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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>
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    <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>Successful Approaches to Protecting Electrical and Communications Infrastructure Within Highway Rights-of-Way</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2714466</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Copper theft and vandalism of critical and sensitive highway electrical and communications infrastructure poses a serious issue for the Departments of Transportation (DOTs) across the nation, their partner emergency services, utilities, and the public. This NCHRP U.S. Domestic Scan sought practices, emerging technologies, and organizational arrangements highly successful in protecting assets and deterring illicit activities. The scan team reviewed existing literature and held workshops with select state DOTs, urban local agencies, utilities, law enforcement, and the private industry to identify promising actions, cooperative efforts, and case studies that can be replicated for successful outcomes elsewhere. This scan finds that multidisciplinary public-private sector task forces, consistent statutes, and enhanced resources for real-time detection and enforcement capabilities are important elements to addressing the issue. It also finds that more efforts are needed to ascertain the true costs of copper theft and communications vandalism. If successful, these approaches will better ensure public safety, critical services, and societal resilience.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 27 Jun 2026 15:38:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2714466</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>An Assessment of Sign Vandalism in the State of Texas</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2536055</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This report describes a research study which reviewed several sign vandalism countermeasures throughout the country and assessed the extent of sign vandalism in Texas. Countermeasures that were reviewed include hardware implementation measures and legal solutions to reduce sign vandalism and media campaign efforts that targeted specific age and interest groups. Two states and six municipalities were identified as having implemented a combination of these countermeasures. The extent of sign vandalism in Texas, which included determining locations and types of traffic control devices that were frequently vandalized, was assessed by a statewide survey distributed to Texas Department of Transportation personnel. A total of 229 persons responded to the survey. The report also describes the findings, recommendations, and implementation efforts associated with the review and assessment of sign vandalism issues. Recommendations include specific hardware and legal solutions that can be adopted and potential public awareness and media campaign efforts that can be implemented to reduce sign vandalism in Texas.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 20 Apr 2025 18:22:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2536055</guid>
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      <title>Associations of Public Transport Ridership with Subjective Safety and Security in Johannesburg, South Africa</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2493122</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Commuters in developing countries, in particular, South Africa (SA), spend up to a third of their income on commuting trips using public transport (PT). However, it is assumed that PT in SA is insecure and unsafe owing to crime in and around terminals, poorly maintained vehicles, and reckless driving. The lack of security perceived by end-users still requires critical empirical analysis. The purpose of this paper was to investigate the interrelations of perceived security and safety with using public transportation for commute trips and non-commute trips in South Africa, represented by Johannesburg. The findings revealed that insecurity when using PT, direct experience of crime while using minibus taxis, indirect experience of crime in the PT by night and in the trains, lack of police and/or guards in the public transit system, poor quality vehicles and infrastructure were the factors that significantly influence public transit ridership for commute trips. Additionally, experiencing crime in a bus, availability of transit stops, vandalism and graffiti were found to influence public transit ridership for non-commute trips. Young people perceived security and safety risks less than older people. Urban planners need to improve security and safety in public transit, which tends to discourage some commuters from riding PT. However, there was evidence of captive users of public transit who continue to use PT even though they experience crime incidents. Captive users should be turned into satisfied users to sustain PT ridership.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 25 Feb 2025 14:08:43 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2493122</guid>
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      <title>2022-2023 Campus Travel Survey Summary of Safety and Bike Theft Questions</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2214003</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This report presents some of the key results from the two new blocks of questions included in the 2022-23 Campus Travel Survey. The first block includes questions to assess the safety of pedestrians, bicyclists, and other micro-mobility users. The second block asks respondents questions about incidents related to bike theft and vandalism on campus. To assess pedestrian safety on campus respondents were asked if they had been hit while walking on campus since the beginning of fall quarter 2022 and if so to select the mode they were hit by. The set of questions related to fall and crash of bike and micro-mobility users was shown only to respondents who indicated that they were associated with University of California, Davis (UC Davis) during the 2021-22 academic year. The report presents results of questions related to safety of bike and micro-mobility users, including questions on type of fall or crash related incidents, and reasons for their fall or crash while using a particular mode. Respondents were also asked to indicate the location of fall or crash on the campus. The block on bike theft asked respondents if they were the victims of bike theft or vandalism during the year 2021-22. The questions were designed to better understand the situations under which the bike was stolen, whether it was locked indoors or outdoors, type of object the bike was locked to, and the type of lock used.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 21 Jul 2023 09:28:21 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2214003</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Exploring Patterns in the Free-Floating Bike Sharing Usage by Analysing GPS Traces</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/1770355</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The recent evolution of free-floating bike-sharing system (FFBSS) is a result of the ever growing need to introduce sustainable urban mobility solutions. However, the factors that influence the supply and demand of such systems are not yet widely studied in literature. The paper aims at expanding the knowledge framework of the FFBSSs, by thoroughly analyzing a big data set composed of almost a million GPS traces, which were recorded between July and October 2018 from the MOBIKE FFBSS in the city of Bologna, Italy. The methodology consists in a detailed analysis of the available data set, designed to quantify the FFBSS demand and supply, while focusing on the FFBSS demand side. The GPS traces have been imported, filtered and analyzed with SUMOPy, a GIS software developed at the University of Bologna. Special software-extensions for the present analysis have also been implemented in Python. Regarding the analyses of the supply side, it became apparent that one of the worst problems of the FFBSS in Bologna may be vandalism: the number of shared bikes in circulation decreased exponentially in time. On the demand side, a model has been calibrated that predicts the daily FFBSS demand as a function of several attributes, of which the most significant have been: weather conditions (rainy day or not), daily average temperature, day-type (weekday or holiday) and period (working or holiday). However, unfavourable weather conditions seem to decrease only temporarily the demand; in fact, after such events, the bike activity restarts immediately at full capacity. A spatial analysis confirms the quite obvious findings from previous studies indicating that trips are more frequents in the city centre and decrease towards the suburb. Moreover, the evolution of the bike-usage during the day has been analyzed for different types of traffic zones and the results show that these latter could be clustered in different classes regarding a series of characteristics, such as the frequency of use and the tendency towards either accumulate or disperse bicycles. Note that this study has been limited to analyse only the satisfied demand, which is constrained by the limited bike supply. Nevertheless, the number of estimated daily trips compared with the effective trip numbers have shown a high R-square, proving the validity of this analysis. These findings could support FFBSS companies to better understand the fluctuation of both, the transport demand and supply of this recent transport system, in order to improve the distribution and relocation of their bikes.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 26 Mar 2021 17:47:46 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/1770355</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Prediction of traffic sign vandalism that obstructs critical messages to drivers</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/1570097</link>
      <description><![CDATA[A critical deficiency in any one or a combination of three transportation system characteristics: the driver, roadway, or vehicle can contribute to an elevated crash risk for the motoring public. Traffic signs often convey critical information to drivers. However, traffic signs are only effective when clearly visible and legible. Traffic sign vandalism that is exclusively the results of humans causes both sign legibility and visibility to deteriorate. Transportation agencies spend a significant amount of money to repair or replace vandalized signs. This study was conducted to identify which traffic signs are more vulnerable to vandalism. To do this, a mobile-based vehicle collected data of over 97000 traffic signs managed by the Utah Department of Transportation (UDoT), US. The vandalized signs were identified by a trained operator through inspection of daytime digital images taken of each individual sign. Location data obtained from online sources combined with the traffic sign data were imported into ArcGIS to acquire localized conditions for each individual sign. According to the chi-square test results, the association between vandalism and traffic sign attributes and localized conditions, including background color, size, mount height, exposure, land cover, and road type was evident. After employing the random forests model, the most important factors in making signs vulnerable to vandalism were identified.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 27 Dec 2018 10:59:24 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/1570097</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Equipment Testing and Analysis - Glazing Impact Test: An Evaluation of Two Plastic and Glass Window Systems Subjected to Projectile Impacts</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/1503124</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Impact tests were conducted at the Transportation Test Center on two glazing systems installed in railroad locomotives, passenger cars, and cabooses. A 1/4" thick extruded polycarbonate plastic and a 1/4" thick cast acrylic plastic, each installed in combinations with a 1/4" thick sheet of tempered safety glass, were subjected to standard cinder block and 22-caliber bullet impact tests. The tests were conducted in accordance with the procedures described in CFR Title 49, Part 223 - "Safety Glazing Standards - Locomotives, Passenger Cars, and Cabooses." The results derived from the tests will be used by the Federal Railroad Administration in its research to identify which window glazing combinations will protect railroad employees and passengers from injury as the result of vandalism. This report presents details of the 18 impact tests performed by the Research and Test Department of the Association of American Railroads. It compares the impact resistance of the two plastic and safety glass system combinations and includes a comparative partial test of a double safety glass system.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 16 Apr 2018 20:46:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/1503124</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Behavioural and organisational interventions to prevent trespass and graffiti vandalism on railway property</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/1488483</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Trespassing behaviour is a problem for railway operations because it leads to train–pedestrian collisions and important delays. Trespassing incidents result from the violation of the rail track access rules by pedestrians. In many cases, this behaviour is driven by vandalism intentions. Various measures have been developed and implemented to reduce trespass and vandalism on railway premises, but to date there is no publication to show which of these measures are more effective. This paper aims to review the good practices and recommendations on the prevention of railway trespass and vandalism and to provide a summary of the most promising preventive measures that involve human factors namely collaborative measures, enforcement, staff training, public education and environmental measures, which are likely to influence people’s behaviour. Physical measures (e.g. fencing) and purely technical ones (e.g. detection systems) are not within the scope of this paper, since there is consistent literature indicating the effectiveness of these interventions. The method included a systematic review of the literature on the topic, as well as a collection of prevention practices from the railway operating community. Both the procedures were conducted during the EU-funded projects RESTRAIL (REduction of Suicides and Trespasses on the RAILway property) and GRAFFOLUTION (Awareness and prevention solutions against graffiti vandalism in public areas and transport). Although the results reveal promising preventive measures, very few studies show evidence for their effectiveness. We discuss how measures can be combined to increase their efficiency for trespass and vandalism prevention in the background of a behavioural theoretical framework applied to the rail context.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 20 Nov 2017 17:09:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/1488483</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Traffic Sign Vandalism and Demographics of Local Population: A Case Study in Utah</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/1410904</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Among the different types of traffic sign damage, vandalism is exclusively caused by humans. Traffic sign vandalism is a serious concern, since it can lead to an increase in unsafe driving behaviors. In addition, it results in increased costs to transportation agencies to replace, repair, or maintain the vandalized signs. This paper examines the association between the local population demographics and traffic sign vandalism rates in the State of Utah. To accomplish this goal, sign data of over 97,000 traffic signs across Utah were digitally collected by an equipped vehicle. Sign damage data were obtained from the inspection of daytime digital images taken of each individual sign. Demographic data of Utah's counties, including population density, ethnicity, age, income, education, and gender, were obtained from the U.S. Census. The association between demographic groups and vandalism rates was tested using chi-square and trend tests. The results reveal that the most statistically significant variables comprise median household income, completion of at least an associate degree, and population density. According to the fitted linear regression model, a relationship exists between sign vandalism rate and local population demographic. The findings of this investigation can assist transportation agencies in identifying areas with a higher likelihood of sign vandalism, based on demographic characteristics. Such information can then be used to encourage scheduled sign inspections and to implement various countermeasures to prevent sign vandalism.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 28 Jun 2016 16:16:34 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/1410904</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Petroleum Pipeline Explosions in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of the Academic and Lay Literature</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/1344534</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Experience indicates that the frequency and impact of petroleum pipeline fires and explosions in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is presently under-represented in the academic literature. Using adapted PRISMA guidelines, the authors reviewed both PubMed and the LexisNexis Academic news database, which includes periodicals, news transcripts and online reports. Country-by-country searches were conducted for petroleum pipeline fires and explosions in SSA occurring between June 1, 2004 and May 31, 2014. Initial search yielded 5730 articles from LexisNexis Academic and 3 from PubMed. On further review, a total of 28 separate petroleum pipeline-related incidents causing injuries and/or deaths were identified, 16 of which had not been previously reported in the academic literature. The events occurred in Nigeria (23), Kenya (2), Ghana (1), Sierra Leone (1), and Tanzania (1). A total of 1756 deaths were reported across all events. The most common cause of the original leak was intentional, either from theft or vandalism (13/20, 65%), or by militia activity (2/20, 10%). Fire disasters related to scavenging fuel from petroleum pipelines are common in SSA and cause significant morbidity and mortality. These events require better reporting tools and intervention strategies overall. Furthermore, the authors study demonstrates that non-academic sources can effectively supplement gaps in the academic literature.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 26 Jun 2015 17:12:08 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/1344534</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Detection of Scene Obstructions and Persistent View Changes in Transportation Camera Systems</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/1353978</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Unattended camera devices are increasingly being used in various intelligent transportation systems (ITS) for applications such as surveillance, toll collection, and photo enforcement. In these fielded systems, a variety of factors can cause camera obstructions and persistent view changes that may adversely affect their performance. Examples include camera misalignment, intentional blockage resulting from vandalism, and natural elements causing obstruction, such as foliage growing into the scene and ice forming on the porthole. In addition, other persistent view changes resulting from new scene elements of interest being captured, such as stalled cars, suspicious packages, etc. might warrant alarms. Since these systems are often unattended, it is often important to automatically detect such incidents early. In this paper, the authors describe innovative algorithms to address these problems. A novel approach that uses the image edge map to detect near-field obstructions without a reference image of the unobstructed scene is presented. A second algorithm that can be used to detect more generic obstructions and persistent view changes using a learned scene element cluster map is then discussed. Lastly, an approach to detect and distinguish persistent view changes from changes in the orientation of the fixed camera system is explained. Together, these algorithms can be useful in a variety of camera-based ITS.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 28 May 2015 09:23:28 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/1353978</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Associations between Neighborhood Characteristics and Physical Activity among Youth within Rural-Urban Commuting Areas in the US</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/1244563</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This article reports on a study that evaluated associations between neighborhood characteristics and physical activity among youth within rural-urban commuting areas in the US.  The authors used data from the 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health, for youth aged 10–17 years (n = 45,392). They used seven levels of Rural–Urban Commuting Areas (RUCAs) that depict a continuum from isolated rural to dense urban communities to evaluated neighborhood characteristics.  The study found that attainment of a specified minimum level of physical activity differed by RUCA. Additional analysis determined that the presence of parks was associated with attaining a minimum physical activity level in only one of the seven RUCAs.  The authors’ analysis identified no association between youths’ minimum physical activity attainment and neighborhood characteristics in unstratified models.  They discussed the possible explanations for their findings, noting that simple measurement of the presence of an amenity or detracting element is insufficient for determining potential associations with reaching minimum levels of physical activity.  For example, the categorization of neighborhood amenities (sidewalks, parks, recreation centers) and detracting elements (litter, dilapidated housing, vandalism) may be too simplified.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 Sep 2014 09:10:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/1244563</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Halloween Is Prime Time for Vehicle Vandalism</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/1307284</link>
      <description><![CDATA[This brief article reports on the claims for vehicle vandalism associated with the holiday of Halloween.  A recent Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) study showed that personal vehicles are almost twice as likely to be vandalized on October 31st, compared to an average day.  The claims included vandalism such as tires being slashed and windows being smashed.  Other days with high claim numbers were July Fourth and New Year’s Day; the holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas showed below-average claim numbers.  The article also reports on some of the claims differences that show up on different days of the week and in different seasons.  The number of claims was 16% higher than average on Saturdays and 7% higher on Sundays.  The month with the highest claim numbers is July.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 29 Apr 2014 10:34:53 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/1307284</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>2013 Compilation of State Laws and Regulations Affecting Highway-Rail Grade Crossings</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/1304999</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has identified roughly 250,5231 public and private highway-rail grade crossings in the United States. Most aspects of jurisdiction over highway-rail grade crossings reside with the States. Within some States, responsibility is divided between several public agencies. In other states, jurisdiction over highway-rail grade crossings is assigned to a regulatory agency such as the public utility commission, public service commission, or state corporation commission. Still other states divide the authority among public administrative agencies of the state, county, city, and town having jurisdiction and responsibility for their respective highway systems. State and local law enforcement agencies are responsible for the enforcement of traffic laws at highway-rail grade crossings. In a number of cases, local governments are responsible for certain operational matters related to crossings and this is accomplished through various ordinances.  This Sixth Edition is intended to provide an up-to-date look at the various state laws and regulations concerning the regulation of highway-rail grade crossings and driver behavior at those crossings. Laws and regulations of the 50 states and the District of Columbia that address highway-rail grade crossings have been compiled into one document. Each chapter presents a different highway-rail grade crossing subject area and contains an introductory overview of the subject area. Moreover, unlike the Fifth Edition, excerpts from the laws of each individual state and the District of Columbia relative to the subject matter are presented, in order to serve as a practical tool for legislators, policymakers, and lawyers. In addition, each subject area is addressed from a practical orientation. Therefore, while there are some laws that deal with multiple subject areas, excerpts of applicable statutes have been published in the most relevant sections. The Sixth Edition also marks with an asterisk (*) statutes that have been added since the 2009 publication of the Fifth Edition. Chapters are as follows: Chapter 1: Crossing Consolidations and Closures; Chapter 2: Crossing Treatment Procedures; Chapter 3: Blocked Crossings; Chapter 4: Warning Devices – Passive; Chapter 5: Warning Devices – Train Borne; Chapter 6: Warning Devices – Active; Chapter 7: Slow, Low, and Special Vehicles; Chapter 8: Driver Action;  Chapter 9: Trespassing; Chapter 10: Vandalism; Chapter 11: Private Crossings; Chapter 12: Vegetation Clearance; and Chapter 13: Photographic Monitoring and Enforcement.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 24 Apr 2014 11:58:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/1304999</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>A Multi-perspective View of the Effects of a Pipeline Explosion in Nigeria</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/1300178</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Vandalisation of petroleum pipelines is a major cause of pipeline fire disasters. However, except the number of deaths recorded, little information of the effects of such disasters on the environment is often reported in developing countries, and post-disaster remediation process is thus usually unmonitored or ineffective. This study investigated the effect of a major pipeline disaster in a rural environment in Nigeria from multi-date satellite imageries (orthophoto map, Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus, ETM+ and IKONOS), social and ecological surveys. Results showed that some of the affected settlements were within the pipeline corridor before the disaster, and pipeline vandalisation was encouraged by one or more cases of faulty and exposed pipeline, deficient pipeline monitoring system, sabotage and readily available markets for siphoned oil. Ecological effects include loss of about 200 ha of vegetation resulting into significantly lower woody and herbaceous plant species in the affected regions than the adjacent plots. Significant proportion of the survivors also reported lower quality of groundwater (well water), air and streams, health problems (mainly abdominal pain) after they drank the well water and destruction of their crops and farmlands. The study concluded on the need for enforcement of the right-of-way laws on pipelines in Nigeria.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 27 Feb 2014 09:05:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/1300178</guid>
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