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    <title>Transport Research International Documentation (TRID)</title>
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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>Transport Research International Documentation (TRID)</title>
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      <link>https://trid.trb.org/</link>
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    <item>
      <title>Expanding Summer Youth Programs in Rail through Virtual Learning and a National
Campus Network – Phase II</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2764027</link>
      <description><![CDATA[FRA supported Michigan Technological University (Michigan Tech), in collaboration with Pennsylvania State University Altoona and the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), to establish Tracks to the Future: Railroad Transportation and Engineering, a summer program for high school students. Phase I of this program was offered in the summer of 2022 at Michigan Tech, Penn State Altoona, and UIUC (Lautala et al, 2024). In Phase II, the program expanded to three additional universities: the University of South Carolina, University of New Mexico, and California State University, Fresno. The program included 105 students from 18 different states. Most participants were rising eleventh or twelfth grade students. Overall, the Phase II program continued the success of Phase I. Students and parents provided positive feedback for both the remote and in person activities. However, improvements can still be made in the registration process, program logistics, and travel expense reimbursement.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 25 Aug 2026 08:59:42 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2764027</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Expanding Summer Youth Programs in Rail Through Virtual Learning and a National Campus Network – Phase III and Final Report</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2764030</link>
      <description><![CDATA[FRA supported Michigan Technological University (Michigan Tech), in collaboration with Pennsylvania State University Altoona (Penn State Altoona) and the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), to establish Tracks to the Future: Railroad Transportation and Engineering, a summer program for high school students. Phase I of this program was offered in the summer of 2022 at Michigan Tech, Penn State Altoona, and UIUC. In Phase II (2023), the program expanded to three additional universities: University of South Carolina, University of New Mexico and California State University, Cal State Fresno. In Phase III the program added four more universities: University of District Columbia, University of Nebraska – Lincoln, North Dakota State University and Oregon State University. All cohorts used a hybrid format where students first spent two days participating in live remote sessions via Zoom and completing hands-on activities mailed to them prior to program start. Students then traveled to one of the host campuses for two days of on-campus activities and field visits. FRA funded the course development, the program fees for the students (including meals and housing), and field visit expenses at the host site. Rail industry companies provided limited travel support for students in need to reach the host site. The program reached over 300 registered students from 26 states over the three years studied. Pre- and post-program assessments showed an increase in student knowledge of railway topics, and the engineering belongingness surveys also showed the positive impact created by the program. With proper support, Tracks to the Future can continue to provide important outreach and education for pre-college students interested in rail.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 11:15:53 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2764030</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Development of user personas for transit riders: Results from the Albuquerque Rapid Transit system</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2697485</link>
      <description><![CDATA[As cities grapple with unsustainable growth, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems offer a cost-effective, high-capacity alternative to reduce car dependency and improve equitable mobility. This study develops user personas for the Albuquerque Rapid Transit (ART) system to better understand barriers and motivations for BRT utilization. This study analyzed 329 survey responses and 25 in-depth interviews with ART users, non-users, and transit experts, applied employed k-means and hierarchical clustering to identify patterns in transit attribute preferences—such as bus stop access, bus reliability, comfort, cost, safety, trip time—across demographic subgroups. Five distinct user personas emerged, each reflecting different combinations of needs, experiences, and behavioral traits. Safety emerged as a consistently high-priority attribute across respondents, but cluster-level analysis revealed variation in how users balanced safety with reliability, accessibility, cost, comfort, and travel time. These findings suggest that persona-based approaches are valuable not because they identify entirely new priorities, but because they uncover meaningful differences in how users experience and negotiate common transit concerns. The study contributes empirical evidence from a mid-sized U.S. BRT system and demonstrates how mixed-method persona development can support more user-sensitive transit planning.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 14:12:02 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2697485</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Development of UAS-enabled Bridge Deck Inspection System from Investigation to Implementation</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2731915</link>
      <description><![CDATA[We introduce a pilot study that is geared towards inaugurating a UAS-centric bridge inspection program, operating on a component-level approach, with the overarching goal of enhancing the caliber of bridge inspection methodologies within the confines of New Mexico. The envisioned program encompasses the formulation of UAS-based inspection strategies, the establishment of frameworks for data interpretation, and the development of specialized software implementations tailored to individual bridge components as delineated in the National Bridge Inventory (NBI). To achieve automated data acquisition, cutting-edge UAS platforms equipped with high-resolution sensors will be deployed. Moreover, innovative algorithms for image processing and machine learning will be investigated to facilitate the semi-automated or fully automated analysis of the amassed data. Intuitive software applications, constructed upon these novel algorithms, will be devised to facilitate practical implementation. In addition, a dedicated workshop will be orchestrated for the personnel of the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT), providing a platform to showcase the tangible research outcomes stemming from the proposed project. This strategic initiative serves to broaden the reach and amplify the impact of the research endeavors undertaken.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 09:06:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2731915</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Conduct Friction Testing Program, Data Analysis, and Effectiveness of Open Graded Friction Course</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2723384</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This report evaluates the use of skid number (SN) data for pavement friction management in New Mexico. The study reviews current pavement friction practices, consolidates historical New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) Locked Wheel Skid Trailer (LWST) data, develops roadway class specific SN thresholds, and assesses SN variability, risk, and monitoring adequacy. SN records were organized by road class, route, year, and milepost to support repeat location analysis. Safety based thresholds were developed using long term SN trends, Crash Rate Ratio (CRR) SN relationships, texture depth, directional SN behavior, seasonal variation, machine learning prediction, and geometric component assessment. Recommended base thresholds are SN = 40 for Interstate highways and SN = 38 for US and NM State highways, with higher thresholds for selected geometric components. There thresholds values were employed to monitor different locations using proximity analysis, reliability index, risk classification, monitoring adequacy, and Monte Carlo simulation. Results show higher SN risk on Interstate locations in New Mexico, especially on several I-40 segments. These threshold values should be used for NMDOT decision making for monitoring, maintenance prioritization, and future SN management.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 13:34:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2723384</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Develop a Balanced Asphalt Mixture Design Procedure</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2723375</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Balanced Mix Design (BMD) is a performance-based approach that supplements the traditional Superpave volumetric mix design process with laboratory performance testing to achieve an appropriate balance between rutting resistance and cracking resistance. This study was conducted to develop a practical BMD framework and preliminary performance criteria for asphalt mixtures used by the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT). A comprehensive review of BMD implementation practices adopted by state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) was performed to identify commonly used performance tests and benchmark threshold values. Based on this review, a performance-modified volumetric design procedure was developed for New Mexico. Rutting and cracking performance were evaluated using the Hamburg Wheel Tracking Test (HWTT), Illinois Flexibility Index Test (I-FIT), IDEAL Rutting Test (IDEAL-RT), and IDEAL Cracking Test (IDEAL-CT). Three performance-index-based methods were proposed to determine the balanced asphalt content (AC%): (1) the HWTT–I-FIT relative performance index, (2) the IDEAL-RT–IDEAL-CT relative performance index, and (3) a combined performance index integrating all four tests. A total of nineteen asphalt mixtures representative of New Mexico materials and production practices were evaluated, including eleven laboratory-compacted short-term aged (LCSTA) mixtures and eight field-produced reheated (FMRH) mixtures. Based on the selected rutting and cracking criteria, each mixture was classified as balanced or unbalanced, and the resulting dataset was used to establish preliminary New Mexico-specific performance thresholds for BMD implementation. The recommended performance criteria include a minimum of 10,000, 15,000, and 20,000 Hamburg Wheel Tracking Test passes to reach 6 mm rut depth for mixtures containing PG 64, PG 70, and PG 76 binders, respectively; a minimum Flexibility Index (FI) of 8 (preferred ≥ 10); a minimum CTIndex of 75 (preferred ≥ 100); and a minimum RTIndex of 80 (preferred ≥ 100). The proposed BMD framework and associated performance criteria provide a practical basis for implementing Balanced Mix Design for NMDOT.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 13:34:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2723375</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>The New Mexico DOT Research and Climate Bureau Library Update: Welcome to the Story of Our Reopening! [video]</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2724652</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The New Mexico Department of Transportation re-opened its library in 2025 after being closed for several years. Speaker and solo librarian Amy Boggess shares an overview of the Research and Climate Bureau building that houses the library, the history and timeline of the library’s closing and re-opening, and progress made in establishing the new era of the library while operating in a multi-use space.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 13:34:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2724652</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Optimum Locations for the Benefits of Green Infrastructure (GI) on the NMDOT Transportation System</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2720101</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This study was initiated to assist the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) in identifying, evaluating, and prioritizing locations across the state where green infrastructure (GI) can be strategically implemented to address pressing roadway maintenance challenges and growing climate-related vulnerabilities. As New Mexico experiences increasing variability in precipitation patterns—ranging from prolonged droughts to intense, short-duration storms—transportation infrastructure is facing greater risks from flooding, erosion, sedimentation, and vegetation overgrowth or undergrowth. Climate change could also accelerate the emergence of new exotic plant species or create more favorable conditions for exotic species that are already established within the state. These issues result in repeated maintenance interventions, increased costs, and disruptions to roadway performance and safety. Green infrastructure offers an effective, nature-based approach to enhance roadway resilience while providing co-benefits for water quality, habitat connectivity, and long-term cost savings. Unlike conventional "gray" infrastructure, GI techniques such as bioswales, vegetated sponges, sediment basins, and check dams are designed to mimic natural hydrologic processes. When implemented appropriately, GI can reduce surface runoff, stabilize soils, manage sediment, and decrease the frequency and severity of drainage-related failures. These functions are especially important in New Mexico’s arid and semi-arid landscapes, where high-intensity rainfall can rapidly overwhelm traditional drainage systems and accelerate degradation of roadside features. This work addresses NMDOT’s growing need to integrate GI into the early stages of project planning and design, particularly within the agency’s right-of-way (ROW). Proactive identification of high-opportunity GI locations allows NMDOT to align infrastructure investments with environmental performance, maintenance reduction, and regulatory compliance.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 17:05:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2720101</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Chip Seal for Uniform Usages Across the Districts of NMDOT</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2720103</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Chip seals are a cost-effective pavement preservation treatment widely used by the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) to extend pavement life and improve surface performance. Despite their extensive application, NMDOT has not previously adopted a standardized design procedure or construction specification, resulting in variability across districts. This research reviewed current practices, analyzed performance trends using Pavement Management System (PMS) data, and developed a formal design methodology tailored to New Mexico’s conditions. The Modified Kearby method, documented in AASHTO R 102-22, was selected as the most suitable design approach based on its practicality and compatibility with available resources. Laboratory testing of 13 aggregate sources, including reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), revealed significant variability in material properties and application rates, confirming the need for project-specific design. Validation through two field projects demonstrated strong agreement between laboratory-designed and field-applied rates, supporting adoption of the method. PMS analysis showed that chip seals generally perform well, with minimal bleeding and acceptable aggregate retention. Service lives average six to eight years, consistent with current practice. The study recommends adopting the Modified Kearby method, implementing statewide specifications, integrating PMS data into project selection, and constructing pilot test sections in each district during initial implementation. These measures will improve consistency, optimize material usage, and enhance long-term performance of chip seal treatments across New Mexico.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 17:05:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2720103</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>InspectAR: Bridge Inspection Using Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2720104</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Bridge inspections are critical for maintaining infrastructure safety and reliability, requiring inspectors to conduct thorough evaluations of structural components and document their conditions. However, traditional inspection workflows rely heavily on manual measurement and data entry, which introduces inefficiencies, inconsistencies, and transcription errors. This research explores the application of Augmented Reality (AR) and Computer Vision (CV) in bridge inspections through the development of an AR-based head-mounted display system. By overlaying digital annotations, enabling hands-free interaction, and integrating automated measurement tools, the proposed system supports enhanced data collection, visualization, and more efficient data conversion in the office. Through field testing with bridge inspectors, we evaluated the usability and practicality of various AR-based inspection techniques. Key findings from real-world testing indicate that AR improves spatial awareness by anchoring annotations and data directly to defects of interest on the bridge structure. The integration of CV for crack quantification has value for facilitating measurements at a distance, but its usability as a fully automated tool is low at this time. The team determined that the best way to ensure reliability in assessments was a hybrid approach where CV is guided by the inspector, with flexibility to bypass it altogether if preferred.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 17:05:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2720104</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Polymer Concrete Joints for Precast Bridge Elements in Accelerated Construction</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2720102</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) relies on prefabricated bridge element systems (PBES) to reduce construction time and minimize traffic disruption. In such systems, closure joints play a critical role in ensuring structural continuity and long-term durability. Conventional cementitious closure materials often require extended curing times and may be susceptible to cracking, shrinkage, and durability-related degradation, which can compromise accelerated construction objectives. This study evaluates the feasibility of polymer concrete (PC) as an alternative closure joint material for longitudinal joints in prefabricated slab bridges. A comprehensive experimental program was conducted in four interconnected phases to assess the mechanical, bond, thermal, and structural performance of PC under conditions representative of field applications. Phase I focused on material-level characterization of six commercially available polymer concrete products representing four polymer classes, including epoxy-based, polyester-based, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and polyvinyl ester (PVE) systems. Phase II investigated bond behavior between selected PC types and both reinforcing steel and conventional concrete. Phase III evaluated the residual mechanical and bond properties of PC after exposure to thermal cycling and subzero temperatures. Phase IV assessed the structural behavior of large-scale prefabricated slab bridge specimens incorporating PC closure joints. The findings establish polymer concrete—particularly PMMA- and PVE-based systems—as a viable closure joint material for prefabricated slab bridges. The study provides experimental evidence supporting the use of performance-based material specifications, rational splice detailing, and construction practices necessary for successful field implementation in accelerated bridge construction.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 17:05:01 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2720102</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Quantifying Disproportionate User Costs Caused by Pavement Conditions</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2685575</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Pavement conditions are often linked to safety outcomes, greenhouse gas emissions, and a region’s economic development. While a pavement management program aims to improve overall network conditions over time, recent research shows that the burden of poor condition pavements falls proportionally on certain corridors or regions within the network. Moreover, recent studies have highlighted the lack of standardized performance measures for evaluating disproportional impacts among road users. For these reasons, this paper proposes new metrics to quantify the monetary impacts on road users, aiming to better understand the impacts. We compared the existing federal measures with the new metrics proposed to quantify the economic impact of pavement conditions on road users, followed by a detailed discussion of the proposed new set of performance measures. The effectiveness of these measures was demonstrated using New Mexico as a case study, a state with a 50.2% Hispanic population and 18.4% of residents living in poverty. The methodology was designed to be replicable using public data available to state departments of transportation. The new performance measures provide additional perspectives beyond those offered by federal pavement condition percentages. In summary, this paper demonstrates that the proposed measures help identify pavement condition disparities that could impact areas disproportionally and can help state departments of transportation assess the need for targeted, localized approaches to budget allocations and infrastructure investment.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2026 17:02:35 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2685575</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Predictive Analytics for Target Zero Initiative Recommendations
</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2717344</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Target Zero is a transformative initiative working to develop a plan of recommendations for 
New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) to improve its practices and build a transportation safety culture in New Mexico. The initiative will coordinate safety-aligned programs across NMDOT to elevate their impact statewide. The recommendations in the plan have been developed based on transportation professionals’ insights and literature reviews. However, there is a gap in our understanding of what to expect from these recommendations. To plan how and when we will reach the goal of zero traffic fatalities, we need to conduct predictive analytics research to anticipate the impact of our recommendations on transportation in New Mexico. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 23 Jun 2026 13:34:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2717344</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>New Mexico: Highway Safety Improvement Program 2018 Annual Report</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2703994</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) is a core Federal-aid program with the purpose of achieving a significant reduction in fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads. As per 23 U.S.C. 148(h) and 23 CFR 924.15, States are required to report annually on the progress being made to advance HSIP implementation and evaluation efforts. The format of this report is consistent with the HSIP Reporting Guidance dated December 29, 2016 and consists of five sections: program structure, progress in implementing highway safety improvement projects, progress in achieving safety outcomes and performance targets, effectiveness of the improvements and compliance assessment.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 30 May 2026 11:55:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2703994</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Dust Storm Mitigation and Efficacy Research</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2705960</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Using existing data and/or additional monitoring, the team will assess geomorphic and species-level responses to different treatments and/or conditions to determine whether some treatments are improving conditions in some areas more than in others. The data will help to determine future mitigation actions. Analysis will also determine if species in the landscape are from the seedbank rather than the seed mix used at the sites. ]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 21 May 2026 16:31:12 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2705960</guid>
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