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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>Developing a Framework for Defining Quality and Constructability of Transportation Projects</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2440042</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Changing demographics in Vermont is resulting in an aging contractor workforce and difficulties attracting new employees into the construction trades. Project plan content and the quality processes at the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) have not changed significantly since the construction of the Interstate. And in that time, much has changed with materials, construction equipment, and technology in the transportation industry. VTrans is experiencing less competition when bidding projects with corresponding price increases that appear to outpace inflation. Currently there is no formal process to engage the contracting community to get feedback on plan content, project risk and quality. This research would develop a framework for VTrans to implement to engage the contracting community to improve partnering and for feedback to VTrans (Structures Program) to better define risk, quality, and constructability.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 10 Oct 2024 13:53:42 GMT</pubDate>
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      <title>Recovery Rides - Access to Substance Abuse Treatment and Employment</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2071572</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Vermont Agency of Transportation will receive funding to address identified gaps in service and barriers to transportation by providing alternative transportation services increase access to substance abuse treatment and employment as a new program called Recovery Rides.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2022 14:20:08 GMT</pubDate>
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      <title>Hydraulic Inspection Vehicle Explorer (HIVE) Culvert Upgrade</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1663537</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Currently VTrans owns 47,873 small culverts. The failure of culverts can lead to roadway closures and severe traffic disturbances. Therefore, performing accurate and timely culvert inspection is critical for asset management. Commercial video inspection equipment is costly and not suitable for large numbers of culvert inspections. In 2018, VTrans asset management team designed and built a Hydraulic Inspection Vehicle Explorer (HIVE) based on a Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) design [Griffin 2019, Coughlin 2016]. In this project, the research team proposes to collaborate with VTrans engineers to design a HIVE V2.0 robot to improve its sensing performance and functionality. Specifically, the team will focus on several aspects: (1) Improving the wireless communication reliability. To extend the communication distance, the team proposes to add repeater devices in the system that can serve as the relay between HIVE and the external operator. (2) Mechanical design to improve HIVE moving capabilities. Techniques under considerations: a) To design continuous track or large wheels to improve the barrier passing capability; b) To design small boat as the carrier for carrying HIVE in water pipes. (3) Considering attaching light weight wire, i.e. fishing line to HIVE. If HIVE gets stuck, the team may be able to drag it out. Whereas the team also needs to consider the design carefully so that the wire will not get stuck. (4) To explore HIVE 2.0 for inspecting pipes in closed system (between DIs). The mechanical structure will be designed so that the robot can be lowered and retrieved, and communication can be maintained between the robot and the operator.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 04 Nov 2019 10:19:43 GMT</pubDate>
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