National RTAP eNews - December 12, 2019

eNews - December 12, 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.

National RTAP 2021 Technical Assistance Conference Local Host Request for Proposals and Upcoming Q&A Webinar

National RTAP is requesting proposals for a location for our 5th biennial rural and tribal technical assistance conference in fall 2021. See the 2021 National RTAP Conference Local Host RFP for full details. We will hold a Local Host RFP Q&A Webinar on Thursday, December 19 at 2:00 PM ET to provide information and answer questions about the 2021 conference and RFP. Learn more about the webinar and register here.

Updated National RTAP Engaging with Tribes Page

National RTAP's Engaging with Tribes page was updated in November 2019. Updates include a new section on Tribal sovereignty and new information about Tribal National Transit Database (NTD) reporting and applying for competitive program funds. Thank you to Donovan Gomez, Transit Administrator, Hopi Senom Transit, Michia Casebier, M.G. Tech-Writing, LLC, and FTA staff for the latest review and update.

Photo credit: Curtis Raines, Klamath Tribes Chiloquin, OR

Featured Resource

Resources and Events

National RTAP Article Published in Metro Magazine

Progressive Rural Transit Services Offer Lessons in Mobility, Access for All was written by National RTAP and showcases case studies on four transit agencies: Greenway Public Transportation, Travel Washington Intercity Bus Program, SCTDD Mule Town Trolley Service, and Kayak Public Transit. The article shares lessons learned and best practices, such as building partnerships, incorporating rural historical identity, and implementing tribal values into the planning process.

Upcoming National RTAP Webinar on Reasonable Suspicion Training for Supervisors

Reasonable Suspicion Training for Supervisors is a National RTAP eLearning course for front line supervisors responsible for making reasonable suspicion drug/alcohol testing referrals of employees who perform safety-sensitive job functions. National RTAP staff and Diana Byrnes, CSAPA, CUTR will provide an overview of the training module and discuss how it fulfills federal training requirements. The webinar will be held on December 18, 2019, from 2:00-3:00 PM ET.

Upcoming National RTAP Webinar on FTA Outreach to Tribes on Government to Government Training

This webinar on January 7 from 2:30-3:30 PM ET will provide an opportunity for tribal participants to provide direct input and feedback on the development of Government-to-Government training programs for FTA Tribal Liaisons and FTA decisionmakers. Donovan Gomez, Transit Administrator, Hopi Senom Transit, and Jenny Rowland, Transportation Manager, Bois Forte Public Transportation, will moderate the discussion. Register for the webinar.

Welcome New Hawaii RTAP Manager

National RTAP extends a warm welcome to our community to new Hawaii RTAP Manager Pradip R. Pant . If you would like to get in touch with him or any RTAP Manager, visit our Directory of RTAP Managers.

National RTAP Solicits Nominations for Review Board Members

For spring 2020, National RTAP is soliciting nominations for two state transit officials and one rural or tribal transit operator for our Review Board. The nominations from this solicitation will be used to fill vacancies in fall 2020 and into 2021. The term is three years starting with the member's first meeting. More information and the nomination form are available here. The deadline is January 31, 2020.

U.S. DOT and FTA Updates

In April 2019, U.S. DOT created the Non-Traditional and Emerging Transportation Technology (NETT) Council to identify and resolve gaps associated with non-traditional and emerging transportation projects, including safety oversight, environmental review, and funding issues. Comments are invited on NETT Council projects, issues, or topics for consideration. Comments are requested by January 10, 2020.

FTA's Transit Bus Automation Market Assessment is a culmination of research on conceptual ideas, prototypes, and commercially available products related to automated vehicle technologies for transit bus operations. The emerging automated transit bus market has received enthusiastic media coverage, but stakeholders may not clearly understand the difference between conceptual ideas, prototype systems, and available products.

U.S. DOT's Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office's (ITS JPO) ITS ePrimer explores concepts and practices related to ITS technologies. Sections include public transportation, rural and regional ITS applications, and sustainable transportation.

FTA announced the opportunity to apply for $10,462,935 in non-competitive grants under the Public Transportation Emergency Relief Program to states, territories, local governmental authorities, tribes, and other FTA recipients affected by major declared disasters occurring in the calendar year 2018. Projects may include costs for disaster response, recovery, and rebuilding activities. Proposals must be submitted by January 17, 2020 through Grants.gov. The funding opportunity ID is FTA–2020–002–TPM–ER. FTA is hosting a webinar on Emergency Relief for 2018 Disasters on December 18, 2019 from 3:00-4:00 PM ET.

The newly established U.S. DOT ROUTES Council released a request for information in the Federal Register on November 27, 2019 for Rural Opportunities To Use Transportation for Economic Success. Comments are sought on unmet infrastructure needs in rural transportation, barriers rural communities face, experiences with U.S. DOT discretionary grant and credit programs, and opportunities for U.S. DOT to improve services and technical assistance to rural communities for these programs. Comments must be received by December 30, 2019.

Webinars and Training

TransportationCamp is a Transportation for America training event with presentations, panels, and networking opportunities for up to 500 thinkers and doers in the fields of transportation and technology. The event takes place on January 11, 2020 in Washington, DC.

Upcoming National RTAP #Succession2Transit Twitter Chat

National RTAP will host a Transit Succession Planning Twitter Chat

on January 28, 2:00-3:00 PM with Dr. Mike Mowery of Strategic Government Resources. Join us as we learn together about best practices, pitfalls to avoid, and practical tips to prepare the next generation of transit leaders. RSVP for an email invite.

Opportunities

For those interested in attending or presenting at the Transit Bus Summit at Horsehoe Bay, TX on February 17-19, 2019, there is no cost for qualified participants. A private grant covers all expenses including airfare, transfers, hotel, meals and event fees.

Publications

Project for Public Spaces and Main Street America's Navigating Main Streets as Places A People-First Transportation Toolkit provides guidance to stakeholders on how to evaluate streets and transportation through the lens of place-making, balance the needs of mobility and other street activities, and build stronger relationships with other decision-makers and the community.

The newest video in National RTAP's circulating collection is Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School’s Center for Transportation Safety, Security and Risk's Safe and Secure: Security Awareness for Bus Operators, a video designed to help transit bus operators develop observation and response skills needed to prevent and mitigate security-related incidents on and around buses. If you would like to borrow the video, please contact [email protected].

NCHRP's Transportation Workforce Planning and Development Strategies is a synthesis of the current state of practice associated with the implementation of transportation workforce planning and development strategies at state departments of transportation (DOTs) and associated local and tribal technical assistance programs (LTAPs/TTAPs).

The latest National Transportation Knowledge Network (NTKN) blog post, written by National RTAP and Montana DOT staff, features Minnesota DOT's Demographic Research LibGuide.

Legislation

After December 16, 2019, all drivers subject to the Electronic Logging Device Rule must use ELDs registered with FMCSA.

National RTAP Review Board Member Angie Jones Receives Award

Grant County People Mover Executive Director and National RTAP Review Board Member Angie Jones, was given the Outstanding Transportation Manager of the Year Award by the Oregon Transit Association. She was recognized for leading an innovative transit organization with a mission to change the rural world.

Calendar of Upcoming Events

FTA

Safety Management Systems (SMS) Principles for State Safety Oversight (SSO) Programs

Landover, MD, December 13