National RTAP eNews - May 2, 2019

eNews - May 2, 2019

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.

Upcoming National RTAP Two Variable Cost Allocation Calculator Webinars

A series of two webinars will introduce National RTAP's Access and Excel versions of the Two Variable Cost Allocation Calculator developed by Texas A&M Transportation Institute for National RTAP. Presenters and developers of this application are Todd Hansen, Assistant Research Scientist at Texas A&M Transportation Institute and Rich Garrity of RLS & Associates, Inc.

Register for the Excel version webinar, which will take place on May 14 from 12:30 PM-1:30 PM and/or the Access version webinar, which will take place on May 15 from 2:00-3:00 PM.

This valuable application will enable users to input service, financial and operational data to allocate expenses by routes, travel modes, jurisdictions, and other common transit designations. The tool not only generates cost per service but also measures service performance.

Updated National RTAP Technical Brief - Performance Evaluation for Rural Transit Systems

National RTAP's Performance Evaluation for Rural Transit Systems tech brief was updated in April 2019. There is new information on defining goals and objectives for a successful performance measurement program and an expanded list of common measures used by small rural and tribal transit systems. The brief provides guidance on how to best summarize findings of a performance measurement program by considering the audience.

Featured Resource

Resources and Events

Upcoming National RTAP Webinar: On-Ramps, Intersections, and Exit Routes: A Roadmap for Transit Agencies to Prevent and Disrupt Human Trafficking

Register for a webinar on May 14, from 2:30 PM-3:30 PM that will demonstrate ways our industry can make fundamental shifts to prevent, detect, and disrupt human trafficking.

Panelists:

Kristen Joyner, Chair, Human Trafficking Awareness Protocols and Policies Sub Committee for the Secretary of Transportation and Executive Director, SWTA
Annie Slovik, Program Director, Buses on the Lookout (BOTL)

Upcoming National RTAP Transit Manager Peer Roundtable

Join National RTAP staff and fellow transit managers for a Peer Roundtable on May 29 at 2:00 PM ET. Join the Roundtable via GoToMeeting (no registration required). This will be an informal discussion of issues affecting rural transit organizations and an open information exchange.

Introducing our Newest Board Member

We are pleased to announce our newest Review Board member: Angie Jones, District Manager, Grant County Transportation District (The People Mover), John Day, Oregon. Her term will begin at our upcoming Spring Meeting in May.

The National RTAP Review Board provides experience and expertise to ensure that our products and services are easily accessible, useful, and of the highest quality for transit operators and State RTAP Managers.

U.S. DOT and FTA Updates

The final rule on Conforming Amendments and Technical Corrections to Department Rules Implementing the Transportation Industry Drug Testing Program was published in the Federal Register, effective April 23, 2019. The rule corrected FTA and other agency regulations governing drug testing for safety-sensitive employees to comply with U.S. DOT's amendments in Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs. The current 49 CFR Part 40 now has additional requirements to test for oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone for U.S. DOT regulated drug testing programs.

FTA is seeking public comment on proposed changes to its Joint Development Guidance (Circular 7050.1A). Proposed changes would increase flexibility for transit agencies to pursue joint development projects resulting in added value for transit systems and communities. Comments are due by June 3, 2019. Read more on the FTA Joint Development web page.

U.S. DOT published a Notice of Funding Opportunity in the Federal Register on April 18, 2019 for $900 million in the FY2019 Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) transportation grants. Special consideration will be given to projects which emphasize improved access to reliable, safe, and affordable transportation for communities in rural areas. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by 8:00 PM ET on July 15, 2019.

FTA is holding a webinar on May 2, 2019 from 2:30-3:30 PM ET to feedback from stakeholders and the transit industry on proposed reporting changes and clarifications to National Transit Database (NTD) reporting requirements.

Publications

FHWA's Advancing Organizational Capabilities for Transportation Systems Management and Operations discusses the challenges, current practices, and lessons learned related to advancing organizational capabilities for transportation systems management and operations (TSMO). A section of the report addresses promoting TMSOs in rural areas.

The Capacity-Building Toolkit for Including Aging and Disability Networks in Emergency Planning produced by NACCHO, ASTHO, ASPR, and ACL is a resource that helps the aging and disability networks increase their ability to plan for and respond to public health emergencies and disasters. It contains a module on supporting evacuation and transportation needs during disasters. It also includes the role of paratransit and rural health centers in emergencies.

Texas A&M Transportation Institute, in cooperation with FHWA and TxDOT have updated their guidebook: Using Public Transportation to Facilitate Last Mile Package Delivery. The guidebook helps public transit agencies in rural communities implement a package delivery service in coordination with a private package delivery partner.

The April 2019 FTA Transit Safety and Oversight Spotlight has been published. News includes FTA funding to support human trafficking awareness and information about the arrival of FTA's Oversight Tracking System (OTrak), which will become the official repository for program oversight data.

Webinars and Trainings

Upcoming National Transit Institute training courses include:

Advancing Mobility Management, Charleston, WV, May 8-9
Risk Assessment for Transit Capital Projects, Kansas City, MO, May 14-15
Transit Fare Policy, Austin, TX, May 14-15
Managing Community Mobility, Boise, ID, June 11-12

For more information and to register, visit the NTI course listing.

Updated National RTAP Distracted Driving Topic Guide

We updated our Distracted Driving Topic Guide in April 2019. New resources include Business Fleet's 10 Ways to Minimize Distracted Driving and Understanding Roadway Safety in American Indian Reservations.

Opportunities

The Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) Program provides funding for national training and technical assistance providers who work with the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program Network to support training and technical assistance to current and future grantees, prescription drug monitoring programs, and partner agencies. The deadline for submissions is May 28, 2019.

Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) is soliciting applications for Rural and Tribal Passenger Transportation Technical Assistance through May 3, 2019.

The ELGL/UrbanLeap 2019 Innovation Cohort focuses on small cities, counties and towns with big ideas. Complete the application form to receive the registration link to a program webinar on May 7, 2019, at 2:00 PM ET.

Call for Student Posters for the National RTAP Conference

Students with a completed poster or new ideas can consider submitting a research poster to the 4th National RTAP Technical Assistance Conference: Charting New Trails for Rural & Tribal Transit. Students can share their studies on transportation with top industry leaders at a national conference. Winners receive awards.

Welcome New State RTAP Managers

National RTAP extends a warm welcome to our community to several new State RTAP managers - Graham Dollarhide, Nevada and Harinee Iyengar, Minnesota . If you would like to get in touch with them or any State RTAP Manager, visit our Directory of State RTAP Managers .

NCompass Live Webinar about the National RTAP Resource Center Recording Available

The Nebraska Library Commission recorded their NCompass Live webinar, An Inside Look at the National Rural Transit Assistance Program Resource Library, which took place on April 17. Attendees learned about resources and services available through National RTAP's Resource Center. View the recording and the presentation.

Calendar of Upcoming Events

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

The Future of Light-Duty Vehicle Technologies and Infrastructure: Electric Vehicle Fueling Infrastructure

May 2, 12:00-1:45 PM

Webinar

FTA

Proposed Guidance Changes and Reporting Clarifications to the National Transit Database

May 2, 2:30-3:30 PM

Webinar

Utah's Urban & Rural Transportation Association (URSTA)

URSTA Conference

St. George, UT, May 2-3

Conference

ELGL/UrbanLeap

Small Places, Big Ideas Innovation Cohort

May 7, 2:00 PM

Webinar

TRB/NTI

May 7, 2:00-3:30 PM

TCRP Synthesis 127: Addressing Difficult Customer Situations

Webinar

National Transit Institute

Paratransit Management & Operations

Orlando, FL, May 7-8

Training

National Transit Institute

Ridership Forecasting with STOPS for Transit Project Planning

Washington, DC, May 7-9

Training

National Transit Institute

Advancing Mobility Management

Charleston, WV, May 8-9

Training

TRB

Dialysis Transportation: The Intersection of Transportation and Healthcare

May 13, 2:00-3:30 PM

Webinar

National RTAP

Two Variable Cost Allocation Calculator - Excel Version

May 14, 12:30-1:30 PM

Webinar

FHWA

Let’s Talk Performance: Results from the National TPM Implementation Review Survey

May 14, 2:00-3:30 PM

Webinar

National RTAP

On-Ramps, Intersections, and Exit Routes: A Roadmap for Transit Agencies to Prevent and Disrupt Human Trafficking

May 14, 2:30-3:30 PM

Webinar

National Transit Institute

Risk Assessment for Transit Capital Projects

Kansas City, MO, May 14-15

Training

National Transit Institute

Transit Fare Policy

Austin, TX, May 14-15

Training

FHWA

National Tribal Symposium to Advance Transportation

San Diego, CA, May 14-16

Conference

National RTAP

Two Variable Cost Allocation Calculator - Access Version

May 15, 2:00-3:00 PM

Webinar

WTS International

WTS International Conference

Boston, MA, May 15-17

Conference

U.S. DOT

Public Meeting of the Department of Transportation Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking

Washington, DC, May 16

Public Meeting

CUTR

Transit Stigma & Social Equity: What Transportation Administrators Say They Are Doing About It

May 16, 12:00-1:00 PM

Webinar

APTA

2019 International Bus Roadeo

Louisville, KY, May 17-21

Roadeo

Community Transportation Association of America

CTAA EXPO

Palm Springs, CA, May 19-24

Conference

National Transit Institute

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise

Columbus, OH, May 20-22

Training

U.S. Access Board

Town Hall Meeting

Indianapolis, IN, May 21

Contact Dave Yanchulis for info

Colorado Association of Transit Agencies

CASTA Spring Training Conference

Denver, CO, May 21-24

Conference

National Transit Institute

Comprehensive ADA Paratransit Eligibility

Baltimore, MD, May 21-22

Training

Transportation Research and Education Center

Engaging Youth to Choose Car-Free Mobility

May 22, 2019, 1:00-2:00 ET

Webinar

National RTAP

Transit Manager Peer Roundtable

May 29, 2:00-3:00 PM

Roundtable

TRB

National Transportation Planning Applications Conference

Portland, OR, June 2-5

Conference

National Transit Institute

Transit Academy 2019

Dallas, TX, June 3-7

Training

ITS America

ITS America Annual Meeting

Washington, DC, June 4-7

Conference

National Transit Institute

TCRP Synthesis 131: College Student Transit Pass Programs

June 5, 2:00-3:00 PM

Webinar

ASCE

International Conference on Transportation & Development

Alexandria, VA, June 9-12

Conference

National Transit Institute

Comprehensive ADA Paratransit Eligibility

Newark, NJ, June 11-12

Training

National Transit Institute

Managing Community Mobility

June 11-12, 2019

Boise, ID

Training

National Transit Institute

Advancing Mobility Management

Anchorage, AK, June 11-12, 2019

Training

National Transit Institute

Title VI and Public Transit

Chicago, IL, June 17-18

Training

National Association of Development Organizations (NADO)

2019 National Regional Transportation Conference

Columbus, OH, June 17-19

Conference

Government Fleet

GFX 2019 Expo and Conference

New Orleans, LA, June 17-20

Conference

National Transit Institute

Procurement II: Risk Assessment and Basic Cost or Price Analysis

Boston, MA. June 24-28

Training

National Transit Institute

Ridership Forecasting with STOPS for Transit Project Planning

Phoenix, AZ, June 25-27

Training

NEPTA

Northeast Passenger Transportation Conference & Expo

Warwick, RI, June 26-27

Conference

TRB/AUVSI

Automated Vehicles Symposium

Orlando, FL, July 15-18

Conference

FTA

2019 Transit Asset Management Roundtable for Multi-Modal Agencies

Baltimore, MD, July 16-18

Roundtable

For a list ing of all National RTAP and other national events, view our Calendar . To submit an event, email info@nationalrtap.org .

All event times listed in Eastern Time.

Look for Us at these Upcoming Conferences

URSTA Conference, St. George, UT, May 2-3
Oklahoma Transit Association (OTA) Annual Conference & EXPO, Durant, OK, Apr 30- May 1
National Tribal Symposium to Advance Transportation, San Diego, CA, May 14-16
CTAA EXPO, Palm Springs, CA, May 19-24
CASTA Spring Training Conference, Denver, CO, May 21-24
NEPTA Conference & Expo, Warwick, RI, Jun 26-27
Idaho Transit Conference, Boise, ID, Jul 30 - Aug 1
National RTAP Technical Assistance Conference, Portland, OR, Sep 15-18
BusCon, Indianapolis, IN, Sep 23-25

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