eNews - November 9, 2023

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

Community Rides Grants Updates

Updated National RTAP Technical Brief on Grant Writing

Participate in a TACL Utilization Survey

National RTAP Review Board Member Spotlight - Kristin Haar

U.S. Joint Office EV Charging Resources and Technical Assistance for Tribal Nations

Community Rides Grants Updates

The National RTAP Community Rides Grants Program, which ran from Fall 2021 to Spring 2023, awarded 19 grants to sub-recipients of FTA's Section 5311 and Tribal Transit Programs for projects that develop or strengthen transportation partnerships and improve social determinants of health in rural and tribal communities. Projects focused on increasing access to critical needs like employment, healthcare, education, healthy food, and social services, as well as building the capacity of transit programs.

Many of the projects resulted in new or expanded services that are being sustained after the grant term through Section 5311 and/or local funding. View the final reports and PowerPoint presentations for each of the grantees, which focus on lessons learned. You can also view the locations of the grantees on an interactive map. Stay tuned for webinars showcasing the projects coming in 2024. 

Updated National RTAP Grant Writing Technical Brief

This updated National RTAP technical brief on Grant Writing Made Easy: How to Write a Successful Grant Application addresses how to plan and write a successful grant proposal. It provides tips on searching for grant opportunities, covers the essentials of submitting and following up on your application, and provides a list of helpful resources.

Updates include aligning projects with grant opportunities, a chart with key elements common to any grant application, and grant writing Do's and Don'ts. Thank you to Bren Schweitzer, Transportation Program Coordinator, City of Sioux Falls, for the review of this updated tech brief.

FTA proposed changes to requirements for its Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program (PTSCTP) to clarify voluntary PTSCTP participation and refresher training requirements. Comments should be filed by December 26, 2023.

FTA published its October 2023 Transit Safety and Oversight Spotlight Newsletter. In this issue, FTA seeks comments on whether training certification requirements should extend to bus transit agencies and personnel. The comment period will close on December 26, 2023. Comments can be made on the Federal Register comment docket.

FTA is considering proposing minimum safety standards to provide protections for transit workers to obtain adequate rest thereby reducing the risk of fatigue-related safety incidents. FTA seeks public input by December 29, 2023 in two areas: hours of service; and fatigue risk management programs.

FTA established Interim Guidance effective October 30, 2023, on an asset disposition option. FTA may authorize the transfer of real property acquired or improved with federal assistance, but no longer needed for the originally authorized purpose, to a local governmental authority, nonprofit organization, or other third-party entity if certain statutory criteria are met and it will be used for transit-oriented development and include affordable housing.

FTA published a Dear Colleague Letter on September 20, 2023 to highlight federal grant programs that can be used to provide paratransit service to eligible riders on a real-time basis and/or allow for intermediate stops.

U.S. DOT published its Top Management Challenges on November 1, 2023. Challenges included surface transportation safety for transit, information security, and transportation transformation for emerging and innovative vehicle technologies.

U.S. DOT seeks comments on amending the accessibility requirements for transportation facilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Updates to the requirements could include vertical access, communications, wayfinding, and technology. Comments should be submitted by January 5, 2024.

On October 31, 2023, FTA's Transit Award Management System (TrAMS) re-opened. Financial and non-financial functions are now available to TrAMS users.

The U.S. Joint Office of Energy and Transportation is holding an EV Charging Resources and Technical Assistance for Tribal Nations Webinar on November 15, 2023 at 2:00 PM ET. The session will provide information on resources and technical assistance available to Tribal Nations for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure projects.

The Transit Workforce Center (TWC) offers a Battery Electric Bus (BEB) Familiarization eLearning Course. The course includes an overview of what a BEB is and what makes it both similar and different from its standard transit counterparts and includes sections on BEB components and systems, details on internal functions and management systems, and preventive maintenance tasks.

FHWA's National Highway Institute (NHI) offers environmental courses addressing climate change through adaptation and resilience. Courses include Understanding Past, Current and Future Climate Conditions, Systems Level Vulnerability Assessments, and Adaptation Analysis for Project Decision Making.

The New Mexico Department of Transportation Transit and Rail Division published a comprehensive 2023 New Mexico Transit Guide (see the related links at the bottom of this NM DOT page). The guide provides information about local transit options, including maps, data, contact information, and detailed descriptions. 

Drivers Make the Difference For Older Passengers with Vision Loss is a resource that provides drivers with techniques for helping older passengers with vision loss and ways to help drivers identify passengers who may need assistance. It is a joint publication of the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) and the American Foundation for the Blind.

The National Institute of Standards in Technology (NIST) published an Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Framework. The Framework covers trustworthiness, effectiveness, privacy, fairness, and other attributes. NIST is also establishing the Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute Consortium and is seeking members.

TRB provides a Snap Search on Social Equity & Underserved Populations. Resource links include Racial Equity, Black America, and Public Transportation: A Review of Economic, Health, and Social Impacts; Encampments of Unhoused Individuals in Transportation Rights-of-Way: Laws and State DOT Practices; and Fare Capping: Balancing Revenue and Equity Impacts.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) updated the National Transportation Atlas Database (NTAD). Data updates included National Transit Map stops, routes, and agencies and travel time and means of transportation to work.

Ride Review Newsletter provides a map of Electric Bike Rebate and Tax Credits. Data includes vouchers, rebates, free bikes, point-of-sale discounts, and more.

The National Broadband Availability Map (NBAM) is a platform used to visualize and analyze federal, state, and commercial broadband data sets. It can help identify regions with insufficient service compare multiple datasets to identify discrepancies in broadband availability.

The FHWA Asset Management for Operations website has been updated to include presentation slides on Connecting TSMO and Asset Management, links to current Transportation Asset Management Plans (TAMPs) that include TSMO assets, and a sampling of links to TSMO plans that include asset management elements.

FHWA published a Notice of Funding Opportunity for its Saving Lives with Connectivity: Accelerating Vehicle to Everything (V2X) Deployment program, which funds eligible entities to deploy, operate, document, and showcase integrated, advanced roadway deployments featuring applications enabled by interoperable wireless connectivity (among vehicles, mobile devices, and smart infrastructure). Applications are due January 17, 2024.

The FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program makes federal funds available to states, U.S. territories, federally recognized Tribal governments, and local governments for hazard mitigation activities. Applications are due February 29, 2024.

The Administration for Community Living is accepting applications for its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program, Phase I through December 18, 2023. Eligible projects will improve the return on investment from federally-funded research for economic and social benefits to the U.S.

The National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM) is offering an opportunity to use the NCMM PolicyMap license free of charge for the next year. A PolicyMap license allows users to map data and access a collection of demographic and related data with no GIS training needed. Email your letters of interest and any questions to wagner@ctaa.org by November 15, 2023.

The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) is conducting a survey of transportation providers that provide services for older adults and people with disabilities, particularly those from marginalized and underserved communities. The survey is intended to assist NADTC in targeting its information and technical assistance activities to the needs and challenges identified by providers.

The Reaching Rural Initiative is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and State Justice Institute. The program funds a one-year planning initiative to adopt partnerships to overcome the challenge of substance use and misuse in rural communities. Transportation agencies can be considered as team members. Applications are due December 15, 2023.

FHWA announced its 2023 Environmental Excellence Awards Program. Nominations will be accepted through November 17, 2023. The program recognizes outstanding transportation projects, processes, and partners that use FHWA funding sources to go above and beyond compliance to achieve environmental excellence.

FHWA invites public comments about conducting a survey of Metropolitan Planning Organizations and State Departments of Transportation regarding practices for incorporating equity and meaningful public involvement in transportation planning and project decision-making. Comments must be submitted by December 26, 2023.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to submit a Transportation and Climate Division Grant Programs information collection request. Comments must be submitted by December 26, 2023.

An Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence was published on October 30, 2023. The Order defined policies and principles for the safe use of artificial intelligence (AI). Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Transportation shall direct the Nontraditional and Emerging Transportation Technology Council to assess the need for guidance regarding the use of AI in transportation. Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Secretary shall direct the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Infrastructure to explore the transportation-related opportunities and challenges of AI.

In addition, the Office of Management and Budget seeks public comment by December 5, 2023 on a draft memorandum titled Advancing Governance, Innovation, and Risk Management for Agency Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The memorandum would establish new agency requirements in areas of AI governance, innovation, and risk management, and would direct agencies to adopt specific minimum risk management practices for uses of AI that impact the rights and safety of the public. 

The Federal Communications Commission adopted rules to improve Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) by making WEA messages available in more than a dozen additional languages, including American Sign Language.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) requests comments for a new information collection related to the nation’s battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The information collected will be used to produce national statistics on the characteristics and uses of EVs as well as the charging patterns and preferences related to EVs. Comments are due December 6, 2023.

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.

Fleet Forward

Fleet Forward & Fleet Safety Conferences

Santa Clara, CA, November 8-10

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

November 9, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

TRB 

Let’s Catch a Bus—Understanding Health Impacts and Public Transit Equity Webinar

November 9, 2:00-3:30 PM

Native Learning Center

Budgets That Tell Your Story Webinar

November 13, 10:00-11:30 AM

University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies (CTS)

Mobility, Access, and Transportation Insecurity Program Introduction and Listening Session

November 13, 12:00-1:00 PM

TRB

Transportation Resilience 2023 

Washington, DC, November 13-15

AASHTO

2023 AASHTO Annual Meeting & Expo 

Indianapolis, IN, November 13-16

Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program

Reaching Rural: Advancing Collaborative Solutions Solicitation Webinar

November 14, 1:00 PM

FHWA

Value Capture and Debt Financing Strategies: Tax-Exempt Debt Financing Webinar

November 14, 1:00-3:00 PM 

Center for Transportation Studies at the University of Minnesota

2023 Toward Zero Deaths Conference

Rochester, MN, November 14-15

New Mexico Transit Association (NMTA)

National Transit Database Reporting That Includes General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) Starting in Reporting Year 2023 Training

Santa Fe, NM, November 15, 10:00-6:30 PM

To register or for more information, please contact Melissa Drake

Please register by Wednesday, November 8, 2023

National RTAP Presenter

TRB 

Alternative Services for ADA Paratransit Riders Webinar

November 15, 1:00-2:30 PM

U.S. Joint Office of Energy and Transportation

EV Charging Resources and Technical Assistance for Tribal Nations Webinar

November 15, 2:00 PM

U.S. DOT

Commemorating the Second Anniversary of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Webinar

November 15, 1:00 PM

U.S. DOT

Saving Lives with Connectivity: Accelerating V2X Deployment NOFO Webinar

November 15, 1:00 PM

U.S. DOT

Equity in Roadway Safety - Elevating Equity and Safety in Project Prioritization Webinar

November 15, 1:00-2:00 PM

National Transit Institute

Assault Awareness and Prevention for Transit Operators (Train-the-Trainer) Virtual Course

November 15, 1:00-4:30 PM

Rural Health Research Gateway

How Does the Definition of "Rural" Impact Research Webinar

November 15, 2:00 PM

U.S. DOT OST Advisory Committee on Transportation Equity (ACTE) 

ACTE Public Meeting

Durham, NC, November 15, 6:30 to 8:00 PM

NCHRP 

Transportation Emergency Management and Security Summit & Exchange

Washington, DC, November 15-16

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

November 16, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

USDA

Rural America at a Glance, 2023 Edition Webinar

November 16, 1:00-2:00 PM

Transit Workforce Center (TWC)

Women in Frontline Transit Apprenticeships Webinar

November 16, 1:30 PM

Native Learning Center

Legally Managing Your People Resources - An Overview of Federal Employment Laws Webinar

November 16, 2:00-3:30 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

November 30, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

5th Technical Assistance Conference: Navigating the Tides of Change with Rural & Tribal Transit

Myrtle Beach, SC, December 3-6

National Safety Council (NSC)

SAFER Summit 2023

December 5, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

National Digital Education Extension Team (NDEET), Penn State Extension, Southern Rural Development Center 

BEAD Broadband Navigator Webinar

December 5, 2:00 PM

National RTAP/Transportation Safety Institute

SMS Principles for Transit Training

Myrtle Beach, SC, December 5-7

Georgia Transit Association

2023 GTA Annual Conference

Athens, GA, December 6-8

Please visit our booth!

National RTAP/National Transit Institute 

Rural National Transit Database (NTD) Reporting Training

Myrtle Beach, SC, December 7

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

December 7, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Transit Institute

National Transit Database: Annual Reporting for Indian Tribes Course

December 12-13, 1:00-4:30 PM

National Transit Institute

Assault Awareness and Prevention for Transit Operators (Train-the-Trainer) Virtual Course

December 13, 1:00-4:30 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

December 14, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

AASHTO

AASHTO 5310/5311 Program Managers Forum

December 14, 2:00 PM

Email Rebecca Anger for meeting details.

FHWA

Value Capture Strategies Toolkit for Practitioners: An Overview Webinar

December 20, 1:00-3:00 PM 

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

December 21, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

December 28, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

January 4, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

TRB

2024 TRB Annual Meeting

Washington, DC, January 7-11

We're participating

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

January 11, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

State RTAP Manager Peer Roundtable

January 16, 2:00-3:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

January 18, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP and Rural Health Information Hub

Resources for Rurals Rural Health Chat

January 18, 2:00-3:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

January 25, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

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