Implement long-term, practical strategies to make commuter rail a successful part of regional mobility. TRB hosted a webinar on Monday, September 22, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM Eastern that explored how commuter railroads are navigating the market dynamics, service, and upcoming funding challenges. Presenters discussed current trends, examples in CA and PA, and explored alternative approaches to service schedules, simplified fare structures, and infrastructure options to address changing goals and circumstances at the agency, regional, and national levels in the United States and Canada.
This webinar was based on TCRP Research Report 254: The Future of Commuter Rail in North America.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program.
The slides are available. Please visit the webinar details page to access the recording.

The Research in Progress (RIP) database provides access to information on current transportation research and highlights what other institutions are working on. Together, RIP and TRID (an integrated database of transportation research) are essential tools for developing research problem statements, preparing and responding to requests for proposals (RFPs), and planning future projects. TRB hosted a webinar on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM Eastern that guided participants on how to search RIP and TRID to find ongoing and recently completed research. The presenter demonstrated how to create an account, enter and update project records, and ensure compliance with US DOT’s Public Access Plan requirements.

This webinar was a follow-on to:

1. TRB Webinar: Using the Research in Progress Database
2. TRB Webinar: Maximizing the Power of the Research in Progress (RIP) Database
3. TRB Webinar: TRID—Your Lifelong Learning Tool for Transportation Research

The slides are available.
 

Airport parking lots are being adjusted to most effectively accommodate different electric vehicle (EV) charging needs. Planners are determining where, when, and how much charging infrastructure is needed for public parking as well as electric ground support equipment, rental car fleets, and buses. TRB hosted a webinar on Thursday, September 11, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM Eastern that outlined different use cases for airport vehicle charging and shared tools and resources that support effective infrastructure planning.
This webinar was based on ACRP Synthesis 138: Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at Airport Passenger Parking Facilities and ACRP Web Only Document 61: Planning for Future Electric Vehicle Growth at Airports.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Airport Cooperative Research Program.
The slides are available. Please visit the webinar details page to access the recording.
 

Messages on variable message signs’ effectiveness depends on how they are designed and displayed. TRB hosted a webinar on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM Eastern that explored how behavioral science and human factors shape the effectiveness of safety messaging on variable message signs. Presenters shared findings from human factors studies that assess how quickly and accurately drivers comprehend messages when displayed for limited viewing times. Presenters also highlighted guidelines developed to optimize the content and display of traffic safety messages.
This webinar was based on BTSCRP Report 3: Behavioral Traffic Safety Messaging on Variable Message Signs.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Behavioral Traffic Safety Cooperative Research Program.
The slides are available. Please visit the webinar details page to access the recording.
 

Pavement decision-makers have traditionally relied on static decision trees or expert judgment for roadway infrastructure management. When optimizing for performance and cost efficiency, try an approach that considers materials, designs, and data from pavement management databases. TRB hosted a webinar on Friday, September 5, 2025 from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM Eastern exploring ways to integrate these considerations with construction best practices to promote efficient pavement systems. Presenters provided insights on key challenges and potential solutions for advancing the current state-of-the-art in pavement design, construction, and management.
The slides are available. Please visit the webinar details page to access the recording.
 

The demand for air travel is outpacing the ability of original equipment manufacturers and their suppliers to deliver new aircraft. Manufacturers are missing delivery orders and falling short of promised production rates due to a mix of management issues, limited oversight, strained supply lines, and labor shortages. As a result, airlines are delaying or canceling new routes and cutting capacity, leading to higher airfares and fewer service options for consumers. TRB hosted a webinar on Monday, August 25, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM Eastern that explored the extent of aircraft production problems and the various factors that have contributed to them. Presenters shared stakeholder perspectives and identified what manufacturers and governments are doing to address the problems and the impact on consumers.
The slides are available.
 

Advancements in generative AI are transforming how transportation agencies engage with the public and manage communications. TRB will host a webinar on Friday, August 15, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM Eastern that will explore emerging trends in the use of generative AI to support communication strategies, streamline public involvement, and enhance agency workflows. Presenters will discuss responsible use frameworks, share practical case studies, and lead interactive demonstrations that highlight AI’s potential.
The slides are available. 

Disruptions at airports can have far-reaching effects, making it essential to plan not only for the immediate response, but also for the sustained recovery and return to normal operations. Integrating crisis management and business continuity efforts helps airports recover faster and emerge stronger after an incident. TRB hosted a webinar on Thursday, August 14, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM Eastern that explained the fundamentals of business continuity programs, their role in airport operations, and how to incorporate them into existing crisis management frameworks. Presenters covered engaging stakeholders in the process as well as managing resources.
This webinar is based on ACRP Research Report 268: Integrating Crisis Management and Business Continuity at Airports: A Practical Guide.
This webinar is sponsored by TRB’s Airport Cooperative Research Program.
The slides are available. Please visit the webinar details page to access the recording.
 

Public and multimodal transportation can play a critical role in emergency evacuations. TRB hosted a webinar on Monday, August 4, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM Eastern that explored how transit systems can support mass evacuations, reduce congestion, aid carless residents and visitors, and preserve emergency response capacity. Presenters shared insights from wildfire evacuations, including the 2021 Caldor Fire and the 2025 Southern California wildfires, and examined research findings, case studies, and planning principles. Attendees learned about coordination strategies, infrastructure considerations such as mobility hubs, and best practices for better integrating transit into emergency response efforts.
The slides are available. 
 

Low-volume roads in rural areas and developing countries are especially vulnerable to damage from increasingly intense storms. Rapidly assessing road conditions after severe weather events, designing them effectively, and managing them with accurate information can significantly improve their resilience and reduce life-cycle costs. TRB hosted a webinar on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM Eastern that explored how remote sensing technologies can assist with road location, design, and condition assessments, particularly in remote and developing regions. Presenters shared how high-resolution imagery and digital elevation models derived from remote sensing can support resilient road maintenance, drainage design, and storm damage repairs.
This webinar featured research from NCHRP Synthesis 485: Converting Paved Roads to Unpaved and NCHRP Synthesis 430: Cost-Effective and Sustainable Road Slope Stabilization and Erosion Control.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program and the Standing Technical Committee on Low Volume Roads.
The slides are available.
 

Following 2021 Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) guidance on non-destructive testing (NDT) of fracture-critical members fabricated with Grade 100 steel, bridge inspectors need updated strategies to effectively assess and preserve these structures. TRB hosted a webinar on Thursday, July 24, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM Eastern with case studies demonstrating how non-destructive evaluation (NDE) results can inform bridge preservation decision-making. Presenters shared examples of applying NDE to evaluate Grade 100 steel during long-term structural monitoring. Attendees learned about project procurement, scoping, work progression, key findings, and lessons learned, including critical considerations and challenges encountered throughout the projects.
The slides are available. 
 

Natural disasters, economic disruptions, or geopolitical instability can significantly affect aviation demand and airport operations. TRB hosted a webinar on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM Eastern that provided an overview of shock events’ impacts on airports. It introduced a practical methodology that helps airport operators identify relevant shock events, assess their potential effects on airport operations and business, and develop strategies to mitigate, withstand, and respond to those disruptions. Presenters also demonstrated how scenario forecasting can support more resilient airport planning.
This webinar was based on ACRP Research Report 272: Incorporating Shock Events into Aviation Demand Forecasting and Airport Planning.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Airport Cooperative Research Program.
The slides are available. 
 

Transportation agencies are operating in an era of rapid change, facing mounting pressures from workforce shifts, emerging technologies, and growing public and stakeholder expectations. TRB hosted a webinar on Thursday, July 17, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM Eastern that offered practical strategies to help agencies strengthen their internal capabilities and navigate evolving demands. Presenters explored why building organizational capacity is more critical than ever, introduced tools and resources from the Advancing Capability-Based (ACB) guidance, and shared real-world examples of how agencies are applying the ACB framework in practice. Attendees gained actionable insights to support long-term success through strategic capability development.
This webinar is based on NCHRP Project 20-24(95)A, "Ensuring Essential Capability for the Future Transportation Agency".
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program.
The slides are available. 
 

Private vehicles, rental cars, taxicabs, ridehailing drivers, buses, and service and delivery vehicles are all navigating airport terminal roadways and curbsides. The high proportion of motorists who are unfamiliar with airport layouts and procedures complicate their operating characteristics. TRB hosted a webinar on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM Eastern that reviewed guidelines for estimating airport roadway requirements and capacities, introduced recommended performance measures and analytical methods, and highlighted innovative strategies to manage traffic demand and reduce congestion in terminal area and curbside operations.
This webinar was based on ACRP Research Report 266: Airport Curbside and Terminal Area Roadway Operations: New Analysis and Strategies.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Airport Cooperative Research Program.
The slides are available. 
 

Preventive maintenance improves performance and extends the life cycle of airport facilities, systems, and components. TRB hosted a webinar on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM Eastern that will highlight the financial and operational impacts of delayed maintenance and the value of implementing proactive maintenance plans. Presenters went over the consequences and costs associated with deferred maintenance of airport assets and review strategies for developing and applying effective preventive maintenance programs. This webinar was based on findings from ACRP Research Report 273: Quantifying the Impacts of Delayed Maintenance of Airport Assets: A Guide, and provided airport practitioners with practical tools and insights to support long-term asset management and sustainability.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Airport Cooperative Research Program.
The slides are available. Please visit the webinar details page to access the recording.

As transit agencies expand micromobility services such as bike and scooter sharing services to improve first- and last-mile connectivity, understanding the legal landscape is essential for effective and responsible implementation. TRB hosted a webinar on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM Eastern that examined the legal and regulatory challenges associated with transit agencies providing or subsidizing micromobility options. Presenters offered guidance based on TCRP Legal Research Digest 61: Transit Agencies Providing or Subsidizing Innovative Micromobility Projects: Legal Issues, addressing key topics such as liability, accessibility, safety, and compliance. Attendees gained practical insights into how legal considerations can shape program design and operations, supporting informed decision-making around micromobility in their communities.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program.
The slides are available. Please visit the webinar details page to access the recording.
 

Urban rail transit agencies are navigating shifting travel patterns and changing ridership demands in a rapidly evolving transportation landscape. TRB hosted a webinar on Monday, June 16, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM Eastern that featured perspectives from academia, a transit agency, and a metropolitan planning organization (MPO), bridging research and practice in these shifts. Presenters discussed strategies for strengthening ridership resilience, adapting to new travel behaviors, and implementing effective fare policy responses. Attendees gained practical insights on meeting more diverse travel needs, attracting new riders, and enhancing long-term system viability and resilience.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Standing Technical Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems.
The slides are available. 

Advances in data analysis and visualization are enhancing safety planning efforts for Vision Zero programs and Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grants across the country. TRB hosted a webinar on Friday, June 13, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM Eastern that introduced participants to innovative methods used to support Vision Zero and SS4A initiatives. Presenters demonstrated new and accessible techniques including vehicle heading analysis at intersections, sliding window analysis, and crash tree diagram visualizations. Attendees gained practical insights into recent developments in safety planning that they can apply in their own communities. Attendees also learned more about NCHRP Research Report 1152: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Big Data to Enhance Safety Analysis currently in prepublication.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program and the Standing Technical Committee on Visualization in Transportation.
The slides are available.
 

Oral fluid testing is an emerging roadside chemical testing tool, offering new opportunities for drug detection among motor vehicle drivers. TRB hosted a webinar on Friday, June 6, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM Eastern that provided an in-depth review of best practices for oral fluid collection and analysis, as well as legal considerations for effective implementation. Presenters discussed current analytical methodologies and emerging standards of this testing in impaired driving cases. Attendees gained practical insights into the strengths and limitations of oral fluid testing, supporting informed policy development, enforcement strategies, and traffic safety initiatives.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Standing Technical Committee on Impairment in Transportation.
The slides are available. Please visit the webinar details page to access the recording.
 

Over the coming decades, airports will face a wide range of challenges related to operations, environmental sustainability, and integration with broader intercity and local transportation networks. TRB hosted a webinar on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM Eastern that explored the potential outcomes for airports and the key issues that must be addressed to achieve a desired future. Presenters discussed how airports must navigate these challenges within the context of their local communities, balancing their roles as economic engines, good neighbors, and resilient hubs.
This webinar was based on ACRP Research Report 271: Envisioning the Future of U.S. Airports.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Airport Cooperative Research Program.
The slides are available. Please visit the webinar details page to access the recording.