eNews - May 27, 2021
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.
New National RTAP Best Practices Spotlight Article on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Our new National RTAP Best Practices Spotlight Article on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Public Transportation outlines the background, history, and issues around these concepts that are critical to providing equal rights in transit workplaces and transit services for all.
The article contains case studies showcasing best practices from rural and tribal transit agencies, such as rabbittransit (shown in the photo at left), HIRTA Public Transit, Samish Indian Nation, Utah Transit Authority, and Louisiana and Washington State RTAP Programs.

The article also provides definitions of key terms, a model for thinking about concepts in diversity, equity and inclusion, and tips for transit agencies to get started with developing their own programs.
Handbook of Rural Aging Features Chapter on Transportation by National RTAP Staff

The Handbook of Rural Aging (Routledge, 2021) is a new reference work by Dr. Lenard W. Kaye, Director of the University of Maine Center on Aging, that addresses factors impacting the lives of rural elders with contributions from recognized scholars, administrators, and researchers. The book contains a chapter on Transportation written by National RTAP Executive Director Robin Phillips and Resource Center Manager Cara Marcus. Other chapters include Age Friendly Communities, Geographies & Environments, Veterans, and more. A copy of the book is in the National RTAP Resource Library Reference Collection. Those who would like to purchase a copy for their own collection can request a discount code from info@nationalrtap.org.
Two Intercity Bus Peer Roundtables this Summer

National RTAP will be hosting Intercity Bus Peer Roundtables on June 23, 2021, 2:00-3:30 PM ET (co-sponsored with AASHTO MTAP), and August 19, 2021, 2:00-3:00 PM ET. Join your peers at one or both for informal discussions of issues relevant to the Intercity Bus industry.

National RTAP Tribal Transit Mini-Conference and Scholarships

We are holding a Tribal Transit Mini-Conference from June 7-8, 2021 in Kalispell, MT in conjunction with the Montana Transit Association 2021 Spring Conference & Vendor EXPO, June 7-11, 2021.

National RTAP can provide financial assistance through our Scholarship Program to any RTAP eligible tribal transit system wishing to attend a National RTAP sponsored training program, professional development program, or educational conference.

Join our Webinar on What's New in the State RTAP Manager's Toolkit?

We've updated the National RTAP State RTAP Manager's Toolkit with new content, resources, and sections. Join National RTAP staff and Review Board member Shauna Miller, RTAP Manager, Idaho Transportation Department, for a webinar on June 24, 2021, 2:00-3:00 PM ET, for an introduction to the updated content.

Announcing the Winner and Answers for our Customer Driven Word Search Puzzle

The winner of the National RTAP Customer Driven Service Word Search Puzzle was Julie Montemayor, Transportation Bookkeeper for the Rural Economic Assistance League (R.E.A.L. Inc.) in Alice, Texas. Congratulations Julie! We'll have this limited-edition puzzle available for at least a month. We've also posted the puzzle answers.

National RTAP Participation in Upcoming Conferences

We are excited to announce our participation at the following in-person conferences:

We invite you to stop by our booth at these conferences, meet our staff and ambassadors, and access training materials.

Connecting the Countryside: Optimizing Mobility in Rural Areas Webinar Recording Posted

The recording is available for National RTAP Executive Director Robin Phillips' presentation at PTV Group's Connecting the Countryside: Optimizing Mobility in Rural Areas on April 28, 2021.
Join our Books in Transit Discussion Group

The National RTAP Books in Transit Discussion Group's first meeting will be held on August 18, 2021, 2:00-3:00 PM ET, to discuss John Steinbeck's novel The Wayward Bus. Participants may buy or borrow the book anytime before the meeting. Register for the meeting.

National RTAP Livability Topic Guide Updated

National RTAP continues our annual update of topic guides. Our Livability Topic Guide was updated in May 2021. Livability entails the factors that create a community's quality of life, including access to transportation, natural resources, educational opportunities, medical care, employment, and leisure activities.

New resources include:

Upcoming NADTC/National RTAP Online Workshop on Making Mobile Trip Planning Work for You and Your Clients

NADTC and National RTAP are holding a workshop about mobile/online trip planning on June 10, 2021, from 2:00-3:00 PM ET. This workshop will include information on how mobile/online trip planners are used and how to get an agency’s transit services to show up on a trip planner. Speakers are Marcy Jaffe, Principal, Transnnovation, Inc., and Amelia Bostic, Advocate for Public Transit, North Carolina.

Look What's Happening on #RuralTransitDay!

Join our #RuralTransitDay Twitter Chat on July 16, 2021 from 2:00-3:00 PM ET, moderated by Angie Jones, District Manager, Grant County Transportation District (People Mover), Tyler Bender, Ohio RTAP Manager, and Paula Smith, Executive Director, Tri River Transit Authority. RSVP for an email invitation.

Get ready for Rural Transit Day by taking the Rural Transit Day Pledge to show your commitment to rural transit. For Rural Transit Day 2020, 66 agencies from 22 states (45 Rural, 7 State, 8 Community, 4 Intercity, and 2 Tribal Transit Agencies) took the pledge. We are aiming for 100 pledges by Rural Transit Day 2021!

Next State RTAP Manager Peer Roundtable in July

Join your peers for an informal discussion of issues relevant to State RTAP Managers. No registration required; join the Roundtable on July 12, 2021 from 2:00-3:00 PM. Discussion topics include electric bus cutaway specifications, consultant labor rates, Title VI training, and CARES Act/CRRSAA funding. RSVP for a calendar initiation.
U.S. DOT and FTA Updates
U.S. DOT published a Statement on Wearing Masks While Traveling to remind the traveling public that they are still required to wear a mask on buses and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States, and in U.S. transportation hubs such as stations.

The FTA Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) regulation enforcement deadline is July 20, 2021.

The FTA May 2021 Transit Safety and Oversight Spotlight Newsletter was published. The issue contains information about FTA's Transit COVID-19 Response Program Information Collection requirement for certain transit providers and an email address for mask-related questions at TransitMaskUp@dot.gov.

USDOT launched a new web page with guidance that clarifies the eligibility of transit-oriented development (TOD) projects. The page displays project types and eligibility.

U.S. DOT solicits public input about available or potential data and assessment tools that could assist in the evaluation of federal policies and programs concerning equitable services and safety in transportation. Comments are requested by June 24, 2021. 

FTA announced the availability of up to $10 million in Fiscal Year 2021 competitive grant funding to support transit services for American Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages in rural areas. Application submissions will close on Wednesday, August 25, 2021.
Webinars and Training
The National Highway Institute has launched a number of new and updated online courses, including Basics of Public Involvement in Transportation Decision Making and Public-Private Partnerships.

The 24th National Conference on Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation (RIBTC) will be held on October 25-27, 2021. The conference has changed to a virtual format. The 2021 conference will include multiple routes to offer learning opportunities in planning, design, and research; policy, funding, and finance; special topics on rural mobility; rural and tribal transportation; and better mobility through technology.

Transportation Safety Institute is increasing its delivery of classes through more course delivery dates and a virtual Safety Management Systems Principles for Transit course.
Publications
CALSTART's Zeroing in on ZEBs, The Advanced Technology Transit Bus Index: A North American ZEB Inventory Report is a breakdown of all zero-emission buses (including small buses), categorized by battery electric buses and hydrogen fuel cell buses, for every state in the United States. A list of transit agencies that are actively operating, ordering, or have received funding for ZEBs is also shown.

Shared-Use Mobility Center's (SUMC) Seamless Payments for Complete Trips: A Guide for Transit Agencies describes how transit agencies can successfully integrate payment across multiple modes of transportation. The report covers fare structures and technologies, case studies of successful deployments, and a model for implementation.

N-CATT's Mobility as a Service - Now and In the Future describes the progress that has been made with MaaS in several rural and small urban areas in the United States. The white paper also provides examples of a rural mobility subscription and costs, and a MaaS evaluation framework and roadmap.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has created a Rural Community Toolkit and an American Indian/Alaska Native Tribal Leaders Toolkit with resources for how to build vaccine confidence and promote preventive measures with the target audience. Materials can be customized with organizational logos.

Nebraska Safety Center's Distance Learning 2021: Rural Public Transit Driver Training was created to give drivers and managers a set of expectations as well as some guidance for virtual training. The document covers issues including attendance, breaks, evaluations, and multiple drivers using one computer.
Databases and Tools
The FHWA Interagency NEPA & Permitting Collaboration Tool (INPCT) is a web-based collaboration tool designed to aid project managers and teams throughout the NEPA process for surface transportation projects.
Opportunities
The MIT Solve Indigenous Communities Fellowship, made possible in part by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, seeks solutions by Native innovators across the U.S. that consider both technology and traditional knowledge to support and scale positive impact.
A $10,000 grant will be provided to each selected Fellow. The deadline to submit a solution is June 1, 2021.

The National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM) is accepting applications for its Community Mobility Design Challenge 2021 grant. These grants support communities in creating innovative mobility solutions for community members who face transportation barriers in advancing their personal well-being. Grants of up to $25,000 will be available as well as NCMM facilitation throughout the entire process. The deadline for responses is July 12, 2021. Register for a pre-application webinar on May 27 at 1:00 PM ET.

The U.S. Treasury is accepting requests through a new submission portal for Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds for eligible state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments that are requesting Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.

TCRP has announced its selection of FY2021 Synthesis Topics. A topic submitted by FTA that was selected is Partnerships for Equitable Pandemic Response and Recovery, which lists National RTAP as an information source. Panel nominations are due June 30, 2021.

FHWA is taking nominations for Build a Better Mousetrap until June 11, 2021. They are seeking innovative solutions for challenges that local and tribal transportation workers encounter, including the development of tools and equipment modifications to the implementation of new processes that increase safety, reduce cost, and improve the efficiency of our transportation system.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced the availability of funds to develop multisector action plans that address the social determinants of health by accelerating action in state, local, territorial, and tribal jurisdictions that lead to improved chronic health conditions among Americans experiencing health disparities and inequality. The closing date for applications is July 6, 2021.
Legislation
NHTSA proposes to repeal The Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule Part One: One National Program, published Sept. 27, 2019, and establish a clean slate with respect to NHTSA’s regulations and interpretations concerning preemption under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. Comments must be received by June 11, 2021.

Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity, Executive Order 14028, was published on May 12, 2021. The order called for removing barriers to threat identification, modernizing federal government cybersecurity, enhancing software supply chain security, and adopting National Security Systems requirements.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has extended the Federal face mask requirement for all transportation networks including public transportation through September 13, 2021.

Section 209 of H.R.133, The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, codified into law the Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) benefit. Previously, the requirement for states to assure NEMT to Medicaid beneficiaries was only an interpretation via regulation.
Upcoming Events
All event times listed in Eastern Time. Subtract 1 hour for Central Time, 2 for Mountain Time, 3 for Pacific Time, 4 for Alaska, and 6 for Hawaii.

NCMM
May 27, 1:00 PM

Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
May 27, 2:00-3:00 PM

FTA
May 27, 2:30-4:00 PM

World Road Association (PIARC) 
May 28

Volpe Center
June 2, 12:30 PM

CDC
June 2, 12:45 PM

American Bus Association (ABA)
Baltimore, MD, June 2-4

Health Action Alliance
June 3, 1:00-2:30 PM

Eno Center for Transportation
June 3, 2:00-3:00 PM

National RTAP
Kalispell, MT, June 7-8
National RTAP staff are facilitating and presenting at this mini-conference.

Montana Transit Association
Kalispell, MT, June 7-11
We're exhibiting. Please stop by our booth!

Electric Power Research Institute
June 7-10

N-CATT
June 7-10, 1:00-3:00 PM

Volpe Center
June 8, 12:00 PM

TRB
June 8, 1:00-3:00 PM

Q'Straint/Sure-Lok
June 8, 12:00-1:30 PM

Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
June 8, 1:00-2:00 PM

TRB 
June 8, 1:00-3:00 PM

Transit Planning 4 All
June 8, 4:00 PM

Intertribal Transportation Association
June 8-10

National Transit Institute
June 9, 1:00-4:30 PM

Global Mass Transit 
June 9-10

National Transit Institute
June 10, 1:00-2:30 PM

FHWA
June 10, 1:00-2:30 PM

NADTC/National RTAP
June 10, 2:00-3:00 PM

TRB 
June 14, 2:00-3:30

FORTH
June 14-16

Native Learning Center
June 15, 2:00-3:30 PM

FHWA
June 15, 2:00-3:30 PM

N-CATT
June 15-16, 12:00-4:00 PM

WYTRANS
Thermopolis, WY, June 15-17
We're exhibiting. Please stop by our booth!

National Transit Institute
June 16, 1:00-4:30 PM

FHWA
June 16, 2:00-3:30 PM

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
June 16, 2:30-4:00 PM

NADTC
June 17, 12:30-1:15 PM

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
June 17, 2:30-4:00 PM

National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)
June 20-24

TRB
June 21-24

Volpe Center
June 22, 12:00 PM

FTA
June 22, 1:00-3:30 PM

National Transit Institute
June 23, 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM

National RTAP/AASHTO MTAP
Jun 23, 2:00-3:30 PM

National RTAP
June 24, 2:00-3:00 PM

Native Learning Center
June 28, 2:00-3:30 PM

USDA
June 24, 2:30-4:00 PM

Electric Power Research Institute
June 28-30

Native Learning Center
June 29, 2:00-3:30 PM

Intelligent Transport
June 29-30

PIARC
June 30, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

SUMC
July 6, 12:00-4:30 PM

National RTAP
July 12, 2:00- 3:00 PM

TRB 
July 12-15

SUMC
July 13, 12:00-4:30 PM

National Institute for Transportation and Communities (NITC)
Jul 13, 1:00-2:00 PM

National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine
July 13, 16, and 21, 11:30 AM - 5:30 PM

Q'Straint/Sure-Lok
July 15, 12:00-1:30 PM

National RTAP
July 16, 2:00-3:00 PM

SWTA
Santa Fe, NM, July 18-22

National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
July 19-22

SUMC
July 20, 12:00-4:30 PM

Nebraska Association of Transportation Providers
Lincoln, NE, July 20-21
We're exhibiting. Please stop by our booth!

SUMC
July 27, 12:00-4:30 PM

West Virginia Public Transit Association
Roanoke, WV, July 27-30
We're exhibiting. Please stop by our booth!

For a listing of all National RTAP and other national events, view our Calendar. Also, see the FTA Events Calendar. To submit an event, email info@nationalrtap.org.
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