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An Introduction to TCRP Problem Statements

Register  and join National RTAP, the Transportation Research Board, and AASHTO's Multi-State Technical Assistance Program on Thursday, February 16 from 2:30-3:30pm ET to learn about the Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Problem Statements and how to submit one this year. You'll also hear about rural transit current research and helpful resources, and will be able to questions and give input directly to TRB staff. 

If you've never been involved in the research process, this is a great place to get started!
National RTAP Peer Call: Engaging Community Stakeholders

Transit succeeds when it is a visible, valued part of the surrounding community. Join National RTAP for this Peer Call about integrating your agency into your community. Transit veterans Deb Dauenhauer and Ernie Palmer will be participating in the discussion to contribute their own community success stories. 

Ask questions and share your experience with engaging local stakeholders on Wednesday, February 15 from 2:30-3:30 PM Eastern.  Register Now !
Deadline for National RTAP 2017 Conference Session Abstracts Extended to February 15!

The National RTAP Conference Committee is soliciting presentation proposals for the 2017 Technical Assistance Conference in Omaha, Nebraska, October 29-November 1. 

The 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 to issues related to Administration & Planning, Operations, Compliance, Coordination, and Technology.

Read the full Call for Presentations or visit the 2017 Conference Website . Presentation abstracts should be submitted via our Online Form by  February 15,  2017.
National RTAP 2017 Technical Assistance Program

This year we are looking to select two small rural or tribal transit providers to receive technical assistance regarding their marketing or communications.  

We anticipate that each project will involve, at a minimum, developing or updating the agency's marketing plan and an assessment of the system's visibility, image, and passenger experience.  We will use the Worksheets from the Marketing Toolkit  as a starting point.  

Applications are due Friday, March 17 at 12:00 PM ET. To learn more about the program, application requirements, and to submit your application, visit the  2017 Technical Assistance  Webpage.
FTA and U.S. DOT Updates
 
Interested in sharing your TAM resources, or seeing what others have done? check out the FTA's TAM Peer Library f or examples of ongoing or completed asset management resources. Just getting started? take a look at the TAM Guide. 

The U.S. DOT released several new mobile apps to help keep people safe and informed.

On January 31 our new Transportation Secretary, Elaine Chao was sworn in. Read the official remarks from the ceremony. 

Check out FTA' s Research, Development and Technology Strategic Plan  for 2017-2021.

FTA recently released an updated Award Management Requirements Circular (5010.1E) and Buy America Handbook. Per today's Federal Register notice, the effective dates of both the circular and the handbook guidance will be delayed until March 21.

U.S. DOT has issued an  NPRM    for a possible change to its drug-testing program. The proposed change would add several additional substances to the testing list, among other changes. 
Upcoming NCMM Webinars

February 14, 2pm ET. This webinar, presented by NCMM, the Administration for Community Living's Transit Planning for All project, and the Shared Use Mobility Center, will give a brief summary of shared-use mobility in the U.S and will cover in detail a pilot program between Brookdale Senior Living Solutions and Lyft.

February 21, 11am ET. This webinar will discuss updated, ground-breaking rules from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services affecting non-emergency medical transportation. The rules for partnering with healthcare providers and institutions, and in particular for healthcare facilities to pay for patients' transportation costs under certain circumstances. In advance of the webinar, view CTAA's review of the rule. 
Resources and News

Publications

Transit is only one of many factors that determine health outcomes. Communities in Action: Pathways to Health Equity is a new report examining what drives good health outcomes in communities.

The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics released its 2016 Annual Report.

Opportunities

The National Highway Institute has a free online course in the Basics of Transportation Planning. This 4 hour course provides an introduction to the statewide, metropolitan, and rural transportation planning requirements and highlights useful techniques. 

A few upcoming NTI courses - see their website for the full calendar: 
National RTAP on Facebook

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February 9, 2017
Events
Southwest Transit Association
Annual Conference
Baton Rouge, LA
February 13-15

NCMM
Inclusive Planning and Shared-Use Mobility:
Ensuring Diversity of Perspective in a Changing Transportation Environment
February 14
2 PM

National Center for Rural Road Safety
Small Town and Rural Multi-Modal Networks Guide
February 14
1:00-2:30 PM

2017 National RTAP Technical Assistance Conference: Call for Presentations
Deadline Extended to February 15

National RTAP
Peer Call: Engaging Local Stakeholders 
February 15
2:30-3:30 PM

National RTAP
Introduction to TCRP Problem Statements
February 16
2:30-3:30 PM

NTI
Bus Operator Workstation Design Part II, Design Guidance Tools
February 16 
2:00-3:30 PM
Webinar 

NCMM
Safe Harbors Regulation and NEMT
February 21
11 AM

National RTAP
Kids on Transit
March 7
2:30-3:30 PM

Transportation Research Board
Livable Transit Corridors
March 16
2:00-4:00 PM

TTA
Texas 2017 Spring Training, Expo, Roadeo
Lubbock, TX
March 21-26

NMTA
Transit Roadeo, Conference, Expo
Bernalillo, NM
March 25-28

Illinois RTAC 
Spring Conference
Springfield, IL
April 5-6
 
NTI
Transit Maintenance Leadership Workshop
Long Beach, CA
April 10-14, 2017

FTA
12th Annual Drug and Alcohol Program National Conference
April 18-20, 2017
New Orleans, LA

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 [email protected].

All event times listed as Eastern Time
Resource Spotlight
Did you know? National RTAP recently released an Advertising Best Practices article with examples, tips, and lessons-learned regarding bus wraps and in-kind advertising from five rural transit agencies. 

Also be sure to check out our previous articles on Surveillance Programs, Fuel Efficient Driving, Travel Training, and more!
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