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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>Guide for Subsurface Utility Engineering and Digital As-Built Data Management</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2188137</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Traditionally, state departments of transportation (DOTs) and utility companies have not shared data due to limited technology to allow subsurface utility engineering (SUE) and digital as-built (DAB) data captured from conventional project plans and stored in computer-aided design (CAD) files to be easily exchanged. The risks and concerns about the liability of sharing SUE and DAB data that may not be accurate and/or may change in the future were also a factor. New geospatial technologies are being implemented by state DOTs and utility companies for internal purposes, but these technologies have not been utilized to address SUE and DAB data exchange. Additionally, utility companies have expressed concerns about controlling access to their location data relating to security and exposure to competitors. Preserving project information in a digital format provides the ability for continuous integration with other project data for developing a living record for DABs and building information modeling (BIM) files throughout a project’s lifecycle.

Research findings in the second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP2) report S2-R15B-RW-1, Identification of Utility Conflicts and Solutions, documented and quantified the negative impact and costs, which results from utility conflicts and limited data sharing between state DOTs and utility companies. However, a knowledge gap exists to support a partnership between state DOTs and utility companies to provide a mutually beneficial data exchange that promotes state DOTs interests (e.g., improved design, reduced project schedules, and public safety). Additionally, state DOTs must overcome barriers (e.g., data accuracy responsibility, reliability and accuracy of data visualizations, long-term storage and maintenance of electronic data, data accessibility, and homeland security issues) to improve utility data management with utility companies. Research is needed to examine and assess the utility companies’ perspective (e.g., perceived risks and liability), and develop strategies to communicate the potential benefits of a data sharing partnership between state DOTs and the utility companies.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to develop a guide and framework for collecting, storing, and exchanging SUE and DAB data between utility companies and state DOTs.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 30 May 2023 19:48:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2188137</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Improving Subsurface Non-metallic Utility Locating Using Self-aligning Robotic Ground-penetrating Radar</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2093163</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The project will develop a pre-commercial prototype robotic locating system. This system will use GPS and adaptive ground probing radar sensors to improve the quality of image and location data.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 03 Jan 2023 13:53:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2093163</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Examine Reconnaissance Scanning of Underground Utilities in the ROW</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1877345</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Mapping of buried utilities using rigorous subsurface utility engineering (SUE) quality level B (QLB), as is frequently performed or recommended, can be costly. It can also be ineffective for unknown utilities (i.e., utilities that exist but for which no information is available). This is particularly common and problematic in areas of oil and gas operations. When undiscovered until construction, these unknown utilities may cause serious scheduling disruptions as well as higher construction costs, along with safety and environmental risks. There is a need for a faster, less expensive method of scanning the right of way (ROW) for these unknown utilities. This research shall evaluate, select and test the application of newly available geophysical measurement systems. These systems would allow quickly and cheaply detecting and mapping unknown pipelines or other utilities in the ROW. It compares the effectiveness and cost of deployment to standard QLB SUE and reports on technologies that are both technically and cost effective for identifying unknown utilities.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 13 Oct 2021 14:16:03 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1877345</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Improving Subsurface Non-metallic Utility Locating Using Self-Aligning Robotic Ground Penetrating Radar</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1743188</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Main Objective: ULC Robotics will develop a pre-commercial prototype robotic locating system that will reduce accidental penetration of buried utilities. This will be achieved by improving the quality of image and location data using self-adapting antenna configurations that increase the probability of detection. Two robotic carts will autonomously align themselves to each other and to the buried utilities to obtain the best Signal to Noise Ratio. By automating sensor scanning, data processing, and locating, the operator training requirements will be minimized, and the cost of deployment will be much lower compared to existing GPR locating services.
First, representative burial conditions will be studied through numerical simulations to assess GPR performance in varying antenna configurations. This will be used as input to path planning logic for autonomous operation. Software will be developed for data collection, control and command, data processing, and data visualization.
The robotic carts will be designed, fabricated, and tested. Various techniques to improve image quality during the scanning processes will be employed which will be implemented in software and control. ULC will test the prototype at utility partners' sites and determine improvements that will accelerate the transition of the prototype to a commercial product. Combining low-risk robotic technologies and known antenna scanning techniques will rapidly make this solution commercially available. Most importantly, the increased probability of detection will reduce the chances of third-party damage during excavation and improve public safety.

Public Abstract: Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is used extensively for locating underground pipelines and preventing third-party damage. ULC Robotics has tested and evaluated a promising method for deploying GPR in urban and rural areas that will maximize Signal-to-Noise ratio, increase the probability of detection, and reduce false alarms. Using commercially available GPR and a custom robotic mobile platform, scanning will be performed through automatic antenna alignment and path planning. Object detection and classification will filter out the clutter and surrounding objects. An intuitive user interface will render 3D objects that will improve the identification of the target asset and other neighboring utilities while minimizing operator's training requirements. A robotic mobile platform will allow for increased consistency in scanning and signal interpretation while enabling automatic generation of utility maps.
This project co-funded by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) will focus on developing the prototype robotic system which will subsequently be followed by rapid commercialization. During the project, numerical simulation and testing will be performed to determine the optimal antenna configurations required for varying pipe geometries, burial depths, and soil conditions. The robotic platform and sensing system will be designed, fabricated, and tested at ULC Robotics. After completing the prototype development, the robotic system will be tested in the field to demonstrate its improved locating capabilities.
The robotic system will provide enhanced locating capabilities for both metallic and non-metallic pipelines.

]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2020 16:12:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1743188</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Real-Time Multiple Utility Detection During Pipe Installation Using Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) System
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1371468</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project will integrate acoustic and radar technologies to detect buried pipes/objects in front and adjacent to the drill-head during installation of pipes using the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) machine.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 09 Oct 2015 12:27:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1371468</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>SUP-PRESS – Suppressing Utility Problems – Protection via Robotic Engineering to the Subsurface
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1370733</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Phase I will explore and identify existing technologies that are capable of, or can be adapted to, the robotic installation of underground utilities. Similarly, phase I will also examine current and emerging subsurface utility sensing and mapping technology to identify the most applicable technique(s) to exploit for use with a future automated subsurface utility relocation system. Lastly, this phase will determine the feasibility of integrating the identified subsurface sensing/mapping methods with the robotic technology to form a complete, automated subsurface utility relocation system.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 29 Sep 2015 16:38:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1370733</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>New Approaches to Utility Cut Pavement Repair
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1370732</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The scope of this work is to carry out a study to comprehensively research and evaluate effective and durable approaches to the repair/restoration of utility cuts in asphalt and Portland cement concrete pavements. The scope of research will not be limited to the United States; indeed, it is of interest to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to explore what other countries are doing in this subject area. This study will document, assess and determine the efficacy of repair/restoration of pavements in the context of cuts to access buried utilities or other subsurface facilities.  Particular emphasis will be placed on urban conditions where utility cuts occur frequently and the desire is to minimize their impact on both the highway agency infrastructure and the traveling public.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 29 Sep 2015 16:32:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1370732</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Electric Vehicles and their Impact on the Electric Power Delivery System</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1357369</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The overall goal of this project is to eliminate technical barriers to electrified transportation by developing empirically validated methods to quantify and mitigate the impacts of plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) charging on the electric power distribution infrastructure. This goal is divided into four objectives. The first two objectives are to develop data-calibrated methods to quantify the impact of PEV charging on the expected life of underground distribution cables and transformers in the low and medium voltage distribution systems. The third objective is to develop methods to mitigate potential damage to infrastructure by managing electric vehicle charging. The fourth objective is to integrate these components into a model of the total impact of high PEV penetration on the distribution infrastructure in a neighborhood. In order to perform the proposed calibration, the team will obtain data from a neighborhood distribution system in the Green Mountain Power territory which has existing Smart Grid infrastructure. These data will allow us to calibrate the transformer and cable models, which will be subsequently combined with existing work by the PIs to develop a tool for estimating the total impact of PEV charging on a given distribution system with known characteristics. This one-year project will lay the foundation for future work, which we expect to fund through externally funded research grants.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 12 Jun 2015 01:01:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1357369</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Requirements, Model and Prototype for a Multi-Utility Locational and Security Information Hub</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1354415</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Even if they are hosted in sophisticated Geographic information Systems (GIS) systems, the asset management systems maintained by various utilities are often plagued by information incompleteness and inaccuracy.  The locational information is often based on approximate design data that differ from actual "as-built" drawings that may not be even be held by such utilities owning and maintaining underground lifeline infrastructure systems (water, wastewater, electric/power, gas, stormwater, and communications networks). This project lays the foundation for building and exchange hub for locational and security data and risk assessment of potential excavation work.  It acts primarily at 2 stages: upstream of the mark-out process, as a decision to support tool to help streamline, improve and guide the mark-out to gain and preserve information gained from such field verified data, and added intelligence to each utility asset management system related to the potential proximity of other utilities, and possible criticality of proposed construction activity in a given site that puts at risk key assets.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 20 May 2015 01:01:07 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1354415</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Synthesis of Information Related to Transit Problems. Topic SG-13. Successful Practices for Utility Coordination in Transit Projects</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1335821</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Transit projects frequently involve designing and building infrastructure that affects other modes of transportation and all kinds of aerial and underground utility facilities that exist along those corridors. Two critical factors that contribute to inefficiencies in the management of utility issues are the lack of accurate, complete information about utility facilities that might be in conflict with the project and the resolution and overall management of those conflicts. Utility relocations are frequently cited as one of the top two reasons for delays in highway project development and construction, and many recent initiatives in this area have focused on how to address utility issues in highway projects more effectively. Very little has been documented regarding the use of successful practices to facilitate utility coordination in transit projects. The purpose of this synthesis project is to report on utility coordination practices at transit agencies around the country in order to identify their successful experiences. This synthesis will document, but not be limited to the following: (1) Phases of transit project development; (2) Data collection processes-who and how; (3) Identification and resolution of utility conflicts; (4) Utility/public or private and interagency coordination; (5) Staff professional capacity; and (6) Contractual practices-design/build, etc. This synthesis will explore these issues and document successful practice. A literature review, survey of selected transit agencies and/or other stakeholders, and detailed case examples/profiles will be accomplished to report on the state-of-practice, including innovations, lessons learned, challenges, and gaps in information.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 18 Dec 2014 01:00:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1335821</guid>
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