National RTAP eNews - January 7, 2021

eNews - January 7, 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.

State RTAP Manager's Toolkit Updated with Training Videos

Indiana RTAP, administered by RLS and Associates, Inc., has provided National RTAP with two videos so visitors can take a virtual visit to the RTAP program's 60-person capacity training facility, resource center, and roadeos. Their training room has a lift, so they can perform passenger assistance training. The videos can be accessed at the bottom of our State RTAP Manager's Toolkit training section, or you can view the Sample Training Video and Wheelchair Training Video on our YouTube channel.

Indiana RTAP Training Video Showing a person assisting a dummy passenger on a lift

Featured Resource

Upcoming National RTAP Webinar on Rural Transit Planning in the Time of COVID and Beyond

Join us for a webinar on Rural Transit Planning in the Time of COVID and Beyond on January 14, 2021, 2:00-3:30 PM, presented by Ken Hosen of the KFH Group, who will walk participants through planning efforts that rural and tribal transit agencies can undertake through three phases: 1) During the pandemic, 2) Recovery from the pandemic and 3) Post-pandemic. It will also cover transit planning basics and best practices.

Resources and Events

Attend a National RTAP/CALACT/RIBTC Webinar on Financial Management and Indirect Cost Rates

Register for a webinar on Financial Management and Indirect Cost Rates hosted by National RTAP, CALACT, and the RIBTC Conference Committee on January 12, 2021, 3:00-5:00 PM ET. Speaker Rich Garrity of RLS & Associates will discuss compliance with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance relating to the management of FTA grants and the impact of the recent regulatory changes.

State RTAP Manager's Peer Roundtable Next Week

State RTAP Managers are invited to join us for a State RTAP Manager's Peer Roundtable on January 12, 2021, 2:00-3:00 PM ET. Join National RTAP staff and fellow State RTAP Managers for an informal discussion about State RTAP program issues and trends. No need to pre-register, just join the Roundtable at the time of the meeting. RSVP for a calendar invite. Topics we will be covering may include third-party RTAP program administration, committees and boards, virtual learning scholarships, equity and diversity, and fellowships.

Join our #RuralTransitTraining Twitter Chat

RSVP for a Rural Transit Training Twitter Chat on January 19, 2021, 2:00-3:00 PM ET. Share training topics, strategies, and techniques with RTAP managers and trainers. The moderators are Stephanie Lewis, Florida RTAP Project Manager, and Instructional Designer/Media Specialist, Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR), and Angie Jones, District Manager, Grant County Transportation District (People Mover).

Upcoming What's New in the Transit Manager's Toolkit Webinar

We're hosting a What's New in the Transit Manager's Toolkit webinar on January 26, 2021, 2:00-3:00 PM ET. Join National RTAP Review Board members Julia Castillo, Laura Corff, and Shauna Miller for an introduction to the updated content. Register for the webinar.

Tribal Transit System Training Presentation Slides Posted

On December 8, 2020, South West Transit Association (SWTA) Lead Trainer Walt Diangson and Bois Forte Public Transportation Manager Jennie Rowland gave a presentation on Planning, Funding, Developing, Starting, and Sustaining a Tribal Transit System at the Intertribal Transportation Association (ITA) 2020 Virtual Meeting. Access the presentation slides.

U.S. DOT and FTA Updates

On January 6, 2021, FTA established an Emergency Relief Docket for calendar year 2021 so that recipients and sub-recipients affected by a national or regional emergency or disaster may request temporary relief from FTA administrative and statutory requirements.

U.S. DOT will be establishing an Inclusive Design Reference Hub library of resources on accessibility in automation, and working with outside experts to study voluntary best practices for ensuring accessibility in automated vehicles. They invite stakeholders to provide input on the process, the qualifications of entities that are best suited to perform this work, and considerations to ensure the long-term sustainability of the initiative. Feedback must be received by January 20, 2021.

FTA published a Transit Asset Management Resource Table with FTA reports, materials from webinars and roundtables, and publications from external stakeholders. Resources can be searched by keyword, author, date range, or document type.

U.S. DOT is amending the small business size limit under its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program, also known as the gross receipts cap. This final rule increases the gross receipts cap applicable to firms for purposes of FHWA and FTA assisted work to $26,290,000. The rule is effective on January 13, 2021.

FTA, FHWA, and FRA issued a final rule, effective January 27, 2021, to establish the regulations governing the U.S. DOT Program for Eliminating Duplication of Environmental Reviews. A Pilot Program will authorize up to two states to conduct environmental reviews and make approvals for projects under state environmental laws and regulations, instead of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This final rule also implements Section 1308 of the FAST Act, which amends the corrective action period of the Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program (Section 327 Program).

U.S. DOT's Build America Bureau published a Notice of Funding Opportunity to establish a Regional Infrastructure Accelerators Demonstration Program. The program is soliciting applications for designating and funding Regional Infrastructure Accelerators (RIA) through March 16, 2021.

FTA posted a new FAQ (CE18) regarding funding eligibility of transportation services to COVID-19 vaccination sites that covers the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Emergency Relief funding, and Section 5311 funding requirements. This funding will be in place through January 20, 2022.

Webinars and Training

If you're attending TransitCon on January 31, 2021, National RTAP staff will be presenting an interactive tour of the wide array of training and technical assistance resources on our website between 12:45-1:15 PM ET.

National Transit Institute offers the following free, introductory, self-paced, online courses:

Publications

National Center for Mobility Management's (NCMM) and University of Minnesota's The Role of Transportation in Addressing Social Isolation in Older Adults found that rural residents are more likely than urban residents to continue driving, and have more restricted access to public transportation. The report calls for a coordinated action to ensure that all older adults have equitable access to destinations that support their well-being.

EBP US, Inc.'s Supporting Rural Communities Through Clean Transportation Investments examines a variety of ways transportation funding—whatever the source—might be used to reduce emissions while addressing deficiencies in rural transportation systems and provides a framework for assessing these policies. Solutions include improving intra-regional transit in rural areas and converting fleets to electric vehicles.

AARP Policy Institute's and Texas A&M Transportation Institute's Volunteer Driver Insurance in the Age of Ridehailing presents information on insurance for volunteer driver programs and includes case studies about public transportation volunteer driver programs.

FHWA's Transportation and Rural Livability Fact Sheet contains information about benefits, effective strategies, and success stories from three states.

Bureau of Transportation Statistics' (BTS) 2020 Transportation Statistics Annual Report (TSAR) was published. The report presents key transportation indicators and an overview of the transportation system. It also includes data on passenger travel, transportation, economy, system reliability, safety, energy use, and environmental impacts of transportation.

Databases and Tools

Google launched an On-demand Rides & Deliveries application that lets customers know a driver’s estimated time of arrival, expected route, and estimated trip prices

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers an interactive map on COVID-19 Vaccinations in the United States. Data includes persons receiving their first dose and the number of vaccines distributed in the U.S.

National RTAP Welcomes New Staff Member

National RTAP extends a warm welcome to new eLearning Support staff Julie Quinn. Julie is here to help users complete their courses with ease. To learn more about Julie or any of our staff, please visit our Staff web page.

Opportunities

The AASHTO Transportation Curriculum Coordination Council (TC3) invites stakeholders to suggest web-based courses to be developed for the upcoming year. Course submittals are reviewed and prioritized for development.

Health Resources and Services Administration is accepting applications for their Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) through March 12, 2021 to enhance rural residents’ ability to access treatment and move towards recovery. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is accepting applications for FY 2021 Tribal Opioid Response grants through February 16, 2021 to increase access to culturally appropriate and evidence-based treatment.

Participate in a National RTAP Intercity Bus Survey

National RTAP is updating resources and training for intercity bus stakeholders involved in meeting rural transportation needs through Section 5311(f). We are working with FTA and TRB’s AP055 Rural, Intercity Bus, and Specialized Transportation Committee to reach stakeholders interested in supporting national and regional networks.

Please take the 2021 Intercity Bus Survey to help determine priority topics and issues. Based on responses, we will develop webinars, peer roundtables, technical briefs, and/or other training formats.

Legislation

FMCSA now allows states to permit a third-party skills test examiner to administer the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) skills test to applicants whom the examiner has also provided skills training, a practice previously prohibited under FMCSA regulations.

Relax. A Special Stress Management Workshop from National RTAP

In this special workshop, built on principles of National RTAP's Healthy Habits technical brief, you will learn how to manage stress and truly relax, even during difficult times. You will be led through gentle exercises and a relaxing rural transit-themed guided visualization that will truly make your stress disappear. Plus you'll receive tips to help you reduce stress now and in the future. Register to attend the workshop on February 17, 2021 from 2:00-3:00 PM ET.

Calendar of 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.

National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE)

Maximizing Public and Private Sector Investments in Communications Systems

January 7, 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm ET