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
5th National RTAP Technical Assistance Conference Call for Presentations
Upcoming Rural Transportation Management Association (TMA) Webinar
FTA Low or No Emission Vehicle Program and Buses and Bus Facilities Grants Open
FTA 2023 Apportionments Published and Certifications and Assurances Updated
Upcoming Chaddick Institute Intercity Bus Webinar
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Call for Presentations is Open for the National RTAP 2023 Conference
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Upcoming National RTAP Rural Transportation Management Association (TMA) Webinar
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. |
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Upcoming National RTAP Events
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.
Join NADTC, NCMM, National RTAP, and SUMC for a Microtransit vs. Micromobility Series Webinar on February 22, from 2:00-3:30 PM ET. Learn the real difference between the two terms and how to plan a successful Microtransit service.
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.
Our Bus Stops Here Twitter Chat Summary Published
An #OurBusStopsHere Twitter Chat was held on January 24, 2023 to discuss issues, strategies, and promising practices for bus stop and route planning. The chat was 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. Topics included participants top features for bus stops and tips for bus stop planning collaboration. Read the transcript and summary. |
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National RTAP Participation in Upcoming Conferences
We're presenting and exhibiting at the following conferences and meetings:
- NPMA/TASC Transit Retreat, February 1-2
- TransportationCamp Ithaca, February 17
- 2023 SWTA Annual Conference & Expo, February 22-25
- 2023 TASC Annual Training Event, Expo and Bus Roadeo, March 1-5
- Alaska Tribal Transportation Symposium, March 28-30
- AzTA/ADOT Statewide Transit Conference, April 3-5
- 2023 TTA State Conference, Expo and Roadeo, April 11-15
- CalAct Spring 2023 Conference & Expo, April 17-20
- 2023 NJ TransAction Conference, April 18-20
- MLA/SLA Annual Conference, May 16-19
National RTAP Alternative Fuel Topic Guide Updated
National RTAP continues our annual Topic Guide updates with our Alternative Fuels Topic Guide. New resources include:
Student Poster Submissions Open for National RTAP Conference
Students are invited to submit a poster for the 5th National RTAP Conference to be shown on December 3, 2023 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Posters for consideration must be sent by October 6, 2023 to info@nationalrtap.org and students must be able to present their posters in-person. |
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FTA announced the opportunity to apply for approximately $1.22 billion in competitive grants under the fiscal year 2023 Low or No Emission Grant Program (Low-No Program) and Buses and Bus Facilities Program. The programs provide funding to state and local governmental authorities for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses as well as the acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities. Applications must be received by April 13, 2023.
FTA is seeking comments through February 21, 2023 regarding information collection on its State of Good Repair Program, Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals With Disabilities & Nonurbanized Area Formula Program ( link for the first group), Bus and Bus Facilities Program, and National Transit Asset Management (TAM) System. ( link for the second group).
FTA's January 2023 Transit Safety and Oversight Spotlight Newsletter has been published. The issue includes selected links to FTA presentations at the 2023 TRB Annual Meeting, strategies for monitoring and using Employee Safety Reporting Program (ESRP) data, and a data spotlight on bus collisions with people. FTA also published its January 2023 Drug and Alcohol Regulations Update Newsletter, with information on correcting errors when a collector is not available, employer consequences for violations, and guidance on arbitration.
FTA published its 2023 Apportionment Tables, detailing $21 billion available to transit agencies and communities. In Table 9, Apportionments for Section 5311 (Formula Grants for Rural Areas) and Section 5340 (Growing States/High Density States Program Rural Area Apportionments) were combined to show a single amount of over $914 million.
FTA is seeking public comment on proposed changes to Circular 7050.1B regarding joint development projects using FTA funds or FTA-funded property. FTA is proposing to add technology to fuel a zero-emission vehicle to the circular. Comments are due March 31, 2023.
U.S. DOT established the Intelligent Transportation Systems Program Advisory Committee (ITSPAC) and is soliciting individuals who wish to be considered as members. Nominations must be received by March 1, 2023. |
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National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT) offers a free online course on Free GIS Tools for Transit Analysis and Map-Making. The course includes modules on developing GIS (geographic information systems) route and system maps and conducting ridership and marketing analyses.
Chaddick Institute is holding an Intercity Bus Webinar on February 23, 2023 from 3:00-4:00 PM ET. This webinar will discuss notable changes in the strategic direction of intercity bus travel during the calendar year 2022 & early 2023. |
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The International Transport Forum's Reporting Mobility Data: Good Governance Principles and Practices explores the issues that public authorities must address when establishing data-reporting mandates and policies. The report discusses data sharing issues, data-related risks, and privacy issues for personal data protection.
TCRP's Fare Capping: Balancing Revenue and Equity Impacts includes a review of the literature; a survey of 35 North American transit agencies that have recently considered implementing, are in the planning stages of implementing, or have implemented fare capping; and detailed case examples for five transit agencies that provide greater insight into the motivations, program designs, implementations, and lessons learned.
Distracted Driving in America by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety displays results of a national poll on distracted driving. The results found that among those whose jobs include driving responsibilities, 86% of those licensed drivers reported that they used a mobile device while driving for work in the past 90 days.
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Chat GPT is an open-access, artificial intelligence tool that answers questions in a conversational way. You can try a question like "What is rural transit?" and receive a response. It will also respond to follow-up questions and reject inappropriate requests.
Arizona Transit Association (AzTA) offers a filterable Buyer's Guide of transit vendors. Users can filter by product (such as vehicles, parts, etc.) or by a company with an A-Z list.
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) National Transit Map is a nationwide catalog of fixed-guideway and fixed-route transit services in America. A geospatial database is included that can be used to display transit agencies’ stops and routes for the purpose of supporting research, analysis, and planning.
The Transit ITS Data Exchange Specification (TIDES) is a framework for accessing and managing transit agency Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) data. This repository provides data schemas and tools to support historical transit operations data, including vehicle operations, passenger activity, fare collection, and other data. |
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Propose new topics for the TCRP's Synthesis Program for FY2022 by March 24, 2023. TCRP will fund seven new synthesis topics.
American Public Transportation Association (APTA) provides an Emerging Leaders Program, a 12-month program with skill-building workshops, roundtable sessions, online collaboration, and access to industry leader mentoring. Applications must be submitted by February 3, 2023.
The Colorado Association of Transit Agencies (CASTA)/Propel Change CASTA LEAD Academy provides transit professionals throughout the country with leadership skills and the professional foundation necessary to lead the transit industry. Applications are being accepted through March 3, 2023.
CDC announced new funding for obesity prevention programs in counties where more than 40% of adults have obesity. The High Obesity Program funds land grant universities which in turn engage with community extension services. Recipients will work collaboratively at the state level to leverage investments, partnerships, and resources from various sectors, such as transportation. Applications are due March 21, 2023.
National Council on Aging (NCOA) and the Aging and Disability Vaccination Collaborative led by USAging are awarding grants to communities to support transportation to vaccination sites and related activities. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis.
The U.S. Department of Labor Building Pathways to Infrastructure Jobs Grant Program is seeking to fund public-private partnerships to develop, strengthen, and scale promising and evidence-based training models in specialty occupation industries and related occupations. Applications are being accepted through April 23, 2023. |
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USDA announced that its Rural Development implementation waiver for the Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA) will expire on Feb. 3, 2023. After that date, all non-federal organizations receiving USDA Rural Development financial assistance for infrastructure projects will be required to exclusively use iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials manufactured in the U.S.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeks comment on potential rules to address digital discrimination of access to broadband service. The document proposes to adopt a definition of ‘‘digital discrimination of access,’’ revise the FCC's informal consumer complaint process to accept complaints of digital discrimination of access and adopt model policies and best practices for states and localities combating digital discrimination. Comments are due by February 21, 2023.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a Final Rule on March 27, 2023 on heavy-duty vehicle emission standards, focusing on air pollutants and toxins beginning no later than the model year 2027. |
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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.
Northwest Pennsylvania Mobility Alliance/Transit Association of South Carolina
Myrtle Beach, SC, February 1-2
Please stop by our booth!
Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO)
February 2, 1:00-2:00 PM
Center for Urban Transportation Research
February 3, 12:00-1:00 PM
American Bus Association
Detroit, MI, February 4-7
FTA
February 7, 1:00-3:30 PM
Smart Growth America
February 7-9
Native Learning Center
Hollywood, FL, Feb 7-9
TRB
February 8, 1:00-2:30 PM
TRB
February 8, 1:00-2:30 PM
AARP
February 8, 2:00-3:00 PM
FDLP Academy (Federal Depository Library Program)
February 8, 2:00-3:00 PM
U.S. DOT
February 8, 3:00 PM
National Institute for Congestion Reduction (NICR)
February 9, 12:00-1:00 PM
FTA
February 9, 1:00 PM
FTA
February 9, 1:00-2:30 PM
FTA
February 9, 1:00-3:30 PM
Transportation Energy Partners
Washington, DC, February 12-15
FORTH
February 14, 10:00-11:00 AM
America Walks
February 14, 2:00-3:00 PM
National RTAP
February 14, 2:00-3:30 PM ET
Disability Employment TA Center (DETAC)
February 14, 3:00 PM
FTA
February 15, 1:00-3:30 PM
TRB
February 15, 1:30-3:00 PM
FTA
February 16, 1:00-2:30 PM
National RTAP
February 16, 2:00-3:00 PM
Portland State University's Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC)
February 16, 3:00-4:00 PM
TransportationCamp
February 17, 8:15 AM - 3:30 PM
We're presenting!
Interagency Committee on Disability Research (ICDR)
February 21, 12:00-1:00 PM
Registration closes February 15, 2023.
TRB
February 22, 1:00-2:30 PM
FHWA
February 22, 1:00-3:00 PM
FTA
February 22, 2:00 PM
NADTC, NCMM, National RTAP, and SUMC
February 22, 2:00-3:30 PM
Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers
February 23, 12:00-1:30 PM
FHWA
February 23, 1:00 PM
Chaddick Institute
February 23, 3:00-4:00 PM
Southwest Transit Association (SWTA)
Aurora, CO, February 22-25
Please stop by our booth!
APTA
Las Vegas, NV, February 26 - March 1
N-CATT
February 28, 2:00 PM
FTA
February 28, 2:00-3:30 PM
Transportation Association of South Carolina (TASC)
Columbia, SC, March 1-5
We're presenting and exhibiting!
FTA
March 7, 1:00-2:30 PM
FORTH
March 14, 10:00-11:00 AM
FTA
San Diego, CA, March 14-16
Minnesota LTAP
March 16, 2:00-3:00 PM
Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association (DATIA)
Las Vegas, NV, March 22-25
ATTWG
Anchorage, AK, March 28-30
We're participating.
National RTAP
March 31
AzTA/ADOT
Mesa, AZ, April 3-5
We're presenting.
TRB
Washington, DC, April 11-12
Texas Transit Association
Corpus Christi, TX, April 11-15
Please visit our booth!
California Association for Coordinated Transportation (CalAct)
Truckee, CA, April 17-20
Please stop by our table!
New Jersey TransAction
Atlantic City, NJ, April 18-20
Please visit our booth!
DePaul University
Chicago, IL, April 27-28
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