National RTAP eNews - December 27, 2018

eNews - December 27, 2018

National RTAP is a program of the Federal Transit Administration dedicated to creating rural and tribal transit solutions through free training materials, technical assistance, and partner collaboration.

New National RTAP Videos on Website Accessibility for Transit Agencies

National RTAP Website Builder Accessibility Video - Color Contrast

It is important that individuals with disabilities can access the information posted on your transit website. In this new video series created by National RTAP Technical Support, we help you look at designing your website with accessibility in mind. The videos focus on websites that use National RTAP’s Website Builder tool and hosting service, but the information can apply to other website platforms. The series includes videos on color contrast, PDF accessibility and alt text, images and links. The videos and additional website accessibility information, requirements and tools can be found on our Website Accessibility web page.

Driving Your Online Presence: The Importance of Creating a Website for Your Transit Agency

We've updated the National RTAP Technical Brief, Driving Your Online Presence: The Importance of Creating a Website for Your Transit Agency in December 2018. The brief highlights the hallmarks of an effective transit agency’s website and provides useful steps for developing a new website and tips on improving an existing one. Updates include new statistics and resources, and a section on mobile-friendly websites.

Featured Resource

Resources and Events

FTA Rural and Tribal NTD Overview and Updates Questions and Answers Available

Maggie Schilling and Murtaza Naqvi, FTA NTD Program Managers led a webinar on December 12 on rural and tribal NTD. View the webinar questions and answers, which include questions asked on apportionment, insurance recoveries and many other topics.

U.S. DOT and FTA Updates

US DOT Public Access Data Management Plans have recently been added to the National Transportation Library's ROSA P repository. This collection of data management plans (DMPs) includes plans written as a deliverable for US DOT-funded scientific research

US DOT completed the FAST Act requirements on aligning federal environmental reviews on November 6, 2018. The review identified applications of Section 1313 and showed commitment to improving the environmental review process to deliver transportation projects more quickly.

US DOT and the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center reviewed the current state of the practice of low-speed (10-15 mph) automated shuttles. Low-Speed Automated Shuttles: State of the Practice provides context on challenges and suggested mitigations and identifies several research questions on topics including safety, accessibility user acceptance and societal impacts.

Publications

TCRP's Tools and Strategies for Eliminating Assaults Against Transit Operators User Guide provides potential countermeasures and strategies to prevent or mitigate assaults against transit operators. The guide includes an operator assault risk management toolbox, vulnerability self-assessment tool, route-based risk calculator, supportive checklists and guidelines.

University of Minnesota's Understanding Roadway Safety in American Indian Reservations: Perceptions and Management of Risk by Community, Tribal Governments, and Other Safety Leaders focuses on roadway safety in American Indian reservations. The report covers pedestrian safety, reckless driving, and Tribal cooperation with local, state and federal agencies.

NCHRP's Implications of Connected and Automated Driving Systems contains five volumes that describe the state of connected and automated vehicles: the legal landscape, audits, legal modification prioritization and harmonization analysis, and action and implementation plans.

The FTA December 2018 Transit Safety and Oversight Spotlight newsletter has been published. The issue includes information about their upcoming trainings, such as their Bus Nomenclature eLearning course.

Webinars and Training

CUTR will be providing a number of upcoming training sessions in Florida, including Fundamentals of Bus Collision Investigation on January 7-11 and Effectively Managing Transit Emergencies on February 12-15.

Opportunities

Grants from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) at the Administration on Community Living (ACL) are seeking applications through February 5, 2019. Research and development projects will generate maximize full inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, family support, and economic and self-sufficiency of persons with disabilities.

Legislation

On November 27, 2018, FHWA posted guidance to clarify implementation requirements associated with Periodic Evaluation of Facilities Repeatedly Requiring Repair and Reconstruction Due to Emergency Events (23 CFR 667). This guidance has been developed in response to questions received from State DOTs.

State RTAP Manager's Peer Roundtable

Join National RTAP staff and your fellow State RTAP Managers for a Peer Roundtable on January 22 at 2:00 PM ET. This will be an informal discussion of issues affecting State RTAP Managers and an open information exchange. Join the Roundtable via GoToMeeting (no registration required) using your phone or computer. Some of the topics we'll be discussing are RTAP advisory boards, training for tribes, and funding policies. Please save the date and bring your questions!

Transit Marketing Matters Twitter Chat

National RTAP is planning a #TransitMarketingMatters Twitter Chat on January 30 from 2:00-3:00 PM. The chat will moderated by National RTAP Review Board Member and Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Authority (HIRTA) Executive Director Julia Castillo.

Call for Presentations for 2019 National RTAP Conference

The call for presentations is open for our 2019 Technical Assistance Conference in Portland, Oregon, September 15-18. We're looking for presentations, workshops, and trainings on rural and tribal transit topics with a focus on innovation, best practices, and compliance. Submit the Presentation Proposal Form by February 28, 2019.

Calendar of Upcoming Events

United Motorcoach Association

2019 Motorcoach Expo

Fort Lauderdale, FL, January 6-10

Conference

National Transit Institute

Procurement I - Orientation to Transit Procurement

Fresno, CA, January 7-11