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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=PHNlYXJjaD48cGFyYW1zPjxwYXJhbSBuYW1lPSJzdWJqZWN0aWQiIHZhbHVlPSIxNzgzIiAvPjxwYXJhbSBuYW1lPSJkYXRlaW4iIHZhbHVlPSI3MzAiIC8+PHBhcmFtIG5hbWU9InN1YmplY3Rsb2dpYyIgdmFsdWU9Im9yIiAvPjxwYXJhbSBuYW1lPSJ0ZXJtc2xvZ2ljIiB2YWx1ZT0ib3IiIC8+PHBhcmFtIG5hbWU9ImxvY2F0aW9uIiB2YWx1ZT0iMTYiIC8+PC9wYXJhbXM+PGZpbHRlcnMgLz48cmFuZ2VzIC8+PHNvcnRzPjxzb3J0IGZpZWxkPSJwdWJsaXNoZWQiIG9yZGVyPSJkZXNjIiAvPjwvc29ydHM+PHBlcnNpc3RzPjxwZXJzaXN0IG5hbWU9InJhbmdldHlwZSIgdmFsdWU9InB1Ymxpc2hlZGRhdGUiIC8+PC9wZXJzaXN0cz48L3NlYXJjaD4=" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
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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>
    <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>Anchorage Design and Detailing for Fabric-Reinforced Cementitious Matrix Retrofits of Transportation Concrete Structures</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2691724</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The repair and rehabilitation of transportation structures is urgently needed to restore structural capacity, slow deterioration caused by aging, overloading, and environmental stressors, and minimize disruptions associated with large-scale replacement projects. State DOTs and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) have implemented several advanced rehabilitation techniques, including fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites, ultra-high-performance concrete, and fiber-reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) systems. FRCM consists of an open-grid textile made of FRP or steel strands embedded within an inorganic cementitious matrix. The system offers multiple advantages over traditional FRP, including mechanical compatibility with concrete and masonry substrates, improved fire and elevated-temperature performance, vapor permeability, durability in moist or cold environments, and ease of application in field conditions.

As an externally bonded strengthening system, the performance of FRCM is governed by the ability of the FRCM–substrate interface to maintain composite action and to transfer forces effectively. Premature interfacial slip, end debonding, or localized interface damage are commonly reported for unanchored FRCM systems. These brittle failure modes often occur at loads far below the tensile capacity of the textile, limiting the effectiveness of the strengthening system to 30–60% of its potential and undermining both safety and return on investment. Introducing anchorage mechanisms into FRCM systems provides an engineered means to restrain interfacial slip, delay debonding, promote more favorable failure modes, and enable the textile to mobilize higher tensile strains. However, the existing literature on FRCM anchorage is sparse, fragmented, and lacking in unified, design-oriented guidance. Quantitative provisions addressing anchor geometry, capacity, and interaction with the primary FRCM reinforcement remain absent from current codes and standards.

The primary objective of this research is to advance the understanding, design, and implementation of anchorage systems for FRCM-strengthened concrete members, with the goal of mitigating premature debonding and achieving ductile, and efficient strengthening outcomes. Specifically, the project aims to: (a) synthesize and critically evaluate the current state of knowledge on FRCM anchorage; (b) develop and experimentally validate practical anchorage systems including transverse wraps, mechanical anchors, and spike anchors; and (c) produce a design-oriented framework for selecting, proportioning, and detailing anchorage systems.

Two coordinated experimental programs are proposed: (1) bond-level tests to characterize the effects of anchorage presence and type on joint force transfer, slip response, and failure mechanisms; and (2) flexural tests on reinforced concrete beams strengthened with anchored and unanchored FRCM reinforcement, to evaluate the translation of bond-level behavior to member-level performance and to verify design expressions under combined shear and normal stresses. The proposed research will equip state DOTs with validated anchorage solutions, support cost-effective preservation strategies, and accelerate the adoption of durable composite materials for extending the service life of transportation infrastructure.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:52:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2691724</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Optimizing External Human-Machine Interfaces (eHMIs) Designs in Autonomous Vehicles to Improve Communication with Drivers and Bicyclists</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2691668</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) will transform road safety and efficiency in the years to come, but achieving this requires large-scale deployment, trust, and understanding from all human road users, including drivers and bicyclists. External Human-Machine Interfaces (eHMIs) are becoming a crucial part of the process, enabling intuitive communication between AVs and other road users. This project aims to develop, assess, and optimize the concept of eHMIs to foster positive perceptions, build trust, and ensure safe interactions in mixed traffic scenarios. This study will involve a test of about 40 participants who will interact with AVs fitted with various eHMI prototypes under controlled conditions using driving and bicycle simulators. Behavioral metrics like the perception-reaction time (PRT), the perceived level of comfort, and the perceived level of trust, as well as transportation metrics like travel time, intersection clearance time, and near-miss incidents, will be assessed for different designs for the eHMI, including visual-based (LED Displays, Symbolic Messages, Color-coded Signals, Animated Indicators, etc.) and multimodal designs. Longitudinal experiments will measure the impact of acclimatization and determine the best eHMI setups, followed by field tests under realistic conditions for verification. User-focused optimization tools will also be designed to adapt enhanced eHMI setups to various demands and scenarios. Expected outcomes will include best-in-class eHMI designs for increased road safety, operational efficiency, and user confidence, providing valuable guidance for city planners, policymakers, and AV manufacturers.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:39:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2691668</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Naïve Subject Testing – Suite Emergency Passage Features</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2686617</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Applicants for type design approval are working to support their airline customers by installing passenger suites that include doors between the passenger and exit.  To install these doors, an exemption to 25.813(e) is required in which one of the conditions of the exemption is that the applicant must show the emergency passage feature (EPF) is simple and obvious to open.  Applicants achieve this showing by completing a naïve subject test.  The test method currently being used combines test parameters from the naïve subject test for evacuation specified in Part 25 Appendix J, the naïve subject test for life vest donning specified in TSO-C13, and the naïve subject test for floor proximity markings outlined in AC 25.812-1 and AC 25.812-2a.  The test method has several variables involved that are debated amongst regulators and applicants on how they should be controlled.  As a result, the test is run inconsistently, and variations in how the test is performed has led to an unlevel playing field amongst applicants, delays in certification testing by seat suppliers, and conflicting design approvals.   ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:17:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2686617</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Assessing the Impacts of Safety-Focused Design Interventions on Arterial Roadways</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2677552</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Arterial roadways serve as critical connectors in urban transportation networks, yet their design often prioritizes vehicular mobility over safety. Despite the widespread application of safety-focused infrastructure interventions on local and collector streets, similar strategies are rarely implemented on arterials due to concerns over congestion, emergency response, and operational efficiency. However, these design choices have proven to result in unsafe conditions.

This project investigates how infrastructure design interventions can improve safety on arterial roadways while addressing operational and institutional constraints. The research follows a phased approach. First, it examines the historical, regulatory, and policy factors that have limited the adoption of safety-focused interventions on arterials, including the influence of fire codes and emergency response standards. Second, it assesses the real-world impacts of infrastructure changes on speeds, crashes, and emergency response metrics. Finally, it synthesizes findings to develop actionable recommendations and a decision-making framework for arterial design.

By providing an evidence-based understanding of how design choices affect safety, mobility, and community outcomes on arterial corridors, this study aims to inform infrastructure design practices.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 03 Mar 2026 20:07:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2677552</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Finding the Bed Shear Stress Using the Logarithmic Law at Channel Roughness Transitions</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2672767</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Flow through transition of bed roughness occurs in many situations in highway transportation including culverts, bridge abutments, and roadways in the floodplain, where the bed materials can change abruptly from one type to another. A sudden change in bed roughness also occurs frequently in the laboratory when soil erosion and scour is studied using a sediment recess in an open-channel flume. In all the above, the bed shear stress is a fundamental flow parameter that must be determined accurately.

A research project is proposed to investigate the use of logarithmic law (log law) for finding bed shear stress near a sudden change in bed roughness. Velocity field measurements will be obtained using a Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) system. The measured data will be used to determine the distribution of bed shear stress by control volume analysis using the linear momentum equation to determine whether the log law can be applied to a developing boundary layer downstream of a bed roughness transition and develop procedures to reduce the measurement uncertainty of the method.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 23 Feb 2026 13:58:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2672767</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Pavement Surface Properties Consortium Phase IV - Improving Safety and Saving Lives through Pavement Surface Optimization</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2672598</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Functional pavement considerations are fundamental to the performance and management of pavements. In addition to structural and durability requirements, an optimum pavement wearing surface should provide a combination of a good riding quality, adequate safety, and a low noise level. All these responses are highly influenced by the various components of the pavement surface texture. Previous phases of the program demonstrated that a collaborative research program can provide an accessible and efficient way for highway agencies and other organizations to conduct research on pavement surface properties. The collaboration helped the participating agencies explore new technologies, verify the operation and accuracy of the equipment currently used for evaluating pavement surface properties, and enhance the methodologies for developing and implementing proactive friction management programs.
OBJECTIVE: The mission of the Surface Properties Consortium has been to conduct applied research focused on enhancing the level of service provided by the roadway transportation system by optimizing pavement surface characteristics.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 19 Feb 2026 18:59:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2672598</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Field Friction Testing</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2672003</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The primary goal of this project is to perform comprehensive field friction testing on various Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA) surfaces with polymer-modified asphalt binders (i.e, “H” and “V” binders) across the entire state. Conducting these tests in real-world conditions is crucial for identifying potential safety concerns related to skid resistance. Previous year friction testing conducted on certain SMA surfaces within the SE region using the “V” binder indicated that these surfaces exhibited notably lower skid resistance values compared to other SMA surfaces after few years of construction. Building on these findings, this project intends to carry out an additional round of field friction measurements targeting those same SMA surfaces in the SE region, while also expanding the scope of testing to include more SMA sections throughout the state. The data collected from this expanded field testing will be instrumental in determining whether the relatively low friction numbers are attributable to the specific type of binder used, the aggregate materials involved, or a combination of both factors. Furthermore, to gain a broader understanding of the current skid resistance condition of the state’s pavement infrastructure, several additional pavement sites will be evaluated as part of this study. This holistic approach aims to provide actionable insights that can guide improvements in pavement design and material selection to enhance overall road safety and durability.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2026 14:27:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2672003</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Hydraulic Conductivity of Base Course Material, Pavement Drainage, and Relation to Pavement Buckling</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2671989</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This research project aims to study the effects of excessive moisture in base courses, focusing on the potential contributions of base course drain ability and water retention to pavement buckling and investigate adjustments to base course gradations and drainage details and strategies to improve drain ability, control sensitivity to moisture changes, and reduce buckling potential while maintaining adequate pavement support. The proposed project will include sampling and testing of base courses around the state to characterize the index properties, hydraulic conductivity, water retention curves, drainage properties, and resilient modulus. Base course samples from pavement buckling occurrences will also be collected to assess if commonalities exist in the base courses where pavement buckling occurs. Current pavement drainage strategies employed in Wisconsin will also be reviewed. Base course gradations, water retention properties, and pavement drainage strategies of surrounding states will also be reviewed. The culmination of reviewing current 
Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) base course gradations and drainage details and those of surrounding states will be the development of updated base course gradations and drainage strategies to improve moisture management while maintaining adequate pavement support.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2026 11:35:36 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2671989</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Evaluating Water-Cementitious Material Ratio as Acceptance Parameter for Freshly Placed Concrete</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2671983</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Thanks to the importance of water-cementitious materials ratio (w/cm) to concrete mixture design and performance, measuring w/cm could potentially be a valuable alternative to using strength testing as an acceptance parameter for concrete. However, few agencies measure or verify w/cm in concrete in-place, despite the fact that water content can vary from the design target value due to factors such as variability in aggregate moisture contents and concrete batching processes, and it is not uncommon for w/cm values reported on batch tickets to differ from the actual w/cm of concrete delivered to a project site (Robertson, et al., 2022). Petrographers can estimate w/cm from hardened concrete cores or samples within a range of values (e.g., +/- 0.05), but there is no generally accepted standard procedure for determining w/cm of hardened concrete (ASTM 2020).]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2026 11:20:18 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2671983</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Evaluation of Ride Quality and Tining/Finishing Practices for Concrete Pavements</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2671982</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Many state departments of transportation (DOTs), including Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), use the International Roughness Index (IRI) to assess ride quality. The researchers shall review WisDOT’s incentives and disincentives for IRI Ride and compare them to practices with neighboring states. This study will guide the incorporation of ride quality considerations into Wisconsin’s Facility Development Manual (FDM), ensuring that the design process accounts for the elements necessary to produce good ride quality. These elements include traffic staging, lane width consistency, the need for tining or turf drag, and the handling of horizontal/vertical curves. The FDM should also include guidance on integrating ProVAL software into the design stage to predict achievable ride quality before construction begins.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2026 11:18:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2671982</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Evaluation of Hamburg Wheel Tracking Test (HWTT) for Rutting Resistance Assessment</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2671980</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The primary objectives of this project are to determine if the Hamburg Wheel Tracking Test (HWTT) test accurately represents rutting and stripping behaviors of fine-graded asphalt pavement design mixtures, and make appropriate adjustments to the HWTT criteria and/or propose and develop a representative rutting test that allows Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) to retain the benefits of fine-graded mixes while supporting the state’s goal of fully implementing balanced mix design concepts. WisDOT expects to use the results and recommendations of this research study to support the acceptance of performance-based asphalt pavement designs. Practical candidate test procedures must also be considered for production. WisDOT has conducted significant external and internal research efforts in the past several years toward the implementation of Balanced Mix Design (BMD) to improve the performance of asphalt mixtures in Wisconsin. Based on experience, WisDOT has observed a tendency of the HWTT to rank fine-graded mixtures as having more rutting potential than coarse-graded mixtures. This tendency is noticeable even when rutting in the field is not a primary concern regarding the performance of fine-graded mixtures. A reliable BMD performance test is expected to be sensitive to changes in mixture components, but it also should have a good correlation with the field performance. Because the current rutting performance of fine-graded mixtures in Wisconsin is satisfactory, WisDOT does not want to implement the BMD approach using the HWTT as a rutting performance indicator if the test is going to lead mixture designers to develop coarser gradation mixture designs. It is, therefore, critical for WisDOT to investigate what factors drive HWTT results and understand how BMD specifications could be written to allow for finer mixtures while properly representing their field performance.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2026 11:14:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2671980</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Investigation of Reflective Cracking in Wisconsin</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2671979</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This research aims to determine mixture performance and mix design requirements that increase the resistance of asphalt overlays to reflective cracking in Wisconsin. Recommendations must not sacrifice other critical performance or constructability attributes, such as rutting resistance and smoothness. Research efforts should focus on mill and overlay and overlay over existing Portland Cement Concrete design scenarios. Summarize existing mix design and performance requirements for asphalt overlays used by local and State Agencies in regions with similar climatic and aggregate resources as Wisconsin. Identify and recommend process-driven methods and technologies that show promise in reducing reflective cracking in Wisconsin. Using existing Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) mixtures as a benchmark, modify or supplement the existing WisDOT balanced mix design (BMD) special provision focusing on BMD “Approach C” for mixtures designated for asphalt overlays. Researchers will summarize relevant local and State practices concerning asphalt overlays and reflective cracking resistance, focusing on regions with similar climate, traffic, and aggregate resources as Wisconsin. Identify potential process-driven methods and technologies to improve reflective cracking resistance for recommendation as future WisDOT research. Using the existing WisDOT BMD special provision as guidance, researchers will preferentially modify or supplement the provision using BMD “Approach C” to reduce the reflective cracking of asphalt overlays. Develop recommendations and requirements to validate the BMD framework developed in prior tasks. Recommendations should consider a minimum number of projects, mix design designations (such as traffic level), project scope and size, and requirements for mixture sampling and data acquisition, among other variables.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2026 11:13:16 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2671979</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Design and Testing of High-Load Multi-Rotational Disc Bearings for Bridges



</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2669883</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The American Association of Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) LRFD Bridge Design Specifications (BDS) currently contain limited design criteria for disc bearings. The BDS requirements are predominately based on NCHRP Project 10-20A, “High-Load, Multi-Rotational Bearings: Design, Materials, and Construction” initiated in 1986 and published in 1999 as NCHRP Report 432: High-Load Multi-Rotational Bridge Bearings.  At the time, only one company manufactured disc bearings and testing samples of their product were limited.  Since 1999, multiple companies manufacture disc bearings and industry standards have progressed. 

Due to the limited research, bridge designers are reliant on disc bearing manufacturers’ unique in-house designs, which introduces uncertainties that may result in nonuniform reliability and performance. Renewed consideration of high-load multi-rotational (HMLR) disc bearings would likely result in a more thorough and robust design approach. Research is needed to update the current practice for the design, fabrication, and construction of disc bearings.

The objective of this research is to develop design procedures and acceptance testing methods and criteria for HLMR disc bearings for highway bridges. It shall be applicable to all design limit states.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 16 Feb 2026 18:46:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2669883</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Novel Surge Barriers for Coastal Protection</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2665445</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Surge barriers are large hydraulic structures designed to protect vulnerable infrastructure from coastal storm surges and high tides. Preventing surges from moving into bays and estuaries minimizes the need for other expensive elements of a flood control system, such as levees and floodwalls. Surge barriers can provide cost-effective protection critical transportation infrastructure, such as ports, roads, and bridges. Conventional surge barriers comprise a fixed structure with movable vertically or horizontally opening gates that can be closed during extreme storms and tidal events. Disadvantages of fixed barriers include high cost, sensitivity to waste and silt, vulnerability to blockage by debris, constraints to marine traffic, and environmental impacts. Temporary surge barriers can avoid these disadvantages. This research evaluates three novel temporary barrier concepts: flexible membrane barriers, sinkable floating barriers, and shade curtain barriers. Flexible membrane barriers are self-deploying and permanently located on shore. Buried when not deployed, they rise with rising water due to their buoyancy. Sinkable floating barriers rest on the seabed when not deployed and, when needed, are raised to the surface by pumping air into a tube. Shade curtains are fabric barriers attached to an existing bridge. When not deployed, it is secured to the underside of the bridge deck. In advance of a surge, the fabric curtain is lowered using a sinker-cable system to provide a vertical barrier extending from the bridge deck to the seabed. Hydraulic loads are transmitted from the barrier to the bridge and its foundations, which must be capable of resisting the added loads. This project addresses three key issues related to temporary surge barrier deployment: site and environmental conditions for which temporary surge barriers are appropriate, hydraulic loading on the barriers, and structural/geotechnical design considerations for the barriers.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 04 Feb 2026 15:18:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2665445</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Demonstration Projects for Engineering the Foundation Layers for Long-Life Pavement Systems</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2663575</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Main study objectives include: (1) Provide technical support to SHAs for building long-life pavement systems pilot projects using optimized pavement and foundation design solutions that achieve the design assumptions for the foundation materials, including developing a Quality Assurance Program (QA) that addressed field performance verification measurements during construction. Technical support elements include: a. Determine, on statewide basis (representative materials), if the design values are being achieved using spot plate load tests. The test results will be used to populate a database for each SHA with results of what is being achieved for various foundation materials with current specifications compared to design assumptions. This data is strategic in understanding where there is opportunity to significantly improve pavement performance and optimize designs. b. Determine, at project level, if the construction quality verification is delivering design modulus and verify with 100% mapping. c. Establish a process for QA in compliance with 23 CFR Part 637, Subpart B (Quality Assurance Procedures for Construction) and provide technical assistance to SHA. d. Develop draft specifications that incentivize quality the foundation layers. (2) Develop the methodology for a modern pavement foundation design.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 02 Feb 2026 19:14:27 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2663575</guid>
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