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    <title>Transport Research International Documentation (TRID)</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>
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      <title>Transport Research International Documentation (TRID)</title>
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      <title>Construction Research Congress 2005: Broadening Perspectives</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2786109</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This collection contains 137 papers that discuss the state-of-the-art research in construction, as well as the challenges and possible accomplishments from today's rapidly advancing technology. Topics include: lean construction; housing; sustainability; construction automation and robotics; education and workforce; supply chain management; productivity and methods; project risk management; contracts and organizations; infrastructure; and information technology.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 03 Oct 2026 18:00:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2786109</guid>
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      <title>Virtual Inspection Systems for Highway Construction Projects: A Guide</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2786112</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This report presents a guide for assessing the readiness of digital technologies to support remote virtual inspection (RVI) activities for highway construction projects. This guide was developed around an analytical methodology that incorporates stakeholder interviews, case studies, and a peer review workshop. This guide will be of immediate interest to highway construction engineers, project managers, inspectors, and surveyors seeking to integrate these technologies effectively to support inspection requirements.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 03 Oct 2026 18:00:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2786112</guid>
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      <title>Virtual Inspection Systems for Highway Construction Projects: Developing a Guide</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2786113</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This report, developed under NCHRP Project 10-112, offers practical guidelines for implementing digital technologies to support remote virtual inspection (RVI) in highway infrastructure projects. It evaluates the effectiveness, opportunities, and challenges associated with a range of RVI tools, including mobile devices, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), lidar, small uncrewed aerial systems (sUAS), remote imaging, augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR), and closed-circuit television (CCTV). Drawing on an extensive literature review, a nationwide survey of state departments of transportation (DOTs), and a series of case studies, the report presents a structured methodology for assessing technologies and integrating them into existing inspection workflows. The findings highlight the potential of RVI technologies to improve inspection accuracy, efficiency, and safety. Survey responses indicate that mobile devices are currently the most widely used tool, while more advanced technologies like lidar and sUAS are emerging but less commonly applied. The report also identifies key barriers—such as cost, training, and infrastructure needs—and outlines future directions for broader adoption. A flexible technology assessment framework is introduced to help agencies evaluate the readiness and suitability of RVI technologies based on factors such as technical maturity, operational fit, cost-effectiveness, and implementation challenges. The framework can be tailored to meet the specific needs of individual agencies and project goals. Five case studies from DOT-led projects were used to validate the proposed approach, demonstrating general alignment with agency decision-making and revealing insights for further refinement. A collaborative workshop with DOT and industry stakeholders also informed the development of the Guide, emphasizing the importance of technology champions, return on investment (ROI) tracking, and data management planning. The report concludes with a set of actionable recommendations covering standardization of RVI procedures, workforce development, strategic planning, and addressing implementation hurdles. It also explores future trends, including the integration of AI, ML, and Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to enable more automated, real-time inspection workflows. Overall, the report underscores the transformative potential of RVI technologies in modernizing highway construction inspection. It provides a practical foundation to help transportation agencies navigate the shift toward more digital, efficient, and data-driven inspection practices.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 03 Oct 2026 18:00:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2786113</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Assessment of Expanded Clay Aggregate for Use in Railroad Embankments</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2678490</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Ground settlement is a major challenge in railroad embankment construction and widening, threatening both track stability and nearby infrastructure. Settlement arises from two mechanisms: immediate elastic compression of soils and longer-term consolidation. To mitigate these risks, lightweight aggregates (LWAs), such as expanded clay, offer a promising solution by reducing embankment load and associated settlement. Expanded clay is nearly half the weight of conventional aggregates, with high internal friction angle and excellent drainage, enhancing stability and reducing hydrostatic pressure. However, its long-term performance under cyclic train loading remains uncertain. To address this, a laboratory testing program, including large-scale Cyclic Direct Simple Shear (CDSS) tests, was developed to simulate railroad loading conditions and evaluate the durability and deformation behavior of expanded clay. This study aims to validate LWAs as a viable alternative for minimizing settlement without compromising long-term track performance.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 02 Oct 2026 15:56:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2678490</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>AI Applications for Developing Contractors Prequalification Criteria and Safety Matrix for NCDOT</title>
      <link>https://trid.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://trid.trb.org/View/2784615</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Enhancing Economic and Operational Efficiency in Engineering Logistics: A Cost-Optimization Model for Multimodal Transportation of Multi-Commodity Materials</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2780911</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Efficient transportation of engineering materials is critical to the timely execution of large-scale infrastructure projects, yet it is often challenged by heterogeneous material demand, multimodal transitions, dual-layer capacity limitations (transport arcs and transshipment nodes), and schedule-dependent time-window requirements. To address these coupled decision features, this paper formulates an Engineering Material Multimodal Transport Path Planning model with Multi-Commodity Flow under Time Window and Network Capacity (EM-CMTP3MCTW), which minimizes a weighted-sum objective of total transportation cost and total transportation time (including time-window-related penalties). To solve this NP-hard problem at practical scales, we develop an improved parallel adaptive large neighbourhood search algorithm (GA-PALNS) equipped with problem-specific destroy-and-repair operators and a parallel evaluation mechanism. Computational experiments on randomly generated instances show that GA-PALNS achieves lower objective values than representative single-objective baselines (average improvement approximately 0.48%) while reducing runtime by roughly one order of magnitude. A real-world case study from a major infrastructure project in Western China further demonstrates that the proposed framework can generate feasible and economically competitive multimodal transportation plans under complex capacity and time-window constraints.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 29 Sep 2026 16:27:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2780911</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Stability Aspects of the Utilization of Geocell in Tunnel Pavement Construction</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2784242</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The construction of pavement systems within tunnel environments poses unique engineering challenges due to restricted working space, difficult compaction conditions and elevated stress concentrations from confined boundaries. In this study, the effectiveness of geocell reinforcement in enhancing pavement performance in tunnel applications was investigated with a focus on deformation control. Finite element simulations were conducted to evaluate the vertical settlement of soft rock-filled pavement layers, soft rock with an unscreened gravel layer and geocell-reinforced unscreened gravel. The results demonstrated that the inclusion of geocell could significantly improve the load dispersion characteristics and resulted in reduced vertical deformation, with peak reduction in settlement magnitudes observed in the range of 20%—45%, depending on geocell height and infill characteristics. The geocell also enhanced lateral confinement and interface shear resistance, thereby mitigating base course deterioration under repetitive loading. The design recommendation that can be derived from the study is that a geocell height of around 150 mm can be adopted as a practical and efficient solution for tunnel pavement foundations, offering improved subgrade performance and potentially extending pavement service life.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 29 Sep 2026 16:27:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2784242</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Research on the Cooperation Scheme of New-Energy Machinery and Conventional Fuel-Powered Machinery during the Construction of High-Altitude Tunnels</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2761291</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In the construction of high-altitude long tunnels, dense emission sources near the tunnel face and long ventilation distances pose significant challenges to construction safety. New-energy machinery has clear advantages over conventional fuel-powered machinery in controlling pollutant emissions; however, full replacement is difficult in practical projects, and quantitative comparative studies on different machinery configurations remain limited. Based on a highway tunnel project under construction in Gansu Province, this study designed three machinery-allocation scenarios and employed a combined approach of field monitoring, ANSYS Fluent numerical simulation, and entropy-weight comprehensive evaluation to compare environmental safety, construction efficiency, and economic performance. The results show that, in the measured data, the differences in carbon monoxide (CO) concentration among the three schemes were most significant during the 0–30 min period. In this period, compared with scheme 1, scheme 2 reduced the average CO concentration and the full-period peak value by 25.26% and 22.96%, respectively; scheme 3 further reduced these two indicators by 38.50% and 36.17%, respectively, compared with scheme 2. Meanwhile, the transport capacity of scheme 3 reached 20.47 m³/h, which was 5.35% and 7.40% higher than that of the other two schemes. The energy and maintenance costs of a single new-energy muck truck were 209.66 and 14.24 CNY/day, respectively, less than 46% of those of the fuel-powered truck. The entropy-weight evaluation of the measured data further supported the earlier findings. The coefficients of determination (R²) between the simulated and measured data were 0.966, 0.908, and 0.917, respectively, indicating that the simulation results can serve as a useful reference for comparing different operating conditions. The study demonstrates that, during high-altitude long-tunnel construction, source-organization optimization can reduce early-stage CO concentration by 23%–25%, while new-energy machinery can achieve more substantial environmental and economic benefits without sacrificing transport efficiency. This study reveals the differentiated effects of organizational optimization and energy substitution, and proposes a layered collaborative optimization pathway applicable to scenarios involving the coexistence of mixed machinery.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 08:37:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2761291</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>South Dakota Granular Moisture-Density Curve Development and Dynamic Cone Penetrometer Implementation</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2780459</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) currently estimates optimum moisture content (OMC) and maximum dry unit weight (MDUW) for granular materials using one-point Proctor tests together with the Ohio Highway Department (OHD) moisture–density family of curves. Because the OHD curves were developed using materials from outside South Dakota, their applicability to local granular materials is uncertain. This study redeveloped the SDDOT moisture–density family of curves using compaction data collected from South Dakota construction projects and evaluated the applicability of the Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) specification for compaction quality control. A database of 294 compaction curves was compiled and analyzed to develop SDDOT moisture–density relationships. Regression analysis was used to estimate OMC and MDUW values, and a new family of curves was generated using Gaussian models. The curves were converted to wet unit weight relationships and expanded using a universal model to produce curves at 1-pcf density increments. Verification and validation analyses demonstrated improved prediction accuracy of the new SDDOT curves compared with the OHD curves. An Excel-based tool was also developed to automate the determination of compaction parameters from one-point Proctor test data. The applicability of the MnDOT DCP specification for SDDOT materials was evaluated using side-by-side field data, including DCP measurements, sand cone density tests, nuclear density gauge measurements, and proctor test results. The analysis showed generally good agreement between DCP-based compaction acceptance and density-based criteria. Optimization analysis identified adjustments to allowable Dynamic Penetration Index (DPI) and SEAT thresholds that improved agreement between the two methods. The study recommends adoption of the new SDDOT moisture–density curves, implementation of the automated Excel tool, and a three-year parallel implementation program to verify correct implementation and integration of the refined DCP specification with the new SDDOT moisture-density curves and to validate the combined field performance.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 08:37:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2780459</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Refinement of Reinforced Concrete Box Culvert Installation Guidelines</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2780458</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This study developed a refined, data-driven framework to support the selection of reinforced concrete box culverts (RCBCs) in South Dakota, where designers often face uncertainty when choosing between cast-in-place (CIP) and precast systems under complex site conditions. The project combined stakeholder interviews, nationwide surveys, inspection records, cost information, and predictive modeling to evaluate current practices, long-term performance, and constructability constraints. Results show that while precast RCBCs are widely favored for standard installations due to faster construction and reduced traffic impacts, CIP remains the main option for high skews, challenging hydraulics, poor soils, large rises, and specialized geometries. South Dakota performance data show that precast culverts generally maintain high condition ratings in the short- to mid-term, though most are not yet old enough to fully assess long-term durability. In contrast, older CIP culverts have demonstrated reliable long-term performance where properly maintained. Based on these findings, the study proposes selection criteria and revisions to the SDDOT Bridge Design Manual, including updated skew and rise limits for precast units, allowance for hybrid precast–CIP configurations, and preference for multiple single-cell units in multi-barrel designs. The resulting framework enhances consistency, efficiency, and long-term performance in RCBC design and construction across South Dakota.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 08:37:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2780458</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Laboratory Evaluation of Soil Conditioning for EPB Shield Tunnelling in the Hanoi Metro Line 3 Project</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2742742</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Soil conditioning (SC) tests were conducted on representative clayey and sandy soils from the Hanoi Metro Line 3 tunnel alignment to identify suitable conditioning parameters for Earth Pressure Balance tunnelling. Different combinations of water injection ratio, foam expansion ratio, and foam injection ratio were evaluated through slump and flow table tests to assess workability. SC significantly improved the workability of both soils. For the clayey soil, the optimum condition consisted of a water injection ratio of 15%, foam concentration of 1.5%, foam expansion ratio of 8, and foam injection ratio of 30–50%, producing a slump of approximately 130 mm and a spread diameter of 149 mm. For the sandy soil, the optimum condition corresponded to a water injection ratio of 5%, foam concentration of 1.5%, foam expansion ratio of 8, and a foam injection ratio of 68%, resulting in a slump of approximately 135 mm and spread diameters of 135–170 mm. Regression analysis confirmed significant positive relationships between foam injection ratio and workability, demonstrating that optimum SC parameters are strongly dependent on soil type.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 08:37:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2742742</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Develop Methods to Reduce Crashes and Increase Driver Compliance in Work Zones</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2780460</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Work zones are vital for any infrastructure development and maintenance; however, their presence poses risks to motorists, workers, and other road users. This research analyzed work zone data, crash data, and roadway characteristics data to determine factors influencing work zone crash occurrence, injury severity, and driver compliance on South Dakota highways. Data used in the analyses were obtained from the South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) for the 5-year study period of 2018 to 2022. Research objectives included a literature review of work zone safety measures in South Dakota and nationwide, a review of state-of-the-art work zone traffic control devices, as well as existing smart work zone (SWZ) technologies and applications. Analyses included crash frequency and crash severity analysis for both rural and urban South Dakota state highways. Findings varied among the variables that increased or decreased the likelihood to work zone crash occurrence on the roadway functional classifications studied. For both limited access and non-limited access facilities(arterials and collectors), variables associated with an increase in the likelihood of severe injury crashes included: lack of safety equipment, driving under the influence (DUI), illness, and disregarding work zone signs. A speed data analysis was also performed on seven completed projects to evaluate driver compliance. Findings indicated variations among the different projects, showing both significant speed increases and decreases between consecutive locations. Recommended implementation strategies to reduce work zone crashes, improve driver compliance, and enhance worker safety were presented. SDDOT policies and standards for work zones were also reviewed, and specific revisions were recommended to improve work zone safety for workers and road users.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 08:37:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2780460</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Ultimate strength research on hull T-joint stiffened plates by laser-arc hybrid welding considering preheating conditions</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2774620</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Laser-Arc Hybrid Welding offers significant potential for the lightweight design and rapid manufacturing of hull structures. In particular, the single-sided welding process eliminates the need for plate flipping, enabling one-pass formation and substantially reducing production time and costs. Single-sided laser-arc hybrid welding of large-scale T-shaped hull stiffened plates was analyzed under different preheating temperatures using a sequentially coupled thermal-mechanical finite element method and nonlinear ultimate strength analysis. Numerical results demonstrate that raising the global preheating temperature from 20 °C to 300 °C significantly reduces welding residual stresses, yielding a reduction of approximately 13% in peak longitudinal residual stress and 37% in peak transverse residual stress. However, preheating temperature has a marginal impact on the ultimate compressive strength under uniaxial compression. Welding distortion is sensitive to the stiffener configuration, which can reverse the direction of transverse angular distortion and regulate preheating effects on longitudinal deflection. These findings indicate that the primary benefits of global preheating lie in controlling welding distortion and reducing high tensile stresses at the weld toe, rather than enhancing the macro-scale ultimate strength.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 08:37:10 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2774620</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Deep learning-based structural element extraction and knowledge-graph-based validation of 2D bridge drawings</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2767657</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The maintenance and management of existing bridge infrastructure rely on conventional two-dimensional construction drawings, which remain largely unstructured and difficult to integrate into digital workflows, including Building Information Modeling (BIM). In prestressed concrete bridges, tendons and anchorage systems are documented across multiple drawings and sectional views, making manual interpretation time-consuming and error-prone. This paper presents an automated pipeline for detecting and semantically structuring structural elements in 2D bridge drawings. The approach combines deep learning-based object detection, classical computer vision for identifier-frame detection, optical character recognition, and spatial matching to identify elements, recognize identifiers, and link elements with their labels. The extracted information is integrated into an ontology-based knowledge graph, enabling SPARQL-based validation of missing identifiers, cross-view relationships, and section-level quantities. On 29 bridge drawings, detection achieved mAP@50 values of up to 97.4%, and text recognition reached 93.0% exact-match accuracy with a 2.2% character error rate.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 08:37:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2767657</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Set-Based Design for Bridge Optimization: Minimizing Cost, Construction Time, and CO2 Emissions</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2775381</link>
      <description><![CDATA[While bridges are an essential part of the infrastructure, their construction is resource intensive. Reducing construction time and optimizing bridges could reduce their climate impact. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential for reducing material and construction cost (henceforth referred to as cost), as well as construction time and CO2 emissions for grouping and optimizing bridges using set-based design (SBD). The grouping is based on the free area under the bridges and the benefits of construction time due to the learning curve. In this study, a script is developed that performed finite-element analysis and conducted necessary design checks for all the bridges investigated. The bridges generated from SBD were then compared with bridges from a reference project. The results show that in a project with several bridges, SBD could be used to group bridges and reduce cost and construction time without a negative impact on CO2 emissions. Reducing cost and construction time without negative impact on CO2 levels in infrastructure projects is a huge benefit for the society.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 25 Sep 2026 10:51:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2775381</guid>
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