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
TACL (Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library) News and Updates
Upcoming National RTAP and AASHTO MTAP Webinar on Succession Planning
Presentation Proposals for National RTAP Technical Assistance Conference Due April 30
FTA publishes Fiscal Year 2023 Apportionments, Allocations, and Program Information
IHS's Tribal Self-Governance Planning Cooperative Agreement Program Funding
|
|
TACL News and Updates
TACL, the Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library, extends a warm welcome to new task force members Lynn Winchell-Mendy, Program Analyst, FTA, and Shayna Gleason, Research Associate, Transit Workforce Center (TWC), as well as a new resource reviewer - Olivia Hook, Statewide Mobility Manager, Oklahoma Department of Transportation.
Eight new resources have been added and there are now 130 resources in TACL. New resources include:
Finally, the drop-down menus on the TACL FAQ and Training pages have been updated with a new design and enhanced functionality. |
|
Upcoming National RTAP/AASHTO MTAP Webinar on Succession Planning
Learn from National RTAP, AASHTO MTAP, along with an expert panel of transit agency and State DOT managers, on the components and steps to a successful succession plan. Be among the first to preview National RTAP’s new eLearning course on succession planning, which includes customizable templates.
|
|
Welcome New RTAP Managers
National RTAP is pleased to welcome new Connecticut RTAP Manager Sara Radacsi, new Nevada RTAP Manager Wendy Sharp, and new temporary Oklahoma RTAP Manager Eddie Machuca. To learn more about them or any State RTAP Manager, visit our Directory of RTAP Managers.
Save the Date - RideSheet Pilot Program Introduction Webinar, May 31, 2023, 2:00-3:30 PM ET
Are you a small agency looking for a simple, effective way to manage your operations? RideSheet, a free and open-source web application, might be just what you need. National RTAP is seeking agencies wanting to participate in a RideSheet Pilot Program. During this webinar we will discuss the successful implementation of RideSheet in Lake County, Oregon, and how it can improve productivity and professionalism for rural providers. Join us to learn more about RideSheet and explore the opportunity to use it for your agency. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for the registration link in the next eNews.
Upcoming National RTAP Events
In support of the forthcoming National Transit Database (NTD) reporting requirements for General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) for fixed and deviated fixed route service, National RTAP is offering free, live GTFS support Thursdays between 1:00-1:30 PM ET. Meet with our instructor, share your screen, and ask questions. Use this link to join the Zoom meeting – no preregistration is needed. GTFS support is also available Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM ET by contacting info@nationalrtap.org.
National RTAP and NADTC are co-hosting an Understanding the Entry-Level Driver Training Requirements webinar on May 8, 2023 from 2:00-3:00 PM ET. This webinar will outline the requirements and introduce resources from FMCSA, National RTAP, and Minnesota DOT to help you successfully navigate the rules.
Our next State RTAP Manager Peer Roundtable will be held on July 18, 2023, 2:00-3:00 PM ET. This is an informal session for State RTAP Managers to meet with their peers for a discussion of issues of interest to them. One issue we will be discussing will be the implementation of and training on the new NTD GTFS requirements.
Our Books in Transit Discussion Group has selected I Was Told It Would Get Easier by Abbi Waxman as our next book to read. A mother and daughter travel in a bus full of strangers for a college tour all along the east coast. Register for our meeting on August 22, 2023, 2:00-3:00 PM ET. The author will be joining us! |
|
National RTAP Participation in Upcoming Conferences
We're presenting and exhibiting at the following conferences and meetings:
- Minnesota RTAP Spring Training Workshop, May 1-2
- 2023 National Shared Mobility Summit, May 2-4, 2023
- 2023 engAGED and Commit to Connect: Social Engagement Virtual Summit, May 9-10
- 2023 CASTA Spring Training Conference, May 9-12
- MTA Spring Training Conference and Vendor EXPO, May 15-19
- MLA/SLA Annual Conference, May 16-19
- CTAA EXPO, May 20-25
- U.S. DOT and FTA Tribal Transit Symposium, May 24-25, 2023
- Public Health Improvement Training (PHIT) 2023, June 5-7
- PPTA Forging New Frontiers: 2023 Annual Meeting & Products Showcase, June 5-7
- West Virginia Public Transit Association Annual Conference, July 25-27
National RTAP Intercity Transportation Topic Guide Updated
Climate Change and Transit Twitter Chat Summary Published
Our third #ClimateTransit Twitter chat was held on April 21, 2023. The chat discussed how climate change could impact rural communities and transit agencies and how transit agencies can prepare for the potential effects of a changing climate and tackle emissions to mitigate potential climate impacts. The chat was moderated by Kate Mason, Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE), and Harrison Carpenter-Neuhaus, Climate Nexus. Read the chat transcript and summary.
Microtransit vs. Micromobility Presentation Slides Posted
We have completed posting presentation slides for our Microtransit vs. Micromobility Webinar Series.
This series was hosted by National Aging and Disability Transportation Center ( NADTC), National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM), National RTAP, and Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC). Participants learned the real difference between the two terms and how to plan a successful Microtransit service and found out about successful service examples.
Call for Presentations and Student Posters are Open for the National RTAP 2023 Conference
|
|
|
FTA published its Fiscal Year 2023 Apportionments, Allocations, and Program Information in the Federal Register on April 14, 2023. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) authorized $4.1 billion over five years to provide financial assistance for rural areas under section 5311(c)(3). In addition to the funds made available to States under section 5311, $114.6 million of the funds authorized for the section 5340 Growing States formula factors were apportioned to states for use in rural areas.
FTA proposed new requirements for Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans (PTASP) that include revised requirements for Agency Safety Plans and safety committees, cooperation with frontline transit worker representatives in their development, safety risk reduction programs, safety performance targets, de-escalation training, and addressing infectious diseases. FTA proposed to add a definition of ‘‘transit worker’’ that includes employees, contractors, and volunteers working on behalf of the transit agency, ensuring that transit worker-related requirements, such as training, will apply to volunteers. Comments are due June 26, 2023. |
|
National Aging and Disability Transportation Center's (NADTC) newest online course, Why Serving Everyone Doesn't Serve Everyone, is being presented May 1-21. This course will explore the importance of prioritizing intentional efforts to ensure community transportation is truly available to everyone who needs it. Registration closes today, April 27, 2023. |
|
Locating and Costing Congestion for School Buses and Public Transportation by the University of Florida Transportation Institute's Southeastern Transportation Research, Innovation, Development and Education Center (STRIDE) generated a tool that calculates delay time and the relative costs of delay that schools and public transit buses experience due to congestion. It also includes strategies such as route diversion, lane dedication, signal prioritization, queue jumping, and others.
The National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT) created Buzzwords in Tech: Correcting the Record to provide concise explanations for some of the newest concepts in technology, such as big data, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, and more.
National Center for Mobility Management's (NCMM) article on Building a Sustainable Mobility-as-a-Service Model in Rural New York described Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit's (TCAT) MaaS initiative that uses smartphones to streamline access to a variety of public and private transportation services across their local communities in a one-stop virtual setting. |
|
The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Simplified GHG Emissions Calculator can help organizations estimate and inventory annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The calculator will determine the direct and indirect emissions from all sources.
The latest data in the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) National Transportation Atlas Database shows that growth in alternative fueling stations for vehicles has risen significantly. As of April 1, 2023 the U.S. had more than 70,000 alternative fueling stations up nearly 90 percent since April 1, 2020.
Rural Health Information Hub offers a database of Rural Funding & Opportunities. Users can search by type, sponsor, topic, or state, and filter to find only active funding opportunities. |
|
Through the U.S. Department of Labor's Building Pathways to Infrastructure Jobs Grant Program, applicants will develop strategies that provide the training and supportive services needed to build a talent pipeline for career pathways in infrastructure-related industries, emphasizing programs serving people from rural or historically marginalized, underserved, and underrepresented communities. Applications are due July 7, 2023.
The National Academies are seeking suggestions for volunteer experts for the Climate Crossroads Advisory Committee, which will provide advice to staff on emerging needs and opportunities for climate-related activities. Suggestions are due May 1, 2023.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Indigenous Communities Fellowship is open to all innovators supporting community-based solutions by and for Indigenous communities across the U.S. The submission deadline is May 9, 2023.
USDA's Broadband Technical Assistance program is accepting applications through June 20, 2023. This program provides financial assistance through cooperative agreements to eligible entities to receive or deliver broadband technical assistance and training and supports the development and expansion of broadband cooperatives.
The Indian Health Service's Tribal Self-Governance Planning Cooperative Agreement Program is accepting applications through June 20, 2023. This program provides funding to Tribes interested in entering the Tribal Self-Governance Program and to existing Self-Governance Tribes interested in assuming new or expanded programs, services, functions, and activities.
The U.S. Department of Energy's Battery Workforce Challenge is a new three-year student competition that will challenge universities and vocational schools to design, build, test, and integrate an advanced EV battery pack into a vehicle. The application deadline is May 18, 2023.
The John A. Hartford Foundation 2023 Business Innovation Award recognizes organizations with strategic partnerships in health care that serve older adults and people with disabilities. This award is presented in partnership with USAging’s Aging and Disability Business Institute. Nominations must be submitted by May 5, 2023. |
|
FMCSA is seeking comments on four new crash types to be included in the Crash Preventability Determination Program (CPDP) through June 12, 2023, including a vehicle struck on the side by a motorist operating in the same direction and a vehicle struck because another motorist was entering the roadway from a private driveway or parking lot. FMCSA is also seeking comments on changes to existing crash types.
FHWA seeks public input on the implementation of section 60505: Environmental Review Implementation Funds of the Inflation Reduction Act. Comments must be received by June 1, 2023. The purpose of the funds is to support environmental reviews of surface transportation projects, which may include public transportation projects funded by FTA.
FMCSA invites comments through May 22, 2023 on proposed information collection on Human Factors Considerations in Commercial Motor Vehicle Automated Driving Systems and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. |
|
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.
RSAConference
San Francisco, CA, April 24-27
Including Disability Organizing Committee
April 25-27
Mineta Transportation Institute
April 27, 1:00 PM
U.S. DOT
April 27, 1:30-3:00 PM
National RTAP
April 27, 1:00-1:30 PM
FTA
April 27, 3:00 PM
FTA
April 27, 3:00 PM
DePaul University
Chicago, IL, April 27-28
President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID)
May 1, 12:00-5:00 PM
Minnesota RTAP
St. Cloud, MN, May 1-2
Stop by our resource table!
Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC)
Chicago, IL, May 2, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Transit Workforce Center (TWC)
May 2, 1:30 PM
U.S. DOT
May 2, 1:30-3:00 PM
National Transit Institute
May 2, 2:00-3:30 PM
Native Learning Center
May 2, 2:00-3:30 PM
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
May 2-3
Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC)
Chicago, IL, May 2-4, 2023
We're moderating a session
STRIDE
May 3, 12:00 PM
U.S. DOT ITS JPO
May 3, 2:00-3:00 PM
TRB
May 3, 2:00-3:30 PM
National RTAP
May 4, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting
Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, and San Diego State University
May 4, 2:00-3:00 PM
ITS America and AECOM
May 4, 2:00-3:00 PM
NADTC
May 4, 2:00-3:00 PM
National RTAP and NADTC
May 8, 2:00-3:00 PM
Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC)
May 8, 4:00-5:00 PM
Transit Planning 4 All (TP4A)
May 9, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Register by May 3, 2023
National RTAP and AASHTO MTAP
May 9, 2:00-3:00 PM
SWTA and NADTC
May 9, 2:30-3:30 PM
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
May 9, 3:00-4:00 PM
Transit Planning 4 All (TP4A)
May 9, 6:00-8:00 PM
Register by May 3, 2023
engAGED
May 9-10, 1:00-4:00 PM
One of our Review Board members is presenting.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
May 9-10
Colorado Association of Transit Agencies (CASTA)
Pueblo, CO, May 9-12
Please stop by our table!
Rural Health Information Hub
May 10, 1:00-2:00 PM
WTS International (Women's Transportation Seminar)
Atlanta, GA, May 10-12
National RTAP
May 11, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting
55+ Driver Safety Program
May 15, 10:00 AM
FORTH
Portland, OR, May 15-17
Montana Transit Association
Missoula, MT, May 15-19
Please visit our booth!
National Transit Institute
May 16, 2:00-3:00 PM
Medical Libraries Association/Special Libraries Assortation
Detroit Michigan and Virtual, May 16-19
We're presenting
CALSTART
San Diego, CA, May 17, 11:00 AM - 9:30 PM
Interagency Committee on Disability Research (ICDR)
May 17, 12:00 PM
FTA
May 17, 2:00-3:30 PM
National Safety Council (NSC)
Indianapolis, IN, May 17-19
National RTAP
May 18, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting
TRB
May 18, 2:00-3:30 PM ET
National Safety Council (NSC)
Indianapolis, IN, May 18-19
Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) and Oklahoma Transit Association
Oklahoma City, OK, May 20-25
Please visit our booth and our poster presentation!
National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM)
Oklahoma City, OK, May 22, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM) and the National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT)
Oklahoma City, OK, May 22, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
TRB
May 22, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
U.S. DOT and FTA
Oklahoma City, OK and Virtual, May 24-25, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
We are participating
National RTAP
May 25, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
May 25, 1:00-2:00 PM
ADRC, ACL, and RTI International
May 25, 3:00-4:00 PM
U.S. Census Bureau
May 31, 2:00-3:00 PM
National RTAP
June 1, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting
UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies
Burlington, VT, and Virtual, June 4, 9:00 AM - June 8, 1:00 PM
Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center (SARTAC)
June 5, 4:00-5:00 PM
Pennyslvania Public Transportation Association (PPTA)
Lancaster, PA, June 5-7
CDC, CSTLTS, and NNPHI
June 5-7
We are presenting!
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
June 6, 1:00-2:00 PM
National RTAP
June 8, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting
National Institute for Transportation and Communities (NITC)
June 8, 1:00-2:00 PM
National RTAP
June 13, 2:00-3:00 PM
National RTAP
June 15, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
June 15, 3:00-4:00 PM
National RTAP
June 22, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting
National RTAP
June 29, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting
Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) Transit Mobility Program, Co-hosted by National RTAP and SUMC
June 29, 2:00-3:30 PM
FTA
Boston, MA, July 9, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
