National RTAP eNews - May 16, 2019

eNews - May 16, 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 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.

Some of the topics we'll be discussing are: low/no emissions vehicles, working with community colleges and local employers, safety, data collection, working with NEMT brokers, and driver recruitment, onboarding, and retention.

Featured Resource

New National RTAP Web Page on Engaging with Tribes

A new Engaging with Tribes page on the Tribal Transit section of our web site provides guidance for rural transit managers with systems that provide service for tribes and/or travel in or near tribal lands. The resource describes opportunities for and benefits to engaging with tribes, outlines types of coordination and funding opportunities. An FAQ section answers questions such as, "What is Tribal Sovereignty?" and "What is Indian Preference?"

Thank you to Michia Casebier, M.G. Tech-Writing, LLC for preparing this document, and to National RTAP Review Board member Glen Baum, Standing Rock Public Transit, for his review of the document. Photo credit: Curtis Raines, Klamath Tribes Chiloquin, OR.

Resources and Events

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

On May 14, Kristen Joyner, Chair of the Human Trafficking Awareness Protocols and Policies Sub Committee for the Secretary of Transportation and Executive Director of SWTA and Annie Sovcik, Program Director of Busing on the Lookout (BOTL) led a National RTAP webinar that demonstrated ways our industry can make fundamental shifts to prevent, detect, and disrupt human trafficking. View the recording and presentation .

National RTAP Two Variable Cost Allocation Calculator Webinar Recordings Posted

Two webinars on May 14 and 15 introduced 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.

View the recordings and PowerPoint presentations:

- Excel: recording , presentation

- Access: recording , presentation

U.S. DOT and FTA Updates

FTA is accepting applications through June 28 for its Outstanding Achievement Award for Excellence in Environmental Document Preparation. The award recognizes environmental assessments and impact statements that exemplify innovative approaches or best practices for well-managed environmental decision processes, comply with requirements and expectations, and result in paperwork reduction.

U.S. DOT is planning a field demonstration of technologies that are capable of providing backup positioning, navigation, and/or timing services to critical infrastructure in the event of a temporary disruption to GPS. U.S. DOT has published a Request for Information to seek levels of interest and additional information from technology vendors on participation in the demonstration. Responses are due June 3.

FTA announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity for FY2019 Tribal Transit grants. The grants support assistance for planning, capital, and, in limited circumstances, operations for tribal public transit services. Applications are due July 9.

Transit agencies can apply for funding under FTA’s new Integrated Mobility Innovation Program, which will improve mobility through technologies such as mobile apps, automated vehicles and integrated payment systems. Applications will be accepted until August 6.

FTA posted a Notice of Funding Opportunity for their Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program, which assist in the financing of capital projects, including replacing, rehabilitating, purchasing or leasing buses or related equipment, and rehabilitating, purchasing, constructing or leasing bus-related facilities. Proposals must be submitted by June 21.

Publications

The National Transportation Atlas Database (NTAD) spring update was released with new and revised datasets and a new data catalog. A U.S. DOT regions is a new dataset in this version.

Attracting and Retaining Women in the Transportation Industry is study a by the Mineta Transportation Institute that synthesized research and identified additional research needed to attract, promote, and retain women in the transportation industry. This study details major findings and subsequent recommendations of the current atmosphere and the most successful ways to attract and retain young women in the transportation industry in the future.

TCRP's Microtransit or General Public Demand–Response Transit Services: State of the Practice provides an overview of the current state of the practice of transit systems that are directly providing general public demand–response or microtransit (such as feeders or circulators) with their own vehicles and personnel or using a traditional contractor. Case examples of five transit systems are provided.

NCHRP's A Guide to Developing Financial Plans and Performance Measures for Transportation Asset Management presents guidance for State DOTs and other agencies conducting financial analyses and developing financial plans to support efficient and effective management of the agency’s transportation assets.

The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) has released a report on electric vehicle costs in the United States through 2030.

Webinars and Trainings

National RTAP staff will be presenting a poster on their Resource Center's "Resources by Roles" project at the NCMM poster session on May 21-22 at the CTAA Expo in Palm Springs, CA.

Updated National RTAP Distracted Driving Topic Guide

We updated our Drug and Alcohol Topic Guide in May 2019. We've added USDA's Federal Resources for Rural Communities to Help Address Substance Use Disorder and Opioid Misuse and FTA's Implementation Guidelines for Drug and Alcohol Regulations in Public Transportation.

Opportunities

AARP is seeking nominations for the Andrus Award for Community Service. This volunteer tribute recognizes outstanding individuals age 50 and older who are sharing their experience, talents and skills to enrich the lives of others. Nominations will be accepted through July 15.

USDA Rural Community Development Initiative Grants are awarded to help organizations, low-income rural communities and federally recognized tribes support facilities and community and economic development projects in rural areas. Applications will be accepted through June 5. USDA also offers funding through their Rural e-Connectivity Pilot Program to help build broadband infrastructure in rural America. Applications will be taken through May 31.

TRB is soliciting nominations for the Sharon D. Banks Award for Humanitarian Leadership in Transportation. This award recognizes excellence in people-oriented initiatives throughout transportation. The award will be presented during the TRB 99th Annual Meeting. Nominations must be submitted by July 31.

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.

Early Bird Deadline for the National RTAP Technical Assistance Conference

The Early Bird Deadline for the 4th National RTAP Technical Assistance Conference: Charting New Trails for Rural & Tribal Transit is July 26. Register today!

Calendar of Upcoming Events

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

Smart Growth America

Best Complete Streets Policies of 2018

May 16, 1:00-2:00 PM

Webinar

Michigan Transportation Research Institute

Webinar: Connecting Infrastructure and Technology for Sustainable Safety and Mobility

May 16, 2:00-3:00 PM

Webinar

Feonix - Mobility Rising

Ultimate Volunteer Driver Program Blueprint

May 16, 3:00-4:30 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

America Walks

Equitable Development: Putting it into Place

May 20, 2:00-3:00 PM

Webinar

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

National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE)

Future-Proofing Your Agency through Performance Management

May 21, 1:00-2:30 PM

Webinar

Feonix - Mobility Rising

Ultimate Volunteer Driver Program Blueprint

May 21, 3:00-4:30 PM

Webinar

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

U.S. DOT

Staying Safe in Our New Mobility Future

May 22, 12:00-12:45 PM

Webinar

FTA

FTA Substance Abuse Training Session

Turlock, CA, May 22

Training

Transportation Research and Education Center

Engaging Youth to Choose Car-Free Mobility

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

Webinar

Derive Systems/Automotive Fleet

Making the Upgrade: How to Optimize Telematics Software

May 29, 2:00 PM

Webinar

National RTAP

Transit Manager Peer Roundtable

May 29, 2:00-3:00 PM

Roundtable

FTA

Using Transit Asset Management to Support Decision-Making

May 29, 3:30-4:30 PM

Webinar

FTA

FTA Substance Abuse Training Session

Augusta, ME, May 30

Training

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

IPTA

IPTA Training Conference and Annual Meeting

Newton, IA, June 26-28

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

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
IPTA Training Conference & Annual Meeting, Newton, IA, June 26-28
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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