Topics

Transportation

Transportation is the movement of people and goods from one place to another, supported by physical and digital infrastructure systems that enable travel on foot, by vehicle, vessel, or aircraft. The National Academies provide insights that are fundamental to connecting communities and sustaining a strong, competitive economy.

What's happening

Priorities for Sustainable and Responsible Development of Offshore Renewable Energy on the West Coast Outlined in New Report

News Release

The waters of the U.S. West Coast are well-suited for renewable energy projects but already support maritime activities central to regional economies, food systems, and public safety. A new National Academies report offers recommendations to help inform offshore renewable energy development while mitigating negative impacts on coastal communities and industries.

Mar 17, 2026

Video Recordings from TRB Annual Meeting Now Available

Announcement

The 2026 TRB Annual Meeting brought together thousands of transportation researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to share current research and discuss pressing issues across all transportation modes. Watch sessions featuring high-profile speakers focused on the surface transportation funding reauthorization bill, megaprojects, road safety, and modernizing transportation systems.

Jan 27, 2026

New Report Calls for Increased Focus on Mariner Health and Well-Being, Prohibition of Alcohol for Crew of U.S. Vessels

News Release

The health and safety of crew are crucial to the U.S. maritime industry, a sector of critical importance to the nation’s economy and defense. A new National Academies report examines policies and practices pertaining to the use of alcohol and other substances on ships and makes recommendations to support mariner well-being.

Jan 15, 2026

Two female naval architects wearing hardhats standing together on starboard side of tugboat during inspection

Featured work

Study on Furthering the Development and Use of Innovative Materials in Water Resources Infrastructure

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Recently Completed

Used for the cover of: Innovative Materials in Water Resources Infrastructure: Opportunities for the Corps of Engineers

Science and Technology for Resilience

Initiative

In Progress

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Transit Research Analysis Committee

Other

In Progress

Study on Data, Metrics, and Analytic Tools for Transportation Investments that Support Family Quality of Life and Communities

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Progress

Innovation by the Numbers Webinar Series

Seminar/Webinar/Lecture

In Progress

Review of Approaches for Managing Pollutant Loads in Highway Stormwater Runoff

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Progress

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Pandemic and Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Preparedness and Response: Harnessing Lessons from the Efforts to Mitigate the COVID-19 Pandemic

Initiative

In Progress

Airspace Design, Civil-Military Coordination, and Operational Safety in the National Capital Region

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Formation

Perspectives on the Impact of Active Shooter Drills and Other School Security Measures: A Listening Session Series

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Formation

Critical Issues in Transportation for 2024 and Beyond

Other

Completed

Best Practices for the Efficient Supply of Chassis for Transporting Intermodal Containers

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Impacts of Trains Longer Than 7,500 Feet

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Impacts of Alternative Compensation Methods on Truck Driver Retention and Safety Performance

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Transitioning Evidence-based Road Safety Research into Practice

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Study and Recommendations on the HIMS, FADAP, and Other Drug and Alcohol Programs within the USDOT

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Criteria for Installing Automatic and Remote-Controlled Shutoff Valves on Existing Gas and Hazardous Liquid Transmission Pipelines

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Transport Airplane Risk Assessment Methodology

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Addressing Issues of Vaccine Distribution and Supply Chains to Advance Pandemic and Seasonal Influenza Preparedness and Response

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Committee on Options for Improving the Safety of Amphibious Vessels (DUKW boats) When Used in Passenger Service

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Security of America’s Medical Product Supply Chain

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Featured Publications

Pedestrian Safety Enhancements by State DOTs

2026

Coordination of Highway Safety Improvement Program and Highway Safety Office Activities

2026

Revenue and Financing Alternatives for Medium and Small U.S. Airports in an Evolving Landscape

2026

Data Ontologies for Data-Driven Decision-Making: Research Approach and Findings

2026

Data Ontologies for Data-Driven Decision-Making: Development and Use

2026

Exploring the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Airport Industry

2026

Recommended Procedures for the Safety Performance Evaluation of Highway Features

1993

The State of Art in Transit Programs

2026

Strategies to Improve Reporting of Impaired and Distracted Driving in Motor Vehicle Crashes

2026

Offshore Renewable Energy Development on the West Coast: Understanding Effects on Shipping, Fisheries, and Maritime Activities

Consensus Study Report

2026

UAS Flight Proficiency Examination: Proctor Guide for PROPS Test

2026

Incorporating Uncertainty into Long-Range Transportation Planning: A Guide

2026

Evaluating the Safety Effects of Automated Traffic Signal Performance Measures

2026

Crash Modification Factors for Automated Traffic Signal Performance Measures

2026

Recycled Asphalt Materials: Binder Availability and Its Impact on Mix Performance

2026

Preparing U.S. Airport Infrastructure for Weather Events

2026

Innovative Materials in Water Resources Infrastructure: Opportunities for the Corps of Engineers

Consensus Study Report

2026

Air Quality Inside Buses

2026

Funding for Maintenance of Complete Streets

2026

Low-Impact Frog Design Primer and Research Roadmap

2026

Upcoming events

2027 TRB Annual Meeting

Conference

Upcoming

January 10 - 14, 2027

Marine Board Spring Meeting 2026

Meeting

Upcoming

April 28 - 29, 2026

TRB Symposium on Aviation Innovation and Research

Conference

Upcoming

June 8 - 11, 2026

See all events

Subtopics

Air Transportation

Topic

Freight and Supply Chain

Topic

Maritime Transportation

Topic

Public Transportation

Topic

Rail Transport

Topic

Road Transportation

Topic

Sustainable Transportation

Topic

Traffic Management and Road Safety

Topic

Transportation Planning

Topic

Vehicles

Topic

Vulnerable Road Users

Topic

Winter Maintenance

Topic

Units

Transportation Research Board (TRB)

Oversight Unit

In Progress

Cargo train transportation - Freight railway. Used for TRB

Technical Activities Division

Oversight Unit

In Progress

Cooperative Research Programs

Oversight Unit

In Progress

TRB Consensus and Advisory Studies Division

Oversight Unit

In Progress

National Cooperative Highway Research Program

Oversight Unit

In Progress

Airport Cooperative Research Program

Oversight Unit

In Progress

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My Academies

Transportation

Dropdown items

What's happening

Featured work

Study on Furthering the Development and Use of Innovative Materials in Water Resources Infrastructure

Science and Technology for Resilience

Transit Research Analysis Committee

Study on Data, Metrics, and Analytic Tools for Transportation Investments that Support Family Quality of Life and Communities

Innovation by the Numbers Webinar Series

Review of Approaches for Managing Pollutant Loads in Highway Stormwater Runoff

Pandemic and Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Preparedness and Response: Harnessing Lessons from the Efforts to Mitigate the COVID-19 Pandemic

Airspace Design, Civil-Military Coordination, and Operational Safety in the National Capital Region

Perspectives on the Impact of Active Shooter Drills and Other School Security Measures: A Listening Session Series

Critical Issues in Transportation for 2024 and Beyond

Best Practices for the Efficient Supply of Chassis for Transporting Intermodal Containers

Impacts of Trains Longer Than 7,500 Feet

Impacts of Alternative Compensation Methods on Truck Driver Retention and Safety Performance

Transitioning Evidence-based Road Safety Research into Practice

Study and Recommendations on the HIMS, FADAP, and Other Drug and Alcohol Programs within the USDOT

Criteria for Installing Automatic and Remote-Controlled Shutoff Valves on Existing Gas and Hazardous Liquid Transmission Pipelines

Transport Airplane Risk Assessment Methodology

Addressing Issues of Vaccine Distribution and Supply Chains to Advance Pandemic and Seasonal Influenza Preparedness and Response

Committee on Options for Improving the Safety of Amphibious Vessels (DUKW boats) When Used in Passenger Service

Security of America’s Medical Product Supply Chain

Study on Data, Metrics, and Analytic Tools for Transportation Investments that Support Family Quality of Life and Communities

Lead Emissions from Piston-Powered General Aviation Aircraft

Assessment of Technologies for Improving Fuel Economy of Light-Duty Vehicles–Phase 3

Review of the Research Program of the U.S. DRIVE Partnership, Phase 5

Propulsion and Energy Systems to Reduce Commercial Aviation Carbon Emissions

Determinants of Market Adoption of Advanced Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy Technologies

Assessment of Technologies and Approaches for Reducing the Fuel Consumption of Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles, Phase 2

Assessment of Technologies for Improving Fuel Economy of Light-Duty Vehicles – Phase 2

Impacts of Trains Longer Than 7,500 Feet

Safe Transportation of Liquefied Natural Gas by Railroad Tank Car

Intercity Passenger Travel: Opportunities and Issues in Short-haul Markets

Review of the Federal Railroad Administration’s R&D Program

Transit Research Analysis Committee

Study on Data, Metrics, and Analytic Tools for Transportation Investments that Support Family Quality of Life and Communities

Review of Approaches for Managing Pollutant Loads in Highway Stormwater Runoff

Review of Federal Highway Administration Infrastructure R&D

Future Interstate Highway System Study

Review of the Compliance, Safety, Accountability Program of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Review of Federal Highway Administration Infrastructure R&D - Expert Task Group on Pavements

Transitioning Evidence-based Road Safety Research into Practice

Critical Issues in Transportation

Intercity Passenger Travel: Opportunities and Issues in Short-haul Markets

Powering the U.S. Army of the Future

The Role of Public Transportation and Mobility Management in an Era of New and Expanding Shared Mobility Options

Assessment of Technologies for Improving Fuel Economy of Light-Duty Vehicles–Phase 3

Truck Size and Weight Limits Research Plan

Review of the Compliance, Safety, Accountability Program of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Research Methodologies and Statistical Approaches to Understanding Driver Fatigue Factors in Motor Carrier Safety and Driver Health

Assessment of Technologies and Approaches for Reducing the Fuel Consumption of Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles, Phase 2

Assessment of Technologies for Improving Fuel Economy of Light-Duty Vehicles – Phase 2

Science and Technology for Resilience

Innovation by the Numbers Webinar Series

Pandemic and Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Preparedness and Response: Harnessing Lessons from the Efforts to Mitigate the COVID-19 Pandemic

Addressing Issues of Vaccine Distribution and Supply Chains to Advance Pandemic and Seasonal Influenza Preparedness and Response

Security of America’s Medical Product Supply Chain

Safe Transportation of Liquefied Natural Gas by Railroad Tank Car

Building Adaptable and Resilient Supply Chains after Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria

Review of the Compliance, Safety, Accountability Program of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Domestic Transportation of Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Ethanol

Commercial Aviation Supply Chain Resilience: Meeting of Experts

Best Practices for the Efficient Supply of Chassis for Transporting Intermodal Containers

Impacts of Trains Longer Than 7,500 Feet

Impacts of Alternative Compensation Methods on Truck Driver Retention and Safety Performance

Criteria for Installing Automatic and Remote-Controlled Shutoff Valves on Existing Gas and Hazardous Liquid Transmission Pipelines

Committee on Options for Improving the Safety of Amphibious Vessels (DUKW boats) When Used in Passenger Service

Transportation Resilience Metrics

Committee for a Study on the Feasibility of Wheelchair Restraint Systems in Passenger Aircraft

Performance-Based Safety Regulation

Real-Time Monitoring of Offshore Oil and Gas Operations

Review of Department of Transportation Testing of Electronically Controlled Pneumatic Brakes

Study on Furthering the Development and Use of Innovative Materials in Water Resources Infrastructure

Revise and Update U.S. Coast Guard Vessel Stability Regulations

Evaluating Testing, Costs, and Benefits of Advanced Spectroscopic Portals

Airspace Design, Civil-Military Coordination, and Operational Safety in the National Capital Region

Perspectives on the Impact of Active Shooter Drills and Other School Security Measures: A Listening Session Series