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    <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
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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>2504 Evaluating Pavement Friction using Dynamic Friction Tester (DFT)</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2786776</link>
      <description><![CDATA[ODOT has taken significant steps toward implementing a balanced mix design (BMD) approach, which evaluates asphalt mixtures based on performance characteristics including rutting and cracking. One critical performance measure is friction. Current ODOT specifications require aggregates to satisfy certain criteria, such as insoluble residue limits, to help ensure adequate polishing resistance. However, the insoluble residue test and other tests such as the L.A. abrasion and Micro Deval are intended to assess the aggregate properties and may not fully represent the overall friction resistance of the asphalt mixture. Overall pavement friction is also influenced by factors such as aggregate gradation, surface texture, aggregate blending, and mixture design. This project will investigate the use of the Dynamic Friction Test (DFT) along with the three-wheel polisher (TWP) device to assess friction resistance of asphalt mixes in Oklahoma. To accomplish this, the laboratory and field friction performance of Oklahoma asphalt mixtures will be evaluated by examining the effects of mixture type, aggregate source, RAP content, and binder type. Asphalt mixtures containing recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) will be tested to determine the frictional contribution of RAP aggregates, since ODOT specifications assume zero insoluble residue for RAP materials. The correlation between insoluble residue and DFT friction values will be investigated for different traffic levels to establish whether current insoluble residue limits are appropriate. Preliminary threshold friction values will be proposed for ODOT asphalt mixtures for incorporation into the BMD provisional specification.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 07 Oct 2026 11:19:27 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2786776</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Division of Operations Researcher on Call (ROC)  FY2027-2029</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2786775</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is charged with the management and maintenance of Ohio's vast transportation system.  ODOT strives to execute this charge in the most effective and efficient manner possible.  At times, ODOT encounters situations where low-cost, short-term, focused research tasks are needed to address an urgent issue.  While important and potentially impactful, these research tasks do not warrant the level of a full-scale research project.  Due to the time-sensitive nature of these tasks, it is possible that some of these tasks go unmet because the standard contracting process requires more time than available.  To address this issue, ODOT developed the Research-On-Call (ROC) program.  The ROC is designed to provide direct, quick access to researchers in specific areas of expertise to conduct short-term, focused, urgent research tasks.  This ROC will focus on tasks from the Division of Operations.     ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 07 Oct 2026 10:37:53 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2786775</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Improving Transportation Accessibility for People with Disabilities Using AI</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2786774</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Develop machine learning techniques that automate the data collection process of gaps in accessibility of transportation infrastructure and facilitate the development of transition plans.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 06 Oct 2026 17:40:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2786774</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Improving Active Transportation Asset Data Management for UDOT Using AI and Computer Vision</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2786773</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Develop computer vision models to collect essential data on high-priority assets in the active transportation (AT) system to create an intelligent system designed to address the challenges of current methods for inventorying AT assets.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 06 Oct 2026 17:32:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2786773</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Establishing Performance Measures for Transportation and Quality of Life</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2786772</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Evaluate the performance measures used in Utah Department of Transportation's (UDOT's) transportation planning process by contextualizing the Utah Well-Being survey and ensuring that travel demand models produce relevant performance measures that are sensitive to transportation policies and alternatives.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 06 Oct 2026 17:22:37 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2786772</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Drone Network Design for Comprehensive Emergency Response in Rural Utah</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2786771</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Develop an optimized drone network design for comprehensive emergency response in rural Utah to deliver much needed supplies during times of emergency.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 06 Oct 2026 17:13:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2786771</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Task Order Support for ACRP Insight Events. Forum on Challenges to Implementing Successful Land Use Strategies at Airports</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2784518</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Successful land use strategies generally consist of encouraging compatible land uses around airports. Land use planning and controls surrounding airports are often the responsibility of the local governments, with the surrounding jurisdictions in many cases having no ties to the airport facilities. Even in instances where the airport and local land uses are controlled by the same governmental entity, the airport may have little influence and the government little ability to adequately control land uses near the airport. The pressure to develop near airports can be significant and planning and land use considerations are often decided without considering the airport’s future development needs and ongoing operational requirements. As airports and the FAA continue to refine airfield layouts and approach and departure procedures, respectively, the determination of what is compatible both today and in the future continues to be challenging. Given the magnitude and variety of the challenges to controlling land uses around airports, research is needed to provide airports, communities, and developers with information and tools to protect and improve land uses around airports.

 
The objectives of this research were to convene an industry forum to discuss the key challenges to airports associated with influencing land uses around their facilities. Presenters included airports, regions, and states that have successfully implemented effective land use controls around airports or other facilities that are incompatible with a range of land uses. Topics included strategies for improving the ability of airports to control or influence land uses in their vicinity and guidance for airports and communities in successfully collaborating with developers and similar entities.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:07:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2784518</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Task Order Support for ACRP Insight Events. Forum on Economic and Social Sustainability at Airports</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2784521</link>
      <description><![CDATA[FAA sustainability programs have invigorated sustainability planning, often to the point of full integration with airport master plans. Significant attention has been given to waste, water, energy, and natural resources, building on decades of a still growing environmental movement. The new “era of green” is now spreading to smaller airports without incentive funding.  However, among most airports, planning and reporting on social and economic sustainability appear conventional. This apparent lack of innovation may reflect a general stasis in two key areas: economic and social sustainability or it may be a byproduct of airports lacking a common language for reporting and discussing their more innovative social and economic activities. Research is needed to identify the different taxonomies used globally by domestic and international airports to frame planning that accomplishes social and economic sustainability goals, identify innovation in both areas, and develop a set of commonly accepted good practices that fall outside conventional measures in use for economic (jobs created, GDP generated) and social (pay equity, safety records) sustainability.
 
The objective of this research is to convene an Academy industry forum to discuss airport social and economic sustainability practices. The forum could feature “innovative” case presentations to demonstrate lessons learned and, where possible, performance indicators. This topic could include background information highlighting a base set of globally accepted performance indicators, accepted best practice program descriptions, and other resources helpful in establishing or improving delivery of conventional social and economic sustainability initiatives. Presentations could examine traditional taxonomies for classifying social and economic initiatives, along with a brief description of lessons learned by airport leaders in adoption of conventional programs and reporting systems. Presentations could also provide introductory context to help readers understand the magnitude of the innovations illustrated in each case.
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:07:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2784521</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Readiness and Feasibility of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Data for Airport Use Cases</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2784516</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Towered and non-towered airports need accurate daily and annual aircraft operational counts, including aircraft type, for use in tasks like airport planning, environmental analysis, capital improvement program development, funding justification, and staffing. Aircraft operational counts provided by air traffic control towers offer limited details and towers are often staffed for only a portion of the day, possibly missing large swaths of activity. Meanwhile, non-towered airports have limited or no data from which to estimate aircraft operational counts. Airport sponsors rely upon aircraft operational counts to develop products for purposes such as forecasting, budgeting, and project justification.

ACRP Report 129: Evaluating Methods for Counting Aircraft Operations at Non-Towered Airports was published in 2015 and identified options to fill this gap but Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) was an emerging technology at that time and was noted for additional research. The FAA mandated that by January 2020, aircraft were required to have ADS-B Out installed when flying in certain airspace and with this inflection point, the industry needs an evaluation as to whether ADS-B is a reliable alternative for aircraft operational counts.  Additionally, the accuracy and efficacy of aircraft operational counts obtained via ADS-B needs to be validated through structured scientific research to better understand the benefits and limitations of various collection technologies and the ability to support different use cases across various airport configurations and user characteristics. 

The objective of this research is to develop a guide and techniques to collect and validate the use of ADS-B data for obtaining aircraft operational counts and identifying aircraft type at U.S. towered and non-towered airports. This research should include, at a minimum:

A roadmap for implementing the collection and use of ADS-B data at airports;
The state of current readiness and feasibility of ADS-B data for airport use cases in airport operations, planning, and development;
Trends and statistics of ADS-B equipage across the general aviation (GA) fleet both in terms of equipped aircraft hulls and as a share of operations by business jets, turboprops, recreational piston aircraft, training piston aircraft, agricultural aircraft, and other relevant groupings; and
Coverage and limitations of an ADS-B collection program. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2026 14:50:28 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2784516</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Priority Issues. Task 01. Model for Improving Energy Use in U.S. Airport Facilities</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2784520</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Our nation's network of approximately 3,000 airports in the Federal Aviation Administration System and its physical infrastructure is one of the largest and most visible public users of energy in today's vibrant economy. Literally, tens of millions of domestic and international passengers pass through aviation terminals annually, making them one of the most visible community structures in America. The enormous size and complexity of airport facilities are fertile ground for finding common solutions to intricate problems such as the environmental impact and operating expenses from unnecessary energy use.

Many airports are also under extreme pressure to reduce air emissions from ground transportation and from fossil fuels. They are constantly seeking ways to grow sustainably within their local communities. To further complicate matters for airport managers who operate 24/7, 365 days a year; the rapidly escalating energy prices continue to be a major part of airport operating expense. Energy is most often the second largest operating expense, exceeded only by personnel. Airport facility managers must also constantly strive to reduce operating costs to help lower the bottom line for their airline tenants who have all been on the verge of bankruptcy, with rare exception, since 9/11.

The good news is that energy is a very controllable operating expense through the more efficient use of lighting, heating, cooling, people movers, ground transportation, and other airline operations. By prudent, energy efficiency investments and optimizing operations, airports can readily reduce operating costs from 10% to 30% annually. For example, an energy assessment and "Continuous Commissioning (CC)®" of the new central rental car facility at DFW Airport in 2005 has resulted in a metered 20% reduction in energy use. The practical solutions to improving airport efficiency are easily documented and can be replicated through the dissemination of "Best Practices". Providing a model document for use by facility managers, their contractors, and designers is an ideal way to make a significant impact in the way energy is used within the U.S. airport systems and to lessen both their environmental impact and operational cost.

Efficient airport operations and energy use are also key to environmental stewardship. By developing and encouraging the widespread use of energy management "Best Practices", airport managers can significantly reduce operating costs and reduce the impacts on environmental compliance while providing a very visible example for communities and others to follow.

The objective of this task was to demonstrate the potential for energy savings in U.S. airports by conducting a study of Terminals B and D at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport regarding Operations and Maintenance (O&M), commissioning of energy consuming systems, and energy conservation retrofit measures. This objective was accomplished by conducting airport surveys, engineering analysis and producing a model energy report and informational brochure that focuses on pro-typical operations, building commissioning, and energy conservation retrofits opportunities.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2026 14:40:05 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2784520</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Task Order Support for ACRP Insight Events. Public Private Partnerships - What Are the Lessons Learned?</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2784519</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This event brings together airport industry leaders, subject matter experts, and researchers from appropriate fields to facilitate discussion with the goal of promoting broader and deeper insight on topics of significance to airport operators. These in-depth discussions among airport operators and industry experts are intended to facilitate communication and incubate collaboration within the industry and help identify areas of future research needs. In addition, the events promote efficiency and synergistic efforts within the airport industry, while accelerating the identification of innovation in this transportation sector.    This event focused on how airports have utilized public private partnerships PPP and how they may use this tool in the future. The event took place July 10 and 11, 2019 at the Keck Center in Washington D.C.  Conference Proceedings have been published as CPW 26.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2026 14:33:42 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2784519</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Task Order Support for ACRP Insight Events. Forum on Airport Roles in Reducing Transmission of Communicable Diseases</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2784517</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Airports are the global gateways for passengers and cargo via aircraft, usually the quickest way to get overseas from one continent to the other. In addition to carrying passengers’ luggage and commercial goods, aircraft can be the vehicle by which diseases can quickly spread around the world. The Transportation Research Board has conducted several studies on this topic. In 2007, Interagency-Aviation Industry Collaboration on planning for Pandemic Outbreak workshop was organized to explore the state-of-the-practice for pandemic planning by airports and airlines. In 2009, Research on Transmission of Disease in Airports and on Aircraft symposium was conducted that examined the current research related to the transmission of disease on aircraft and in airports. ACRP also conducted two research projects that has resulted in ACRP Report 91: Infectious Disease Mitigation in Airports and on Aircraft, which provides guidance to airports and air carriers to mitigating the risk of spreading disease, and ACRP CRP-CD-137: The Vector-Borne Disease Airport Importation Risk Tool, which is an interactive tool to assist airports and airlines in understanding their roles in reducing the spread and transmission of diseases.
 
The objectives of this research are to convene an industry forum and build upon the established knowledge to discuss the challenges airports face in reducing the transmission of communicable diseases, quantify data to determine the risk of specific infectious diseases for airlines and airports, identify specific measures to mitigate the transmissions of diseases, and implementation priorities and other potential solutions and/or areas for further research. The presenters will include public health officials, epidemiologists, and airline environmental and occupational health experts.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2026 14:25:28 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2784517</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Task Order Support for ACRP Insight Events. Introduction to Blockchain and Airport Operations</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2784515</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This Insight Event focused on blockchain technology and airport operations with a special focus on its potential uses and real-world applications to address challenges associated with public health concerns, including COVID-19. The virtual event spanned two days and featured cross-disciplinary panels of technologists, airport operators, public health specialists, and entrepreneurs to discuss blockchain applications and their potential to transform operations, cargo handling, the traveler experience, and associated security, provenance, and privacy challenges. The event took place on Tuesday, August 4th and Wednesday, August 5th, 2020. Conference Proceedings 28 have been published. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2026 14:22:39 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2784515</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Strategic Interactions in Mixed-Autonomy Networks: Multi-Company AV/HV Fleet Operations and Policy Implications</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2786713</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Autonomous vehicle (AV) ride-hailing fleets are no longer hypothetical: Waymo, Uber, and competing operators are deploying mixed AV and human-driven fleets across U.S. cities. State and local agencies must now decide which operating rules to impose, such as permit caps, congestion pricing zones, and limits on empty repositioning trips, without analytical tools that capture how multiple competing fleet operators actually respond to those rules and to one another. Existing models treat AV fleets as if they were human-driven fleets with different cost structures, missing the central control, repositioning capability, and regulatory susceptibility that distinguish AV operations. This project develops a two-level modeling framework for operational constraints and regulatory design in mixed AV and human-driven ride-hailing networks. The lower level represents the strategic interaction among competing fleet operators, travelers, and the road network, extending the team's prior network equilibrium model to include empty-vehicle repositioning that loads network links and human drivers who work for multiple platforms simultaneously. The upper level represents a regulator selecting permit caps, congestion-pricing tolls, and repositioning limits to optimize a system-level objective such as total travel time or system congestion. The team will develop solution methods, release an open-source solver, and apply the framework to representative California networks. The work will give state and local agencies a transparent, defensible tool to evaluate regulatory levers before deployment. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2026 13:38:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2786713</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Roadmap for Virtual Traffic Light Control at Intersections Using Connectivity, AI and Digital Twins</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2786712</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Vehicle automation, connectivity, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced sensing enable new approaches to intersection management. This project investigates a virtual traffic light (VTL) framework that over time can replace conventional signalized intersections, which carry high capital, maintenance, and operating costs. In the proposed system, connected and automated vehicles (CAVs), along with connected pedestrians and bicyclists, communicate continuously with a virtual control agent that maintains real-time estimates of their positions, speeds, and intended trajectories. Using these data, the agent computes individualized right-of-way assignments—equivalent to virtual green, yellow, and red indications—and transmits them directly via vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication to each user. By coordinating movements through communication rather than fixed infrastructure, the system can improve traffic efficiency, reduce delays, enhance safety, and lower costs. An additional advantage of VTL systems is their flexibility: control logic and policies can be updated through software, enabling rapid, low-cost adaptation compared with conventional traffic signals. Because full connectivity will be achieved gradually, the research first establishes upper-bound performance under ideal, fully connected conditions without failures, providing quantitative benchmarks. It then develops a roadmap for transitioning from today’s traffic control to increasingly connected environments, accommodating mixed traffic with varying levels of connectivity. The results will guide phased deployment strategies aligned with USDOT priorities in safety, mobility, sustainability, and cost-effective infrastructure modernization.

]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 05 Oct 2026 13:32:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2786712</guid>
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