<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=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" 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>Evaluation of Expanded Uses of Residential Driveway Temporary Signals (RDTS): Turn Lane Volumes and Storage</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2712243</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Traffic management for work zones in rural two-lane two-way highways can be challenging as these segments often intersect with low volume side streets and access points. Residential Driveway Temporary Signal devices (RDTS) (formerly Driveway Assistance Device (DAD)) have provided a solution to improve mobility for traffic entering a one-lane, two-way work zone. These devices have been implemented for several years under experimental evaluations by numerous state and local agencies across the United States. In January 2025, the optional use of RDTS was approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under Interim Approval (IA) 23. However, whereas prior experimental use of the DAD allowed the device to be deployed at minor cross-streets and commercial driveways, IA-23 only allows for the RDTS to be used at residential driveways. To that end, this proposed research project will assess the operational effects of RDTS when used at non-residential access points to develop guidance that will inform future policy-making related to the device. The proposed project objectives build upon the work already performed with RDTS/DAD and other temporary work zone signal systems by considering their use at uncontrolled rural low-volume side streets and access points. Of particular interest is the ability of RDTSs to handle traffic on low volume side streets and access points with a focus on turning volumes related specifically to the designed turn lane storage capacity (i.e., the amount of left and right turn storage). The results will include implementation guidance that will delineate appropriate usage cases of the RDTS, including appropriate mainline and access point exiting volumes based on storage capacity of the turn lane(s) departing the access point. Guidance related to future Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) language will also be provided where applicable and appropriate.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 09 Jun 2026 12:32:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2712243</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>AI-Assisted System for Automated Work Zone Monitoring</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2640702</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project aims to develop and pilot an artificial intelligence (AI) assisted work zone monitoring system to help reduce inspection workloads, provide timely alerts for any deviations, and maintain a verifiable historical compliance record. By leveraging multi-camera dashboard camera data, such a system will also enable the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) to address high-risk zones more quickly, reduce crash risks, and strengthen its ability to respond to post-project inquiries.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2025 11:24:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2640702</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>An AI-based Oversize Vehicle Warning System in Smart Work Zone
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2627406</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Lane closures, when required during road repair and maintenance, can cause traffic congestion in adjacent open lanes. It is problematic when oversized vehicles are present, as they can create safety risks for workers and other drivers in work zones. The existing technologies in this regard are customized only for overheight vehicle detection and ignore the horizontal span of the vehicles. Therefore, those solutions cannot be extended directly to address the problem at hand. Additionally, the existing methods rely on expensive sensors such as LiDars and radars for automated vehicle detection. Exorbitant costs restrict the large-scale use of those devices. As a more economical solution, this study will leverage inexpensive Ref Green Blue-Depth (RGB-D) sensors for accurate learning-based vehicle size estimation. To address this issue, this project aims to develop an intelligent early warning system that uses low-cost 3D sensing cameras and artificial intelligence (AI)-based detection algorithms. The system will estimate the size of approaching vehicles and issue a real-time warning to any vehicle that is too large for the open lanes. This will help prevent potential accidents and encourage these vehicles to take alternate routes or slow down to ensure everyone's safety.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 20 Nov 2025 16:26:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2627406</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Develop Guidance for Enhancing Work Zone Safety in the Construction of Innovative Intersections</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2614517</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Innovative intersections, also referred to as alternative or unconventional intersections, are essential for enhancing traffic flow and safety. In Texas, there has been a significant increase in the construction of innovative intersection designs such as diverging diamond interchanges (DDIs), median U-turns (MUTs), and reduced conflict intersections (RCIs). However, they present notable challenges during construction. A primary concern associated with implementing these designs is maintaining traffic flow during construction to minimize disruptions and ensure safety. The geometric configurations of these intersections introduce complexities that are not addressed by previous guidelines, posing safety risks for motorists and workers. The absence of standardized specifications for work staging and risk mitigation strategies in work zones exacerbates these issues. Using a mixed-method approach, the research team will identify safety risks intrinsic to the construction of innovative intersections and temporary traffic control (TTC) measures that can eliminate or reduce these risks. The research team will develop comprehensive guidance for developing and implementing TTC strategies for innovative intersections. The documentation and evaluation of these strategies will establish a comprehensive framework for safely and effectively implementing innovative intersection designs in Texas, catering to the specific needs of drivers, including seniors and teenagers.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 28 Oct 2025 12:08:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2614517</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Effectiveness and Benefits of Connected Work Zones
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2603850</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Many Infrastructure Owner Operators (IOOs) have begun to adopt technologies to broadcast near real-time information about the location and state of work zones and maintenance activities within their jurisdictions. While these technologies have seen continued improvement in the information that they are sharing, it is unknown how that information is able to be translated into motorist safety and internal benefits for the deploying agency. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and DriveOhio are interested in gaining additional data showing actual safety improvement numbers related to the deployment of these technologies and measurable statistics that define the internal benefits to the agency and their relation to the agencies list of Event Streaming Platform use cases. 

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this research is to provide data and associated recommendations relating to the deployment of connected work zone technologies within the state. This research will benefit ODOT by determining the benefits, both internal and external, that connected work zone technologies enable for the safety and efficiency of roadside workers and the motoring public. Thie results of this project will help inform the direction that ODOT will take in the area of connected work zones in the future. 
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 25 Sep 2025 11:24:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2603850</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Implementation Requirements for Work Zone Intrusion Technologies to Reduce Fatalities</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2596487</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The latest information published by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) on fatal crashes shows alarming trends. In 2022, there were 605 fatalities, in 2021, 599, and in 2020, 460. These values represent three consecutive years of ODOT’s highest recorded values, as reported over a 10 year period (Oregon DOT Crash Analysis Unit, 2020). Across the United States, roadway workers on foot being struck by vehicles (both construction equipment and travellng public) was the most prevalent cause of highway worker fatalities (2017-2019) and accounted for 53% of worker fatalities in 2020 (American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), 2022). Preventing intrusions, and protecting workers, is a high priority for both ODOT and contractors. ODOT has an immediate need to address this safety aspect, as identified by near misses in the month of February 2023 from Administrator Lynde’s recent all-ODOT email (Lynde, 2023). This research will focus on work zone intrusion technologies, which may also have application in other areas of roadway safety.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 08 Sep 2025 11:58:54 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2596487</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Traffic Control for Work Zones in Alternative Intersections</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2593855</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of this research project is to develop enhanced guidelines to help transportation practitioners develop temporary traffic control plans for highway construction projects with alternative intersections. Attainment of the project objective will help to fill gaps in existing knowledge and provide transportation practitioners with tools to help improve mobility and safety in work zones on highway construction projects with alternative intersections. The research approach will include a literature review and the gathering of information from various states regarding their best practices for implementing works zones on projects with alternative intersections.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 27 Aug 2025 16:13:15 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2593855</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Evaluating Speed Reduction Techniques in Construction Zones to Improve Safety</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2582451</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of the proposed research study is to determine the effectiveness of traditional and innovative speed reduction techniques in construction work zones in Georgia]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 30 Jul 2025 13:13:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2582451</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>AI-driven Intruder Vehicle Detection and Alert System for Highway Work Zone Safety</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2582447</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project is to develop and deliver an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered vision-based intrusion detection system that not only detects unauthorized vehicles but also optimizes alert mechanisms to protect both workers and drivers in real-time.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 30 Jul 2025 13:01:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2582447</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Work Zone Safety and Mobility Process Review</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2560885</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is reviewing work zone safety and mobility procedures to ensure
compliance with 23 CFR 630, which requires each state to perform a review at least every two years. The project
will assess ITD’s current Work Zone Safety and Mobility Program, identify areas for enhancement to meet federal
regulations, and gather input from Headquarters and District personnel on current practices, functions, and
processes. The review may also include evaluation of statewide work zone data and selected projects, with
participation from ITD staff, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) representatives, and other stakeholders. The
results will inform updates to policies, procedures, and training programs to strengthen work zone safety and
mobility and support ITD’s long-term safety goals.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 03 Jun 2025 13:23:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2560885</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Develop Work Zone Training Video for Law Enforcement</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2505746</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project will develop a work zone training video script focused on law enforcement officers who interact with work zones. The support, input, and content development from 
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will be essential for successfully completing this effort. NCDOT is currently compiling research on existing training related to this topic, including sources such as ATSSA, Federal Highway Administration, etc. and will share this information with ITRE to use for the development of the training that will improve safety for law enforcement in work zones. Law enforcement officers are commonly in work zones to respond to an incident, conduct targeted enforcement, provide traffic management support through a contract with a construction project, or flagging at a signalized intersection. This training will target the most common and active work zone involvement which is when law enforcement officers are contracted to support a construction project and as a secondary focus, for flagging activities. Essential content will include requirements for work zones and best practices for safe operations in work zones. This research will culminate in two deliverables: (1) a pre/post survey to evaluate the outcomes of the training and (2) a 10 to 15 minute script (for production by NCDOT Communications).]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 04 Feb 2025 08:58:46 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2505746</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>RES2023-24: Informed Safety, Mobility and Driver Comfort Enhancement Practices for Work Zones</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2480317</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This study leverages high-fidelity observational data to analyze driver behavior and vehicle dynamics within work zones (WZs) on Tennessee’s interstate highways, aiming to evaluate critical aspects of safety, mobility, and driver comfort. Data were collected over several months from global positioning system (GPS), IMU sensors, and video recordings on commercial  vehicles traveling through two active WZs on I-40 near Jackson, Tennessee. By using precise, sensor-based measurements of speed, acceleration, heading, and lane position, this research offers a detailed, real-time perspective on how WZ conditions influence driver behavior. The observational data reveal distinct patterns, such as increased speed variability and frequency of lane changes within WZs, which are indicative of driver discomfort and potential evasive actions. The analysis also shows that specific WZ configurations, including barrier placement and lane narrowing, impact driver response differently across locations, underscoring the importance of tailored Temporary Traffic Control (TTC) strategies. This study suggests that by leveraging high-fidelity data, traffic 
management can adopt more adaptive measures—such as dynamic speed feedback and improved visual guidance—to enhance safety and driving experience in WZs. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of driver-vehicle interaction under varying WZ conditions, offering valuable insights for future WZ design and management.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jan 2025 12:03:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2480317</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Study the Effectiveness of ODOT’s Initiatives in Construction Work Zone Safety</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2480322</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Work zone safety is a critical concern for transportation agencies, as work zones present numerous hazards such as narrowed lanes, lane shifts, and the presence of construction equipment. Speeding in construction work zones can lead to crashes that result in both fatalities and injuries for construction workers and drivers. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) has implemented various initiatives, including variable speed limits, Smart Work Zones, and the "Operation Hard Hat" program, to enhance work zone safety. However, the effectiveness of these initiatives and the factors influencing drivers’ compliance with speed limits in work zones require further investigation. This research project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of ODOT's current initiatives in promoting safe work zones and to identify the key factors that affect drivers' compliance with speed limits within these zones. The project will also address inconsistencies in how speed limits are applied across different districts and contractors, to develop clear, consistent guidance and policy to improve work zone safety statewide.
The research will be carried out through the following tasks: 1) Conduct a kickoff meeting with the ODOT traffic division to gain a deeper understanding of the agency’s current practices and identify the agency’s additional needs; 2) Conduct a comprehensive literature review focusing on best practices and existing research related to work zone safety and driver speed compliance; 3) Administer surveys to a variety sample of drivers to gather insights into their perceptions and experiences with traffic control devices in work zones; 4) Collect data related to different initiatives from ODOT, including traffic data, crash reports, and work zone characteristics; 5) Perform data analysis to identifying leading factors affecting drivers’ speed compliance and effectiveness of various initiatives in promoting work zone safety; and 6) Prepare a final report and provide recommended best practices in work zone safety. 

The impacts of this research are expected to be significant. By identifying effective strategies to improve driver compliance with speed limits and by standardizing speed limit applications across the state, this project will contribute to the creation of safer work zones on Oklahoma highways. Safer work zones will reduce the likelihood of accidents, injuries, and fatalities, leading to lower economic and social costs associated with work zone incidents. Additionally, improved safety will enhance worker morale and productivity, minimize traffic congestion, and reduce travel time and fuel consumption for drivers. Ultimately, this research will support ODOT in completing construction projects on time and within budget, with fewer disruptions and delays caused by accidents.

]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 01 Jan 2025 13:28:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2480322</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Digital Twins of Work Zones: Integrating Multi-Simulators to Quantify the Impact of Work Zones and Their Features on Traffic Congestion</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2459053</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Digital twins and micro-traffic simulations offers insights into work zone design, traffic control measures, infrastructure planning, vehicle communication, route choice, and emissions modeling. Elevating this integration with human factors analysis allows for realistic evaluation of scenarios that are risky and costly to test in real-world settings.

The proposed project intends to develop a virtual ecosystem with diverse agents, including vehicles, pedestrians, workers, and agents with disabilities, ultimately enhancing congestion reduction strategies and advancing simulation-driven planning. Starting with micro-traffic and virtual reality environments, the project will establish metrics for simulators, expand data sources, and develop a flexible framework for integrated digital twins providing transportation planners with powerful tools to analyze and optimize traffic scenarios, particularly in work zones. The insights gained from this research will inform the design of more resilient transportation systems capable of adapting to evolving urban landscapes and mitigating congestion through data-driven strategies and innovative technologies.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 21 Nov 2024 16:44:34 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2459053</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Smart Work Zone Deployment Initiative (2025-2029)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2437939</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Midwest Smart Work Zone Deployment Initiative (MwSWZDI) was initiated in 1999 as a Pooled Fund Study intended to coordinate and promote research related to safety and mobility in highway work zones. The Iowa Department of Transportation (IowaDOT) has been the lead state since 2004. The program is an ongoing cooperative effort between State Departments of Transportation, universities, and industry. Commercial products are provided by private vendors for evaluation, although this is not the only focus of contracted projects. State DOTs provide funds, prioritize products with respect to the anticipated benefits to their construction and maintenance activities, and cooperate with researchers to identify test sites and conduct the evaluations. Each year, the Board of Directors (BOD, a.k.a. Technical Advisory Committee, TAC) collect and/or create problem need statements. Subsequent requests for proposals are developed and distributed to potential researchers at research institutions in contributing states. Partner state departments of transportation ()DOTs review, discuss and rank the proposals. 

OBJECTIVES: This program represents an on-going effort among cooperating states’ DOTs, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), universities, and industry to evaluate new products and conduct related research focused on the enhancement of safety and mobility in highway work zones. Over 100 studies and evaluations have been completed since the inception of the SWZDI.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 08 Oct 2024 15:33:07 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2437939</guid>
    </item>
  </channel>
</rss>