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
Upcoming National RTAP Tribal Transit Training Conference in Flagstaff, Arizona
National RTAP Welcomes New Review Board Leaders and Recognizes Outgoing Chair
U.S. DOT Proposes Temporary Waiver of Buy America Requirements
Safe Streets and Roads for All, Bus Exportable Power Systems Programs, TOD Grants
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Upcoming National RTAP Tribal Transit Training Conference in Flagstaff
Join us in Flagstaff, Arizona on June 27-28, 2022 for in-depth training and hands-on workshops. View the agenda and register today!
Two tracks will be offered:
Managing Tribal Transit and PASS Training for Drivers.
Sessions will include:
- Capital Development and Construction Project Management Training
- PASS Training for Drivers
- Rural and Tribal Transit Service Design Workshop
- Federal Transit Administration Updates and Grant Management Workshop
- GTFS Builder Workshop
Who should attend:
Tribal Transportation Directors, Rural and Tribal Transit Managers, Transit Drivers, and other staff. We hope to see you there!
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National RTAP Welcomes New Review Board Leadership
and Recognizes Outgoing Chair
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Marcele J. Edington, Past Chair |
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At our Spring 2022 Review Board Meeting on May 4-5, 2022, National RTAP welcomed Angie Jones, District Manager, Grant County Transportation District (People Mover), as our new Review Board Chair, Deborah Bach, Rural Transit Programs Supervisor, New Mexico Department of Transportation, Transit and Rail Division, as our new Vice Chair, and recognized the leadership of outgoing Chair Marcele Edington, Program Manager, Office of Passenger Transportation, Michigan Department of Transportation. The National RTAP Review Board helps inform the development of our products and services. Composed of rural and tribal operators and state transit officials, the Board provides expertise and local perspectives to ensure that our work is relevant, useful, and of the highest quality.
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National RTAP Team Spotlight - Nelly Cubahiro
Executive Assistant Nelly Cubahiro came to National RTAP in 2019. She began her life in Bujumbura, Burundi, Africa, and speaks 5 languages. Her impressive background includes Fortune 500 clients and the United Nations. Find out about Nelly's beginnings in transit and current projects and follow this obstacle race runner to the finish line.
National RTAP Marketing Workshops - Access Recording for Understanding our Riders and Register for Upcoming Passenger Experience Session
National RTAP and Selena Barlow of Transit Marketing LLC led our fifth virtual marketing workshop on May 24, 2022 on Transit Market Research – Understanding Our Riders. The session covered questionnaire development, data collection, recruiting participants, and analyzing results. Access the webinar recording and presentation slides.
We're holding our sixth workshop on Improving the Transit Passenger Experience on June 28, 2022, 2:00-3:30 PM ET. The session will discuss elements of the transit passenger experience and what we can do to enhance each aspect in order to retain and build ridership.
National RTAP Tribal Transit Training Conference Next Month
National RTAP is holding a Tribal Transit Training Conference in Flagstaff, AZ on June 27-28, 2022. Topics will include capital project construction, PASS, safety, transit tech tools, and more. Participants will hear updates from FTA on the Tribal Transit Program. For questions, contact National RTAP's Tribal Transit Program Manager, Neil Rodriguez.
National RTAP GTFS Builder Training Series Recording and Upcoming Sessions
National RTAP is holding the second and third sessions of GTFS: Three Steps to Online Trip Planning Training Series on May 26 and June 9, 2022, 1:00-2:00 PM ET. This training walks you through National RTAP’s free GTFS Builder application used in the development of GTFS data. Learn how to get your on-demand service published.
National RTAP Participation in Upcoming Conferences and Meetings
We're presenting and exhibiting at the following conferences and meetings:
Learn about TACL in August
Enter our 2022 Photo Contest: The Bus Stops Here
Our National RTAP 2022 Photo Contest – The Bus Stops Here – is all about where your bus stops. We’re looking for photos that showcase your beautiful bus stop, shelter, station, or hub, as well as photos that show all the great places your bus stops at to bring riders to shopping, school, work, or leisure. Enter up to 3 photos by August 20, 2022. |
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National RTAP Solicitation for New Review Board Members
National RTAP is soliciting nominations through June 30, 2022 for new Review Board members to join the Board in 2022 and 2023. There will be vacancies to fill for two state transit officials in fall 2022 and two in spring 2023. For rural or tribal transit providers there will be three vacancies in 2023. Read more.
National RTAP Tribal Transit Topic Guide Updated
Get Ready for Rural Transit Day!
Access our Rural Transit Day Toolbox to help you spread the word about Rural Transit Day and the benefits of rural transit through social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
Our fourth Rural Transit Day Twitter Chat will be held on July 15, 2022 from 2:00-3:00 PM ET (July 16 falls on a Saturday). RSVP for our #RuralTransitDay Twitter Chat, moderated by Stephanie Lewis, Florida RTAP, Marcela Moreno, National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT), Moira Moon, Colorado DOT, and National RTAP staff.
Now you can tell exactly how many days, hours, minutes, and seconds there are until Rural Transit Day starts with our new animated Countdown graphic at the bottom of the webpage.
Join our July State RTAP Peer Roundtable
State RTAP Managers can register for our State RTAP Manager Peer Roundtable on July 14, 2022 at 2:00-3:00 PM ET to discuss issues of interest to State RTAP Managers. If anyone has a specific question they would like discussed, please contact us.
Transit Knowledge Sharing Retreat Next Month
Northwest Pennsylvania Mobility Alliance, in partnership with National RTAP, NCMM, N-CATT, SUMC, NABSA, PERC, and PennTRAIN, will hold a Transit Knowledge Sharing Retreat in Erie, PA on June 15-16 2022. A waiting list is available.
Books in Transit Discussion Group Meeting: Set my Heart to Five
The Books in Transit Discussion Group has selected Set my Heart to Five by Simon Stephenson for our next book to read. We're excited to announce that the author will be joining our discussion. The book takes place in a future where robots live and work alongside humans and driverless cars and buses fill the roads. The discussion will take place on August 17, 2022, 2:00-3:00 PM ET. Register.
Maryland Transit Update Highlights National RTAP
The Maryland RTAP/Transportation Association of Maryland May 2022 newsletter contains an article on Tools for Getting Started with GTFS. National RTAP analyst Nancy Doherty contributed to the article and it features our GTFS Builder technology tool. The newsletter's Transit Bookshelf and Toolbox section also features many new National RTAP webinar recordings and technical briefs.
Research Citing National RTAP
The following research articles cited National RTAP:
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The U.S. DOT Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program is open through September 15, 2022. This is a discretionary program with $5 billion in appropriated funds over the next 5 years. The SS4A program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.
FTA announced the opportunity to apply for $13,160,021 in Fiscal Year 2021 and FY 2022 funding under the Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development Planning Program. Funds will be awarded competitively to support comprehensive planning or site-specific planning associated with new fixed guideway and core capacity improvement projects. Applications are due on July 25, 2022.
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The National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT) is offering up to 3 recipients the opportunity to hold Technology Summits with their small-urban, rural, and tribal agencies. Participants will bring challenges and work with their peers to collaborate on technology priorities to begin mapping out technology investments at the state level. Applications can be submitted through July 12, 2022.
If you are looking to enhance your data skills, several upcoming trainings are available:
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Researchers at the San Jose State University Mineta Transportation Institute, along with Prospect SV and Valley Transportation Authority, explored how the Americans with Disabilities Act and related research could inform trends of autonomous vehicles, particularly autonomous transit and paratransit. Gaps and Opportunities in Accessibility Policy for Autonomous Vehicles shows how potential innovations fit into categories and how vehicles could meet and potentially exceed ADA requirements.
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' (AASHTO) The Benefits of Transportation report illustrates the many economic and quality of life benefits delivered by state department of transportation infrastructure projects. A companion website includes an interactive map of state success stories. |
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The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARBTA) provides an interactive map showing how the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) will benefit every state, including funding for rural transit by state.
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) update to the National Transportation Atlas Database included new data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System and the Intermodal Passenger Connectivity Database.
A new National Transportation Communications for ITS Protocol Environmental Sensor Stations Standard update is now available at no cost. |
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The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) started a new Coordination Coalition for transit agencies and human services organizations receiving FTA 5310 Funding. Two coalition teams chosen will participate in a 2-day workshop to build a coalition group and develop an action plan. Applicants can submit a Letter of Interest to Jane Mahoney through June 6, 2022.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Transit Security Grant Program provides funding to eligible public transportation systems to protect transportation infrastructure and the public from terrorism and to increase transportation infrastructure resilience. Applications must be submitted by June 13, 2022.
TCRP announced Fiscal Year 2022 synthesis projects and will be filling seats for project oversight panels. Nominate individuals with expertise directly relevant to the research by June 30, 2022. TRB's Transit Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) program provides funding at an early stage of the development process for unproven, innovative concepts and methods. Proposals are being accepted through August 1, 2022. |
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FMCSA is soliciting comments through June 9, 2022 on the potential establishment of requirements for States to implement annual inspection programs for commercial motor vehicles designed or used to transport passengers.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued an Emergency Directive requiring federal civilian executive branch agencies running specific VMware products to apply VMware updates or remove the products from agency networks until the update can be applied. Although this was directed to federal agencies, CISA encourages public and private sector organizations to review the directive as well.
S. 658, the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act of 2021, which authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to work together with a consortium composed of nonprofit entities to develop, update, and deliver cybersecurity training in support of homeland security, was signed into law on May 12, 2022. S. 2629, the Better Cybercrime Metrics Act, which establishes requirements to improve the collection of data related to cybercrime and cyber-enabled crime, was signed into law on May 5, 2022. |
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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.
Colorado Association of Transit Agencies (CASTA)
Colorado Springs, CO, May 24-27
Please stop by our info table!
National RTAP
May 26 and June 9, 1:00-2:00 PM
FTA
May 26, 2:00 PM
National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine
May 31, 1:30-3:15 PM
TRB
Irvine, CA, May 31-June 2
FHWA
June 1, 12:30-2:00 PM
National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine
Washington, DC, June 2, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Smart Growth America
June 2, 2:00 PM
Transit Planning 4 All
June 2, 1:00 PM
NADTC
Expanding Independent Travel Opportunities for People with Vision Loss through Travel Training Office Hours
June 2, 2:00-3:00 PM
HTA/Lake Transit/MTA/CALACT
Ukiah, CA, June 2-3
Please visit our booth!
Transit Workforce Center (TWC)
June 7, 1:30 PM
Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC)
June 7, 4:00-5:00 PM
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
June 7-8, 1:00-6:00 PM
AASHTO Census Transportation Planning Products (CTPP)
Reno, NV, June 7-9
Global Fleet
Hollywood, FL, June 7-9
Joint Office of Energy and Transportation
June 8, 12:30 PM
FTA
June 9, 2:00 PM
Busing on the Lookout (BOTL)
June 9, 6:30-8:00 PM
National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)
Anchorage, AK, June 12-16
U.S. DOT
June 13, 1:00-3:00 PM
Montana Transit Association
Billings, MT, June 13-15
Please visit our booth!
National Transit Institute
June 13-16
1:00-3:30 PM
FORTH
June 14, 1:00-2:00 PM
Disability Employment TA Center (DETAC) and National Disability Rights Network (NDRN)
June 14, 3:00 PM
Wyoming Public Transit Association
Sheridan, WY, June 14-16
Please visit our booth!
U.S. DOT
June 15, 1:00- 3:00 PM
National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC)
June 16, 12:00 PM
Q'Straint / Sure-Lok
June 16, 12:00-1:30 PM
Rural Grocery Initiative
Wichita, KS, June 20-21
Please visit our booth!
TRB
June 21, 2:30-4:00 PM
UMass Transportation Center
June 21-22, 1:00-3:00 PM
International Society of Sustainability Professionals
June 22, 3:00 PM
Nebraska Association of Transportation Providers
Norfolk, NE, June 22-23
Please visit our info table!
U.S. DOT
June 23, 1:00- 3:00 PM
TRB
June 23, 1:30-3:00 PM
AASHTO
Lawrence, KS, June 23-July 1
AASHTO National Transportation Product Evaluation Program (NTPEP)
Nashville, TN, June 26-30
National RTAP
Flagstaff, AZ, June 27-28
Transit Planning 4 All
June 28, 12:30 PM
National RTAP
June 28, 2:00-3:30 PM
American Bus Association (ABA)
Baltimore, MD, June 28-29
NorthEast Passenger Transportation Association (NEPTA)
Warwick, RI, June 28-30
Please visit our booth!
Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
Charlotte, NC, June 28-30
Eno Center for Transportation
June 29, 2:00-3:00 PM
FORTH
Portland, OR, June 29-30
Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO)
Fort Lauderdale, FL, July 9-11
USAging
Austin, TX, July 10-13
Q'Straint / Sure-Lok
Jul 12, 12:00-1:30 PM
FTA
July 13, 2:00 PM
National RTAP
July 14, 2:00-3:00 PM
Transit Planning 4 All
July 14, 2:00 PM
National RTAP
July 15, 2:00-3:00 PM
TRB
Garden Grove, CA, July 18-21
National Local and Tribal Technical Assistance Program Association (NLTAPA)
Seattle, WA, July 18-21
FTA
July 19, 1:00-3:30 PM
Registration closes July 12, 2022
National Association of Development Organizations (NADO)
Kansas City, MO, July 19 -21
TRB
Portland, OR, July 24-27
American Public Transportation Association (APTA)
Pittsburgh, PA, August 7-10
National RTAP
August 11, 2:00-3:00 PM
National RTAP
August 17, 2:00-3:00 PM
National Transportation in Indian Country (NTICC)
Louisville, KY, August 22-26
Please visit our booth!
TRB
Boise, ID, August 29-31
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