In June, National RTAP updated two of its Toolkits. The Transit Manager's Toolkit received a comprehensive update, with two new pages, Charter Service and Operations Management Models, and new content on entry-level driver training, diversity, equity, and inclusion, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and more.

The State RTAP Manager's Toolkit was updated with data and analysis from the 2022 Survey of State RTAP Managers on training modes and topics, use of technology, and other metrics. See the State RTAPs: Status and Trends page.

The Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library (TACL) helps rural and tribal transit agencies access information about public transportation coordination. We are now offering a 24/7 online TACL training module through National RTAP eLearning. The course walks learners through all aspects of TACL and provides a certificate of completion upon successfully passing the test.

Our next training webinar will take place on August 11, 2022 from 2:00-3:00 PM ET.

TACL's quarterly update included 11 new resources, including a new TACL Partner resource: Rural Health Information Hub's (RHIhub) Transportation to Support Rural Healthcare. The TACL Task Force also extends a warm welcome to its newest Task Force member, Douglas Nevins, Researcher, Transportation Workforce Center, and our newest resource reviewer, Jonnie Kusek, Chief Operations Officer, Panhandle Transit Services.

U.S. DOT released a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the FY2022-2026 Tribal Transit Program Safety Fund (TTPSF). The funds are focused on addressing transportation safety issues in tribal communities. Applications must be received by September 15, 2022. U.S. DOT also published a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the new Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Discretionary Grant Program, which provides technical assistance and grant funding for planning and capital construction. Applications must be received by October 13, 2022.

FTA published Agency Safety Plan (ASP) Directory to illustrate various ways transit agencies are implementing Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) requirements. Transit agencies that would like to add your ASP to the ASP directory can contact PTASP-TAC@dot.gov.

FTA published Standards Development Program: Over-the-Counter and Prescription Drug Use in the Public Transit Industry. This report includes background research and analysis on the need for new standards, recommended practices, guidance documents, or procedural considerations in the areas of prescription and over-the-counter medication risk management.

FTA published Emerging Data Science for Transit: Market Scan and Feasibility Analysis. This report describes the state of the practice in the use of emerging data science tools and methodologies among U.S. transit agencies, identifies commonalities in the tools and methods being used, and outlines problems that agencies are seeking to solve using increasingly advanced data science approaches.

FTA is seeking comments through July 25, 2022 on whether Public Transportation Safety Agency Plan (PTSAP) information collection is necessary, whether Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program (PTSCP) information collection is necessary, and whether Fixed Guideway Capital Investment Grants (CIG) information collection is necessary. FTA is also seeking comments on ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected on these topics and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents.

The closing date for submitting applications for funding through FTA's Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development Planning – Section 20005(b) is July 25, 2022. This program provides funding to communities to integrate land use and transportation planning in new fixed guideway and core capacity transit project corridors.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) published the report DOT Has Taken Steps to Verify and Publicize Drug and Alcohol Testing Data but Should Do More. U.S. DOT is requesting information from potential users in the public to determine if there is a broader audience for the public data. Comments must be received by August 1, 2022.

FTA published their June 2022 Transit Safety and Oversight Spotlight Newsletter. The issue contains guidance for developing mitigations in response to the safety risk assessment and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law resources.

FTA proposes changes to National Transit Database (NTD) reporting requirements, including new sample-based monthly data on unlinked passenger trips and vehicle revenue miles, GTFS data, geospatial data for demand response modes, emergency contact information, and vehicle fuel type. Comments are due September 6, 2022.

The Transit Workforce Center (TWC) offers partially-subsidized transit frontline mentor training. This one-day intensive workshop is designed for employees designated as mentors to support on-the-job learning. The content includes a review of mentor roles, an introduction to learning styles, and a facilitated discussion about communication and problem-solving. The second half of the workshop includes role-playing exercises for the participants to practice what they learned.

National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT) offers a free online course in GIS Tools for Transit Analysis and Map-Making. This hands-on workshop is geared toward transit agency staff, with little to no previous GIS experience, who want to use GIS for analysis or map-making but may not have the resources to use a paid GIS program.

TCRP's Use of Agency Service Agreements in ADA Paratransit Delivery identifies and documents current practices for transit agencies that have negotiated and structured local agency service agreements with social service agencies to meet mutual needs.

Establishing a Transportation Liaison Program, prepared by the Volpe Center for FHWA, offers information on establishing dedicated liaison positions in resource and regulatory agencies to accelerate project delivery and improve environmental review processes. It recommends actions and identifies deliverables that agencies can produce after completing a particular stage of developing a liaison program.

National Aging and Disability Transportation Center's (NADTC) Trends Report on Transportation for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) defines intellectual and developmental disabilities and describes how travel training can help riders with I/DD.

eTAT is a new app from Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) to help drivers identify and report labor and sex trafficking. Drivers can also view human trafficking red flags and examples, as well as scan QR codes with their mobile devices to access training videos, podcast episodes, and more.

Automotive Fleet and Vincentric created a Vehicle Research Tool to compare the lifecycle costs of running a vehicle. For example, data on vans shows cost per mile, total actual depreciation, total fuel cost, acquisition and maintenance cost, and other data, for various models.

The ACL/CDC Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) is a no-cost hotline that helps people with disabilities access information about COVID-19 vaccines and tests, as well as identify, locate, and connect to community resources and programs that support independent living, such as transportation.

The Metro Magazine Innovative Solutions Awards honor transit agencies that have partnered with solutions providers within the last year to implement a new innovation that has saved money, improved customer satisfaction, efficiency, or safety, streamlined operations, or increased ridership. The nomination deadline is July 15, 2022.

Community Care Corps is accepting proposals for grants. Community Care Corps will fund projects that foster innovative volunteer models that support older adults, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers to maintain their independence, health, and well-being. Proposals are due July 8, 2022.

USDA is making available up to $4 million in cooperative agreement funds under the Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge (RPIC) for eligible entities to help provide planning support, technical assistance, and training to foster placemaking activities in rural communities. The application deadline is August 15, 2022.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) published a notice about transitioning to the 5.9 GHz Safety Band by July 5, 2022, providing guidance on how intelligent transportation systems licensees will notify FCC by July 20, 2022 about the ceasing of their operations in the lower 45 MHz and moving Dedicated Short-Range Communications operations into the upper 30 MHz or ceasing operations.

Effective August 30, 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) modified existing and established new statutory volume targets for cellulosic biofuel, advanced biofuel, total renewable fuel, and biomass-based diesel.

NHTSA develops the Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria (MMUCC) and is forming a committee to inform the development and revision of the MMUCC Guideline. Comments must be submitted by September 6, 2022.

Cedar Rapids, IA, July 6-8

Fort Lauderdale, FL, July 9-11

Austin, TX, July 10-13

July 12, 12:00-1:30 PM

July 12, 1:00-2:00 PM

July 12, 1:00-2:30 PM

July 13, 12:00 PM

July 13, 1:00-2:00 PM

July 13, 2:00 PM

July 13, 2:00-3:00 PM

July 14, 12:00 PM

July 14, 2:00-3:00 PM

July 14, 2:00 PM

July 15, 1:30-3:00 PM

July 15, 2:00-3:00 PM

Garden Grove, CA, July 18-21

Seattle, WA, July 18-21

July 19, 1:00-3:30 PM

Kansas City, MO, July 19 -21

July 21, 1:00-2:00 PM

July 21, 2:00-3:00 PM

Portland, OR, July 24-27

Rogers, AR, July 24-27

Roanoke, WV, July 26-28

July 27, 2:00 PM

NADTC Office Hours: "How Can I Assist You?" Reasonable Modification to Policy Considerations

July 27, 2:00-3:00 PM

July 28, 12:00 PM

July 28, 1:00-1:45 PM

July 29, 2:00-3:00 PM

August 4, 1:00-1:45 PM

Pittsburgh, PA, August 7-10

August 11, 2:00-3:00 PM

August 17, 2:00-3:00 PM

Louisville, KY, August 22-26

Spokane, WA, August 27-30

Boise, ID, August 29-31

Wichita, KS, August 29-31

Orlando, FL, August 30-31

Santa Fe, NM, September 6-8

Park City, UT, September 7-10

September 8, 12:00- 1:30 PM

September 12-15, 1:00-3:30 PM

September 12-16

Aberdeen, SD, September 16-20

Los Angeles, CA, September 18-22

Washington, D.C., September 19-21

Anaheim, CA, September 19–21

September 19-22, 1:00-5:00 PM

September 26-29, 1:00-5:00 PM

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.