(2) University Teaching Packets: To address the lack of specialized rail engineering curricula, the team will create comprehensive teaching modules for instructors. These packets will draw from the team's six-country comparative analysis (U.S., Australia, Spain, Japan, Ghana, Argentina), providing lecture slides, assignment materials, and case-study evaluations. Topics will focus on identifying key asset vulnerabilities, institutional barriers to maintenance, and successful infrastructure hardening strategies.
(3) Practitioner Decision Matrix: The team will develop a "Rail Hazard Mitigation Decision Matrix" for state agencies and rail operators.

This tool will synthesize data on geographic hazards, system ownership models, and cost-benefit ratios to help managers prioritize physical infrastructure improvements.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:25:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2691664</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Foundations in Energy Systems for Transportation Certificate</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2691662</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project supports the transformation of transportation systems through changes in energy systems management by preparing a managerial workforce with knowledge in both energy systems management and transportation systems management. A transformed transport system will run on both existing and new energy systems. As a result, effective management of the transport system will depend upon a workforce that also has foundational knowledge in traditional and emerging energy systems. This includes knowledge of energy sources, basic economics, and the regulatory and policy environment that either supports or hinders development of those systems. This project plans to develop a certificate program that introduces case studies focused on planned or in-process energy systems case studies within public transit, supply chain logistics, personal vehicle traffic, and active transportation that draw from Center for International Trade and Transportation (CITT) expertise and guest speakers from industry leaders in its network. The certificate and corresponding curriculum development are informed by an assessment of workforce needs related to freight and transit sectors and related energy systems. The needs assessment includes both surveys and focus group meetings and will provide insights into workforce needs related to freight and transit sectors and related energy systems. Following the survey completion, the CITT team will organize focus groups to discuss the survey results and form the Curriculum Advisory Board. Concurrently, the CITT team, in conjunction with the Curriculum Advisory Board, will conduct outreach to form a pilot cohort for the first iteration of the certificate program. Module 1 of the program would provide a general overview of: energy systems foundations; including fuel types; infrastructure priorities; economic development; project lifecycle management; data needs; policy and regulatory requirements; and workforce development. Module 2 would provide modal focuses on freight and transit. For the capstone project, participants will work in groups to address a topic within the modal focus chosen in Module 2, which will be presented as the final step of the program.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:19:42 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2691662</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Successful Strategies in Providing Training Programs for State and Local Equipment Technicians</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2681233</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Fleet managers across surface transportation agencies face ongoing challenges in identifying training needs for fleet maintenance technicians and delivering effective programs. Prior to 2020, many states relied heavily on vendor-led training to support technician development on new and existing equipment. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of vendors reduced or discontinued these offerings, requiring agencies to pursue alternative approaches.

As fleet equipment continues to incorporate more advanced technologies, the need for consistent, high-quality, and up-to-date technical training has become increasingly critical to maintaining safe, reliable, and cost-effective operations.

OBJECTIVE: This scan will examine organizations that have successfully identified and implemented sustainable training programs for fleet maintenance technicians. The team will document how agencies structure and manage their programs, measure effectiveness, and ensure appropriate leadership support.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 17 Mar 2026 15:03:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2681233</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>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>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>Professional capacity building and field-based education in coastal transportation durability (UPRM)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2663231</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Project Description: Coastal transportation assets are routinely exposed to coastal hazards, including flooding, erosion, saltwater intrusion, and storm impacts, that undermine safety, mobility, and service continuity. Capacity building in effective vulnerability assessment and risk management requires more than technical modeling: practitioners need applied skills in infrastructure screening, community‑sensitive evaluation, data‑driven decision making, risk communication, and cross‑agency coordination. The US-DOT developed in 2015 a spreadsheet-based tool called Vulnerability Assessment Scoring Tool (VAST) to assist in documenting the vulnerability of transportation assets in a study area. The assessment includes (1) determining the scope of the vulnerability assessment, (2) selecting appropriate indicators, (3) collecting data about those indicators, and (4) devising an approach to convert raw data about indicators into scores. The result is a set of vulnerability scores that can be used to rank assets by their level of vulnerability or inform other analyses of the results. Today, state and local agencies often lack the staffing and training to use screening tools consistently or to translate assessment results into prioritized investments, while college education delivers essential theory but rarely provide the real‑world, community‑engaged practice needed to make assessments actionable. To close current workforce gaps, this project proposes two complementary capacity‑building tracks: a college‑level track that will prepare upcoming engineers and architects with interdisciplinary foundations and hands‑on experiences, and a professional‑level track that will help upskill practicing engineers in the application of vulnerability assessment methods and tools, such as FHWA VAST. Both tracks share core competencies but differ in depth, delivery, and assessment to match learners’ roles and incentives. 
This project will address professional capacity gaps by developing educational modules, workshops, and training materials for students, communities, and professionals. These resources will be delivered through the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM) Interactive Learning Hub (ILHUB) and in-person sessions via the Puerto Rico LTAP training program. The ILHUB serves as an online repository focused on coastal resilience and community preparedness. The educational approach integrates coastal resilience, transportation performance, and blue economy strategies into accessible learning resources, enhancing technical knowledge and community capacity across diverse stakeholders. The UPRM team is applying the VAST approach using data from the PR-466/4466 coastal highway corridor in Isabela, Puerto Rico, incorporating community characteristics into the scoring method to enrich the assessment with contextual insights. Professionals will strengthen their competencies in blue economy and transportation durability strategies, as well as in applying the Enhanced VAST. Building on this effort, the project will develop instructor-led and self-paced online training modules to equip professionals with the skills to apply the assessment tool in real-world contexts. Puerto Rico LTAP will assist in delivering these sessions and disseminating the educational materials through its network. On the college track, students will gain hands-on experiences through field case studies of transportation vulnerability situations in coastal zones that will complement their classroom education, strengthen their problem-solving and critical thinking skills, and improve their career readiness. Communities will be also engaged as part of the case studies to improve their understanding of how the durability of transportation systems supports coastal livelihoods.

]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 31 Jan 2026 12:00:17 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2663231</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>Intervention Strategies to Enhance Motorcoach Seatbelt Use</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2643026</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Seatbelt use among motorcoach passengers remains extremely low despite federal requirements for lap and shoulder belts on new vehicles. Prior research indicates that verbal safety announcements and visible promotional messaging can improve awareness and compliance, yet these practices have not been consistently adopted across the motorcoach industry. This project addresses the gap between known effective strategies and real-world implementation.

The research will develop, test, and refine targeted training and promotional materials designed for motorcoach drivers, dispatchers, terminal managers, and regulatory agencies. Activities include the creation of instructional podcasts, educational brochures, and guidance documents outlining effective promotional practices and regulatory roles. The effectiveness of these interventions will be evaluated using surveys and implementation metrics. Results will support scalable best practices that can be adopted nationwide to improve motorcoach passenger safety.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 18 Dec 2025 14:46:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2643026</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Piloting an AI-Enabled Immersive Multi-Agency Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Training Platform</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2640701</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This pilot project will develop and evaluate an immersive AI-enabled virtual reality (VR) training platform for multi-agency traffic incident management (TIM) operations. Specific objectives include: 1) Enhance interagency coordination and communication among responder agencies; 2) Improve responder safety and reduce the risk of secondary crashes through realistic scenario training; 3) Decrease incident clearance times using pre-planned, role-specific response strategies; and 4) Provide a scalable VR training platform aligned with National TIM Responder Training content.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2025 11:21:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2640701</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Administrative Activities - University Transportation Centers Open Competition
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2627810</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This grant will provide interested students with a chance to gain a better understanding of transportation, by supporting their attendance and participation in technical conferences related to transportation. This grant will also support technology transfer activities to support the overall Kansas University/Mid-America Transportation Center (KU MATC) award as well as administrative tasks.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 21 Nov 2025 14:13:54 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2627810</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Investing in Talent for Next-Generation Transportation Engineering
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2627155</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Recent federal investments in infrastructure necessitate a surge in transportation engineering graduates, yet recruitment and retention pose challenges due to mismatches between job supply and degree pursuits, compensation, benefits, and work-life balance. Research by the Northeast Transportation Workforce Center and National Transportation Career Pathways Initiative highlights these issues, but gaps remain in state department of transportation (DOT) strategies. Moreover, there is a pressing need for diversity in the engineering workforce to reflect the United States demographics. This research aligns with the Mid-America Transportation Center (MATC) focus on education and workforce development, aiming to enhance workforce diversity, which is crucial for inclusive transportation planning and safety. The purpose of this study is to explore the age gap within state transportation engineering jobs. The following research question will be addressed: In what ways do state departments of transportation in the midwestern United States attract or detract new engineers to state transportation engineering jobs based on current policy structures?
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 19 Nov 2025 14:58:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2627155</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Synthesis of Information Related to Airport Practices. Topic S06-10. Airport Apprenticeship, Internship, Cooperative Education, and Externship Programs</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2621999</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Airports increasingly recognize the value of structured apprenticeship, internship, cooperative education and externship programs in developing a highly qualified workforce. These programs offer training pathways that blend classroom instruction with practical, on-the-job learning, making them particularly effective for technical, skilled trades, and operational roles within the airport environment. However, there is variation in how airports design, deliver, and evaluate these programs. A clearer understanding of the current landscape and emerging practices would help airports establish robust apprenticeship, internship, cooperative education or externship programs that aligned with both airports’ goals and industry workforce needs. Furthermore, understanding the current landscape of practices can help airports optimize these opportunities and align them with organizational objectives, academic program and student needs, and industry workforce efforts.

The objective of this synthesis is to document the approaches and practices that airports of various sizes use to structure apprenticeships, internship, cooperative education, and externship programs. The audience for this synthesis is airport leadership, human resources, operational departments, and aviation education programs.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 10 Nov 2025 19:23:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2621999</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Synthesis of Information Related to Airport Practices. Topic S04-30. Emergency Response Roles and Responsibilities for Non-Operational and Administrative Airport Staff</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2621996</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Airport operations and first responders are well versed in how to respond to an airport emergency. However, the administrative and staff teams (non-operational positions, including executive leadership) who have completed required emergency response training but haven’t put it into practice may not feel prepared during a real emergency. Additionally, airport operations and emergency teams are unable to provide the type of training needed to get administrative teams ready to respond. While the Incident Command Structure outline responsibilities, the information doesn't translate smoothly to an administrative team’s understanding. Understanding their role can be especially important at smaller airports with fewer staff.

The objective of this synthesis is to document the administrative and non-operational airport staff roles and responsibilities that support emergency response. The audience for this synthesis is for airport operators who are training administrative staff for response.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 10 Nov 2025 19:16:05 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2621996</guid>
    </item>
  </channel>
</rss>