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Instructions for Authors Submitting for TRR Publication
First Submission | Revised Papers | Papers Transferred From TRBAM | Figure Guidelines | Funding Information | Accepted Papers | LLM/Generative AI Guidelines | Author Responsibilities | Desk Reject Criteria | Reference Guidelines | About
Click here for TRB Annual Meeting - Instructions for Authors
For first submissions, please have ready:
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If you are using Large Language Models (LLMs) or Generative AI for your paper, refer to the guidelines below.
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A Cover Letter is optional.
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Author Contribution, Conflict of Interest, and Funding Statements (see below)
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All coauthor names, affiliations, and email addresses
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ORCiD numbers (optional, but encouraged)
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Manuscript file (we suggest PDF for first submission)
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Table and figures embedded in text, near where they are first referenced
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8.5x11 page with normal margins
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A title page must be included as the first page and should include the following items: title, author list (include names, affilliations, and email addresses), and identify the corresponding author.
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Title should not be in all-caps. The first letter of each word capitalized, except for conjunctions, prepositions, and articles
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Times Roman font, 10 pt size or larger
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Single spaced
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Single column
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Line numbers (Restart each page)
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Page numbers
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Abstract (250 words max)
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Numbered references are preferred.
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Any supplemental material/appendices should be included at the end of this file, after the References.
Cover Letters
Cover letters should be no more than one page in length and written in a business letter format that addresses the TRR Editorial Board member(s) who will eventually be assigned to your paper. You may use a cover letter to introduce yourself, briefly describe your paper, and provide any additional considerations you’d like the editorial board to be aware of during the review process. A cover letter is not intended to replicate the text of your abstract or paper. It is, however, your chance to address the prospective editor of your paper with whatever additional information you feel will be helpful to him/her as your paper is considered. Cover letters often contain the following types of information:
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A one sentence summary of the findings.
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A very brief explanation about why your research is new and how it advances previous research in the subject area.
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Additional information or considerations that will aid the editor in handling your paper.
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Relevant information regarding prior or concurrent submissions.
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Any potential conflicts of interest or permission issues that need special consideration.
Sample Paper
Go to the TRR Editorial Manager site to start a submission.
How to Upload a Revised Paper
To Submit a Revision for Re-Review, please have ready:
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Response to Reviewers file: This should be a point by point response to all reviewer comments from the previous round of review.
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Manuscript file (PDF): All changes in the manuscript should be either highlighted (yellow preferred) or the new text should be in red font. Do not upload a Track Changes document. Deleted text does not need to be shown.
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Place 3 to 5 keywords for your paper on your title page.
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To optimize your paper for search engine discoverability, please check your title. Titles with a single, declarative statement, without any additional punctuation such as colons, dashes, or question marks tend to work best.
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For more information about how to promote the visibility of your work, please watch our VIDEO.
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The Authorship Change Request Form is required if any authors were added or removed during the revision process.
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All guidelines from first submission still apply.
Revising Papers Transferred from the TRB Annual Meeting Committee Review
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A Response to Reviewers document is required. Include the reviewer comment and how you responded to it for each comment received.
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The TRR does not have a word limit - revise the paper to your best ability. It is fine if the requested changes extend the length of your paper.
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Highlight the changes in your paper.
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Follow the general formatting guidelines for new submissions above
Figure Guidelines
Information on authors' figures to be published in the TRR.
Click here to download a PDF of the TRR Figure Guidelines.
How to Upload an Accepted Manuscript
To submit final files for publication production, please make sure you have the following:
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Word or LaTeX manuscript file.
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The SAGE LaTeX template can be used for final production files. Please refer to the guide to uploading LaTeX files in Editorial Manager for assistance in making sure your files appear as they should.
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LaTeX files should be uploaded as LaTeX files and not as Supplemental Material. Upload the compiled PDF version as the Manuscript file. The correct order for files are: Primary manuscript file (.tex), Bibliography files, Optional style files, Nomenclature files. Figures should be uploaded as figure files.
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Folders and sub-folders are not allowed when uploading LaTeX files in Editorial Manager as they interfere with the PDF-building process.
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Equations (including those inline and displayed) need to be in editable format (MathType, Word, or LaTeX)
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Tables must be in editable format. Do not embed them as images within the document.
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Figures must not be embedded in the manuscript file. For both grayscale and color figures, image resolution should be at least 300 dpi. Each figure must be uploaded as a separate file, with the figure number in the file name. Word files are not an acceptable format for figures.
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If the system will not allow you to upload a figure as a figure file, that file type is not an accepted figure type.
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Ensure that all tables and figures called out in the paper are included. Tables should be in the manuscript file and figure files should be uploaded individually.
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Figure legends should be left in the paper, where you want the figure to appear.
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A Response to Reviewers file must be uploaded. This can be the one from the previous round of review.
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The Exclusive License to Publish form must be uploaded with your paper. Upload it using the ELP/Copyright Form file type and not Supplemental Material.
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References should be numbered for publication, not Harvard style.
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Appendices/supplemental material should be removed from the paper and uploaded as a Supplemental Material file. Keep in mind that supplemental material is not copy-edited and should be uploaded in a publication ready state. We cannot accept LaTeX files for appendices or supplemental material.
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LaTeX Template Information (Format for Accepted Papers)
Usage of Large Language Models/Generative AI in Papers
Authors: If you are considering using a large language model [(LLM), e.g. ChatGPT] or Generative AI to help prepare your manuscript for submission to TRBAM or TRR, you must comply with the following statement from COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics):
• Authors who use AI tools in the writing of a manuscript, production of images or graphical elements of the paper, or in the collection and analysis of data, must be transparent in disclosing in the Materials and Methods (or similar section) of the paper how the AI tool was used and which tool was used. Authors are fully responsible for the content of their manuscript, even those parts produced by an AI tool, and are thus liable for any breach of publication ethics.
Specifically, authors are required to:
1. Clearly indicate the use of language models in the manuscript, including which model was used and for what purpose. Please use the methods or acknowledgements section, as appropriate.
2. Verify the accuracy, validity, and appropriateness of the content and any citations generated by language models and correct any errors or inconsistencies.
3. Provide a list of sources used to generate content and citations, including those generated by language models. Double-check citations to ensure they are accurate and properly referenced.
4. Be conscious of the potential for plagiarism where the LLM may have reproduced substantial text from other sources. Check the original sources to be sure you are not plagiarizing someone else’s work.
5. Acknowledge the limitations of language models in the manuscript, including the potential for bias, errors, and gaps in knowledge.
Please note that AI bots such as ChatGPT should not be listed as an author on your submission.
Author Responsibilities
Your submission must include a version of the following statements, appearing after the Acknowledgments and before the References
Author Contributions
The authors confirm contribution to the paper as follows: study conception and design: xxx, yyy; data collection: xxx, yyy, zzz; analysis and interpretation of results: xxx; draft manuscript preparation: yyy, zzz. All authors reviewed the results and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Declaration of Conflicting Interests
The authors declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: xxx.
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The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This research was supported by xxxx (grant no. xxxxx).
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The authors disclosed no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
If your research was supported by funding from any of the Cooperative Research Programs, you must include the appropriate CRP wording in your funding statement:
NCHRP:
This research is part of the NCHRP project xxxxx, which is part of the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP). NCHRP is administered by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) and funded by participating member states of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). NCHRP also receives critical technical support from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), United States Department of Transportation.
TCRP:
This research is part of the TCRP project xxxxx, which is part of the Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP). TCRP is administered by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) and funded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), United States Department of Transportation.
ACRP:
This research is part of the ACRP project xxxxx, which is part of the Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP). ACRP is administered by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) and funded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), United States Department of Transportation.
BTSCRP:
This research is part of the BTSCRP project xxxxx, which is part of the Behavioral Traffic Safety Cooperative Research Program (BTSCRP). BTSCRP is administered by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) and funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), United States Department of Transportation, with direction and oversight provided by the Governors Highway Safety Association.
Manuscript Format: Include a title page with title, authors, and affiliations. Place tables and figures within the text, near the text that discusses the item. Pages must have line numbers and should start again on each page. The abstract should describe the work and findings and be no more than 250 words.
Language and Readability: All papers must be submitted in English. It is the author’s responsibility to ensure that the nature and conclusions of the work are easily understood. Authors are encouraged to engage editorial services prior to the paper submission.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the use of information or concepts from another article, website, or report without clearly attributing the source. Plagiarism is not acceptable. Phrases, sentences, or sections taken from another document, even if written by the same author(s), must appear within quotation marks and the source must be credited.
Self-Plagiarism: The TRR follows guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics regarding self-plagiarism/text recycling:
In summary, "Self-plagiarism (or text recycling) occurs when sections of the same text appear (usually un-attributed) in more than one of an author’s own publications. The term ‘text recycling’ has been chosen to differentiate from ‘true’ plagiarism (i.e. when another author’s words or ideas have been used, usually without attribution).
The TRR will "consider whether there is significant overlap with a previous publication and how significantly the degree of overlap impinges on the originality of the content. If overlap is considered minor, action may not be necessary or the authors may be asked to re-write overlapping sections and cite their previous article(s) if they have not done so. More significant overlap may result in rejection of the manuscript.
Fragmented or Redundant Publication: The TRR does not have any limits on the number of submissions that can be submitted or published by an author. However, the following bullet points outline situations where the TRR Editorial Board may choose to desk reject a paper if the research does not make a substantial contribution on its own or otherwise seems to be broken into pieces or redundant.
- Breaking a single piece of work into many papers that are derived from the same or similar hypothesis dilutes the information and makes it difficult for reviewers and readers to assess the advances that may have been made.
- The TRR Editorial Board may desk reject papers with similar hypotheses, methodologies, or results.
- The TRR Editorial Board may desk reject papers that are redundant in that there is significant overlap between papers.
- Papers submitted for review should stand on their own; papers submitted as Part I, Part II, etc., will not be accepted for review.
- We recommend combining unpublished papers before submitting them to the TRR if they are drawn from the same basic research question.
- The TRR follows guidance from the Committee on Publication Ethics. Please refer to the following case study on “Salami Publication.”
Authorship Disputes: The generally accepted rules for authorship credit are stated in the 2003 Annual Report of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) are as follows: “(1) substantial contributions to conception and design, or acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data; (2) drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content; and (3) final approval of version to be published. All three of these conditions should be met for authorship, (4) anyone credited as an author should have played a significant role in the research and in the writing of the paper (Albert & Wagner 2003).”
For any authorship changes between revisions, please use our Authorship Change Request Form.
Commercial or Special Interests: Authors are responsible for ensuring that submitted papers do not advocate special interests and are not of a commercial nature. Papers that fall within this category will be removed from the peer review process. A paper also may be removed from peer review if it describes the properties of a product without disclosing its composition or manufacture. Generic names of products and equipment should be used unless the author considers the trade names or manufacturer’s names essential to the purpose of the paper.
Clearances and Copyrighted Material: Authors must secure necessary clearances and written permissions for presentation or publication from any contracting or supervisory agencies involved in the research or from holders of copyrights on material used in the paper. Authors must have concurrence from coauthors or coworkers before submitting papers for publication in the TRR, and all contributions to the work must be properly acknowledged. If a paper accepted for publication contains previously copyrighted material, authors must obtain written permission from the copyright holder(s). TRB will assume the authors have obtained this permission before submission of the manuscript. TRB will retain unrestricted rights to the materials.
The TRR follows the Committee on Publishing Ethics (COPE) guidelines for policies on authorship disputes, complaints and appeals, conflicts of interest / competing interests, ethical oversight, and intellectual property.
Criteria for Submission Withdrawal (Desk Reject)
To lessen the burden on reviewers and to avoid having authors revise papers unlikely to be published, we recommend papers with the following issues be declined:
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Findings do not contribute to the current practice or literature
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Findings that are purely descriptive in content
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Repetition of well-established findings
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Focus of study too narrow to be applied elsewhere
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Writing that cannot be easily understood
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Topics outside the scope of the Transportation Research Board
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Inappropriate or offensive language
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Endorsement or promotion of a commercial product
Reference Guidelines
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The reference list should contain only references that are cited in the text, numbered in the order in which they are first cited. Bibliographic lists will not be published. Papers that do not conform to a standard reference style may be rejected.
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Do not denote text references with superscripts.
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Do not include in the reference list personal communications or similar material that would not be available to readers. Instead, cite the unpublished work in the text and enclose the author’s name along with the term “personal communication” in parentheses.
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You may use the following content guidelines and samples in preparing reference lists:
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TRR Journal Articles: Note: Do not add “In” before the journal title; do not include the publisher or place of publication. Dewan, S. A., and R. E. Smith. Creating Asset Management Reports from a Local Agency Pavement Management System. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2018. Volume: doi or page range.
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TRB Presentation Papers: Ghiasi, A., J. Ma, F. Zhou, and X. Li. Speed Harmonization Algorithm using Connected Autonomous Vehicles. Presented at 96th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C., 2017
Please check references citing papers presented at the Annual Meeting to see whether or not the paper was subsequently published in the Transportation Research Record (TRR). If the paper was published in the TRR, the reference should be changed to the corresponding TRR citation.
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Other Journals: Dawley, C. B., B. L. Hogenwiede, and K. O. Anderson. Mitigation of Instability Rutting of Asphalt Concrete Pavements in Canada. Journal of Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists, 2018. 59: 481–508. Sansalone, M., J. M. Lin, and W. B. Streett. Determining the Depths of Surface-Opening Cracks Using Impact-Generated Stress Waves and Time-of-Flight Techniques. ACI Materials Journal, 2018. 95: 168–177.
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TRB Publications: Morcous, G., K. Wang, P. C. Taylor, and S. P. Shah. NCHRP Report 819: Self-Consolidating Concrete for Cast-in-Place Bridge Components. Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C., 2016. http://dx.doi.org/10.17226/23626.
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Book: Newland, D. E. Random Vibrations: Spectral and Wavelet Analysis. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1998.
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Chapter in a Book: Shunk, G.A. Urban Transportation Systems. In Transportation Planning Handbook (J. D. Edwards, Jr., ed.), Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J., 1992, pp. 88–122.
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Government Report: Von Quintus, H. L., and A. L. Simpson. Documentation of the Back calculation of Layer Parameters for LTPP Test Sections. Publication FHWA-RD-01-113. FHWA, U.S. Department of Transportation, 2002.
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Websites: References to websites should include corporate or personal authors, title of document, date of document (if available), web address (complete URL), and date accessed by the author. State and Local Policy Program. Value Pricing. Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. www.hhh.umn.edu/centers/slp/vp/vp_org.Accessed Feb. 5, 2008. Guide to Developing Performance-Related Specifications.FHWA-RD-98-155, FHWA- RD-98- 156, FHWA-RD-98-171,Vol. III, Appendix C. www.tfhrc.gov/pavement/pccp/pavespec.Accessed March 5, 2003.
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Unpublished papers: References to unpublished papers presented at meetings should include name(s) of author(s); title of paper; and title, sponsor(s), location, and dates or year of meeting. Corbett, J. J. Toward Environmental Stewardship: Charting the Course for Marine Transportation. Presented at 83rd Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C., 2018.
Equations
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All variables should be defined at first use, either in the text or where the equation is listed.
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Fractions in displayed equations shoulbe stacked, in accordance with preferred mathematical practice.
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If a displayed equation is numbered, use an Arabic numeral in parentheses, placed flush right.
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Carefully distinguish the following: - All capital and lowercase letters; - Capital O (“oh”), lowercase o (“oh”), and 0 (zero); - Lowercase l (“el”) and number 1 (one); - Letter X, Greek chi (χ), and multiplication sign ×; - Prime ´, apostrophe ’, and superscript one 1; and - English and Greek letters such as • B and beta (β), upper- or lowercase k and kappa (κ), • n and eta (η), v and nu (ν), • u and upsilon (υ), u and mu (μ), and • Upper- or lowercase p and rho (ρ), and w and lowercase omega (ω).
Footnotes
Do not use footnotes to the text. Incorporate the information into the text or delete the notes.
Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Symbols
Abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols must be fully defined at first use in both the abstract and the paper; the full term should be spelled out first, followed by the abbreviated term in parentheses. The following acronyms may be used without definition:
AASHO: American Association of State Highway Officials
AASHTO: American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
ACRP: Airport Cooperative Research Program
APTA: American Public Transportation Association
ASCE: American Society of Civil Engineers
ASTM: American Society for Testing and Materials (known by abbreviation only)
EPA: Environmental Protection Agency
FAA: Federal Aviation Administration
FHWA: Federal Highway Administration
FMCSA: Federal M:otor Carrier Safety Administration
FRA: Federal Railroad Administration
FTA: Federal Transit Administration
IEEE: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
ISO: International Organization for Standardization
ITE: Institute of Transportation Engineers
NASA: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NCHRP: National Cooperative Highway Research Program
NHTSA: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
SAE: Society of Automotive Engineers
SHRP: Strategic Highway Research Program
SHRP: Second Strategic Highway Research Program
TCRP: Transit Cooperative Research Program
TRB: Transportation Research Board