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.
Newsletter Highlights
Our Bus Stops Here Twitter Chat Next Week
TACL Updates: New Resources, Task Force Members, Reviewers, and More
Call for Presentations is Open for the National RTAP 5th Technical Assistance Conference
Rural Transportation Management Association Webinar
FTA Phase II of its Sustainable Transit for a Healthy Planet Challenge
|
|
Our Bus Stops Here Twitter Chat
Join us next Tuesday, January 24, 2023 from 2:00-3:00 PM ET for an #OurBusStopsHere Twitter Chat to discuss issues, strategies, and promising practices for bus stop and route planning. The chat will be moderated by National RTAP staff and Review Board Members Paula Smith, Executive Director, Tri River Transit, and Jonnie Kusek, Chief Operations Officer, Panhandle Transit Services. The chat will also feature all photos from our 2022 Photo Contest - The Bus Stops Here. Email us at [email protected] if you would like to RSVP. |
|
TACL Updates: New Resources, Task Force Members, Reviewers, and More
New 2023 TACL resources include:
The TACL Task Force extends a warm welcome to its newest members: Erich Lange, National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT), and Kenneth Blacks, Transit Workforce Center (TWC), and to new resource reviewers: Marilyn Dillon, City of Oklahoma City, Brittany Voll, Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, and Iyanla Xo, Williamsburg Area Transit Authority (WATA).
TACL's recent user survey included a request to install an online chat for questions about TACL. A chat button has been implemented on the homepage and training page. Chat is available Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM ET.
National RTAP Knowledge and Resource Manager Cara Marcus and National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) Senior Program Associate Heather Edmonds presented a poster on TACL at the TRB 2023 Annual Meeting. |
|
National RTAP Team Spotlight - Frank Condon
Frank Condon, the mastermind behind the National RTAP Cloud and many of our past and present technology tools, such as Resource Share, has been with National RTAP since 2008. Find out more about Frank's creative career and his advice for others who want to live their dream.
Upcoming National RTAP Events
A Rural Transportation Management Association (TMA) Webinar will be held on February 14, 2023 from 2:00-3:30 PM ET. The webinar includes an overview of TMAs, the nuts and bolts of setting one up, and lessons learned. Presenters from two rural TMAs share how they were started, how they have evolved, the challenges they faced, and successful strategies.
The Books in Transit Discussion Group selected Riding the Bus with my Sister by Rachel Simon. The book takes place in rural Pennsylvania and is about someone with an intellectual disability who spends her days riding buses. Register for February 16, 2023 from 2:00-3:00 PM ET.
Learn about TACL: The Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library on February 28, 2:00-3:00 PM ET. TACL helps agencies access information about public transportation coordination, coordinate among federally funded programs, and share resources to improve transit in their communities.
On March 9, 2023, 2:00-3:00 PM ET, learn how to use Resource Share, to access free, high-quality training and technical assistance materials for rural and Tribal transit systems. Resource Share features National RTAP-developed resources and links to relevant resources developed by others.
Transit Manager and State RTAP Manager Peer Roundtable Summaries Published
Summaries are available for two National RTAP Peer Roundtables. The Transit Manager Peer Roundtable was held December 19, 2022. Topics included alternative fuels, fare free systems, and outreach to underrepresented groups. Our State RTAP Manager Roundtable was held January 9, 2023. Topics included state initiatives to combat human trafficking, property-related projects, and state management plans.
National RTAP ADA Topic Guide Updated
National RTAP began our annual Topic Guide updates, starting with our ADA Topic Guide. New resources include:
|
|
Call for Presentations is Open for the National RTAP 5th Technical Assistance Conference
National RTAP Participation in Upcoming Conferences
We're presenting and exhibiting at the following conferences and meetings:
National RTAP Bus Operator Recruitment and Retention Slides Available
Minnesota RTAP Dispatching and Scheduling Training Initiative Added To RTAP Manager Toolkit
Minnesota RTAP provides in-person Dispatching and Scheduling training using the curriculum and resources developed by National RTAP. Each participant receives a workbook to follow along during the class and take home. The instructors also share Minnesota-specific information to help participants understand how transit operates in their state. Read more in the Examples of State RTAP Training section at the bottom of the Training page.
NCHRP Report Includes National RTAP Feedback
NCHRP's Issues Associated with Providing Customized, Client-Based Transportation Services examines issues impacting the delivery of client-based transportation service in rural and small urban areas to identify ways for state and federal agencies to support providers of transportation in these often-underserved geographies. National RTAP was surveyed for this report and our feedback has been incorporated. |
|
|
FTA announced its Fiscal Year 2023 Areas of Persistent Poverty Program Competitive Funding Opportunity. Funds will be awarded for planning, engineering, or the development of technical or financing plans for projects to assist Areas of Persistent Poverty or Historically Disadvantaged Communities. The application deadline is March 10, 2023.
FTA launched Phase 2 of its Sustainable Transit for a Healthy Planet Challenge in April 2022. The challenge encourages transit agencies to take bold actions and prioritize investments to cut their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to help tackle the climate crisis. In Phase 2, FTA seeks to have 250 organizations commit to developing climate action plans that include strategies with measurable goals to achieve GHG-emission targets.
FTA published a Dear Colleague Letter on the Fleet Transition Plan for Zero Emission Competitive Applications. The letter provides an update on FTA’s implementation of the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Program and the Low or No Emission Program. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law amended the statutory provisions for these programs to include the requirement that any application for projects related to zero-emission vehicles include a Zero-Emission Transition Plan.
The U.S. DOT Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Fiscal Year 2023 Pre-Solicitation is open through February 3, 2023. Research topics include Immersive Virtual Reality Training on Impaired Driving for Law Enforcement, Portable State-of-Charge Sensor for Lithium Batteries, and other topics.
U.S. DOT released a calendar of anticipated dates that Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for major 2023 funding programs. The White House also regularly updates a list of NOFOs that include U.S. DOT and other open opportunities.
The U.S. DOT Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) 2023 NOFO was amended to reflect additional funding made available under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023. Applications are due on February 28, 2023. RAISE Grants are for investments in surface transportation that will have a significant local or regional impact.
FTA established an Emergency Relief Docket for the calendar year 2023, Docket FTA-2023-0001, so grantees and subgrantees affected by a national or regional emergency or disaster may request temporary relief from FTA administrative and statutory requirements.
A Final Rule, effective January 6, 2023, provides the statutorily-prescribed 2023 adjustment to civil penalty amounts that may be imposed for violations of certain U.S. DOT regulations, such as violation of hazardous materials transportation law. All penalties increased from the existing penalties.
FTA posted the presentation slides for its Early Property Acquisition and NEPA webinar, which provided an overview of FTA policies on early or advance acquisition of real property for instances where federal funds will be used for the purchase or development of the subject property. |
|
The National League of Cities will be offering a series of Spring 2023 Grant Application Bootcamps designed to help local governments take advantage of the grant opportunities available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
|
|
The N-CATT Guide to Green Energy Adoption for Transit Agencies describes existing and emerging options for powering their transit operations with green electric power. For example, wind power could be an appealing option for many rural transit agencies with access to adequate wind resources.
National Aging and Disability Transportation Center's (NADTC) Trend Report Spotlight on Rural Community Engagement provides strategies that rural transit agencies should undertake for meaningful public engagement, such as distributing flyers at the local community center, churches, or grocery stores, and posting information on vehicles, at bus stops, transit stations, and other locations frequented by riders.
The ITS Deployment Evaluation Program's Virtual and Augmented Reality in Transportation describes how virtual and augmented reality technologies have the potential to improve driver performance, help with trip planning, and improve the transit experience. The article includes a case study about how the Utah Department of Transportation conducted a prototype field study using an augmented reality mobile device for 3-D modeling for infrastructure design. |
|
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) National Broadband Map displays where Internet services are available across the U.S. Users can find Internet service availability and characteristics by state, county, congressional district, census place, town, Tribal area, or metro area.
ResearchDataGov is a web portal for discovering and requesting access to restricted microdata from federal statistical agencies. Users can search by keyword, agency (including Bureau of Transportation Statistics), or topic. Datasets include Census of Transportation, Communications, Utilities, and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
PolicyMap provides an open map where users can search for topics such as demographics, income and spending, and quality of life (which includes transportation). For example, a map can be generated to show annual transit trips taken by a working individual household.
The U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center provides a searchable database of Federal and State Laws and Incentives. For example, we searched federal EV grants and Connected and Autonomous Vehicle grants. |
|
The Social and Economic Development Strategies Program (SEDS) is sponsored by the Administration for Children and Families, the Administration for Native Americans, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. SEDS will award funding to projects that promote economic and social self-sufficiency for Native American communities. Project interests include anti-human trafficking, tourism, and many other topics. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2023.
Nominations are open through March 3, 2023 for Government Fleet's and the American Public Works Association's (APWA) Leading Fleets Awards. The award recognizes operations that are performing at a high level in fleet innovation and leadership.
The USDA Rural Business Development Grant program is a series of funding opportunities for eligible organizations seeking to provide rural areas with training and technical assistance, including projects that improve transportation services and facilities. The deadline is February 28, 2023. |
|
Every five years, the U.S. Census Bureau conducts an economic census designed to measure U.S. businesses and their economic impact. The Census will be conducted beginning in January 2023, response is due by March 15, 2023, and is required by law.
Effective January 11, 2023, FMCSA implemented the regulatory requirement that all medical examiners certified and listed on the Agency’s National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners maintain their certification by completing refresher training 4 to 5 and 9 to 10 years after certification and passing a recertification test 10 years after certification. |
|
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.
Self Advocacy Resource & Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC)
January 19, 1:00 PM
Minnesota LTAP
January 19, 2:00-3:00 PM
TRB
January 24, 12:30-2:00 PM
Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
January 24, 1:00-2:30 PM
National RTAP
January 24, 2:00-3:00 PM
Mineta Transportation Institute
January 24, 2:00-3:00 PM
FTA
January 24, 2:00-3:30 PM
Joint Office of Energy and Transportation
January 24, 3:00 PM
Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC)
January 25, 2:00-3:00 PM
Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA)
January 26, 2:00-2:30 PM
Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, North Dakota State University
January 26, 3:00-5:00 PM
Registration Deadline: January 23, 2023
Minnesota Towards Zero Deaths
February 1, 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
Northwest Pennsylvania Mobility Alliance/Transit Association of South Carolina
Myrtle Beach, SC, February 1-2
American Bus Association
Detroit, MI, February 4-7
Smart Growth America
February 7-9
Native Learning Center
Hollywood, FL, Feb 7-9
National Transit Institute
February 9, 1:00-5:00
Transportation Energy Partners
Washington, DC, February 12-15
FORTH
February 14, 10:00-11:00 AM
National RTAP
February 14, 2:00-3:30 PM ET
Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers
February 16, 12:00-1:30 PM
National RTAP
February 16, 2:00-3:00 PM
FHWA
February 22, 1:00-3:00 PM
Southwest Transit Association (SWTA)
Aurora, CO, February 22-25
Please stop by our booth!
APTA
Las Vegas, NV, February 26 - March 1
Transportation Association of South Carolina (TASC)
Columbia, SC, March 1-5
We're presenting and exhibiting!
National Transit Institute
March 9, 1:00-5:00
FORTH
March 14, 10:00-11:00 AM
Minnesota LTAP
March 16, 2:00-3:00 PM
ATTWG
Anchorage, AK, March 28-30
We're participating.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
