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    <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
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    <atom:link href="https://rip.trb.org/Record/RSS?s=PHNlYXJjaD48cGFyYW1zPjxwYXJhbSBuYW1lPSJzdWJqZWN0aWQiIHZhbHVlPSIxNzkxIiAvPjxwYXJhbSBuYW1lPSJkYXRlaW4iIHZhbHVlPSI3MzAiIC8+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>
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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>Evaluation of Cement-Based Pavement Markings</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2689760</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Pavement markings provide continuous safety information to roadway users related to the roadway alignment, vehicle positioning, and other important driving-related tasks. During nighttime hours on many roadways, pavement markings are the only roadway asset to guide and regulate traffic, and their visibility becomes even more critical during nighttime wet conditions. Additionally, today pavement markings must be visible not only to human drivers but also to the machine vision technology of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) common in many vehicles.
For these reasons, it is important that pavement markings are performing well and are both durable and retroreflective (provide nighttime visibility) to aid with safe roadway navigation. However, there are many factors that can affect pavement marking performance, such as the environment, traffic, and winter maintenance practices. The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) experiences significant challenges with all of these factors. Vermont’s climate, which has low winter temperatures and harsh freeze-thaw cycles, places considerable strain on a pavement marking material’s capacity to remain bonded to the pavement surface. The repeated freeze-thaw cycles have caused marking materials to crack or peel. The tire abrasion from high traffic volumes, especially heavy truck traffic, accelerates wear on pavement markings, and winter maintenance practices, particularly in northern states like Vermont, significantly impact the longevity and effectiveness of pavement markings. The frequent mechanical abrasion from snowplows accelerates marking degradation, and deicing agents cause chemical degradation such as fading, stripping, and surface damage.
Besides the potential safety risks to roadway travelers, there are other consequences for rapidly deteriorating pavement markings. The financial costs to VTrans for frequently replacing markings can be significant. Costs include not only the material, equipment, and labor for installation, but also the administrative costs for programming and managing striping contracts, as well as indirect economic costs for disruption to traffic. The traffic disruption can also have a negative impact on the traveling public, such as traffic congestion, delays, and driver frustration.
However, a relatively new pavement marking material, a polymer modified cement pavement marking called Enduramark, has a high potential for being more durable than most other marking materials. The cement-based marking has performed well for over three years in heavy snowplow environments. With a longer service life, it also has the potential for having a highly competitive annualized cost. The purpose of this study is to conduct a measured evaluation of the Enduramark’s performance on VTrans roadways, determine an estimated service life, and from the service life calculate the material’s annualized cost. The study will support the Agency’s Strategic Plan Goal 2: Grow Vermont’s economy by providing a safe, reliable, and efficient transportation system in a state of good repair.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:40:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2689760</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>In-Situ Monitoring of Concrete Early Age Strength Development Through Acoustic Resonance Technologies</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2689759</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In this project, a novel acoustic resonance technology for in-situ monitoring of the early age strength development of concrete and cementitious mixes will be investigated. This technology leverages the fundamental principle that the mechanical properties of a material, including stiffness and strength, are intrinsically linked to its acoustic response. By continuously measuring changes in acoustic resonance frequencies as concrete cures and gains strength, this approach offers a direct, real-time, and non-destructive method to assess in-situ strength development without the need for destructive coring or reliance on proxy specimens. Unlike traditional strength evaluation methods, which require extensive laboratory processing, this technique enables on-site deployment, allowing engineers and contractors to make immediate, data-driven decisions regarding construction sequencing, formwork removal, and traffic opening times. The project will focus on optimizing the acoustic resonance technique for field applications by integrating laboratory investigations, field tests, and data analytics. Experimental studies will be conducted to establish correlations between resonance frequency shifts and conventional strength metrics for various cementitious mixes, including rapid-setting and high-performance concrete used in critical infrastructure projects. By offering a practical and real-time alternative to conventional methods, this technology has the potential to improve project scheduling, reduce costs, and ensure safer, more durable concrete structures with minimal disruption to transportation networks. Ultimately, the success of this project will provide a transformative solution that enhances the speed, reliability, and efficiency of strength monitoring and promotes the implementation of in-situ concrete strength monitoring technology by validating the accuracy of the testing data, understanding the influence of external conditions on the performance, and developing implementation details with practical recommendations for future applications in transportation infrastructure projects.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:37:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2689759</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Statistical Evaluation of Illinois Modified AASHTO T161 Freeze–Thaw Testing Following Laboratory Relocation</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2686616</link>
      <description><![CDATA[A critical way to build high-performing pavements and bridges is to evaluate a mixture’s freeze-thaw performance in the lab to ensure it meets performance parameters. The aim of this project is to calibrate and validate new equipment for freeze-thaw testing at the Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT's) Central Bureau of Materials. Researchers will test aggregate samples using IDOT’s new and existing freeze-thaw equipment, ensuring the new equipment produces consistent and replicable results. They will also create calibration guidelines that will help to establish a repeatable framework when replacing future freeze-thaw testing equipment.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 01 Apr 2026 09:41:33 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2686616</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>National Road Research Alliance (Phase-3)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2678150</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This solicitation is for the continuation of the National Road Research Alliance (NRRA) for another 5 years and to continue to support Veda development to increase efficiency and effectiveness of both efforts. The NRRA exists to strategically implement cooperative pavement research. State agencies, industry, academia, consultants and associations work together to identify problems, complete research projects and implement results. The goal is to help agencies nationwide achieve consistent benefits from real world road research. It also seeks to provide members a forum to discuss issues and an outdoor, real-world laboratory (MnROAD) for evaluating cutting-edge pavement technologies.  The NRRA consists of five project teams: Flexible, Rigid, Geotechnical, Intelligent Construction Technologies, and Preventive Maintenance and is governed by an Executive Committee made up of two representatives from each government agency participating in the study.   Each team activities include prioritization of short and long-term research, development of long-term research test sections at MnROAD and providing input for technology transfer.  


]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 06 Mar 2026 13:10:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2678150</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Modernization and Web-Based Implementation of the Illinois Pavement Feedback System</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2677555</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project will modernize the Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT's) Illinois Pavement Feedback System, a pavement management system that contains detailed construction history, performance data and traffic data of the Illinois interstate system. Researchers will transition the database from a mainframe-based system into a secure, web-based pavement data management and analysis platform. Transitioning to a web-based platform will provide IDOT with an easy way to access the data, monitor interstate sections, and make informed maintenance and rehabilitation decisions. The system will also have a detailed dataset on Illinois’ interstate system available to researchers.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 09:22:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2677555</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ladle Furnace Slag Properties When Blended with Dolomitic Underutilized Quarry Materials</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2677554</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Dolomite, a mineral commonly found in Illinois quarries, may be used to improve the durability and stability of road foundations when stabilized with other materials. This project explores the use of ladle furnace slag, a material formed when making steel, as a way to reduce cement content in dolomitic materials while maintaining performance. Researchers aim to optimize the ratio of cement content, ladle furnace slag and fine-grained dolomite to create more durable road foundations. Effectively determining the ratio will help to reduce the cost of cement within dolomitic materials as well as open a market for underutilized quarry materials.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 09:16:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2677554</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Cone Penetration Test Correlations for Missouri Soils </title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2673279</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of this research is to provide MoDOT with Missouri-specific guidance on the use of cone penetration test (CPT) measurements to estimate geotechnical parameters. This work will focus on two areas: (1) Development of Missouri-specific correlations to estimate undrained strengths of Missouri clays from CPT measurements. and (2) Investigation of inconsistencies between standard penetration test (SPT) and CPT derived values for granular soils in Missouri.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 24 Feb 2026 15:30:33 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2673279</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>MIT-Dowel-Scan Pilot Implementation </title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2673060</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The purpose of this pilot project is to evaluate and implement the use of the MIT-DOWEL-SCAN system to accurately assess dowel bar alignment in Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) concrete pavement projects. The selected researcher will utilize the Improve I-70 Design-Build expansion project as a testbed to develop a proof of concept and establish project requirements. The I-70 Design-Build teams will provide reasonable assistance with testing activities. The researcher must coordinate closely with the contractor’s schedule to ensure timely and non-disruptive testing. Researchers must follow all MoDOT safety procedures and well as any specific safety procedures or requirements of the responsible construction contractor.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 24 Feb 2026 15:05:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2673060</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>Use of FTIR Analysis to Verify Chemical Composition of Asphalt Binder</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2672002</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The primary objective of this project is to evaluate the chemical composition of modified binder and emulsion samples submitted by suppliers to the central office. This will be achieved through FTIR spectroscopy, a widely recognized analytical method in the asphalt industry. FTIR spectroscopy utilizes mid-infrared energy to analyze molecular structures and compositions by measuring the absorption of specific infrared light frequencies, offering a unique molecular fingerprint for identification and analysis. As the asphalt industry continues to evolve, suppliers are increasingly adopting advanced polymer additives to enhance binder formulations. It is essential for the state to verify the components used in these binder mixes to ensure quality and compliance.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2026 14:25:03 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2672002</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Quantitative Evaluation of Select Materials in Subgrade Alternatives</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2671990</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has had a statewide policy in place for approximately 20 years where a select materials layer should be included beneath the pavement section in areas deemed difficult for subgrade construction. These areas are well-distributed throughout the state and notably include subgrades comprising silty soils, silty clay soils, soft clay soils, soils with high organic content, and other soils with a history of problems for construction. The WisDOT Facilities Development Manual (FDM) identifies and maps areas where problematic subgrade soils predominate in the form of Standard Inclusion Areas and warrant the design and application of a select materials layer. Ten select materials alternatives are provided in the FDM 11-5 and are assumed to provide an equivalent level of subgrade improvement. While the FDM provides 10 “equivalent” options, there is uncertainty regarding the true equivalency of each alternative. There is an urgent need to systematically and quantitatively evaluate the equivalency of alternative materials and options to address this limitation. Doing so will (1) provide cost savings by mitigating expenses and limited availability of select materials in many locations of the state, (2) provide designers with the confidence that alternatives will effectively perform, (3) reduce energy consumption and transportation emissions (e.g., long hauling distances) by more frequent use of locally sourced materials, and (4) foster sustainable development with beneficial use of alternatives including industrial by-products and recycled materials.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2026 11:37:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2671990</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>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>
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