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    <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
    <link>https://rip.trb.org/</link>
    <atom:link href="https://rip.trb.org/Record/RSS?s=PHNlYXJjaD48cGFyYW1zPjxwYXJhbSBuYW1lPSJzdWJqZWN0aWQiIHZhbHVlPSIxNzcxIiAvPjxwYXJhbSBuYW1lPSJkYXRlaW4iIHZhbHVlPSI3MzAiIC8+PHBhcmFtIG5hbWU9InN1YmplY3Rsb2dpYyIgdmFsdWU9Im9yIiAvPjxwYXJhbSBuYW1lPSJ0ZXJtc2xvZ2ljIiB2YWx1ZT0ib3IiIC8+PHBhcmFtIG5hbWU9ImxvY2F0aW9uIiB2YWx1ZT0iMTYiIC8+PC9wYXJhbXM+PGZpbHRlcnMgLz48cmFuZ2VzIC8+PHNvcnRzPjxzb3J0IGZpZWxkPSJwdWJsaXNoZWQiIG9yZGVyPSJkZXNjIiAvPjwvc29ydHM+PHBlcnNpc3RzPjxwZXJzaXN0IG5hbWU9InJhbmdldHlwZSIgdmFsdWU9InB1Ymxpc2hlZGRhdGUiIC8+PC9wZXJzaXN0cz48L3NlYXJjaD4=" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
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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>
    <image>
      <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>Drone-in-a-Box: Enhancing Public Safety and Environmental Monitoring on Cape Cod</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2775052</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Cape Cod, a popular tourist destination, faces unique challenges due to its geographic isolation, seasonal population fluctuations, and increasing environmental concerns. This research proposes leveraging drone-in-a-box (DiB) technology, an autonomous drone system with automated launch, landing, and charging capabilities, to address these challenges. DiB systems offer persistent aerial surveillance and rapid response capabilities, making them ideal for various applications in remote and dynamic environments.

The research team for this project includes representatives from 
Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Aeronautics, MassAutonomy, and Endicott College.  Endicott College will identify appropriate team members based on the expertise needed for each aspect of the project.

This project is significantly strengthened by the collaboration and support of the Wellfleet Police and Fire Departments, who will provide valuable expertise, operational insights, and access to critical resources.

The objectives of this project are to: (1) Evaluate the technical feasibility of deploying DiB systems in the Cape Cod environment, considering factors such as weather conditions, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, and communication infrastructure.
(2) Assess the operational effectiveness of DiB systems in each use case, measuring improvements in traffic flow, emergency response times, and shark detection accuracy.
(3) Analyze the cost-benefit of DiB implementation compared to traditional methods. 
(4) Investigate public perception and acceptance of drone technology for public safety and environmental monitoring.
The project will yield data and associated reports detailing the effectiveness of the use of drone-in-a-box (DiB) technology, an autonomous drone system with automated launch, landing, and charging capabilities, to address these challenges.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 04 Sep 2026 14:40:10 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2775052</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Governance and Risk Management Framework for AI Adoption in Airport Operations</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772535</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Airports are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence (AI) across a wide range of operational and administrative functions, including baggage screening, biometric passenger processing, security threat detection, predictive maintenance, autonomous mobility devices, passenger-facing chatbots, and operations optimization. Although AI adoption continues to accelerate, airports lack a common governance structure to guide responsible implementation, define organizational roles and accountability, assess AI-related risks, and align AI deployment with existing regulatory obligations. These challenges extend beyond information technology and affect multiple airport functions, including operations, security, legal, workforce planning, airline relations, customer experience, and public trust. Small and medium commercial service airports face additional challenges because they often lack the staff and resources needed to develop governance structures independently.

This research will develop a practical governance and risk management framework for AI adoption in airport operations. The project will be conducted as a phased research effort, providing an expedited initial deliverable followed by completion of the full research project. The research will produce an enterprise governance model, an airport-specific AI risk assessment methodology, regulatory compliance guidance aligned with existing federal and international frameworks, a stakeholder accountability model, implementation toolkits scalable for airports of different sizes, and workforce guidance addressing AI implementation, retraining, human oversight, algorithm transparency, and public communication.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 08:41:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772535</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Update of ACRP Report 4: Ground Access to Airports by Public Transportation</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772536</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Airport operators continue to strengthen public transportation access for passengers and employees to enhance customer experience, support regional mobility goals, expand access to airport employment opportunities, reduce roadway congestion, and improve the environmental performance of the transportation system. The Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) has produced several reports documenting strategies for improving public transportation access to airports, including ACRP Report 4 and related Cooperative Research Program publications. Since these reports were published, the transportation landscape has evolved with the emergence of transportation network companies and shared micromobility services, advancements in autonomous vehicle technologies, expanded rail connections at many U.S. airports, and new approaches to data collection and analysis. In addition, current airport transit ridership and passenger and employee mode share data are needed to support benchmarking, planning, and decision-making. Research is needed to update the existing body of knowledge, document current practices and emerging approaches, and compile current airport transit ridership and passenger and employee mode share data. The objective of this research is to update the strategies and information contained in ACRP Report 4 and related Cooperative Research Program reports, with a focus on airport passenger and employee mode shares and bus and rail transit ridership. The research should document current transit strategies, practices, and lessons learned; examine relevant changes and emerging approaches in airport ground access; and compile and analyze current airport transit ridership and passenger and employee mode share data using current survey methods and other available data sources. The resulting guidance should address airports of varying sizes and operating environments and be designed for use by airport planners and operators, transit agencies, regional planners, and other stakeholders involved in improving public transportation access to airports.  ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 08:39:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772536</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Coordinating the Airport Workforce Across Multiple Employers</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772537</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Airport operators are increasingly held accountable for operational and customer service outcomes that depend on a workforce they do not directly employ. Passengers interact with employees from numerous organizations operating at an airport—including airport staff, airlines, concessionaires, contractors, ground handlers, TSA, and other federal agencies—while generally viewing the airport as a single entity. Although airports have limited direct authority over many of these employees, they are expected to provide a consistent customer experience and coordinate expectations, standards, training, and performance across this multi-employer environment.

The objective of this research is to develop practical, airport-controlled coordination mechanisms that help airport sponsors improve workforce outcomes without relying on policy changes or new technology. The research will develop governance and influence models, best practices and template language for workforce coordination agreements, and tools for aligning training, service standards, and performance expectations across multiple employers to support a consistent organizational culture across the airport community. The project will also produce an implementation toolkit with templates, playbooks, metrics, and case studies to help airports of varying sizes coordinate a fragmented workforce, including airports that have limited resources to support these efforts.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 08:36:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772537</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Data Center Impacts on Airports</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772539</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Airports are experiencing increasing electrical demand from airport electrification, artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled operations, and future electric aircraft while also facing growing interest in data center development on or near airport property. Data center development may affect airport electrical capacity, utility planning, land use, water use, environmental considerations, and airport operations as a result of cooling-system plumes. Airport operators are increasingly being asked to evaluate proposed data center developments but have limited guidance to help assess potential impacts or respond to developers and local governments. Existing research addresses some aspects of competing utility demands, but airports continue to seek practical information on the broader impacts of data centers.

The objective of this research is to develop planning frameworks and guidance that help airports understand and evaluate the impacts of data center development while coordinating with utilities, regulators, developers, and other stakeholders. The project will begin with a First Look to provide timely information for airport operators on issues that should be considered when evaluating proposed data center developments. Based on information gathered during the First Look process, the project will identify potential follow-on research needed to address technical issues associated with data centers and airport operations, including planning, utility coordination, operational impacts, potential mitigation measures, and legal considerations.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 08:32:33 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772539</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Safety Performance Indicators and Data Collection for Airports</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772540</link>
      <description><![CDATA[As airports continue implementing Safety Management Systems (SMS), one of the greatest challenges is establishing meaningful safety performance indicators and identifying the data needed to measure safety performance and assess the effectiveness of an SMS. While airports commonly measure safety using accident counts or rates, airport leaders also need proactive safety performance indicators, objective data collection methods, and approaches for monitoring safety trends. The research should also consider, where appropriate, the challenges associated with sharing safety information among airport stakeholders and how those challenges affect the use of safety performance data.  The objective of this research is to develop practical guidance on the methods airports and other industries use to measure, analyze, and communicate safety performance through safety performance indicators and to assess the effectiveness of an SMS. The research will examine the types of safety data collected by airports with mature SMS programs, identify the information systems and methodologies used to support safety performance analysis, and produce guidance on collecting airport safety data, analyzing safety trends, and communicating safety performance indicators to airport leadership. The final research product should include case studies illustrating how airports have applied safety performance indicators and conducted root cause analyses to provide practical examples for airports with limited internal expertise.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 08:28:46 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772540</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Cost Recovery for New Entrant Aircraft Technologies</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772541</link>
      <description><![CDATA[As new entrant aircraft technologies begin to emerge, airports face new questions regarding how to recover the costs associated with supporting these operations. Many airports currently recover a portion of their operating costs through fuel flowage fees, but alternative propulsion technologies, including electric, hydrogen, and hybrid aircraft, may require different cost recovery approaches. Airports also need to consider costs associated with infrastructure, charging or fueling systems, lease agreements, and other facilities and services needed to support these aircraft. Research is needed to identify practical and equitable approaches that airports can use to recover costs associated with supporting new entrant aircraft technologies as aircraft propulsion systems and related infrastructure needs evolve.

The objective of this research is to develop guidance on cost recovery approaches for new entrant aircraft technologies. The research should examine cost recovery mechanisms for alternative propulsion technologies, including electric, hydrogen, and hybrid aircraft, and address airport approaches to recovering costs associated with infrastructure, charging or fueling systems, lease agreements, facilities, and other services needed to support these aircraft. The resulting guidance should provide airports with practical approaches that can be adapted to different airport operating environments and emerging aircraft technologies.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 08:27:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772541</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Safety Investigations and Root Cause Analysis at Airports</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772542</link>
      <description><![CDATA[When accidents or incidents occur on the airside or landside of an airport, investigations are typically conducted by airport law enforcement or fire department personnel. Studies supporting previous ACRP research and airport Safety Management System (SMS) gap analyses have found that while investigations generally document the events leading to an incident and its outcomes, they often do not collect the information needed to identify root causes and the human factors contributing to the event. Many airports, particularly those with limited staff and resources, lack practical guidance for conducting effective safety investigations and root cause analyses.

The objective of this research is to develop a guidebook for airport operators that outlines the elements and procedures for conducting effective safety investigations and root cause analyses. The research will provide airport leadership with the knowledge and tools needed to investigate safety incidents, identify hazards, determine root causes and human factors, and improve airport safety management. The guidebook will draw upon investigation practices used by organizations such as the NTSB, FAA, law enforcement, the military safety centers, and airports with mature Safety Management Systems, while providing a methodology that airports with limited staff can implement. The research should complement existing Safety Management System guidance and build upon previous work in that area rather than duplicate it.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 08:25:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772542</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>AI-Enabled Airport Capital Program Delivery</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772543</link>
      <description><![CDATA[U.S. airports are undertaking increasingly complex capital programs that require the coordinated delivery of multiple interdependent projects while maintaining continuous airport operations. These programs often face challenges related to fragmented systems, manual and document-driven processes, coordination across multiple stakeholders, and limited integration of cost, schedule, documentation, and operational information. Although artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to improve efficiency and decision-making, airports currently lack practical, implementation-ready guidance for applying AI across the full capital program delivery lifecycle, including planning, design, construction, and integration with ongoing airport operations.

The objective of this research is to develop practical, implementation-focused guidance for applying AI to airport capital program delivery. The research will produce frameworks, use cases, and implementation pathways to help airports improve coordination, project documentation, and integrated decision-making across capital programs while supporting scalable, vendor-neutral AI adoption within existing program information management and digital delivery systems. Research products may include an AI implementation guidebook, program-level coordination and document management frameworks, scenario-based implementation playbooks, an AI use case library, and guidance for transitioning AI applications from pilot projects to broader capital program implementation. The research should also address quality assurance considerations associated with AI-generated information.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 17:24:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772543</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Guide for Establishing Project Management Offices at Airports</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772545</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Airports are managing increasingly complex and capital-intensive portfolios of projects that span airside, terminal, landside, technology, sustainability, and regulatory initiatives. These programs often involve multiple funding sources, extensive stakeholder coordination, and significant operational constraints. While many airports are exploring the use of Project Management Offices (PMOs) to improve project delivery, there is limited airport-specific guidance on when a PMO is an effective strategy, what functions it should perform, how it should be structured, or how its costs and benefits should be evaluated. As a result, airports lack practical information to help determine whether a PMO is appropriate for their organization and how it can best support project governance and delivery.

The objective of this research is to develop a practical guide to help airports evaluate the value of establishing a Project Management Office. The guide will provide direction on PMO structures, roles, costs, and benefits, and help airports determine when a PMO is appropriate based on airport size, governance, geography, and mission. It will include a decision framework, implementation guidance, cost-benefit considerations, and tools to support executive decision-making. The guidance should be applicable across airports of different sizes, as well as address differences between airside and landside capital programs and the relationship between project management offices and project delivery methods.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 17:16:55 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772545</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Airport Electrification Readiness Planning</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772547</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Airports are preparing for increasing electrification needs driven by Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), electric vehicles, electric ground support equipment, charging infrastructure, and other evolving airport operations. Airports of all sizes face challenges related to electrical capacity, utility coordination, grid constraints, and planning phased infrastructure investments, while guidance on airport electrification planning remains limited. Airport sponsors currently lack practical guidance for assessing electrical readiness, coordinating with utilities, and integrating electrification planning into broader airport utility planning processes. Research is needed to address these gaps and provide airport-focused approaches for planning phased electrification infrastructure investments while complementing related federal research efforts and preventing duplication.

The objective of this research is to develop practical, airport-focused planning guidance that enables airport sponsors to assess, plan, and phase electrification infrastructure to support Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operations within a broader airport electrification framework. Research should develop scalable planning frameworks, readiness assessment tools, decision-support guidance, utility coordination templates, phased investment strategies, and other planning resources that enable airports to align electrification investments with utility constraints, infrastructure capacity, projected operational demand, and long-term airport utility planning across a range of airport types. The guidance should support the airport electrification master plans that incorporate AAM as one element of a comprehensive airport utility planning approach.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 16:55:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772547</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Fatigue Management for Airport Ground Operations</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772548</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Fatigue management is well established for flight crews but has received considerably less attention for airport ground personnel working in safety-critical environments. Airport employees and personnel working for airport stakeholders often work long shifts at irregular hours, perform physically and mentally demanding work, operate heavy equipment around aircraft, and respond to extended operational events, including winter operations that require varying shiftwork schedules for snow removal and other critical airfield activities. Research is needed to better understand how fatigue affects human performance, decision-making, and safety across airport ground operations, including the effects of shift duration and scheduling practices during prolonged operational events.

The objective of this research is to develop a guidebook for airports on the impacts, risks, and effective mitigation strategies for addressing cognitive fatigue in airport ground operations. The research will examine the root causes of fatigue, its effects on human performance, and approaches for managing fatigue risk, including techniques and technologies used in aviation and other transportation industries. The project will evaluate fatigue management practices, shift scheduling approaches, and winter operations; identify practical approaches for recognizing, assessing, monitoring, and managing fatigue risk; and provide guidance that airport operators can use to improve safety among airport personnel and employees of airport stakeholders whose performance affects airport operations.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 16:51:18 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772548</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>ACRP Insight Event: General Aviation Financial Sustainability</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772549</link>
      <description><![CDATA[General aviation (GA) airports continue to face challenges in achieving long-term financial sustainability while addressing infrastructure, operational, and facility needs. Although recent federal funding has provided significant investment in airports, many projects important to GA airports are not eligible for Airport Improvement Program funding, and smaller airports often rely on fuel flowage fees, hangar rents, land leases, and limited local government support. Financial sustainability remains a key issue as airports explore current and future revenue opportunities, funding strategies, and partnerships.  The objective of this project is to conduct up to three regional ACRP Insight Event workshops that bring together airport practitioners, stakeholders, and subject matter experts to explore and evaluate current and potential financial models and revenue strategies for general aviation airports. The workshops will address topics identified by the project panel, promote regional participation beyond a single meeting in Washington, D.C., and identify future research needs and problem statements for committee consideration. The project will produce a Transportation Insights publication, a post-event technical report, and at least two problem statements for potential future ACRP research.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 16:48:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772549</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Managing PFAS-Impacted Construction Materials at Airports</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772550</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Airports across the United States are increasingly encountering per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during construction projects, including in soils, concrete and asphalt pavements, building materials, stormwater, and groundwater. Construction activities such as airfield rehabilitation, terminal modernization, utility work, and other infrastructure projects create challenges related to material handling, reuse, disposal, regulatory compliance, and cost control. Although guidance on PFAS characterization continues to expand, airport owners and contractors lack practical, airport-specific guidance for managing PFAS-impacted materials during construction. As disposal options become more limited and regulatory requirements continue to evolve, airports face increasing costs, schedule delays, and uncertainty in managing construction-phase materials.

The objective of this research is to develop airport-specific guidance and practical tools for managing PFAS-impacted materials during construction projects. The research will synthesize construction-phase materials management practices used at airports and other infrastructure programs and develop a framework that links PFAS data quality, construction methods, and material handling options. The project will produce practitioner-ready resources, including materials management plan templates, decision flowcharts, handling guidance for different material types, and other implementation tools that airports can incorporate into construction planning, specifications, and contractor requirements to support consistent decision-making during airport capital improvement projects. The research will build on existing ACRP guidance by focusing specifically on construction-phase implementation rather than site investigation or PFAS characterization.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 16:45:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772550</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Best Practices for Airport Administrative Cost Allocation</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772551</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Airport managers operating within larger governmental organizations often face challenges in documenting and reviewing administrative costs charged by parent organizations or other governmental entities. These costs may include legal services, procurement, human resources, finance, and other shared services. Airports organized under authorities, municipalities, counties, and other governmental structures also encounter challenges in allocating direct and indirect costs, documenting cost allocation practices, supporting cost recovery, auditing administrative charges, and understanding airport revenue diversion considerations. Research is needed to identify and document effective practices for allocating, reviewing, and supporting administrative costs and shared-service charges across different airport governance structures.

The objective of this research is to develop a guidebook describing industry practices for airport administrative cost allocation. The research should address direct and indirect charges, methods for allocating administrative and shared-service costs, auditing of shared services, documentation supporting cost recovery, and relevant airport revenue diversion considerations. The research should also include examples of current airport practices, where appropriate, to provide airport managers with a practical resource for discussing administrative charges and cost allocation methodologies with governing organizations.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 16:40:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772551</guid>
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