National RTAP eNews - May 30, 2019

eNews - May 30, 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.

Pre-Conference Workshops and TransportationCamp at the National RTAP Technical Assistance Conference Offer In-Depth Training

If you're attending the 4th National RTAP Technical Assistance Conference, Charting New Trails for Rural & Tribal Transit, head to Portland, Oregon on Sunday, September 15, 2019 to take an in-depth workshop on one of these valuable transit topics:

GTFS Builder Training, Marcy Jaffe, Transnnovation, Inc.
Intercity Bus Route Development Training, Stephanie Gonterman, Isaacs & Associates and Fred Fravel, KFH Group
Reasonable Suspicion Determination Training, Sean Oswald, RLS & Associates
Rural and Tribal System Design Training, Ken Hosen and Dan Dalton, KFH Group
TransportationCamp, Oregon Department of Transportation and Trillium Solutions
Tribal Transit Assessment Training, Maxine Marshall, DMP Group
Website Building Training, Frank Condon, DevObal Technologies and Nome Dickerson, Trillium Solutions.

View the conference agenda to find out more and register for the conference.

Featured Resource

Transit Manager's Toolkit Receives Comprehensive Update

The National RTAP Transit Manager's Toolkit has been thoroughly updated in May 2019 with new content, resources, charts, explanations, and more. There is now a PDF version of the entire toolkit and enhanced page navigation. Brand new sections include Driver Recruitment, Training and Retention and Federal Regulations and Circulars. We also added a glossary and a chart with examples of agency vision and mission statements in the Mission and Leadership section.

Thank you to The KFH Group, Noel Training & Consulting LLC, and M.G. Tech-Writing, LLC for preparing this document. Special thanks to the National RTAP Review Board for review and recommendations to incorporate in the final version.

Resources and Events

Save the Date for #RuralTransitDay

National RTAP will be hosting a Twitter Chat for the first annual #RuralTransitDay on July 16 from 2:00-3:00 PM ET. More information about the day, the chat, and how you can participate will be coming soon!

National RTAP Two Variable Cost Allocation Calculator Available on National RTAP Web Site

The National RTAP Two-Variable Cost Allocation Calculator, developed by Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) and

RLS Associates for National RTAP, is now available in an MS Excel or MS Access application. Both versions of

the application provide the same level of specificity for data and produce output reports for individual routes/services or groups of routes.

National RTAP Review Board Member Receives National Award

Congratulations to National RTAP Review Board Member and Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Authority (HIRTA) Executive Director Julia Castillo on receiving the prestigious CTAA Manager of the Year Award at the 2019 CTAA Expo for her exemplary leadership!

U.S. DOT and FTA Updates

FTA has updated their Am I in Compliance with the TAM Final Rule checklist in May 2019. Agencies can use the checklist to determine their level of participation by tier or group, better understand the relationship between Transit Asset Management (TAM) plan elements, and check their compliance with the FTA TAM Rule.

FTA announced 37 projects they are funding through their Access and Mobility Partnership Grants Program. The program supports innovative transportation solutions to expand access to health care at transit agencies, governmental authorities, and nonprofit organizations. Rural and tribal grantees include Missouri Rural Health Association, Vermont Agency of Transportation, and Osage Nation.

Publications

The Congressional Research Service released the 2019 update to Federal Public Transportation Program: In Brief. The report documents funding appropriated and authorized to federal public transportation programs, including the Rural Area Formula Program (49 U.S.C. Section 5311), through the year 2020.

The Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF) has published a Fully Accessible Autonomous Vehicles Checklist. The checklist includes features like voice-controlled systems and alternate (and accessible) drop-off points.

TCRP's Implementing the U.S. DOT Reasonable Modification Rule provides an overview of the current state of practice regarding transit systems implementation of U.S. DOT’s Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) regulation 49 C.F.R Part 37. The report describes the experiences of agencies responding to the regulation by making reasonable modifications to practices and policies to ensure service to people with disabilities.

Webinars and Training

National Transit Institute is holding Transit Academy 2019 in Dallas, TX on June 3-7. The academy provides those new to transit with an in-depth understanding of the scope of responsibilities, skills and activities needed to deliver safe and efficient transit service. The academy uses a combination of lectures, demonstrations, hands-on activities and facility tours.

Updated National RTAP Livability Topic Guide

We updated our Livability Topic Guide in May 2019. New resources include FHWA's Community Impact Assessment: A Quick Reference for Transportation, SURLC/NCTR's Transit and Livability: Results from the National Community Livability Survey, and TCRP's Understanding Changes in Demographics, Preferences, and Markets for Public Transportation.

Opportunities

HRSA's Rural Communities Opioid Response Program-Medication-Assisted Treatment Expansion initiative is aimed at reducing the impact of substance use disorder in rural communities. Entities that provide and/or coordinate services, such as transportation, can receive funding. Applications must be received by June 10.

The Route Fifty Navigator Awards will name 50 individuals selected to implement a great idea that improves public sector services and the communities they serve. Categories include leaders, tech innovators and allies. The nomination deadline is June 7.

The TCRP FY 2020 Research Problem Statements solicitation is extended to June 28. Previously submitted proposals may be resubmitted.

NCHRP is soliciting nominations for members of panels to oversee individual NCHRP Synthesis research projects for FY 2019 activities. Applicants can nominate themselves. Panels for synthesis projects will meet September through October 2019 and travel costs will be paid by NCHRP. Submit nominations by June 10.

Community institutions interested in applying for a Foundation for Rural Service community grant should contact their local Rural Broadband Association member company for more information. Applications must be submitted by September 13.

Call for Student Posters for the National RTAP Conference

Students with a completed poster or new ideas can consider submitting a research poster by July 31 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.

National RTAP Celebrates TCRP Day

The second annual TCRP Day is June 13, 2019. National RTAP will be celebrating this occasion through our social media. Our Resource Center also includes a lending library of selected TCRP reports, such as Innovative Rural Transit Services, and Uses of Social Media in Public Transportation. For more information or to borrow any of our TCRP reports available for loan, contact us at [email protected].

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

FTA

FTA Substance Abuse Training Session

Augusta, ME, May 30

Training

FHWA

Virtual Public Involvement

May 30, 2019

1:00-2:30pm ET