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Call for Presentations for the 2017 National RTAP Technical Assistance Conference: Transportation at the Center

The National RTAP Conference Committee announces a call for presentations for the 2017 Technical Assistance Conference in Omaha, Nebraska, October 29-November 1.

This is the third biennial conference focused on innovation, best practices, and compliance.  The target audience includes rural, tribal and human service transit providers; planners; state transportation and human service agency staff; intercity bus operators; consultants; and others with an interest in rural transportation.

The Conference Committee seeks proposals on topics and tools relevant to rural public, tribal, veterans' and intercity bus transportation. We are especially interested in those who have implemented or developed successful approaches at their agencies to issues related to Administration & Planning, Operations, Compliance, Coordination, and Technology

Read the full Call for Presentations or visit the 2017 Conference WebsitePresentation abstracts should be submitted via our Online Form no later than January 30, 2017.
National RTAP Webinar: Estimating Ridership of Rural Demand-Response Transit Recording Available

Couldn't join us for  our webinar,  "Estimating Ridership of Rural Demand-Response Services for the General Public" with  Jeremy Mattson of the Small Urban and Rural Transit Center? The Webinar and PowerPoint are available on our website

Learn more about 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
Have a topic you'd like to see addressed in one of our webinars or peer calls? Let us know at info@nationalrtap.org.
FTA and US DOT Updates

Read about the President-Elect's nomination of Elaine Chao for Transportation Secretary.

FTA's new EEO Circular went into effect October 31. Read the recent  Letter to Grantees and learn more on the  Equal Employment Opportunity guidance webpage.

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.

Check out the Transit Safety and Oversight (TSO)  November Spotlight Newsletter for updates and upcoming trainings.

FHWA released an Achieving Multimodal Networks:  Applying Design Flexibility & Reducing Conflicts guide, a resource that highlights ways planners and designers can address common roadway design challenges and barriers so that walking and bicycling are safe and attractive options for people of all ages and abilities.
Resources and News

Opportunities

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.

ACL/NIDILRR Grant Opportunities Announced for National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research Main Site  Field Initiated Projects.

Towards Zero Deaths - Proactive Steps for Your Community - The National Center for Rural Road Safety is offering this free webinar on Thursday, December 8 from 11:00am-12:30pm ET. Learn more about the latest fatality trends, the six key areas of the TZD strategy, and proactive steps your city or county can take to get started!

NTI is accepting nominations for the  2017 Achievements in Transit Training Awards through December 16. The purpose is to identify exemplary transit training initiatives and practices; emphasize the impact of training on agency performance; and increase industry knowledge of outstanding transit training. Employees of U.S. public transit agencies, DOTs, or other transit non-profits are eligible.

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. 

Resources

A recording of Q'Straint's recent webinar is now available: Emerging Trends in Wheelchair Transportation:  Rearward Facing Securement.

Blogs and Articles

The Volpe Center has a recent  blog post  on What Transportation Planners Can Learn About Ridesharing from College Campuses.
December 1, 2016
Events
NTI
December 1
2:00-3:30pm 

NTI
Orientation to Transit Procurement
Tucson, AZ
December 5-9

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

NTI
Transit Maintenance Leadership Workshop
Long Beach, CA
April 10-14, 2017

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