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 Marketing Workshop on Transit Market Research
National RTAP Technical Brief on Leading the Rural Transit Agency Updated
National RTAP TAM Topic Guide Updated
Opportunity to Provide Input on TCRP Project on Virtual Public Engagement
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Upcoming National RTAP Marketing Workshop #5: Transit Market Research – Understanding Our Riders
In order to effectively plan, market, and operate transit services, agencies need to understand who is riding, how and why they are using public transit, and how well it is meeting their needs. This session will discuss methods for collecting information about passengers, including both quantitative surveys and qualitative methods such as focus groups. It will cover questionnaire development, data collection, recruiting participants, and analyzing results.
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National RTAP Leading the Rural Transit Agency Technical Brief Updated
Our recently updated technical brief on Leading the Rural Transit Agency introduces concepts that will help transit leaders incorporate vision and values into decision-making, set goals and priorities, and make their agency’s mission statement a part of how and why they do business. Updates include a new ladder of leadership, ways to use social media to promote the transit agency, and an updated transit agency strategic plan.
National RTAP wishes to thank former Review Board member Connie Sipe, Acting HR Manager and Transit Program Administrator, Center for Community, Inc., Sitka, AK, for the review of the recent update.
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Save the Date - Upcoming Tribal Transit Training Conference
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 Starts Next Week
National RTAP is holding a GTFS: Three Steps to Online Trip Planning Training Series on May 19, 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.
Upcoming Marketing Workshop on Improving the Passenger Experience
Join us and Selena Barlow of Transit Marketing LLC for our sixth workshop on Improving the Transit Passenger Experience, to be held on June 28, 2022, 2:00-3:30 PM ET. This session will discuss the various elements of the transit passenger experience and what we can do to enhance each aspect in order to retain and build ridership.
National RTAP Participation in Upcoming Conferences and Meetings
We're presenting and exhibiting at the following conferences and meetings:
Save the Date for our Next 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, Inc., in partnership with National RTAP, N-CATT, NCMM, SUMC, NABSA, Propane Education & Research Council, and PennTRAIN, will be hosting the Transit Knowledge Sharing Retreat in Erie, PA on June 15-16 2022. The Retreat is sold out, but a waiting list is available. |
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National RTAP Solicitation for New Review Board Members
National RTAP is soliciting nominations through June 30, 2022 (the deadline was recently extended) 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 and access the nomination form.
National RTAP Transit Asset Management Topic Guide Updated
Get Ready for Rural Transit Day!
Our newest Rural Transit Day feature is a 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 (Rural Transit Day, July 16, falls on a Saturday this year). 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.
Rural Bus Training Maze Contest Winner Announced
Congratulations to Rhonda Everett, Finney County Transit Director, Finney County Committee on Aging, Inc., who was the first person to "drive" the bus through the Training Bus Stops in our Maze. We've also published the answer key to the maze.
TA Center Partner NADTC Announces Planning Grants to Address Transportation Inequities
The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) announced funding to support the development of program innovations and new models for equitable and accessible transportation to meet the needs of vulnerable and underserved populations, especially older adults and people with disabilities from diverse communities. National RTAP staff served on the selection committee for the grant awards. |
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The Washington, DC headquarters building of U.S. DOT was renamed the William T. Coleman, Jr. and Norman Y. Mineta Federal Building on May 6, 2022.
To prepare for compliance with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s new Made in America standards for construction materials, U.S. DOT is seeking comments on a proposed temporary waiver that would become effective on May 14, 2022. The proposed transitional waiver would expire 180 days after that date. Comments are due May 13, 2022. |
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AMF-Bruns of America offers a free Wheelchair & Occupant Securement online training program. The training includes a certification. |
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The University of Florida Transportation Institute Southeastern Transportation Research, Innovation, Development and Education Center developed a framework, methods, and algorithms for using connected vehicle data to estimate measures to support agency processes. Performance Measurement & Management using Connected & Automated Vehicle Data measures include safety, traffic flow, and emissions.
The University of Texas at Austin's Equity-Advancing Practices at Public Transit Agencies in the United States summarizes practices that can be widely employed by public transit agencies to advance equity-related goals, including a rural case study about rabbittransit. Recommended practices include achieving more meaningful public engagement, enhancing coordination and collaboration across decision-making entities, using technology, and altering hiring and contracting practices.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's Small Business Safety and Health Handbook summarizes the benefits of an effective safety and health program, provides self-inspection checklists for employers to identify workplace hazards, and reviews key workplace safety and health resources for small businesses. The Handbook includes a self-evaluation tool, an implementation checklist, and an audit tool. |
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U.S. Census Bureau's My Community Explorer is an interactive map-based tool that highlights demographic and socioeconomic data that measure inequality, helps users identify underserved communities, and can help inform data-based solutions.
The Portland State University's Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC) Electric Vehicle Incentive Cost and Impact Tool provides the ability to visualize the potential outcomes of an electric vehicle incentive program. Data includes internal combustion engine (ICE) trip making, electricity generation emissions profiles, and the average fuel economies of e-vehicles.
The FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training Provider Registry lets users search by training type, such as Class A, Class B, and Passenger Endorsement. |
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The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is conducting a statewide disparity study to assess whether minority- and woman-owned businesses face any barriers as part of Caltrans’ contracting processes with regard to FTA-funded contracts. Feedback from all businesses involved in transit contracting is encouraged, regardless of their status as a minority- or woman-owned business or if they have successfully contracted with Caltrans. If you are interested in participating in public meetings and/or focus groups to help guide this study, please contact Betsy Sava.
An NHTSA notice in the Federal Register requested information from interested parties to assist the agency to develop and implement a new discretionary grant program to increase the number of States, U.S. territories, and Indian tribes electronically transferring their motor vehicle crash data to NHTSA. Comments must be received by May 31, 2022.
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FMCSA published a Speed Limiter Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that motor carriers operating commercial motor vehicles higher than specific weights that are engaged in interstate commerce be equipped with an electronic engine control unit capable of governing the maximum speed required. Comments must be received by June 3, 2022.
A Presidential Statement published on April 26, 2022 outlines a new Department of Justice/Department of Labor partnership and how the federal government will be expanding and creating new programs and funding available for employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals. |
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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.
Administration for Community Living (ACL)
May 12, 1:00 PM
TRB
Washington, DC and online, May 12, 4:00-7:00 PM
Native Learning Center
May 13, 1:00-4:00 PM
TRB
May 13, 2:30-4:00 PM
Transit Planning 4 All
May 16, 2:00 PM
TRB
May 16 and 18
National Center for Rural Road Safety and NLTAPA Safety Work Group
May 17, 1:00-2:30 PM
U.S. DOT
May 17, 2:00 PM
National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine
Washington, DC, May 17-18
Shared-Use Mobility Center
Chicago, IL, May 17-18
Please visit our booth!
ITS America
May 18, 2:00-3:00 PM
National Safety Council
May 18, 2:00-3:00 PM
NDLTAP/UGPTI
Fargo, ND, May 18, 2:00-5:00 PM
Women’s Transportation Seminar / WTS International
Seattle, WA, May 18-20
Global Alliance on Ethics and Impact of Artificial Intelligence (GAEIA)
May 19, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
TRB
May 19, 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE)
May 19, 1:00-2:30 PM
National RTAP
May 19, May 26, and June 9, 2022, 1:00-2:00 PM
Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky
May 23-24, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Government Fleet
Detroit, MI, May 23-26
National RTAP
May 24, 2:00-3:30 PM
FHWA
May 24-25
National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE)
May 24 and 26
Colorado Association of Transit Agencies (CASTA)
Colorado Springs, CO, May 24-27
Please stop by our info table!
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
May 24, 3:00-4:30 PM, and June 7-8, 1:00-6:00 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
National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine
Washington, DC, June 2, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
HTA/Lake Transit/MTA/CALACT
Ukiah, CA, June 2-3
Please visit our booth!
Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC)
June 7, 4:00-5:00 PM
AASHTO Census Transportation Planning Products (CTPP)
Reno, NV, June 7-9
Global Fleet
Hollywood, FL, June 7-9
Q'Straint / Sure-Lok
June 9, 12:00-1:30 PM
FTA
June 9, 2:00 PM
National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)
Anchorage, AK, June 12-16
Montana Transit Association
Billings, MT, June 13-15
Please visit our booth!
National Transit Institute
June 13-16
1:00-3:30 PM
Wyoming Public Transit Association
Sheridan, WY, June 14-16
Please visit our booth!
Rural Grocery Initiative
Wichita, KS, June 20-21
Please visit our booth!
UMass Transportation Center
June 21-22, 1:00-3:00 PM
Nebraska Association of Transportation Providers
Norfolk, NE, June 22-23
Please visit our info table!
TRB
June 23, 1:30-3:00 PM
AASHTO National Transportation Product Evaluation Program (NTPEP)
Nashville, TN, June 26-30
National RTAP
Flagstaff, AZ, June 27-28
AASHTO
Lawrence, KS, June 23-July 1
National RTAP
June 28, 2:00-3:30 PM
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
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
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
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