What's New in Materials

Recycling is a concept that most of society supports as a practice that can benefit the environment and overall well-being, as well as reduce the needs and costs associated with raw materials. However, the conversation needs to shift from just recycling to responsible recycling. This is the focus of a feature article in the November-December 2020 issue of TRB's magazine, TR News (Issue 330). TR...

A new congressionally mandated report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine provides comprehensive recommendations for improving the U.S. electric power system so that it can adequately provide electricity to the nation in a safe, reliable, clean, resilient, and equitable way, especially as the U.S. pursues decarbonization of the energy supply. The report also recom...

Fundamental shifts in preparedness planning are needed to ensure health, safety, and smooth operations during emergencies in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. To prepare for emergency events requiring evacuation, it is necessary to revise shelter planning and mass care operations, shelter staffing, and shelter design and operations with a focus on reducing virus transmission and ensuring sa...

It’s become common to hear that “one-in-100-year events” are occurring in five-, 10-, and 15-year periods. Scientists identify these extreme weather events based on the historical record of weather in a particular region. A “return time” is a commonly used metric of probability; for example, a 100-year return time means that in any given year, there is a 1-in-100 chance of the threshold being r...

How do you know if hydrodemolition is the right method for your bridge deck replacement? TRB will host a webinar on Thursday, April 22, 2021 from 2:00 to 3:30 PM Eastern to explore when it is most appropriate. Presenters will go over the pros and cons of using hydrodemoliton, provide insight into best practices, discuss the different forms of removal, and identify decision-making tools on when...

Chemical soil stabilization designers rely on either empirical data or past experience coupled with engineering tests. TRB will host a webinar on Thursday, April 14, 2021 from 1:00 to 2:30 PM Eastern to address the importance of considering soil mineralogy together with engineering tests to identify the suitable type and application rate of chemical stabilizer for soils. Presenters will provid...

The performance of an asphalt mixture overlay depends on the interface bond strength between the newly constructed asphalt mixture lift and the underlying pavement layers. TRB will host a webinar on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 from 2:00-3:30 PM Eastern that will discuss the use of tack coat materials in asphalt pavements. A tack coat typically consists of emulsified asphalt, and is commonly used...

In the latest episode of TRB's Transportation Explorers podcast, BART Chief Communications Officer Alicia Trost discusses where San Francisco is in the vaccination effort and how communications plays a crucial role in getting people to and from vaccine sites. Listen to the podcast here and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. It is now available on all major podcast providers.

Not all concrete is created equally. Lightweight concrete (LWC) is a feasible rehabilitation technique for many structures, including bridges and high-rises. TRB will host a webinar on Monday April 12, 2021 from 1:00 to 2:30 PM Eastern to discuss the current usage and demand of LWC in the United States. Presenters will provide an overview of the technical aspects and sustainability of LWC. The...

The first episode of a webinar series on equity and the Black experience in transportation is now available to view online . TRB Executive Director Neil Pedersen moderated the event, which was hosted by the Council of University Transportation Centers - CUTC and included speakers Dorval Carter, Jr., President, Chicago Transit Authority; Jackie Grimshaw, Vice President, Government Affairs, Cente...

Test Methods to Quantify Cracking Resistance of Asphalt Binders and Mixtures , released by the Minnesota Department of Transportation

Concrete overlays of asphalt (COA) pavements are a widely accepted rehabilitation strategy used to extend the life of asphalt pavements. However, there are still design and construction challenges, and COA features often differ between states. TRB will host a webinar on Thursday, March 11, 2021 from 2:00-3:30 PM Eastern that will provide an overview of recently completed COA research and field...

British–Hungarian Nobel Prize physicist Dennis Gabor wrote: “The future cannot be predicted, but futures can be invented." Considering in a reasonable and logical way what the implications of new technologies may be and acting on our conclusions is how the future is invented. This is the focus of a feature article in the November-December 2020 issue of TRB's magazine, TR News (Issue 330). TR Ne...

Dorval Carter, Jr. and Marcia McNutt's featured sessions are topping the list so far of most viewed/attended events during the TRB Annual Meeting , which took place in January. The sessions are all still available online to attendees through March 18.

Chemical treatments are a cost-effective way of improving unpaved road performance. TRB will host a webinar on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 from 2:00-3:30 PM Eastern that will provide guidance for road agencies looking to use chemical treatments in their unpaved road management programs. The presenter will explain the benefits of using a chemical treatment program in an unpaved road management stra...

TRB's Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) is seeking potential synthesis study topics for the 2021 TCRP Synthesis Program. TCRP will fund seven (7) new synthesis topics. Anyone may propose topics. A synthesis study documents current practice and experience for specific public transportation topics.   The following factors are considered in the selection process for new topics. The ...

In the latest episode of TRB's Transportation Explorers podcast, Chris Hendrickson discusses how transportation, still dependent on petroleum, is now the single-largest sector for greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. Dr. Hendrickson is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and a professor emeritus of civil and environmental engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. Listen to the podc...

The nation is facing several serious challenges that the Biden administration has identified as top priorities — the COVID-19 pandemic, economic recovery, racial equity, and climate change. A new series of articles explores how the National Academies are providing timely, actionable advice to inform the new administration’s efforts on these multiple crises. https://www.nationalacademies.o...

Join the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for a two-day virtual workshop, Laboratory and Field Geotechnical Characterization for Improved Steel Corrosion Modeling March 9 and 10, 2021 . These sessions are part of the National Academies’ consensus study examining the state of knowledge and technical issues regarding the corrosion of steel used for each applications and i...

Alkali-Activated Materials are Promising Alternatives for Reducing Roadway Emissions , released by the National Center for Sustainable Transportation at the University of California, Davis

Session and workshop recordings for the 2021 TRB Annual Meeting are still available . Full registrants can view the recordings and access the Poster Sessions and Exhibit Hall through March 18, 2021.

Issue 328 of TRB's magazine, TR News , is dedicated to water and the role of transportation agencies in the stewardship of this vital resource, particularly as the way humans use water is changing dramatically. Authors explore the evolution of stormwater regulation; how departments of transportation manage water in planning, design, construction, and operations; and more. TR News  is TRB's...

The nation is facing several serious challenges that the Biden administration has identified as top priorities — the COVID-19 pandemic, economic recovery, racial equity, and climate change. A new series of articles explores how the National Academies are providing timely, actionable advice to inform the new administration’s efforts on these multiple crises. https://www.nationalacademies.o...

There is a need to identify new or improved laboratory and field test methods to measure the electrochemical properties of earthen materials surrounding buried or embedded steel elements. The TRB National Cooperative Highway Research Program's NCHRP Research Report 958: Electrochemical Test Methods to Evaluate the Corrosion Potential of Earthen Materials presents a protocol for evaluating the c...

Issue 327 of TRB's magazine is a special edition illuminating the many hidden aspects of tunnels as well as the benefits of tunnel technology to modern transportation systems. Articles highlight the contribution of tunnels to the economy and how transportation operators use the best technology to keep tunnels efficient and safe. TR News  is TRB's bimonthly magazine featuring timely article...

Leaders and influencers at national, state, and local levels can affect change with segments of the public that are hesitant about vaccinating themselves against COVID-19. Strategies for Building Confidence in the COVID-19 Vaccines is a new rapid expert consultation from the National Academies that describes a variety of public engagement and communication strategies that can be implemented in ...

The January 2021 TRB Annual Meeting is generating headlines from press and participants alike. From trade publications to universities sharing the work of their students, we've got the full picture. Catch up on your reading, watching, and listening!         Video YouTube Dorval R. Carter, Jr . Deen Lecture, "Our Work is Never Done: Examining Equity Impacts in Public Transpor...

Secondary Organic Aerosol Formation from Gasoline Direct Injection Vehicles: The Impacts of Exhaust After-Treatment and Fuel Content , released by the National Center for Sustainable Transportation at the University of California, Davis

Laboratory testing and field experience have shown that highway concrete should be properly air entrained to resist the action of freezing and thawing, particularly in wet climates. Several gaps in the state of the knowledge still exist. The TRB National Cooperative Highway Research Program's NCHRP Research Report 961: Entrained Air-Void Systems for Durable Highway Concrete addresses these gaps...

The National Academies of Sciences LabX program has launched a new weekly social media feature called Scientist Show & Tell.  Scientist Show & Tell is all about scientists sharing the most interesting, strange, and/or meaningful (non-science) objects they own. Marcia McNutt, President of the National Academy of Sciences, who shared an amazing World War II family heirloom. Check out...