The capabilities of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), or “drones,” have advanced rapidly, making them increasingly practical for transportation agencies. TRB hosted a webinar on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM Eastern that shared leading applications of UAS to help provide safe and efficient infrastructure assessment capabilities. One of these applications is enhancing the safety and efficiency of infrastructure inspections. Presenters shared three case studies: one on bridge inspection, another on airport pavement inspection, and a third on construction modeling.
This webinar featured research from NCHRP Research Report 1114: Uncrewed Aerial Systems Applications for Bridge Inspections: Element-Level Bridge Data Collection, NCHRP Synthesis 578: Use of Unmanned Aerial Systems for Highway Construction, and NCHRP Domestic Scan 17-01: Successful Approaches tor the Use of Unmanned Aerial Systems by Surface Transportation Agencies.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program and the Standing Technical Committee on New Users of Shared Airspace.
The slides are available. Please contact trbwebinar@nas.edu for a link to the recording. There may be a $90 fee.
 

Ensuring seamless connectivity is increasingly important, especially as rural areas—home to one in ten Texans—rely on improved infrastructure for economic growth and mobility. TRB hosted a webinar on Monday, April 28, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM Eastern that explored statewide multimodal connectivity planning and strategies in Texas for enhancing connectivity between rural and urban communities while addressing growing population and workforce demands. Presenters highlighted major corridor improvements, the role of community engagement in transportation planning, and considerations for multimodal connectivity to support the movement of people and goods across Texas, the U.S., and Mexico.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Standing Technical Committee on Freight Transportation Planning and Logistics.
The slides are available. 
 

Disruptions to the supply chain can have widespread economic and societal impacts, particularly for regions recovering from extreme weather events. Elements of resilience in transportation include the 4Rs: robustness, redundancy, resourcefulness, and rapidity. TRB hosted a webinar on Thursday, April 24, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM Eastern that explored how incorporating the 4Rs into state freight programs can help mitigate these risks. Presenters highlighted innovative approaches to freight resilience planning and strategies to improve supply chain stability.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Standing Technical Committee on Freight Transportation Planning and Logistics.
The slides are available. Please contact trbwebinar@nas.edu for a link to the recording. There may be a $90 fee.
 

Agencies around the world are developing frameworks, policies and projects to reuse structural foundation elements in new structures. TRB hosted a webinar on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM Eastern that covered how different agencies have approached the development of programs for reuse of existing infrastructure foundation elements. Presenters shared specific technical approaches on projects where foundation elements were reused for new superstructure construction.
This webinar featured research from NCHRP Synthesis 505: Current Practices and Guidelines for the Reuse of Bridge Foundations.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program and the Standing Technical Committees on Foundations of Bridges and Other Structures, Resource Conservation and Recovery, and Construction of Bridges and Structures.
The slides are available. Please contact trbwebinar@nas.edu for a link to the recording. There may be a $90 fee.
 

Advanced air-control measures in public transportation are necessary, as buses can be high-risk environments for the spread of airborne diseases. TRB hosted a webinar on Thursday, April 10, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM Eastern that explored effective strategies to mitigate the transmission of airborne viruses in bus cabins. Presenters shared insights from experimental and simulation studies on bus cabin air circulation, evaluating the effectiveness of various mitigation methods. Attendees learned both immediate response methods for outbreaks and long-term engineering solutions for prevention.
This webinar was based on Executive Summary: Strategies to Mitigate Exposure to Airborne Diseases for Public Transportation Passengers and Employees.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program.
The slides are available. Please contact trbwebinar@nas.edu for a link to the recording.
 

Extending the service life of concrete bridge decks can reduce maintenance costs and improve infrastructure resilience. TRB hosted a webinar on Friday, March 28, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM Eastern that explored innovative practices being implemented across the U.S. to enhance bridge deck durability and serviceability. Presenters discussed strategies to mitigate concrete deck deterioration caused by steel reinforcement corrosion, and share insights on materials, design techniques, and construction methods that improve longevity.
This webinar featured research from NCHRP Domestic Scan 22-01: Recent Leading Innovations in the Design, Construction, and Materials Used for Concrete Bridge Decks.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program.
The slides are available. Please contact trbwebinar@nas.edu for a link to the recording. There may be a $90 fee.
 

Artificial intelligence can optimize traffic management, improve predictive maintenance, and streamline enterprise operations. TRB hosted a webinar on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM Eastern that explored AI’s benefits while also addressing significant risks such as cyber threats, ethical concerns, and unintended consequences. A key focus was the challenge of AI-driven decision-making with fewer humans in the loop, which can lead to undetected errors, system failures, and safety risks. Presenters discussed how transportation agencies can harness AI’s potential while developing strategies to mitigate cybersecurity vulnerabilities, ensure regulatory compliance, and maintain resilience in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Standing Technical Committee on Systems, Enterprise, and Cyber Resilience.
The slides are available. Please contact trbwebinar@nas.edu for a link to the recording. There may be a $90 fee.
 

Like other aspects of transportation, automation, artificial intelligence, digitalization, and alternative fuels are redefining the maritime industry. The Industrial Revolution 5.0 demands new skills and competencies for seafarers. TRB hosted a webinar on Friday, March 21, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM Eastern that explored how these advancements are shaping future maritime workforce training and development. Presenters discussed the impact of technology and the evolving role of soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and leadership, in modern maritime operations.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Standing Technical Committee on Marine Safety and Human Factors.
The slides are available. Please contact trbwebinar@nas.edu for a link to the recording. There may be a $90 fee.
 

Transportation agencies must balance safety, efficiency, and legal responsibility when designing and operating roadways. Flexible design principles and engineering judgement play a crucial role in meeting these obligations. These principles can also be an effective legal defense in tort lawsuits. TRB hosted a webinar on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM Eastern that explored the legal implications of using flexibility in engineering decision-making. Presenters discussed the engineering perspective on flexible design principles and engineering judgment, legal considerations related to their application, and how these concepts can be incorporated into traffic and traffic operations.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Standing Technical Committee on Tort Liability and Risk Management.
The slides are available. Please contact trbwebinar@nas.edu for a link to the recording. There may be a $90 fee.
 

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way we work. Strategic AI adoption can enhance transportation agency decision-making and operational efficiency without overwhelming their workforce. TRB hosted a webinar on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM Eastern that provided guidance on effectively integrating AI into transportation institutions. Presenters focused on identifying high-impact areas for adoption while avoiding less impactful AI applications. Attendees learned about practical use cases with generative AI along with ways to prioritize quick wins and high-impact results.
Continue the conversation by registering for TRB’s Conference on Data and AI for Transportation Advancement on May 27 – 29 in Seattle, WA. Additional agencies will discuss their own use of AI during the conference.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Standing Technical Committee on Strategic Management.
The slides are available. Please contact trbwebinar@nas.edu for a link to the recording. There may be a $90 fee.
 

How do you measure the success of transportation materials or construction project accordingly? Percent within limits (PWL) specifications combine both the mean and the standard deviation into a single quality measure. TRB hosted a webinar on Monday, March 3, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM Eastern that shared how to develop and monitor limits and pay adjustments for a PWL specification. Presenters discussed how to develop proper incentives and disincentives within a PWL specification; how to balance risks and pay factors in PWL specifications; and how to monitor and conduct retrospective analysis, maintaining specification limits and evaluating risks on an ongoing basis.
This webinar was the second in a two-part series. The first webinar, Quality Assurance of Transportation Materials and Construction—Part I, was held February 11, 2025.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Standing Technical Committee on Quality Assurance Management.
The slides are available. Please contact trbwebinar@nas.edu for a link to the recording. There may be a $90 fee.
 

Are you looking to improve design and construction for long-lasting, sustainable concrete structures? TRB hosted a webinar on Thursday, February 27, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM Eastern that explored real-world examples that demonstrate the resilience of concrete in various applications, highlighting its ability to withstand extreme conditions, environmental stresses, and long-term wear. Presenters shared practical insights into how resilient concrete contributes to the longevity and sustainability of infrastructure, as well as strategies for incorporating resilient concrete solutions into your own projects.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Standing Technical Committee on Design and Rehabilitation of Concrete Pavements.
The slides are available. Please contact trbwebinar@nas.edu for a link to the recording. There may be a $90 fee.
 

Airport arts programs enhance the passenger experience, engage stakeholders, and allow airports to highlight both the structure's unique features and cultural insights about the surrounding area. TRB will host a webinar on Thursday, February 27, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM Eastern that provided an overview of the various methods of airport arts program management which shape airport culture and variety. Effective arts management is not only a matter of adornment, but also a strategic endeavor to harmonize artistic vision with operational efficiency. Presenters provided high-level findings and key takeaways from ACRP Synthesis 135: Methods of Airport Arts Program Management. Presenters also shared examples of successful airport arts programs.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Airport Cooperative Research Program.
The slides and recording are available. 

Assessing conditions on bridge decks with non-destructive evaluation (NDE) technologies may reduce operating costs and extend lifecycles. It fosters cost-effective and timely interventions. TRB hosted a webinar on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM Eastern that showcased the integration of NDE results into the bridge preservation decision-making process. Presenters highlighted cost savings by comparing the combined expense of NDE and subsequent interventions to the costs associated with deferring NDE-informed actions.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Standing Technical Committees on Testing and Evaluation of Transportation Structures and Bridge Preservation.
The slides are available. Please contact trbwebinar@nas.edu for a link to the recording. There may be a $90 fee.
 

To optimize supply chain operations, public and private freight planning stakeholders must harmonize decision making related to infrastructure investments. TRB hosted a webinar on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM Eastern that focused on performance management for freight demand and demand elasticity. Presenters shared factors which drive freight demand, operations and infrastructure improvements decisions, and common performance measures planners use for decision making.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Standing Technical Committees on Freight Transportation Economics and Regulation and Freight Transportation Planning and Logistics.
The slides are available. Please contact trbwebinar@nas.edu for a link to the recording. There may be a $90 fee.
 

A quality assurance program ensures that materials and construction meet the requirements of approved plans and specifications. Given the high turnover in the pavement and materials field, uniform guidance is essential for training new engineers, technicians, and inspectors. TRB hosted a webinar on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM Eastern that provided an introduction to quality assurance components; discussed variability, risks, and pay factors; and identified indicators of material certification testing fraud.
This webinar was the first of a two-part series. The second webinar, Quality Assurance of Transportation Materials and Construction—Part II, will be held in March 2025.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Standing Technical Committee on Quality Assurance Management.
The slides are available. Please contact trbwebinar@nas.edu for a link to the recording. There may be a $90 fee.
 

Acceleration, deceleration, and stopping sight distance (SSD) criteria are key factors in determining roadway geometric design requirements. These elements are influenced by variables such as grade, vehicle type, maneuver type, brake reaction time, object height, and driver’s eye height. TRB hosted a webinar on Thursday, February 6, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM Eastern that covered the findings from recent studies that assess design policies related to these criteria and informed recommendations for updates to the AASHTO Green Book.
This webinar was based on NCHRP Research Report 1081: Acceleration, Deceleration, and Stopping Sight Distance Criteria for Geometric Design of Highways and Streets.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program and the Standing Technical Committee on Performance Effects of Geometric Design.
The slides are available. Please contact trbwebinar@nas.edu for a link to the recording. There may be a $90 fee.
 

Railroads and rail transit agencies are tasked with securing their rights of way, which often feature open access points such as grade crossings and station platforms that can lead to trespassing incidents. This creates a continuous challenge for operators and public agencies to balance security with the safe and efficient delivery of services. TRB hosted a webinar on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM Eastern that shared techniques and treatments to employ to deter trespassing, ranging from physical barriers to public outreach and education. Presenters discussed deployment of electronic surveillance through rail crossing cameras and other devices to monitor grade crossing activity and provide alerts for actions.
This webinar was based on TCRP Research Report 233: Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way and TCRP Synthesis 177: Electronic Surveillance of Railroad-Highway Crossings for Collison Avoidance: State of the Practice.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program and the Standing Technical Committee on Rail Safety.
The slides and recording are available.
 

Advanced air mobility (AAM) involves the use of innovative aircraft technologies to transport passengers and cargo, typically on demand. While the AAM ecosystem will initially rely on existing airports, heliports, and routes, future developments may include dedicated facilities and new routes. The widespread adoption of AAM has the potential to impact a variety of stakeholders across multiple sectors. TRB hosted a webinar on Monday, January 27, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM Eastern that provided an overview of the strategies and tools needed to foster successful outreach and engagement with stakeholders.
This webinar was based on ACRP Research Report 261: Advanced Air Mobility and Community Outreach: A Primer for Successful Stakeholder Engagement.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Airport Cooperative Research Program.
The slides and recording are available.
 

Changes to truck operations and the associated loads will impact both existing and new flexible and rigid pavements, making them an important consideration for owner agencies. TRB hosted a webinar on Thursday, December 19, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM Eastern that facilitated proactive considerations to changes in pavement loading due to advancements in truck technology. These advancements impact current pavement design methods for durable and resilient pavements in the future. Presenters shared international initiatives on pavement technology strategies to address needs such as increased axle loads due to the weight of batteries and an increased loading frequency from truck platooning.
This webinar was the second of a two-part series that will explore potential advancements in truck technology such as electric trucks, truck platooning, CAVs, and their impacts on pavement performance, design methods, and maintenance. The first webinar, Anticipated Truck Loadings in Pavement Design—Part I, was held on November 25, 2024.
The slides are available. Please contact trbwebinar@nas.edu for a link to the recording. There may be a $90 fee.