eNews - December 9, 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.

Newsletter Highlights
National RTAP ADA Toolkit Updated and Includes New Eligibility Appeal Template
Upcoming State RTAP and Transit Manager Peer Roundtables
National RTAP Kicks Off Marketing Workshop with Training to Build Awareness
Transportation Management Association Workshop Recording Posted
Federal COVID-19 Extensions, Including Transportation Face Mask Requirement
National RTAP ADA Toolkit Banner
National RTAP ADA Toolkit Updated

The National RTAP ADA Toolkit has received an update with new content and links to resources. This toolkit helps rural transit managers understand the U.S. DOT requirements for public transit providers under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and helps rural transit systems comply with the ADA requirements that apply to them. The 2021 updates include hosting accessible virtual meetings and COVID-19 considerations for riders with disabilities. We have also developed a new Template for Appeal Process for ADA Paratransit Eligibility Determination and Service Suspension from Excessive No-Shows for the toolkit.

Thank you to the KFH Group for toolkit preparation, and to National RTAP Review Board members Deborah Bach, New Mexico DOT; Laura Corff, United Community Action Program, Inc./Cimarron Transit; and Jill Stedem, OATS Transit, for reviewing the 2021 updates.
Upcoming Peer Roundtables for State RTAP Managers and Transit Managers

State RTAP Managers can join their peers for a State RTAP Manager Peer Roundtable, an informal discussion of issues relevant to State RTAP Managers. No registration required; join the Roundtable (passcode 567285) on January 18, 2022 from 2:00-3:00 PM. Topics we'll be discussing include heavy-duty bus procurement, fare-free service, asset tracking systems, new FMCSA CDL training requirements, and training on preparing for State Management Reviews. Contact us to RSVP for the State RTAP Manager Roundtable if you would like a calendar invitation and send us topics you'd like to be discussed.

We are also holding a Transit Manager Peer Roundtable on January 27, 2022, 2:00-3:00 PM ET, for an informal discussion and information sharing with transit managers, facilitated by National RTAP staff. Please submit questions you have or topics you would like addressed when you register for the roundtable.
National RTAP Kicks Off a New Marketing Workshop Series: Step One - Build Awareness

This is the first of six virtual marketing workshops on January 13, 2022 from 2:00-3:00 PM ET geared to rural and tribal public transit providers. The first hour will be a presentation by Selena Barlow of Transit Marketing LLC. During the final 30 minutes, approximately six participants will have the opportunity to share examples of how they are currently creating awareness for their services to share with the class and discuss. If you would like to be one of the participants during the interactive portion of the workshop, please indicate that when you register. Participants will be selected on a first come basis. Register.

Transportation Management Association (TMA) Workshop Recording Posted

National RTAP recently hosted a workshop on Transportation Management Associations (TMAs). The workshop was supported by USDA Rural Development and included presentations from National RTAP, NADO Research Foundation, NCNMEDD, NCRTD, and TransAction Associates. Michele Brooks, Vice President of TransAction Associates and Connecticut RTAP Coordinator, outlined the first steps, the community assessment process, and how TMAs can improve job access for rural areas. Access the webinar recording, presentation slides, and companion document.

National RTAP Participation in Upcoming Conferences

Please look for us at the following upcoming conferences:

COVID-19 Tech Brief Updated

National RTAP continues to update its COVID-19 technical brief each month.
#MobilityManagementMatters Twitter Chat Next Month

Join National RTAP and HIRTA Public Transit on January 19, 2022, 2:00-3:00 PM ET, for a Twitter Chat on #MobilityManagementMatters to discuss engaging your communities, what mobility management looks like post-COVID, and more! The chat will be moderated by Danny Schnathorst, Mobility Outreach Coordinator, HIRTA. RSVP for the chat.

Maryland Transit Update Includes Article about National RTAP

The November 2021 issue of the Maryland Transit Update, a publication of Maryland RTAP and Transportation Association of Maryland (TAM) contains an article about National RTAP's new resources and learning opportunities.

Welcome New State RTAP Managers

National RTAP extends a warm welcome to new Georgia RTAP Manager Jihyun Park and Ohio RTAP Manager Jessie Schmitzer. If you would like to get in touch with them or any other RTAP Managers, visit our Directory of State RTAP Managers.

National RTAP Transit Acronym Dictionary Updated

We completed our annual update of our Transit Acronym Dictionary, which now has over 370 acronyms spanning 20 pages. Additional acronyms can be submitted to info@nationalrtap.org for inclusion in the next update.

National RTAP RFP for Active Shooter Training Course

National RTAP is soliciting proposals for the development of a training course to prepare transit staff to handle active shooter situations on transit vehicles or property. The deadline is December 15, 2021 at 3:00 PM ET.
U.S. DOT and FTA Updates
FTA is holding an Enhancing Mobility Innovation Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Webinar on December 15, 2021, at 2:00 PM ET. The deadline for grant applications is January 11, 2022.

The Office of the Secretary of Transportation invites public comment through December 17, 2021 on the draft U.S. DOT Strategic Framework, which includes draft strategic goals and objectives. The strategic goals and strategic objectives will be included in the U.S. DOT Strategic Plan for fiscal years 2022–2026.

U.S. DOT proposes to amend and update its Transportation Acquisition Regulation (TAR) and Transportation Acquisition Manual (TAM). Comments must be received by February 7, 2022.

FTA published a series of fact sheets about how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law supports federal transit programs. Fact sheets include Formula Grants for Rural Areas, Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities, and many other topics.
Webinars and Training
Our Executive Director, Robin Phillips, will be attending the TRB Annual Meeting, Innovating an Equitable, Resilient, Sustainable, and Safe Transportation System, held in Washington, D.C. from January 9–13, 2022. The Keynote Speaker will be U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

National Transit Institute is offering the following online, self-paced courses: Environmental and Sustainability Management Systems (ESMS) Introductory Online Course and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 101 Online Course. There is no set start or end date for these courses.

Simplify Transit is hosting a Power of Real-Time Alerts webinar on January 11, 2022 at 1:00 PM ET. The webinar will cover how to publish service alerts and provide best practices for translation, images, and workflow. Registrants can share whether their organization publishes GTFS-realtime service alerts and provide feedback about specific questions, concerns, obstacles rural agencies would like the webinar to address.
Publications
In Cost Sharing and Cross Partnership Funding Models, National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM) researched and sourced national examples that support the ability of transit agencies, human service and non-transportation organizations to connect services across multiple types of funding sources.

Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) published their Update on Rural Definitions Determining Rural Communities: Current Changes and Updated Federal Program Eligibility webinar presentation. They compared existing and proposed definitions of rural areas from the Census Bureau, Office of Management and Budget, USDA Economic Research Service, and Federal Office of Rural Health Policy.

NCHRP's Guidebook for Data and Information Systems for Transportation Asset Management presents a structured approach for assessing an organization’s current data and information management practices in support of transportation asset management and strategies for improving these practices.

The Presidential COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force published their Final Report and Recommendations. The report includes spotlights on using vaccines to preserve the Cherokee language and on rural Beachwood, Ohio starting a food delivery service to give people access to safe food options.
Tribal Transit Driver Spotlight - Penny Johnson
Choctaw Transit is operated by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and provides transit service to an estimated 10,000 members of the tribe, as well as individuals in the surrounding communities. One of the Band’s Number One Priorities is to take care of their elders during the pandemic. Choctaw administration sent the message to all staff to let them know if anyone noticed something that their elders needed.

While many dedicated drivers go out of their way and look after elders’ needs, this story stood out. Driver Penny Johnson, who has been with the transit agency for nine years and recently won the Employee of the Year award, is known for her heart of gold. Read more about Penny.
Opportunities
USDA is making $1.15 billion in funding available through the ReConnect Program. Eligible applicants are state, local or territory governments; corporations; Native American Tribes; limited liability companies, and cooperative organizations. USDA also announced $800 million to support biofuel infrastructure. USDA will also make an additional $100 million available to increase the sale and use of higher blends of bioethanol and biodiesel by expanding the infrastructure for renewable fuels from U.S. agricultural products.

Applicants are invited to apply for the FY 2022 AmeriCorps Seniors - American Rescue Plan Senior Demonstration Program funds. Applications are prioritized in hard-to-reach communities and/or historically underserved communities, including those providing vaccine transportation. The application deadline is February 3, 2022.
Legislation
Several COVID-19 related extensions have been published. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) issued a Renewal of Determination That a Public Health Emergency Exists. FMCSA issued an Extension of the Modified Emergency Declaration and extended their Waiver for States Concerning Third Party CDL Skills Test Examiners In Response to the COVID-19 Emergency to February 28, 2022. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) extended the face mask requirement for individuals across all transportation networks throughout the U.S. to March 18, 2022.

FHWA invites public comments to inform guidance for the development of a National Electric Vehicle Formula Program and discretionary grant program for charging and fueling infrastructure established through the recently passed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. FHWA is especially interested in comments that could promote equity in the deployment of EV charging infrastructure under these programs. FHWA would like comments by January 28, 2022, but will consider comments received after that date.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking information about the public and private sector marketplace trends, supply chain risks, legislative, policy, and the future needs of Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Quantum Computing, Blockchain Technology, New and Advanced Materials, Unmanned Delivery Services, and Three-dimensional Printing. Comments are due January 31, 2022.

FHWA published an Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act Request for Information in the Federal Register on December 1, 2021. They are seeking information that stakeholders think FHWA should consider while implementing, including on the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program.

FMCSA requested approval to renew the Information Collection Request for Commercial Driver Licensing and Test Standards. Comments must be received by January 5, 2022.
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.

Georgia Transit Association
Jekyll Island, December 8-10
We're presenting and exhibiting.

Shared-Use Mobility Center
December 9, 11:15 AM

Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT), Rutgers University
December 9, 1:00-2:00 PM

TRB 
December 9, 1:00-2:30 PM

National Center for Rural Road Safety
December 9, 1:00-2:30 PM

San José State University
December 9, 1:00 PM

Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC)
December 9, 2:00 PM

Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT), Rutgers University
December 9-10, 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM

National Center on Advancing Person-Centered Practices and Systems (NCAPPS)
December 13, 2:30 PM

International Association of Transportation Regulators (IATR)
December 13-17

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NAS)
December 14, 1:00-5:00 PM

Native Learning Center 
December 14, 2:00-3:30 PM

Great Lakes ADA Center
December 14, 2:00-3:30 PM

Urban Institute
December 14, 2:30-4:00 PM

Safety Research Using Simulation (SAFER-SIM), University of Iowa
December 14, 3:00-3:30 PM

NADTC
NADTC's Office Hours: Marketing Community Transportation Services
December 15, 2:00 PM

FTA
December 15, 2:00 PM

APTA
December 15-16

National Institute for Congestion Reduction (NICR)
December 16, 12:00 PM

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

FTA
January 6, 1:00 - 2:30 PM

FTA
January 7, 2:00 PM

Native Learning Center
January 6, 2:00-3:30 PM 

Transportation for America
January 8, 2022

Busworld International
Grapevine, TX, January 9-10

TRB
Washington, D.C., January 9–13
We're participating.

Native Learning Center
January 10-11

Simplify Transit
January 11, 1:00 PM

Smart Growth America
January 11-13, 2022

Micromobility Industries
January 12, 1:00-5:00 PM

National RTAP
January 13, 2022, 2:00-3:30 PM

Rural Health Research Gateway
January 18, 1:00-2:00 PM

National RTAP
January 18, 2:00-3:00 PM

National RTAP and HIRTA Public Transit
January 19, 2:00-3:00 PM

Eno Center for Transportation
January 19, 2:00-3:00 PM

EV Charging Initiative
January 20, 12:00-3:45 PM

Native Learning Center
January 20, 2:00-3:30 PM 

National Institute for Transportation and Communities (NITC)
January 26, 2:00-3:00 PM

National RTAP
January 27, 2:00 PM

TransitCon
January 30

Native Learning Center
February 1, 2:00-3:30 PM

Native Learning Center
February 3, 2:00-3:30 PM

Native Learning Center
Tribal Non-Profits from Beginning to End (4 Part Webinar Series)
February 7, 8, 9, 10, 2:00-3:30 PM (4 separate registration pages)

FTA
February 16, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Mass Transit
Tuscon, AZ, February 21-23

Native Learning Center
Hollywood, FL (and virtual option), February 22-24

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.
National RTAP | 888-589-6821 | info@nationalrtap.org | nationalrtap.org