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    <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
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    <atom:link href="https://rip.trb.org/Record/RSS?s=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" 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>
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      <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
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    <item>
      <title>Personal Vehicle Ownership and Operating Cost Calculator (Version 2.0) for Quantifying On-road Vehicle Operating Costs</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2691663</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In 2018, the Georgia Tech National Center for Sustainable Transportation (NCST) research team developed the Vehicle Ownership and Operating Cost Calculator (VCC) Version 1.0, allowing users to calculate and understand total vehicle ownership costs over the lifespan of the vehicle. Traditional resources typically found on automotive websites offer five-year cost projections, but often overlook or simplify long-term expenses such as financing, maintenance, energy use, and depreciation, which vary widely based on region, vehicle type, and individual driving habits. By allowing users to input personalized data, the calculator provides a tailored, detailed analysis of ownership costs, helping users make more informed decisions about vehicle purchases. The VCC is designed to serve as an educational resource (highlighting the cost categories associated with vehicle ownership) and as an instructional aid in courses that examine transportation planning and economic assessments. The VCC allows users to input data specific to their circumstances, including vehicle purchase price, loan details, annual mileage, insurance, energy costs, maintenance, and other costs like parking and tolls. Using data from sources such as the Georgia Department of Revenue’s vehicle pricing database and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Fuel Economy Database, the calculator provides customized cost estimates. The tool provides users (students and the public) with a thorough understanding of the full costs associated with lifetime vehicle ownership, by offering a comprehensive breakdown of ownership costs, including hidden expenses often overlooked in purchase decisions. The original model became dated, because the tool did not have the ability to automatically ingest and update vehicle ownership cost data. This project will update the tool with new data, develop data ingestion procedures, and modify output formats to support economic assessments of roadway design alternatives. To make the VCC accessible and support technology transfer, this project will update the calculator to accommodate the latest vehicle technologies (2018-2025) and to generate an online model presence. The research team will update fuel prices, maintenance, insurance costs, and depreciation rates to capture recent market changes. The team will also assess and implement enhanced reporting features to provide users with more detailed breakdowns and visualizations of ownership costs. Finally, the team will modify the structure of the model so that the tool can compile operating costs per vehicle-mile for observed and modeled on-road fleet compositions and operating conditions. The deliverables will include an updated version of the calculator accessible as both an Excel tool and a web interface.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:22:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2691663</guid>
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    <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>Intelli-Viz – Comprehensive, Human-centered, Risk-based Online Platform for Evaluation, Visualization and Prioritization of Bridge Projects</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2633324</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Many of the nation’s bridges are aging and require urgent attention for rehabilitation or replacement. Traditional bridge prioritization approaches do not account for the broader impacts of bridge failures on access to critical infrastructure or community resilience. This project aims to address the shortcomings of the existing systems by developing a decision-support platform that considers diverse performance metrics, including mobility, and disaster resilience. Various national agencies have identified the need for computational platforms for varied purposes, such as the Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure (NHERI) Design Safe, SimCenter, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), and Interdependent Networked Community Resilience Modeling Environment (IN-CORE), funded by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The purpose of these platforms has been to improve disaster resilience by providing archives of data, state-of-the-art algorithms, and access to high-performance computational resources. However, these efforts have typically limited the use case to researchers instead of practicing professionals. While the proposed project is smaller than these cited efforts, the research focus and targeted user groups differ. The PI and Co-PIs will learn from these projects to implement best practices for data management, algorithmic integration, and long-term survivability. Implementing advanced prioritization methodologies requires data from multiple sources, optimization and statistical prediction techniques, and visualization tools to support decision-making. The platform will assess risk factors on bridges from routine wear to extreme disasters, enabling resilient strategies that strengthen evacuation routes and connectivity to essential services. Designed with a human-centered approach, the platform will prioritize bridge projects that improve safety, and quality of life. An online platform will reduce the time and effort of practical applications, enhance communication, and amplify the impact of other research projects.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:40:27 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2633324</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Crash Modification Factor (CMF) Tool Update</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2593935</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Crash Modification Factors (CMFs) are used to estimate how many crashes will occur if a countermeasure were implemented. A primary source of CMFs is the CMF Clearinghouse. Because the quality of CMFs varies, determining which to use demands significant time and expertise. Kentucky Transportation Center (KTC) researchers have developed a web-based tool that Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) staff, consultants, and other highway safety partners can use to search for and identify CMFs most appropriate for the project at hand. Since work on this tool was completed, the CMF Clearinghouse has been updated with 6,000 new CMFs and new methods for assigning star quality ratings. As such, the web-based search tool needs to be updated to include all CMFs that are now in the CMF Clearinghouse.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 28 Aug 2025 11:32:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2593935</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Local Calibration of AASHTOWare-ME Towards VDOT MEPDG Upgrade to Web-Based Version for New Pavement Design</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2553839</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In 2018, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) officially implemented the AASHTOWare-ME version 2.2.6 as the pavement design methodology for designing all new construction, reconstruction, and pavement widening projects including Interstate, Primary, and Secondary routes with an Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) greater than 10,000. With the phasing out of the desktop version and its related services imminent, and the vital role the software plays in the management of the VDOT pavement network, preparing for the transition to the web-based version is key. Like the research conducted at the beginning of ME implementation, it is important to determine the local calibrations based on the web-based version and design criteria values and update the material properties and climate data to create a better model of the pavement structure for more economical, resilient, and practical pavement designs. The purpose of this study is to determine the local calibration coefficients for the relevant distress transfer functions that best reflect the observed pavement performance within VDOT’s network. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 15 May 2025 09:00:51 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2553839</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>TITANv3 – Interactive, Web-Based Platform for Transportation Data Integration, Visualization and Predictive Analytics – Phase 3</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2548655</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project is Phase 3 of the TITAN program. This project will look at adding some updates to the TITAN program.  Maintenance activities on the TITAN system are being taken over by Highway Safety and Traffic.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 30 Apr 2025 08:59:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2548655</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>WiLDash Development and Pilot</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2505745</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The prevalence of free public Wi-Fi services and the high penetration rate of smartphones enable the passive generation of wide-distributed and long-lasting (i.e., days, weeks, to years) Wi-Fi log data, which records when, where, and how the Wi-Fi devices connect or disconnect to Wi-Fi access points (APs), implying human travel activities and mobility patterns. However, raw Wi-Fi log data in different formats are collected from various Wi-Fi equipment manufacturers. Also, data processing and analysis lack a standard pipeline due to different data uses. Wi-Fi agencies or stakeholders may not have sufficient IT resources and data analytic capability to process Wi-Fi data. Moreover, Wi-Fi data users must pay attention to privacy and security concerns. Therefore, the problem or issue needing investigation is to develop a generalized, convenient, and secure Wi- Fi data processing and analysis procedure for public Wi-Fi log data from different locations to satisfy human mobility analysis needs while considering data privacy and security concerns. To solve this problem, WiLDash, a web-GIS dashboard tool for Wi-Fi log data processing and analysis, will be developed and implemented.

This project is a technology transfer effort for North Carolina Department of Transportation's (NCDOT’s) Technical Assistance Request project TAR 2022-06: University Campus Wi-Fi Log Data Processing Methodology Development. The primary research objectives include (1) developing and piloting a WiLDash tool, a web-GIS dashboard for Wi-Fi log data processing and analysis, and (2) disseminating WiLDash at high profile venues for user testing and analyzing feedback from users to improve the tool consistently. The WiLDash tool allows users to upload raw Wi-Fi log data files. It then automatically generates human mobility pattern results as diagrams, tables, and GIS maps on web pages through visualization and analytical procedures, such as descriptive and spatial-temporal analyses. After establishing and publishing WiLDash online, the research team will work with NCDOT staff to monitor web tool performance and manage the stored Wi-Fi data. The team will also set up a series of advertisements and dissemination activities, such as hosting webinars, sharing information on social media, publishing news on NCDOT and the UNC Charlotte website, or presenting at conferences to attract attention from Wi-Fi stakeholders.

The proposed WiLDash tool will help Wi-Fi providers, stakeholders, or agencies (e.g., cities, towns, state to regional entities) with a convenient, low-cost, liability-free (safe) Wi-Fi log data processing and analysis approach to boost Wi-Fi data use for improving human mobility. This tool will benefit NCDOT’s Integrated Mobility Division (IMD) and local city governments by collecting Wi-Fi log data and enabling the analysis of Wi-Fi-based human mobility patterns to facilitate the adoption of advanced mobility (e.g., micromobility, microtransit, and ridesharing), thereby reducing travel time, waiting time, and carbon footprint.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 04 Feb 2025 08:28:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2505745</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Desertification Process Investigation on Lordsburg Playa </title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2480358</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Lordsburg Playa in New Mexico is a recognized global hotspot for dust storms, contributing to 17 crash fatalities on I-10 in the area since 2014. In recent years, extreme weather events have contributed to alterations in vegetation and weather dynamics, further influencing the frequency and intensity of dust events in the region. In response to the pressing need for improved traffic safety, the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) has implemented static and electronic message boards, a quicker warning system (i.e., the National Weather Service alerts, social media notifications, and website updates), rapid highway closures, and mitigation programs under the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) to revegetate the Lordsburg Playa area. While these initiatives have been very successful to date, NMDOT remains interested in exploring the relationships between desertification (caused by factors, such as drought, cattle grazing, and moisture loss) and the frequency of dust storms. Research like this could offer valuable insights into the factors influencing dust storms and desertification. By understanding these relationships, NMDOT can develop more effective safety measures to protect both drivers and the environment.
To enhance traffic safety in the Lordsburg Playa area, the research project aims to leverage longitudinal satellite imagery for an in-depth analysis of desertification and its connection to dust storms. The goal of this research is to thoroughly investigate historical satellite imagery, such as Landsat and MODIS, climate data, such as precipitation and temperature data, and other data, such as greenness maps to reveal the connection between the desertification process and the frequency of dust storm activity in the Lordsburg Playa area. Specifically, this research focuses on addressing the following questions: how changes in vegetation and climate over time influence the dynamics of dust storms in the Lordsburg Playa area, and how information on vegetation and extreme weather events can be used to predict dust storms.
Given the volume and format of the satellite data, climate data, and additional data, such as greenness maps involved in this study, the primary objective is to develop an automated analytical workflow that indicates to qualified data analysts or transportation engineers where and when a dust storm event may happen, along with its potential sources. The most effective way to present this information is through a web application that integrates all the data and analytical processes, displaying comprehensive results. Another objective is to promote workforce development on the use of remote sensing technologies for transportation infrastructure management and environmental management, and ultimately, improving the safety and durability and extending the life of transportation.
The tasks involved in this project include: Task 1: Literature review of dust storms and desertification on the Lordsburg Playa; Task 2: Acquire Landsat satellite imagery, climate data, and other data; Task 3: Develop an automated coarse-scale dust storm alarm; Task 4: Conduct a medium-scale analysis of potential dust sources; Task 5: Develop guidebook for toolset implementation and final report, and Task 6: Technology Transfer.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 01 Jan 2025 16:47:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2480358</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Elevating Traffic Safety in Native American Communities: A Comprehensive Approach with Online Mapping and Crowdsourcing Solutions</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2401748</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This proposed project will focus on investigating the effectiveness of modern web-based tools and technologies in improving traffic safety education and decision-making within Native American communities. Technologies that will be implemented and investigated include, but are not limited to, spatial data visualization, spatial data management, spatial analysis, spatial education, and internet mapping. Leveraging free and open-source software programs, modules, and libraries, the research team aims to implement a tailored online mapping and analysis portal, along with a crowdsourcing tool. This approach ensures a cost-effective solution for the Native American communities we are committed to assisting and serving. The proposed project will begin by organizing comprehensive training workshops in collaboration with the New Mexico Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP). These workshops will focus on the practical applications and benefits of an existing online traffic crash mapping and analysis portal developed by the University of New Mexico’s Center for Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety (CPBS). The proposed project will also implement a crowdsourcing web application based on Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI), and at the same time incorporate gamification elements to encourage crowdsourcing of traffic crash data and addressing issues related to insufficient traffic data.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 08 Jul 2024 14:54:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2401748</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>A Web-Based Tool for Cross Dock Trailer Scheduling</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2335137</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The overarching goal of this project is to develop a web-based tool that makes the previous research results on cross dock scheduling that was completed though past 
Center for Connected Multimodal Mobility (C2M2) projects accessible to a wider audience by removing the need for specialized knowledge of mathematical programming or computer science. The project aims to achieve success by firstly establishing the desirable characteristics of the web-based tool through comprehensive literature reviews, analysis of similar tools in different domains, and engaging in discussions with potential users. Following this, the scope of the web-based model will be defined by comparing it with existing cross-dock models and solution heuristics, aligning with the characteristics identified earlier, and ensuring technical feasibility based on available computing and interface resources. Specifications and a conceptual design for the user interface will then be developed. Subsequently, the existing model will be adapted for seamless integration into the web-based environment, allowing for easy modification of inputs and accurate model solving. The core focus lies in building a user-friendly web tool that enables intuitive adjustments of model inputs and transparent presentation of results, encompassing both quantitative measures and animated representations. The final step involves providing clear and simple user instructions, ensuring the ease of tool utilization and accurate interpretation of results.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 06 Feb 2024 20:16:17 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2335137</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Development of a Web Application for Traffic Accident Mapping and Analysis</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1948646</link>
      <description><![CDATA[It is widely accepted that road traffic safety is a significant public health issue. One of the
effective ways to improve road traffic safety is analyzing crash data to understand where
traffic accidents occur, identify associated spatial and temporal patterns, and determine
causation. In the State of New Mexico, locations of traffic accidents are currently
visualized using a variety of static maps. Although these statics maps are easier to create
and producers can control how users view the data, users cannot customize these maps
to meet their special needs. That being said, new maps need to be created for any update
or modification. More importantly, these static maps are not able to visualize crash density
information because users cannot zoom in or zoom out, and hence they cannot be used
to identify any associated spatial and temporal patterns. Subsequently, it is challenging if
not impossible for users to conduct additional analyses to determine the causes of traffic
crashes in an efficient, effective, and accurate manner. To solve the problems inherent
with the current static maps, this research project will focus on exploring the utility of
dynamic and interactive web mapping and visualization techniques to visualize and
analyze traffic crash data with the aim of helping transportation planners, engineers, and
policymakers determine the causes of traffic crashes and identify high-crash locations
and other associated spatial and temporal patterns, and ultimately, achieving improved
safety, enhanced resiliency, and increased efficiency for road users.
The project team consists of researchers from the Department of Civil, Construction, and
Environmental Engineering and the Earth Data Analysis Center (EDAC) at the University
of New Mexico (UNM) along with two NMDOT divisions, including the Asset Management
and Planning Division and the Traffic Safety Bureau. The foundation for this research is
based on the principal investigators’ (PIs’) success in prior research on using various
technologies in transportation infrastructure management and transportation safety.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 09 May 2022 05:46:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1948646</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Veta Enhancements for MDMS Standardized and Web Conversion</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1901437</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The purpose of this contract is to convert Veta from a desktop platform to a web-based application. This is continuation of the work completed under TPF-5 (334) “Enhancement to the Intelligent Construction Data Management System (Veta) and Implementation” (Contract Number 1027236). Additionally, module(s) will be developed to provide a standardized platform for the Material Delivery Management System (MDMS) – the expanded form of E-Ticketing and the ability to push MDMS data to AASHTOWare project.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 04 Jan 2022 12:42:36 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1901437</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Flooded Pavements Assessment App–Phase 2</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1899553</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Flooded Pavements Assessment App–Phase II project aims to enhance and amplify the recently developed post-flooding roadway assessment. More specifically, the following goals are targeted: (1) improving the user-interface, adaptive functionality such as interacting with pavement analysis software and more diverse material and load options, and computational efficiency of the application; (2) validate this mechanistically programmed application using scaled physical modeling, advance numerical simulation, and in-situ field data. All versions of application would be available for use with corresponding technical and user manual.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 Dec 2021 10:12:03 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1899553</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Bridge Deck Preservation Portal</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1846481</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Technological advances in data management have created opportunities for engineers to manage the life cycle of infrastructure assets. Previous initiatives funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and its partner state departments of transportation have outlined a framework for the development of a Bridge Deck Preservation Portal (BDPP). The BDPP framework provides a systematic approach for predicting changes to bridge deck service life by combining physical characteristics, condition assessments, and user preferences/constraints with the application of specific bridge deck maintenance actions. 

This pooled fund effort centers around Phase 2 - Development and focuses on developing a functioning bridge deck preservation portal to aid bridge owners and bridge engineers in data-driven decision making on bridge deck preservation treatments to optimize efficacy and life-cycle cost.

The objective of the BDPP development phase is to provide a cloud based web tool hosted on the InfoBridge website that meets, or exceeds, the engineering based functionality outlined in the previously mentioned BDPP Framework Report. The BDPP will standardize the bridge deck maintenance process by assisting engineers with the logical selection of maintenance actions. The BDPP will create a set of maintenance action scenarios based on cost effective bridge deck implemented at the most efficient point in the life cycle of individual assets and integrate a fully functional bridge deck preservation portal programmed in accordance with the framework developed in Phase 1 to be hosted on the FHWA LTBP InfoBridge website (https://infobridge.fhwa.dot.gov/).
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 13 Apr 2021 16:25:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1846481</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Evaluating Biochar as a Multi-Beneficial and Cost-Effective Soil
Amendment Option for Maximal Stormwater Infiltration</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1765392</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Departments of Transportation (DOTs) are challenged to meet regulations for stormwater runoff in soils compacted during the construction process. Compacted soils exhibit limited root growth in vegetation, reduced infiltration and water storage, resulting in increased stormwater runoff. Biochar amended soils are a potential remedy to this issue. The addition of carbon enriched amendments such as biochar can enhance soil hydraulic properties including wet aggregate stability, water capture and hydraulic conductivity. As well as reduce the risk of environmental pollutants (organic and inorganic) from soils by forming complexes well as reduce the risk of environmental pollutants (organic and inorganic) from soils by forming complexes or through sorption. A recent field study conducted by Delaware DOT demonstrates biochar amendment’s ability to be used as a cost-effective stormwater best management practices (BMP). Stormwater runoff and peak flow rate in biochar amended sandy loam soil was decreased by roughly 50%, for a cost similar to an urban grass buffer.
Biochar’s effect on soil varies by soil type, and there are limited studies on its impact to clay soils native to North Carolina. Additionally, the impact of biochar on a specific soil will also vary by biochar type, making it necessary to test against multiple biochar variations to identify an optimal mix. The overall goal of this research is to evaluate the cost-effective use of biochar for maximal stormwater infiltration and runoff quality in amended soils and assess its ability to provide social and ecological cobenefits resulting from healthy landscapes. In doing so, the effectiveness of a suite of biochars will be assessed over a range of application rates and clay soils native to North Carolina. Ultimately, this research will determine the optimal biochar amendment rate and type for soil improvement BMPs and quantify its multi-beneficial roles within urban watershed management. Specific objectives of this work include:
(1) Create a NC geospatial webtool identifying NC biochar suppliers, detailing characterization and price for each selection.
(2) Perform preliminary batch testing to assess biochar application rates on contaminant removal for a suite of biochar types.
(3) Conduct bench-scale testing (column tests) of nutrient and metal losses in biochar amended soils.
(4) Develop triple bottom line framework and model for assessing co-benefits of stormwater BMPs based on landscape improvements.
(5) Development of recommended specifications for optimizing biochar amendment rates for soil improvement BMPs.
Completion of this project will be a step towards the strategic implementation of biochar as a stormwater BMP with environmental and economic benefits to stormwater management. Anticipated research products include: (a) biochar vendor locator web-tool, (b) BMP embedded benefits modeling tool, (c) specifications
for selection of biochar type based on the soil type and water quality benefits warranted, and (d) a design guide detailing best practices for adding biochar to NCDOT’s Stormwater BMP Toolbox.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 26 Jan 2021 08:24:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/1765392</guid>
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