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    <title>Research in Progress (RIP)</title>
    <link>https://rip.trb.org/</link>
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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>
    <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>Performance-Based Evaluation of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Thickness in Integral Abutment Bridges</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2784732</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of this study is to establish performance-based framework for calculating the required thickness of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) elastic inclusion at integral bridge abutments. The results will be implemented in Chapter 17 of the Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT's) Manual of the Structure and Bridge Division. Reductions in integral bridge construction and maintenance costs are expected to be derived from this study. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 01 Oct 2026 08:42:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2784732</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>AI Applications for Developing Contractors Prequalification Criteria and Safety Matrix for NCDOT</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2784615</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Different state DOTs have attempted to use safety leading indicators for heavy construction projects. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has contractors’ prequalification guidelines and a formal process for constructability review meetings. However, the safety component is not much considered, which may result in disruption of construction activities due to potential site safety violations. The current prequalification process for contractors requires multiple changes to improve the contractors’ selection process and secure a safe job site. Prequalification process may be revised to incorporate a safety scoring system that considers the contractors history, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) citations, availability of in-house safety plans and safety audits, availability of competent persons and OSHA trainers, and formal safety training attended by the contractor’s company personnel. Similarly, NCDOT formal CR meeting needs to incorporate a safety matrix to be revised by project stakeholders during the meeting. The safety matrix should tie different site activities – listed in NCDOT standard bid template – with the respective OSHA big four construction hazard. Performance-based contractor prequalification allows NCDOT personnel to evaluate contractors past performance on similar work to ensure high-quality work in future projects. Occupational safety and health criteria are somehow included in such prequalification to limit construction site accidents and violations. However, current matrix/safety prequalification criteria have significant shortfalls. In this proposed research (implementation plan), the project research team will focus on utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) applications to decide on the attributes relevant to job site safety and the most important parameters to be used in contractors’ prequalification procedures. The research tasks will use the developed criteria through the current project phase, collect information from NCDOT, other state DOTs, and OSHA to train a machine learning model to be developed specifically to evaluate the correlation between different attributes and possible “future” performance of the contractor. Attributes include – but not limited to – contractor’s size, budget, safety practices, previous experience, employee turnover, OSHA records, and experience modification rating. Predictive analytics will provide NCDOT personnel with proper algorithm to assess/predict possible contractor’s performance. The outcomes of this research will result in seamless flow of construction site activities, reduced accidents, and avoiding arbitration and litigation. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2026 11:09:05 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2784615</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Applied Generative AI Pilot: Establishing the Rapid Applied Research Environment (RARE) for Construction &amp; Materials
</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2780490</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This project will establish the Rapid Applied Research Environment (RARE), an internal generative AI capability designed to help the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) address complex transportation challenges through applied artificial intelligence (AI) research. The project will use the Expert AI Co Research framework to develop and evaluate AI solutions for Construction and Materials challenges, including specification modernization, data extraction, technical research, and historical data recovery. The results will be used to measure efficiency improvements, evaluate the feasibility of AI tools, and develop a repeatable framework for using AI in future ITD research and operations.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 21 Sep 2026 16:09:10 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2780490</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Improved Prediction of Long-Term Camber for Prestressed Bridge Girders Build in Arizona</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2780406</link>
      <description><![CDATA[To be determined.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 18 Sep 2026 17:02:28 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2780406</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Upcycling Waste Plastics into Materials for Transportation Infrastructure Construction</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2780403</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The study will identify opportunities for the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) to upcycle plastic waste in fill, aggregates, and other materials used to construct transportation infrastructure. Specifically, the study will describe the capabilities and characteristics of materials produced using existing technologies, develop case studies describing when and how upcycled plastic materials have been used in transportation infrastructure, identify promising use cases in Arizona, and—if sufficient data are available—analyze the costs and benefits of ADOT using upcycled plastic materials in Arizona. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 18 Sep 2026 16:51:09 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2780403</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Quantifying the Impact of Pavement Smoothness</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2780399</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Pavement smoothness affects the lifespan of Arizona’s state highway network, the frequency of roadway maintenance and preservation projects needed to maintain it, and the cost to individuals of operating vehicles on it. Quantifying the impact of pavement smoothness specifications on pavement service life, vehicle operating costs, and emissions will help Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) determine appropriate smoothness standards for roadway construction and rehabilitation. For instance, pavements with a lower score on the International Roughness Index (IRI) typically require less maintenance and have a longer service life. Pavements with high IRI values can lead to increased overall vehicle maintenance costs for motorists, as rough roads cause tires and suspension systems to deteriorate at a faster rate and vehicles to consume more fuel. 
This study will estimate how changes to ADOT’s pavement surface smoothness specifications might extend pavement service life, delay the emergence of maintenance and rehabilitation (M&R) treatment triggers, and reduce vehicle operating costs for individual users. ADOT may use the findings of this study to modify smoothness specifications, producing statewide cost savings due to the increases in service life of pavements and reduced or deferred M&R activities. The results of this study may also be used to update project cost estimates and estimate user-cost savings.  
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 18 Sep 2026 16:35:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2780399</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Evaluating the Cracking Characterizations of Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA) Mixtures</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2780398</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The primary objective of this research study is to evaluate the cracking characteristics of Arizona stone matrix asphalt (SMA) mixtures and use the findings to develop more accurate and reliable testing protocols, ultimately enhancing SMA pavement performance and durability. 
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 18 Sep 2026 16:31:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2780398</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Fiber Reinforcement in Concrete Pavement</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2780393</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This research identified the major gaps in the analysis and design of fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) pavements and gathered various structural-mechanics methods and solutions to various FRC-based concrete application that include: fatigue, tension stiffening, shrinkage cracking, multiple parallel cracking distribution, toughening of hybrid systems by fibers, development of tensile stress distribution across the thickness of a slab, and the moment-curvature response of a section, limit analysis of plates, as well as the load-deflection response of a slab.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 18 Sep 2026 16:13:55 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2780393</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Liquid Nitrogen-Cooled Concrete</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2778088</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Placing concrete in warm weather can accelerate cement hydration and moisture evaporation, reducing workability and long-term strength. One method to rapidly cool concrete in warm weather is to use liquid nitrogen, which lowers a mix’s temperature without adding water or ice or altering the design. This project’s goal is to review current industry practices and assess the effectiveness of using liquid nitrogen to cool concrete in warm weather. Researchers will identify key considerations and recommended practices for the use of liquid nitrogen to cool concrete in Illinois Department of Transportation projects. Effectively using liquid nitrogen to cool concrete will allow construction personnel to pour concrete for longer, uninterrupted periods, improving its consistency and quality.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 16 Sep 2026 11:01:26 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2778088</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Develop Enhanced Quality Assurance Methods for Full-Depth Reclamation Construction</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2778041</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Full depth reclamation (FDR) with emulsified or foamed asphalt can rapidly renew a pavement with significant time and cost savings compared to major reconstruction while providing a durable, high modulus, moisture-resistant base. While most FDR asphalt projects are performing well, improvements are needed in construction startup operations, moisture control, and better relations of acceptance testing to field performance. The research team will assess existing FDR quality assurance frameworks, identify technological advancements, and develop new test methods and protocols to ensure FDR layers achieve their intended performance. The research team will develop more comprehensive and reliable testing coverage for moisture content control to reduce the risk of premature distress under early traffic. The research team will identify, develop, and pilot acceptance test methods that better correlate to long-term pavement performance. The research team will identify improvements to guidance resources to promote more successful FDR project startups. The research team will use the results from this project to develop new test procedures, update construction specifications, and update FDR construction guidelines.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 14 Sep 2026 16:22:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2778041</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Edge-Based Work Zone Monitoring for Safe and Intelligent Rural Infrastructure Preservation</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2777811</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Rural highway work zones present elevated safety risks due to high-speed traffic, limited visibility, and dynamic construction activity, posing dangers to drivers and workers while also threatening the long-term integrity of infrastructure projects. To address these challenges, this project develops a simulation-based framework to design and evaluate a mesh sensor network capable of real-time incident detection and alerting. The proposed system integrates low-cost sensors with edge computing and self-organizing LoRaWAN (Long Range radio-carried Wide Area Network) communication to detect vehicle intrusions, equipment-lane conflicts, and worker proximity violations. Simulations will combine microscopic traffic modeling (SUMO), construction activity simulation (ROS/Gazebo), and wireless network emulation (NS-3) to enable synchronized, multi-domain testing. The system's detection performance, message latency, localization accuracy, and communication reliability will be assessed across varied work zone scenarios and sensor configurations. Comparative evaluation against fixed-point detection, manual reporting, and cloud-based mesh networks will quantify the benefits of edge processing and network resilience. Outputs include detection benchmarks, design guidelines, and synthetic datasets of safety-critical interactions. This research advances USDOT strategic goals by improving rural safety, enabling intelligent infrastructure transformation, and preserving critical transportation assets through early detection of hazards that could disrupt construction schedules or damage facilities. The simulation framework and findings will be shared with state DOTs to support future deployment of proactive, intelligent monitoring systems.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 14 Sep 2026 14:12:21 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2777811</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Implementation of Recycled-Aerogel Composite in Construction and
Transportation Infrastructure</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2692307</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This research project aims to enhance the durability and longevity of transportation infrastructure through the innovative use of Recycled-Aerogel Composite (RaC). As climate change challenges escalate, the need for resilient construction materials has become crucial. RaC has shown promise in preliminary studies at Arizona State University, demonstrating significant improvements in pavement insulating properties, which can reduce thermal stress and extend pavement lifespan. By addressing the pressing issues of rising temperatures and resource depletion, this project aligns with NCIT’s focus on "Improving Durability and Extending the Life of Transportation Infrastructure" and the topical pillar "Infrastructure Durability and Resiliency." The implementation of RaC not only optimizes raw material consumption but also minimizes CO2 emissions, supporting environmental stewardship. This project seeks to fill gaps in existing research by providing a sustainable solution that enables transportation assets to withstand and recover from both natural and manmade disruptions. The anticipated impacts of this project include improved pavement performance, reduced environmental impact, and a pathway toward broader adoption of sustainable materials in the construction industry. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 10 Sep 2026 08:51:39 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2692307</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>AI-Enabled Airport Capital Program Delivery</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772543</link>
      <description><![CDATA[U.S. airports are undertaking increasingly complex capital programs that require the coordinated delivery of multiple interdependent projects while maintaining continuous airport operations. These programs often face challenges related to fragmented systems, manual and document-driven processes, coordination across multiple stakeholders, and limited integration of cost, schedule, documentation, and operational information. Although artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to improve efficiency and decision-making, airports currently lack practical, implementation-ready guidance for applying AI across the full capital program delivery lifecycle, including planning, design, construction, and integration with ongoing airport operations.

The objective of this research is to develop practical, implementation-focused guidance for applying AI to airport capital program delivery. The research will produce frameworks, use cases, and implementation pathways to help airports improve coordination, project documentation, and integrated decision-making across capital programs while supporting scalable, vendor-neutral AI adoption within existing program information management and digital delivery systems. Research products may include an AI implementation guidebook, program-level coordination and document management frameworks, scenario-based implementation playbooks, an AI use case library, and guidance for transitioning AI applications from pilot projects to broader capital program implementation. The research should also address quality assurance considerations associated with AI-generated information.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 17:24:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772543</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Guide for Establishing Project Management Offices at Airports</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772545</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Airports are managing increasingly complex and capital-intensive portfolios of projects that span airside, terminal, landside, technology, sustainability, and regulatory initiatives. These programs often involve multiple funding sources, extensive stakeholder coordination, and significant operational constraints. While many airports are exploring the use of Project Management Offices (PMOs) to improve project delivery, there is limited airport-specific guidance on when a PMO is an effective strategy, what functions it should perform, how it should be structured, or how its costs and benefits should be evaluated. As a result, airports lack practical information to help determine whether a PMO is appropriate for their organization and how it can best support project governance and delivery.

The objective of this research is to develop a practical guide to help airports evaluate the value of establishing a Project Management Office. The guide will provide direction on PMO structures, roles, costs, and benefits, and help airports determine when a PMO is appropriate based on airport size, governance, geography, and mission. It will include a decision framework, implementation guidance, cost-benefit considerations, and tools to support executive decision-making. The guidance should be applicable across airports of different sizes, as well as address differences between airside and landside capital programs and the relationship between project management offices and project delivery methods.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 17:16:55 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772545</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Managing PFAS-Impacted Construction Materials at Airports</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772550</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Airports across the United States are increasingly encountering per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during construction projects, including in soils, concrete and asphalt pavements, building materials, stormwater, and groundwater. Construction activities such as airfield rehabilitation, terminal modernization, utility work, and other infrastructure projects create challenges related to material handling, reuse, disposal, regulatory compliance, and cost control. Although guidance on PFAS characterization continues to expand, airport owners and contractors lack practical, airport-specific guidance for managing PFAS-impacted materials during construction. As disposal options become more limited and regulatory requirements continue to evolve, airports face increasing costs, schedule delays, and uncertainty in managing construction-phase materials.

The objective of this research is to develop airport-specific guidance and practical tools for managing PFAS-impacted materials during construction projects. The research will synthesize construction-phase materials management practices used at airports and other infrastructure programs and develop a framework that links PFAS data quality, construction methods, and material handling options. The project will produce practitioner-ready resources, including materials management plan templates, decision flowcharts, handling guidance for different material types, and other implementation tools that airports can incorporate into construction planning, specifications, and contractor requirements to support consistent decision-making during airport capital improvement projects. The research will build on existing ACRP guidance by focusing specifically on construction-phase implementation rather than site investigation or PFAS characterization.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 02 Sep 2026 16:45:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://rip.trb.org/View/2772550</guid>
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