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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=PHNlYXJjaD48cGFyYW1zPjxwYXJhbSBuYW1lPSJzdWJqZWN0aWQiIHZhbHVlPSIxODA2IiAvPjxwYXJhbSBuYW1lPSJkYXRlaW4iIHZhbHVlPSI3MzAiIC8+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>Influence of Traffic Noise and Light on Wildlife Movement Near Highways</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2691660</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Traffic results in noise and light propagated from roadways into surrounding landscapes, including human and natural communities. A previous National Center for Sustainable Transportation (NCST) project has supported the development of multi-scale (local to state) models of traffic illumination and noise extending from highways. These traffic-effect areas may be habitat for a wide range of species, including wildlife attempting to cross highways via existing culverts and bridges, or purpose-built wildlife crossings. With previous NCST research using camera traps, researchers found that coyote and mule deer have varying behavioral responses to traffic noise at wildlife crossings. This project extends both the noise and light modeling and the previous investigations of wildlife crossings to include more species (mountain lion, mule deer, and Peninsular bighorn sheep) and many more highways and regions. The research team will statistically model the effect of traffic noise and light from traffic on occurrence of these 3 species and movements of global positioning system (GPS)-collared individuals as they approach highways. This information is critical in informing and making more effective the massive investments that local, state, and federal governments are making in wildlife crossings and fencing to improve driver and wildlife safety. In other words, knowing the traffic effects on wildlife as they approach highways will allow mitigation of those effects using design and construction of the crossings, such as barriers and berms. Because wildlife crossings are the primary investments transportation agencies make to reduce wildlife impacts and increase driver safety, understanding wildlife ability to get to these crossings and use them is critical to the effectiveness of the investment and the role the investment plats in environmental sustainability.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:12:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2691660</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Improved VDOT Bioretention Media Specification</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2672501</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) uses bioretention as a stormwater control measure (SCM); however, the most recent special provision for VDOT bioretention soil media requires that testing the media’s infiltration rate use a unique mesocosm test method, outlined in VTM-134 (VDOT, 2025), which presents five challenges.  These are (1) inconsistency in how the media is placed and ultimately compacted in the test apparatus and therefore potential variability in the test results; (2) lack of labs willing to run the mesocosm test (only one in Virginia does this); (3) large amount of media required (40 5-gallon buckets of media and related materials); (4) lack of information proving this test is needed to procure successful bioretention soil media; and (5) a cost of $6,000 to run one test.  Due to these challenges, few media providers both try to meet the requirements and then succeed in doing so, which ultimately increases the overall project costs when bioretention is selected as the SCM.  A unique aspect of testing a media’s infiltration rate using the mesocosm test is consideration of how both de-icing salts and wet and dry cycles (to mimic rainfall patterns) impact a media’s infiltration rate. These unique aspects of the mesocosm test appear to be why it’s included in the current special provision. This study will recommend a specification for VDOT bioretention soil media that addresses the five challenges of the mesocosm test method to determine the media’s infiltration rate based on laboratory testing.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 19 Feb 2026 10:50:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2672501</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Data-driven assessment of rigid pavement vulnerability in Texas coastal regions</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2663108</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This research aims to evaluate the vulnerability of rigid pavements in two major coastal districts of Texas (i.e., Beaumont and Houston) spanning about 900 miles using data-driven approaches. Particularly, the study will (1) identify the key factors contributing to rigid pavement distress under dynamic coastal weather conditions, and (2) develop data-driven strategies to enhance the durability and performance of these pavement networks. Multi-source datasets, such as weather, geotechnical, traffic, coastal proximity, and pavement conditions, will be collected and integrated to support this analysis. Weather data, including temperature and precipitation, will be obtained from national and global databases such as NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) and NASA Earthdata/GES DISC. Soil classification and geotechnical attributes will be sourced from the NRCS SSURGO (Soil Survey Geographic Database), while coastal proximity data will be derived from Google Earth. Traffic volumes and loading data will be gathered from TxDOT’s Statewide Traffic Analysis and Reporting System (STARS II). Pavement condition metrics, including distress quantity, distress score, condition score, and ride quality, will be extracted from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)’s Pavement Management Information System (PMIS) and supplemented with satellite imagery. By integrating these datasets, the project will perform statistical and spatial analyses to establish correlations between weather variables, geotechnical conditions, traffic patterns, and pavement performance indicators.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 29 Jan 2026 19:58:17 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2663108</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Use of “Plazrok” Aggregate to Produce Durable Grade 3.0 and 4.0 Concrete</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2652729</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The rising demands for high-quality aggregates, alongside efforts to reduce the environmental impact of mining, have encouraged using recycled material as aggregate in concrete. Over the decades, plastic production has surged, yet only 25% of used plastics have been recycled or incinerated (US EPA 2023). Numerous studies investigating the strength development and modulus of elasticity of concrete containing plastic waste as an aggregate have reported reduced strength and stiffness with increasing replacement levels. Despite this reduction in strength compared to traditional mixes, Kansas State University developed mixtures containing Plazrok, a commercially available extruded product containing fly ash, waste plastics, and glass, that achieved sufficient strength (5264 psi) to be classified as grade 4.0 concrete.
The increasing replacement of mined aggregate with Plazrok was found to have a greater impact on the compressive strength than the modulus of rupture and tensile strength. Furthermore, structural testing of a 10-inch by 6-inch by 12-foot beam demonstrated that a beam containing Plazrok (at 30% replacement level) performed similarly to other lightly reinforced normal-weight concrete members. Moisture corrections (to account for the wash water of the concrete truck drum) were not applied during this preliminary investigation, therefore, the reported mechanical properties may be an underestimation. Another issue identified during this preliminary study was the potential for Plazrok to float to the top of the forms, but no segregation was observed in hardened concrete samples.
Building on these experiences, the primary goal of this study is to develop grade 3.0 and 4.0 concrete with maximum possible Plazrok content. Environmental Produce Declarations (EPDs) for successful mixture designs will be produced to help demonstrate the environmental impact of such concretes. Segregation will be monitored as it is a known possible issue and, if observed, will be controlled by modifying the viscosity of the paste and/or increasing the fine/coarse aggregate ratio for the concrete mixture.
Another focus area will be studying the freeze-thaw durability of Plazrok concrete. Since Plazrok particles have low absorption and stiffness, and the concrete containing Plazrok retained tensile strength (compared to the control), it could be hypothesized to have satisfactory freeze-thaw durability provided the paste is protected with adequate air content. If deemed freeze-thaw durable, concrete containing Plazrok could be suitable for outdoor applications like sidewalks, provided they meet the strength requirement for grade 4.0 concrete.
Since aggregates impact the stress-strain behavior of concrete, this project will also document elastic properties for plazrok concrete. Furthermore, impact on other mechanical, durability, and fresh properties such as modulus of rupture, shrinkage, permeability, slump, etc. will also be recorded.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 13 Jan 2026 16:28:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2652729</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Digital Twin Modeling of NOx Formation from Transient Vehicle Operations in Hilly Terrains</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2652170</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Paseo del Norte region is recognized for its high ozone (O3) concentrations, which are largely attributed to photochemical reactions between nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds from transportation sources. This issue is particularly acute in the border city, where heavy traffic flows between the sister cities of El Paso, USA, and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, significantly impact air quality. Additionally, the Paseo del Norte region is characterized by its hilly terrain, which can cause the transient operation of automobile engines with excessive NOx formation. The proposed project aims to quantify the contribution of transportation NOx from automobile transient operations in hilly terrains through collaborative research between mechanical and civil engineers. First, the NOx flow rate will be measured from on-road testing of diesel vehicles at varying traffic conditions near El Paso, Texas, while transferring the acquired data to the cloud in real time. Second, the collected data will be used to construct the digital twin model incorporating the engine simulation and NOx reaction kinetics. Lastly, the digital twin will be utilized to quantify the contribution of transient NOx at varying traffic scenarios. A thorough understanding of the NOx formation mechanism will enable policymakers to optimize transportation systems and mitigate excessive sources of NOx in urban areas. Additionally, the digital twin facilitates the evaluation of transportation NOx from neighboring regions, including Ciudad Juárez in Mexico, based on minimal traffic information. The interdisciplinary nature of the proposed study will foster future workforces in the transportation sector with unique capabilities. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 13 Jan 2026 16:14:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2652170</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Evaluating the Cumulative Impact of Environmental Conditions on Stress Levels in Micromobility Users: An AI-Driven Multimodal Approach</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2652172</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Micromobility solutions, such as e-scooters and bicycles, are increasingly utilized in urban transportation, providing flexible and sustainable mobility options. However, micromobility users face significant exposure to environmental stressors, including air pollutants emitted by motorized traffic. While prior studies have explored the physiological effects of transportation emissions, the psychological impacts, particularly stress, remain underexplored. This study aims to bridge this gap by developing an AI-driven predictive model that evaluates the cumulative impact of transportation-related air pollutants on stress levels in micromobility users. By integrating wearable sensor data (e.g., electrodermal activity, heart rate variability, and skin temperature), air pollutant concentration data (e.g., PM2.5, NOx, and CO), and spatial context data (e.g., GPS and accelerometer readings), this research will leverage Temporal Fusion Transformer (TFT) models to predict real-time stress levels and generate stress heatmaps. The results will inform policymakers, transportation planners, and public health officials, contributing to more sustainable and inclusive urban transportation systems. Additionally, the project will provide hands-on research opportunities for students, fostering workforce development in AI-driven transportation health studies. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 13 Jan 2026 15:55:16 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2652172</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Data Driven Evaluation of the Transportation Barriers to Water Access on the Navajo Nation</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2652173</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ This project seeks to address water access challenges on the Navajo Nation by analyzing the intersection of transportation challenges, potential transportation risks, and related burdens faced by Diné (Navajo) households through the lens of obtaining water for household use. By leveraging data from the Diné Household Water Survey (DHWS), the project combines geospatial, economic, and water access data to explore the transportation barriers associated with hauling water and purchasing bottled water. The project aims to assess the impact of these barriers on public health, particularly in relation to vehicular accidents, financial costs, and access to safe drinking water in an analysis and evaluation using geospatial analysis, collected data from surveyed households (N=1,800), and existing transportation reports outlining the vehicular- and road-risks on the Navajo Nation. By mapping water hauling routes and analyzing road conditions, the project will identify high-risk areas for accidents, provide insights into transportation infrastructure needs, and estimate the financial burden of water hauling on Diné households. Additionally, this research will help inform the Navajo Nation's water delivery programs and transportation planning efforts, supporting sustainable improvements to water access. In relation to preserving the environment, this project examines how water hauling practices contribute to fuel consumption and road deterioration. By addressing the infrastructure and safety concerns of water hauling, this project aims to optimize resource utilization while promoting improved water accessibility and transportation safety, ultimately improving public health and well-being within the Diné community.  ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 13 Jan 2026 15:45:17 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2652173</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Real-Time Corridor Modeling and Health Impact Assessment using Dynamic Vehicle Fleet Composition Data</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2652183</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Urban transportation systems support personal mobility, but are also a significant source of air pollution, with disproportionate impacts on communities near high-traffic corridors.  If electric vehicle (EV) adoption continues to increase, pollutant concentration distributions will change, potentially requiring more detailed assessments of air quality and health impacts.  Traditional air quality impact assessment for transportation projects employs microscale modeling using the MOVES and AERMOD models.  These models rely heavily on fleet composition data (vehicle classes, ages, and fuel types), yet existing assumptions often fail to capture the spatial and temporal variability in vehicle usage.  For example, research in Atlanta has revealed that the on-road freeway fleet during the morning peak tends to be a lot younger (and cleaner) than the average vehicle fleet, likely because commuters take their best vehicles to work.  This research to be conducted in this proposed project will develop an integrated framework that combines real-time traffic simulation, air quality impact assessment, and health impact assessment to assess the effects of different vehicle fleets on air quality and public health.  Using the TransportSim model, MOVES model, and AERMOD dispersion model, this study will analyze vehicle fleet dynamics across multiple urban corridors in the Atlanta metro area for different fleet compositions.  The research results will also identify shifts in pollutant concentration hotspots and their implications in spatial health impact assessment across neighborhoods as EVs enter the fleet.  By improving the accuracy of corridor-level pollutant modeling, this study will support the identification of strategies designed to mitigate air pollution and protect public health.  ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 13 Jan 2026 14:20:30 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2652183</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Promoting Teachers' and Young Learners' Engagement of Transportation Issues</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2652184</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project will develop, implement, and distribute standards-aligned curriculum that focuses on real-world transportation issues to include stormwater runoff and erosion mitigation and air quality issues. The curriculum will serve as educative curriculum materials (ECM) for teachers as they engage students with research-based instruction focused on Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) and transportation industry research and recommendations, science content ideas (e.g., water cycle, erosion), and non-science considerations (e.g., economic, ethical, social, legal). The curriculum will also profile the authentic work of TTI researchers, other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)  professionals, and the characteristics of their work. Research will be conducted on how professional and curriculum development affects knowledge bases and practices, and how implemented curriculum impacts students’ knowledge of science and engagement of real-world societally important scientific issues.   ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 13 Jan 2026 14:13:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2652184</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Impact of Noise Barriers on Residential Property Values</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2652033</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Highway noise barriers require substantial investment from the Commonwealth of Virginia, yet their effects on nearby residential property values remain uncertain. This study will evaluate the impact of highway noise barriers on residential property values in Virginia, addressing two gaps: (1) reliance on dated Virginia studies, and (2) unclear roles of confounding factors such as school redistricting, crime, interest rates, HOA (homeowner associations and associated amenities), and economic shocks.  The study will deliver Virginia-specific, quantitative evidence on the extent to which noise barriers affect property values.

The study will identify and analyze at least eight matched pairs of neighborhoods (one with a barrier and one without) for the years with available 2012-2024 sales data, with additional pairs included as data availability allows.  If those years are not available, the analysis will focus on the years for which verified sales and barrier data can be obtained.  A regression model will be developed that forecast the log of sales price based on barrier presence or absence plus confounding factors such as home size, type of neighborhood, and time (year and quarter) of sale.  Then, the regression model will be used in two study designs—a cross-sectional analysis and a pre-post analysis.

This study has been requested by Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT’s) Environmental Division to support litigation and to improve communication with citizens.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 09 Jan 2026 09:12:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2652033</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Rural Infrastructure Earthquake Risk Planning for Public Safety and Economic Stability</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2652031</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Earthquakes pose a significant and growing threat to rural communities across the Western United States, where transportation networks are critical lifelines for public safety and economic stability. Ground shaking, surface rupture, and aftershocks can severely damage roadways, bridges, and utilities, disrupting mobility and delaying emergency response. Earthquakes can also trigger cascading hazards—including post-earthquake fires, debris flows, and utility failures—that further compromise evacuation routes and supply chains. These risks are particularly acute in rural areas, where road connectivity is sparse, detours are limited, and small businesses play a central role in community stability.

This project addresses two key gaps: (1) rural earthquake evacuation and transportation system management under cascading hazard conditions, and (2) business continuity for small enterprises dependent on vulnerable transportation infrastructure. First, a Community Advisory Board (CAB) will guide the research, ensuring that local knowledge, operational realities, and stakeholder priorities shape the study design. Second, we will develop a GeoAI-driven, agent-based model to simulate rural evacuations under earthquake and cascading hazard scenarios, integrating seismic hazard data (e.g., ShakeMap), transportation network characteristics, traffic data, and socio-demographic information. Third, we will build a multi-hazard business continuity model that predicts how rural businesses recover following earthquake-related disruptions, incorporating infrastructure damage, supply chain dependencies, workforce displacement, and access constraints.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 08 Jan 2026 16:12:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2652031</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Evaluation of Air Convection Embankment (ACE) and Alpine Revegetation Techniques</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2643444</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This research will evaluate the performance and success of a highway construction technique designed to protect Colorado’s sensitive high alpine environment. It leverages prior research and data, and will evaluate recovery of permafrost, hydrologic flow across the right-of-way, and recovery of sensitive vegetation. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 23 Dec 2025 14:13:19 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2643444</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Evaluating the I-25 Greenland Wildlife Overpass using network camera monitoring</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2643441</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project will examine the effectiveness the largest wildlife overpasses in the U.S. and will explore the application of cameras with networked and high-quality imaging and other other methodologies. The study should inform future wildlife mitigation design decisions and advance the ability to study and monitor wildlife structures with increased safety and accuracy and reduced staff time and cost.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 23 Dec 2025 13:59:51 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2643441</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Colorado Traffic and Animal Detection (COTAD) Model - Training the YOLO algorithm to Reliably Detect Colorado Wildlife, Pedestrians, and Vehicles</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2643439</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Reliable, automated detection of wildlife in real-time from optical and thermal camera images, and using detection to alert drivers by using dynamic wildlife warning signs (DWW), can save lives and protect property, as well as protect wildlife. This research will develop and train COTAD to detect Colorado large wildlife and test the algorithm near highways. If successful and paired with DWW, this project could become a highly used and cost effective tool to continue Colorado Department of Transportation's (CDOT’s) progress and leadership in reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 23 Dec 2025 13:50:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2643439</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Sustainable Anti-Icing Solutions Reducing Concrete Damage with Organic-based Agents </title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2640693</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The goal of the research is to identify sustainable alternatives to traditional chloride-based de-icing solutions by evaluating organic-based anti-icing agents, such as beet, corn juice, etc. These agents are intended to reduce the detrimental impact on concrete infrastructure, minimize corrosion, and maintain effective performance at lower temperatures. This project will provide the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) with an innovative, sustainable approach to winter road maintenance, enhancing road safety while protecting infrastructure longevity. Reduced salt usage will lower maintenance costs over time and improve environmental outcomes, benefiting Missouri's residents and ecosystems. Organic-based anti-icing solutions can be more effective at lower temperatures than traditional salt solutions and may be less corrosive to concrete. The goal for this research project is to find an organic alternative by exploring renewable resources from organic by-products, which are both cost-effective and environmentally friendly.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2025 09:28:34 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2640693</guid>
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