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    <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
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    <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>
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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>Comparative Assessment of AERMOD v24142 with MOVES 5.0: Source Type Performance and Dispersion Model Sensitivity</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2720326</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released AERMOD v24142, the latest iteration of its regulatory dispersion model, alongside their updated MOVES5.0 fuel consumption and exhaust rate model. In prior research conducted by this NCST team for FHWA (using MOVES 2014b and AERMOD v19191), significant discrepancies in predicted concentrations were identified across various source type configurations (specifically AREAPOLY, VOLUME, LINE, RLINE, and RLINEXT) under identical conditions. This previous study suggested that AERMOD effectively integrated three separate models, depending on the source type employed, with VOLUME sources notably underpredicting concentrations at low wind speeds compared to RLINE (impacted by the MEANDER settings). This project will re-assess the source type relationships using the updated modeling framework. The research team will utilize the MOVES-Matrix 5.0 and the Partnership for an Advanced Computing Environment (PACE) supercomputing clusters at Georgia Tech to process massive iterations of source-receptor pairs for the I-75/I-575 Northwest Corridor (NWC) case study. The primary objective is to assess if the algorithmic updates in AERMOD v24142 have harmonized the output differences between source types observed in previous versions. The project involves two primary thrusts: 1) A direct comparison of the new modeling results (MOVES5.0/AERMOD v24142) against the team’s prior baseline (MOVES 2014b/AERMOD v19191) to quantify how regulatory updates alter predicted concentration magnitudes and spatial patterns; and 2) a targeted sensitivity analysis using dense, 3-dimensional receptor grids. This condensed sensitivity task will validate vertical and horizontal dispersion profiles to ensure that specific source configurations (e.g., RLINEXT with noise barriers) properly reflect plume behavior near complex infrastructure.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 16:22:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2720326</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Risk Evaluation of Transportation Systems to Tornadoes to Facilitate SAFE Digital Twin Development</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2703879</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project will develop tornado hazard curves for tornado-prone regions. To achieve this, the tornado genesis model will be applied to generate a large number of tornado starting points. Then, the tornado track model will be applied to simulate track parameters (e.g., path width, length, heading direction and intensity). Next, for each tornado track, a wind field model will be established to obtain the information on the entire wind field, including wind velocity and pressure. For this, CFD simulations will be first applied to model a small number of tornadoes with representative flow structure and intensities; a surrogate model will then be developed using the multi-fidelity machine learning modeling technique, to replace the time-consuming CFD simulations. Finally, the generated data from the synthetic tornado tracks for a great number of years will be processed statistically to develop tornado hazard curves and tornado hazard maps for the states in Mainland America. The developed tornado hazard curves will help Department of Transportation properly assess the damage to vehicles on the road or in parking lots, informing stakeholders of preparation for future tornadoes. The developed curves can be integrated into catastrophe modeling to better estimate the risk of vehicles under tornadoes and thus better price the automobile insurance premium. In addition, these curves can improve the building codes related to a tornado-resistant design. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2026 17:13:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2703879</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Estimating Environmental Load Demands Considering Weather Extremes to Enhance Resiliency of Oklahoma Bridges</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2633314</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Bridges are critical components of transportation infrastructure facilitating uninterrupted flow of goods and services within communities. However, the growing frequency and intensity of natural hazards and extreme weather events are escalating the vulnerabilities of bridge infrastructure. In recent years, Oklahoma has faced an increasing frequency of extreme weather events, including tornadoes, rising temperatures, and flash floods. These threats pose significant challenges for bridge design and maintenance leading to safety and functionality concerns. Therefore, innovative strategies and solutions are needed to reduce the impact of changes in weather patterns and extreme events on bridge infrastructure. Enhancing resilience of bridge infrastructure requires the incorporation of weather factors into bridge design codes and standards. The proposed study plans to evaluate the effect of changes in weather patterns and extreme weather events on the environmental load demand related to temperature and wind speed for bridges in Oklahoma. The use of advanced climatic models to predict future changes in weather patterns and estimate environmental load demand will be explored. A risk analysis will be performed to assess the vulnerability of bridges to future predicted weather conditions. Recommendations for updating bridge design codes and standards to incorporate considerations of extreme weather events will be provided based on the findings of this study.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:20:21 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2633314</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Understanding Moving/Damage Mechanism of Vehicles under Tornadoes for Enhancing Vehicle/Driver Safety
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2627651</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Tornadoes have caused catastrophic damage to buildings and vehicles. Although considerable research has been conducted on the performance of buildings under tornadoes, the performance of motor vehicles (e.g., cars, pickups, vans, and box trucks) under tornadoes was rarely studied. Unfortunately, about 15% of tornado fatalities during 1975–1995 were attributed to the moving or damage of motor vehicles and about 9% during 1985-2015. To protect motor vehicles from being damaged by tornadoes and accordingly to reduce tornado fatalities, the objective of this project is to understand the moving/damage mechanism of motor vehicles (e.g., sliding, flipping and lofting) under tornadoes using systematic computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, which will be verified and validated by the PI’s large-scale laboratory tornado simulator. To achieve the stated research objective, three research tasks have been planned. The proposed research will answer the following five research questions. 1) What tornado intensity can cause a vehicle to slide, flip and loft, respectively? 2) What role does atmospheric pressure drop at tornado center play in initiating each vehicle motion? 3) What role does turbulence in tornadic wind field play in initiating each vehicle motion? 4) Does internal pressure inside a motor vehicle play any role in vehicle moving? and 5) What potential modifications can be made to motor vehicles in order to defer the initiating of each vehicle motion? The research findings can not only help regular vehicles in the parking lot or on the road experience less damage, but also can be integrated into autonomous vehicles for them to make informed decisions and then take proper actions to reduce the tornado-induced damage. In addition, research findings can be used to improve tornado safety recommendations for drivers on the road.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 21 Nov 2025 14:07:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2627651</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>An Innovative Technology To Prevent Wind-Induced Fatigue Cracks In The Astoria-Megler Bridge</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2594025</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Astoria-Megler has experienced fatigue cracks in many of the long vertical members of its truss. These cracks required expensive remediation. Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has unsuccessfully attempted to stiffen the structural members to prevent additional cracks from forming.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 28 Aug 2025 15:43:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2594025</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Durability and Effectiveness Analysis of Solar and Wind-Powered Cathodic Protection</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2381670</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The primary objective is to determine if renewable energy resources can be reliably used to provide cathodic protection to steel reinforced concrete structures.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 03 Jun 2024 14:28:46 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2381670</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Evaluation and Forecasting of Winter Road Conditions Associated with Blowing Snow for the Wyoming Highway System</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2055961</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This proposed study focuses on low visibility and slushy and icy surface conditions due to blowing snow.  Risk-based assessment of wind-related hazards will be implemented using snow transport modeling and wind and surface condition monitoring.  This project will leverage the existing wind monitoring system from the previous study for the vehicle blow-over risk estimation.  Winter road condition prediction coupled with weather prediction will provide early warning to travelers about upcoming winter road conditions to reduce traffic volume under adverse weather.  Thus, this study will help improve the efficiency of snow removal operations promoting earlier road reopening. The project will study select road sections on Interstate 80 between Laramie, Wyoming and Rawlins, WY.  The area around Arlington, WY will be selected as one of the key areas.  The known winter condition hotspot, Arlington, WY, will be selected as one of the areas.  Other road sections with and without snow fence coverages will be chosen based on the distance from the RWIS stations.  ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Nov 2022 14:21:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2055961</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Computational Fluid Dynamics Investigation of High Mast Illumination Poles: Influence of Light Fixtures</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2015220</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Kansas DOT has recently discovered numerous failures of galvanized high mast illumination pole (HMIP) structures along major highways, particularly in western areas of the state. The majority of the failures have been characterized by cracks at the handhole detail, near the pole base. Many of the failed poles were installed in the past 8-12 months, and thus the failures are deemed extremely premature. The severity and speed of the failures is alarming, especially considering that collapse of an in-service HMIP near major highways such as I-70 poses great risk to the traveling public.
Known failed structures have been removed from service, and KDOT is contracting with an outside party to perform holistic inspections of fatigue-sensitive details on poles across the state inventory to determine whether cracking exists in other HMIP structures. Additionally, a project is currently underway at the University of Kansas to characterize the failures and to determine fatigue implications of the current HMIP design and possible design modifications.
The failures appear to be at least in part caused by wind-induced fatigue loading, and a number of KDOT’s HMIPs have exhibited “locked in” resonant frequency responses, such that they experience very large cyclic deformations under wind loading (on the order of 5’ of deflection at the tip of a 100’-tall pole). KDOT engineers recorded videos of multiple HMIPs exhibiting locked-in resonant behavior in March 2019 during a windstorm. Finite element models performed as part of the KU research showed that this type of repeated large-deformation response has the potential to produce severe fatigue damage over a very short amount of time. Therefore, there is a clear need to develop an understanding of what conditions produce this behavior so that actions can be taken to keep it from occurring.
To develop a complete understanding of what conditions produce locked-in resonant responses, sophisticated aeroelastic analysis utilizing fluid-structure interaction (FSI) models are ultimately needed. FSI modeling can be used to explicitly capture the interaction between wind loading and dynamic structural behavior. However, FSI models are extremely resource-intensive, and they require careful development and tuning of variables beforehand. Before a FSI investigation can be responsibly performed, aerodynamic analysis based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling should be first completed, to ensure that the fluids component of the later FSI modeling is well-developed and valid. Additionally, the project team needs to be confident in our selection of variables to investigate in FSI models, and preliminary work is needed to determine whether variables such as HMIP luminaire type have a significant influence on the fluid dynamic response.
In CFD models, the geometry of a structure is modeled which remains fixed while a fluid (i.e., air) flows around the rigid structural components at specific velocities. As geometric parameters of the HMIP are varied across different CFD models (e.g., luminaire type), it will be apparent if these variables have an influence on airflow around the pole. This is a critical first step to establishing a set of meaningful variables to be investigated in later fluid-structure interaction models.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 30 Aug 2022 16:04:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2015220</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>A Dynamic Hurricane Risk Modeling Framework to Improve Bridge Safety under Changing Climate</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1945928</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Coastal regions have been experiencing more frequent and more intensive tropical cyclones (TC) due to climate change in recent years. In 2020, the tropical storms in the Atlantic Ocean made a number record in a season, with 30 named storms in total, 13 of which progressed into hurricanes. Global warming will continue and climate change will follow (USGCRP, 2018), leading to more severe winds and storms and threating the safety of bridges in coastal regions. In order for local governments to take pro-active adaptations and measures, it is essential to understand the local impact of global climate change. To address this, this project will develop a new, efficient hurricane wind model and then develop a new, dynamic hurricane risk modeling framework that can reflect climate change. This will inform decision-makers when they develop near-term measures and long-term plans for mitigation and adaptation to climate change. To achieve this research goal, the following two research tasks have been planned. First, by balancing the advantages and disadvantages of existing parametric TC models for engineering applications, this project will develop a high-fidelity, computationally efficient three-dimensional nonlinear TC model that can consider the varying land cover and terrains without too much simplification of the kinetic equations. Second, the developed hurricane wind model will be used to generate a great number of synthetic hurricanes to develop a hurricane risk model that can reflect the changing climate. The obtained results can be used to improve the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Bridge Design Specifications periodically to accommodate the future climate change, enhancing the resilience of bridges.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 30 Apr 2022 11:46:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1945928</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Wind Turbulence-Structure Interaction and Aeroelastic Instability for Long-Span Flexible Girder Systems</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1877211</link>
      <description><![CDATA[NOTE The project is combined with NCHRP 20-07/Task 325 Updating the AASHTO LRFD Wind Loads Provisions]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 08 Sep 2021 17:17:36 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1877211</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Understanding of Bridge Vulnerability to Climate Change Enables Pro-active Adaptation Measures</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1762378</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In the past few decades, climate change has been leading to more severe extreme weather (e.g., hurricanes and heat waves), quicker sea-level rise, and more frequent flooding in coastal regions. Bridges in coastal regions are vulnerable to hurricanes, sea-level rise, and flooding. To mitigate these threats, to increase the resilience of bridges, and to take pro-active adaptation measures, the overarching goal of this research project is to understand the vulnerability of highway bridges to climate change. This will inform decision-makers when they develop near-term measures and long-term plans for mitigation and adaptation to climate change. To achieve this research goal, the following three research tasks have been planned: (1) Investigate all actions of a hurricane on a highway bridge by including waves, winds and water in the computational domain through multi-phase multi-physics computational fluid dynamics
(CFD) simulations, with the consideration of wind-wave interaction; (2) Determining the failure modes of the bridge system by considering loading induced by all factors, including wind pressure from winds, wave surge from waves, and varying hydrostatic force from flooding; and (3) Model structural vulnerability of bridges with sufficient spatial and temporal resolution by considering future climate change. The obtained results can be used to improve the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) code periodically to accommodate the future climate change, enhancing the resilience of bridges.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 07 Jan 2021 13:44:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1762378</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Investigation of Wind Effects on Bridges Induced by Tornadoes for Tornado-Resistant Design – Phase II</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1685042</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Tornadoes have destroyed or severely damaged a number of bridges in the USA. Considering that tornadic wind loads have not been considered as a design load in the latest version (the 8th Edition, published in 2017) of the AASHTO Bridge Design Specifications, in Phase I of this project starting in January, 2019, the PI has been characterizing the wind effects induced by tornadoes on bridges that do not normally experience large deformation and vibration during strong winds. That is, the bridge can assumed to be rigid in the computational domain and the wind pressure on the bridge can be determined without the consideration of the wind-bridge interaction, which is suitable for short-span or middle-span bridges. This project (Phase II) is to characterize the wind effects induced by tornadoes on those bridges whose deformation and vibration are significant under strong winds. In this case, the wind-bridge interaction will be considered and two-way coupled simulations will be conducted. This is suitable for long-span bridges, such as cable-stayed bridges and suspension bridges. The obtained research findings will be used to modify the equations for calculating the design wind pressure on bridges, preventing bridges from being severely damaged or destroyed during future tornado incidents. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 21 Sep 2020 16:25:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1685042</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Initial Analytical Investigation of Cantilever and Butterfly Steel Overhead Sign Trusses with Respect to Remaining Fatigue Life</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1736392</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of this study is to evaluate an estimate of the remaining life in cantilever and butterfly steel overhead sign trusses based on American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) specifications and to develop automated C# software that performs the following:
(1) Utilizes the Kansas wind speed database established during the earlier project (KSU-17-4) by extending it to every county in the state of Kansas.
(2) Computes the equivalent static wind loading for the fatigue analysis based on the galloping-induced cyclic loads, natural wind gust pressure and truck-induced gust pressure.
(3) Develops an interface to model cantilever and butterfly sign trusses in STAAD Pro.
(4) Drives STAAD Pro to analyze the various types of overhead sign trusses and generates the stress ranges corresponding to every structural component.
(5) Evaluates the remaining fatigue life for each steel component based on the damage accumulation accounted for through ratios of actual to ultimate cycle repetitions (Minor rule).]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 01 Sep 2020 13:15:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1736392</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Structural Assessment of Maryland Sign Structures based on AASHTO LTS‐ 6 Strength and Fatigue Criteria</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1641761</link>
      <description><![CDATA[American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) has updated the wind loads, design categories and fatigue stress thresholds for sign structures based on the most recent wind load studies performed by American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) owns lots of sign structures which are designed based on the older AASHTO standards and most likely few of them won’t be able to resist against the new wind load categories even if maintenance wise they are kept in the best possible shape. To be proactive, it’s very important for SHA to know that under the new wind loads which type of structures are at risk, marginal or can stay in service. The purpose of this project is stated in the title to conduct structural assessment of Maryland sign structures based on AASHTO LTS‐ 6 strength and fatigue criteria.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 01 Aug 2019 09:37:07 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1641761</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Investigation of Wind Effects on Bridges Induced by Tornadoes for Tornado-Resistance Design – Phase I</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1582154</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The impact of tornadoes on civil structures is often devastating and results in loss of property, injury of human beings and/or loss of lives. In particular, thus far, 13 bridges have been destroyed or severely damaged by tornadoes in the USA. Even in the latest version (8th Edition, 2017) of the AASHTO Bridge Design Specifications, tornadic wind loads have not been considered as a design load. To prevent bridges from being severely damaged or destroyed during future tornado incidents, it is imperative to characterize the wind effects induced by tornadoes on bridges and determine the design tornadic wind loads for bridges. This project will characterize the wind effects of tornadoes on bridges using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, and modify the equations for calculating the design wind pressure on bridges. The obtained research findings will facilitate the tornado-resistance design of new bridges and the reinforcement of existing bridges to be tornado-resistant. This will eventually prevent bridges from failure during tornado incidents to enhance the safety of highway or railroad bridges.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 06 Feb 2019 18:00:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1582154</guid>
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