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eNews - October 4, 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.
Please join us on October 17, 2018 from 2:00-3:00 PM ET for an #Every1ontheBus Twitter Chat led by Kari Banta, National RTAP Review Board member and Texas DOT Program Manager, RTAP and Section 5310. The chat will discuss ways to make transit available to everyone through considering the specific needs of different riders, particularly seniors and individuals with disabilities. Those interested in attending can RSVP to info@nationalrtap.org
National RTAP's Top Shops: Emergency Management in Vehicle Maintenance Facilities training covers preventing, preparing for, and responding to emergencies in a vehicle maintenance facility. Intended primarily for maintenance staff, supervisors, and contractors, it would also be beneficial for any agency with a transit facility. The interactive online training is available on National RTAP eLearning , and Instructor-Led Training materials are available for a complementary in-person course, once the online modules are completed.
Top Shops training module cover
Resources and Events
Opioids Misuse: Increasing Access to Transportation in Rural Communities Workshop Recording Available

USDA, FTA, and National RTAP hosted a workshop on increasing access to transportation in rural communities affected by opioid misuse on September 20, 2018. The recording includes National RTAP Executive Director Robin Phillip's presentation on Building Better Access with Rural Transit Partners.

Recording Available for Webinar on Best Practices in Coordination Between State DOT and Transit Agencies for Asset Management and Capital Planning

National RTAP hosted a webinar on September 27 that focused on open source software for asset management and capital planning for state DOTs and rural transit agencies. The software improves reporting, planning, and coordination between the state and subrecipients. The webinar recording is now available.


U.S. DOT and FTA Updates

FTA has issued a final rule on Capital Leases. This rulemaking rescinds the regulation implementing the requirement for recipients to conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis before leasing public transportation equipment or facilities with Federal transit funds. This final rule went into effect on September 20, 2018.

FTA announced recipients of the FY 2018 Buses and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment Program, which funded 107 projects. Many projects will expand services, improve accessibility, and reduce emissions in rural and tribal areas.

FTA's September Transit Safety and Oversight Spotlight newsletter includes upcoming safety trainings, such as Curbing Transit Employee Distracted Driving, and an email address for responding to Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan questions: PTASP_QA@dot.gov .  

An informational webinar on FTA's Access and Mo bility Partnership Grants will be held on October 16, 2:00-3:00 PM ET.

Webinars and Training

TRB is holding a webinar on Successful Mobility Management Practices in Small Urban and Rural Areas on October 15 from 2:00-3:30 PM ET. Presenters will discuss best practices for coordinated transportation, particularly for older adults, people with disabilities, veterans and low-income individuals.

NCMM is conducting a webinar on Autonomous Vehicles: Driving Employment for People with Disabilities on October 16 from 2:00-3:00 PM. The webinar will focus on a universal, autonomous mobility future built on inclusion and engagement.

The National Highway Institute (NHI) has a new free Safety Data and Analysis Fundamental Training course available online that helps transportation professionals understand safety data and collection methods, including how to interpret safety data and use it to support key decision-making efforts.

NTI is holding a  Transit Trainers' Workshop in Seattle, WA on November 11-13 which offers skills, strategies and techniques that will build the professionalism of transit trainers. Participants can select the sessions they want to attend based on their personal learning objectives.

Publications

TCRP's Battery Electric Buses—State of the Practice documents current practices of transit systems in the planning, procurement, infrastructure installation, operation, and maintenance of battery electric buses (BEBs). Benefits of BEBs are also addressed.

MnDOT's Content Management Systems and Website Practices synthesis surveyed AASHTO members and selected state agencies, and has findings on costs, funding, workflows and governance of these types of systems.

NCHRP's Cell Phone Location Data for Travel Behavior Analysis presents guidelines on evaluating the extent that cell phone location data accurately depict travel. The report identifies how the data can be used to improve understanding of travel characteristics and model travel patterns and behavior.

Opportunities

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) announced an RSVP Funding Opportunity . Projects should respond to community needs within focus areas including disasters, environment, and veterans and military families. The letter of intent is due October 10 and the application deadline is November 7, 2018.

Legislation

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) notified the public about a new Privacy Act System of Records for its Medical Investigation Catalog System (MEDICS), which includes electronically held personally identifiable health information about individuals involved in transportation accidents and incidents that the NTSB investigates. Comments on the system are due by October 25, 2018.
Bobit
Fleet Forward Conference
San Francisco, CA, October 8-10

FSU/FDOT
BraunAbility Lifts – Maintenance and Repair
Pesacola, FL, October 9
Training

TRB
Building a Twenty-First Century Transportation Planning Workforce
October 9, 2:00-3:30 PM

NTI
Just How Important are Service Design Models to ADA Paratransit? The Results of TCRP Synthesis 135
October 9, 2:00-3:30 PM

TRB/AASHTO
2018 Transportation Resilience Innovations Summit and Exchange
Denver, CO, October 9-10

ESPA Consulting
Travel Training Data Collection Standards
October 10, 2:00-3:30 PM

Association of Travel Instructors
The History of Travel Training
October 11, 1:00 PM

CUTR
Building an Alternative Fuel Bus Program: Funding Opportunities and Best Practices for Transit Agencies
October 11, 12:00-1:00 PM

NTI
Project Management for Transit Professionals
Knoxville, TN, October 11-12

FTPA/CTD
Annual Florida Public Transportation Conference & Expo
Daytona Beach, FL, October 14-17

TRB
Successful Mobility Management Practices in Small Urban and Rural Areas
October 15, 2:00-3:30 PM ET

Connecticut Association for Community Transpor tation
Conference and Expo
Newington, CT, October 15

NTI
Procurement for Small and Medium Transit Systems
Salina, KS, October 15-16

TSI
Transit Bus System Safety
Chicago, IL, October 15-19

FTA
Access and Mobility Partnership Grants Informational Webinar
October 16, 2:00-3:00 PM

NCMM
Autonomous Vehicles: Driving Employment for People with Disabilities
October 16, 2:00-3:00 PM

GRIDSMART
Intersect18
Knoxville, TN, October 16-18

Oklahoma Transit Association/Creative Bus Sales
2018 Oklahoma State Driving Championships & Training Conference
Norman, OK, October 16-19

National Safety Council 
National Safety Council Congress and Expo
Houston, TX, October 20-26

National Rural ITS/ITS AZ
National Rural ITS Conference
Fort McDowell, AZ, October 21-24 

NTI
Procurement IV - Contract Administration 
Brooklyn, NY, October 22-26

ESPA Consulting
Frequently Asked Questions on Transportation and the ADA
October 24, 2:00-3:30 PM

Oreg on Transit Association
Oregon Public Transportation Annual Conference
Bend, OR, October 28-31

Louisiana Transportation Research Center
Louisiana Transportation Conference
New Orleans, LA, October 31-November 2

NTI
Transit Trainers' Workshop 2018
Seattle, WA, November 11-13


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 as Eastern Time
Look for Us at these Upcoming Conferences
  • FTPA/CTD Annual Florida Public Transportation Conference & Expo, Daytona Beach, FL, Oct. 14-17 (tentative)
  • Connecticut Association for Community Transportation Conference and Expo, Newington, CT, Oct. 15
  • Oklahoma State Driving Championships & Training Conference, Norman, OK, Oct. 16-19
  • Oregon Public Transportation Conference, Bend, OR, Oct. 28-31
  • Louisiana Transportation Conference, New Orleans, LA, Oct. 31-Nov. 2
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