SHARE:  
Join Our Email List
eNews Header
START Online now available on National RTAP eLearning

The interactive, online version of the Safety Training and Rural Transit (START) course is now available on the National RTAP eLearning portal. Previously hosted by the Center for Transportation eLearning (CTEL), START Online modules can now be accessed directly on National RTAP eLearning and scores will be tracked on learner transcripts as they are with the 60-Minute Substance Abuse Awareness course, Top Shops, 2 the Point Training, and others.

START Online is a great resource to use in combination with, or in some cases instead of, instructor-led safety training. There is still tremendous value in hands-on training, but START Online can minimize the in-person duration and can be used to reinforce and refresh learning before or after a training. It is also a great option when instructor led training is not possible.

To learn more and to access the course, register or log into elearning.nationalrtap.org. Email elearning@nationalrtap.org if you have any questions.  START Online was developed through a partnership with the Center for Transportation eLearning. If you have questions about CTEL, email  ghegland@i29.net . 
Upcoming National RTAP Webinar: Estimating Ridership of Rural Demand-Response Transit

Join us next  Wednesday, November 16, 2:30-3:30pm ET  for a presentation by Jeremy Mattson of the Small Urban and Rural Transit Center (SURTC) on their recent report: "Estimating Ridership of Rural Demand-Response Services for the General Public." 

The study, which developed two models for estimating demand, can be used by transit agencies or planners to:
  • forecast demand for demand response services, 
  • estimate the impact of service changes, or 
  • project future ridership. 
Register now for this webinar and download the Full Report!
FTA and US DOT Updates

The FTA will be hosting a series of State Management Review Workshops in November and December. Interested? You can also read the Comprehensive Review Guide for FY17 which describes the process.

Looking for guidance on procurement? The FTA has posted a revised Best Practices Procurement and Lessons Learned Manual.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) asks transit agencies to submit their data for the second edition of the National Transit Map  by November 15. Read this Press Release for more information.

Today the FTA announced in the Federal Register the FY 2016 project selections for both the Rides to Wellness (R2W) Demonstration and Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility Grants and the Mobility on Demand (MOD) Sandbox program.
Resources and News

Opportunities

Easterseals Project Action (ESPA) Consulting is offering  Accessible Transportation Community Initiative (ATCI) grants to increase and improve independent mobility for people with disabilities and older adults through the development of transportation coalitions to ten communities within the following states: MN, WI, MT, ND, SD, WA, AK. Applications are due  January 15, 2017. 

The National Transit Institute (NTI) has two free upcoming webinars: 

NTD Webinar - Internal Validation Module Training Report Year 2016 on November 29, 2:00-3:30pm ET. For states and agencies that report directly to the National Transit Database. All agencies who report to the NTD must utilize this new internal validation feature to resolve all data issues prior to submitting their reports.

TCRP Report 163: Strategy Guide to Enable and Promote the Use of Fixed-Route Transit by People with Disabilities on December 1, 2:00pm ET. The webinar will discuss the guide, which can help transit agencies fulfill the primary goals of the ADA by making fixed-route systems accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.

Resources

FTA 101, a free learning module released in August 2014,  i s now also on the National RTAP eLearning LMS. A joint production of  AASHTO, MTAP,  and SURTC, the brief course gives new public transportation professionals a useful general overview of the Federal Transit Administration, including history, key terms, programs, and more.

Blogs and Articles

Read this recent NADTC blog post by Jamie McKay of Central Maryland Regional Transit: Making Better Connections - Impact of Travel Training is Evident for Central Maryland and Beyond.

Check out this Profile of Donna Smith, Senior Director, Easterseals Project Action Consulting. 
Alternative Transportation Children's Books

For a change of pace this week, here is a list of children's books
that feature, celebrate or encourage walking, bicycle riding, public transit and/or train use, put together by the Whatcom County Library System in Washington.
November 10, 2016
Events
FTA
Effectively Managing Transit Emergencies
November 15-18

National Center for Rural Road Safety
Defining the Future for Safe Rural Transportation in America 
November 19

Louisiana Public Transit Association 
Public Transportation 
Conference
November 14-16
Lake Charles, LA 

National RTAP
Estimating Ridership of Rural Demand-Response Transit
November 16,  2:30pm

FTA 
SMS Safety Assurance
November 22


APTA
APTA Committee Meeting
Miami, FL
Nov 30- Dec 2

NTI
Using Regional ITS Architecture
December 7-8
Long Beach, CA

FPTA
The 2016 FPTA/CTD Annual Conference
December 11-14
Jacksonville, FL

NTI
Procurement for Small and Medium Transit Systems
December 12-13
Wheat Ridge, CO

PPTA
2017 Winter Meeting 
January 11-13
State College, PA

Virginia Transit Association
Conference and Expo
May 23-24, 2017
Arlington, VA

National RTAP 2017 Technical Assistance Conference
Oct 29-Nov 1,  2017
Omaha, NE

For a listing of all National RTAP and other national events, view our  Calendar . If you'd like to submit an event, please email info@nationalrtap.org.

All event times listed as Eastern Time
Resource Spotlight
Want to learn about upcoming transportation events 24/7? Check out our  Events Calendar! While you are there, watch our previous Webinars and Peer Calls, or ask a question with  
National RTAP is a program of the Federal Transit Administration dedicated to creating rural and Tribal transit solutions through technical assistance, partner collaboration and FREE training materials.

Contact us:
Main:  5 Wheeling Avenue, Woburn, MA 01801, 888-589-6821
Washington, D.C.:  50 F Street NW, Suite 7020, Washington, DC 20001