SMART Grants Fund Innovations

in Data & Technology Systems 

USDOT is now accepting applications for the 2nd year of its Strengthening Mobility & Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program.

The SMART program was established under the BIL to provide grants to eligible public sector agencies to conduct demonstration projects focused on advanced smart community technologies and systems in order to improve transportation efficiency and safety. 

The DOT hosted a “How to Apply for an FY23 SMART Grant” webinar on August 17 that included an overview of the SMART Grants Program and information about the application process. Click here to watch the recording.

Applications must be submitted by 5:00pm ET on October 10, 2023,

to the Valid Eval submission website.

Basic Nonresidential Relocation

Under the Uniform Act Training

September 19th - 26th, 2023

The National Highway Institute (NHI) is offering a training series on Basic Nonresidential Relocation Under the Uniform Act.

This 3-day course focuses on understanding the Uniform Act and its regulatory sensitivity toward nonresidential displaced persons to ensure they are treated fairly, consistently, equitably, and do not suffer disproportionate injuries as a result of federal or federally assisted projects.

The September course is scheduled for:

• September 19th - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET
• September 21st - 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM ET
• September 26th - 12:00 PM - 3:30 PM ET

This course is ideal for professionals who provide relocation assistance to nonresidential entities that are being displaced by a federal-aid project.

Click here to register now or contact course coordinator Blair D'Amato at blair.damato.ctr@dot.gov for more information.

Project Delivery Center of Excellence

The USDOT has launched the Project Delivery Center of Excellence, based at the USDOT Volpe Center, to help recipients of federal infrastructure funds deliver projects more efficiently and effectively.

The Center of Excellence will serve as a central resource for innovative and effective practices and bring project managers together to enable knowledge sharing and peer-to-peer learning. 

Initial plans for the Center include:

• Centralizing Project Delivery Methods Best Practices & Convening Information Exchanges
• Streamlining Transportation Construction Contracts
• Addressing the Causes of & Preventing Construction Change Orders

For this launch, USDOT is hosting a series of webinars with transportation practitioners, thought leaders, and Secretary Buttigieg. The next webinar – Embedding Equity in Project Delivery – is scheduled for September 7th from 1:00-2:00pm ET.

Register now or click here for more information.

Local Assistance Day

September 13, 2023, 8:30 - 11: 30am PST

The Caltrans Division of Local Assistance (DLA), in partnership with the Regional Transportation Planning Agencies Group, invites you to join its Local Assistance Day statewide webinar on September 13, 2023.



This quarterly event informs RTPAs, MPOs, LPAs, and other interested transportation parties about information sharing, local project delivery policies, processes, procedures, and facilitating peer-sharing of best practices.

Specific topics include:



• Toll Credits w/ Q&A Session
• Timely Use of Funds
• FHWA Award Winning Innovation "Safe Sighting of Signs & Signals" from the City of Walnut Creek

These webinars are free and attendance is encouraged for anyone who works with Caltrans local assistance processes for local or tribal agencies.

Register now or contact DLA with any questions.

New Sustainable Engineering Training

Fugitive Dust Mitigation

September 14th, 2023, 9:00am – 12:00pm PT

CALTAP is hosting an online training class detailing the sources, impact, and mitigation of fugitive dust as a construction byproduct, the first in a series of Sustainable Engineering Training Academy (SETA) modules targeting transportation and construction engineers, planners, and project managers.

Mixing lecture with case studies and interactive exercises, course participants will learn what fugitive dust is, how its commonly released during construction phases, how to calculate that release, and what mitigation strategies exist.

FDM Target Audience:

• Industry professionals involved in securing, planning, & implementing construction projects and mitigating their environmental impact

• Engineering students interested in understanding & mitigating airborne particulates released during construction operations

Instructors & Presenters:

• Hamid Rahai, Professor/Director, Center for Energy & Environmental Research & Services, Cal State Long Beach
• David Khorram, Superintendent of Building & Safety, Long Beach Development Services, Building & Safety Bureau, City of Long Beach
• Kenneth Taylor, Design Manager, Griffith Company

Class size is limited — register now to secure your spot!

Caltrans Tribal Monitor Survey

The Caltrans Division of Environmental Analysis/Cultural Studies Office is surveying local and regional agencies in an effort to establish more consistent statewide policies regarding the participation and reimbursement of California Native American Tribes in project environmental and cultural studies, including tribal monitoring of transportation activities.

Your response to this five-question survey is confidential and greatly appreciated, as it will assist Caltrans in advancing the development of guidance for broad mutual benefit among all parties.

For an overview of current guidance and procedures on this topic, please see Caltrans FAQ on Native American Consultation & Consideration of Tribal Traditional Knowledge.

Complete the survey now - it only takes a few minutes!

NCHRP Research Report 1050

Wrong-Way Driving Solutions Handbook

The Transportation Research Board's (TRB) National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) has released their Wrong-Way Driving Solutions Handbook to help provide solutions to wrong-way driving accidents.

Wrong-way driving (WWD) crashes cause hundreds of fatalities and thousands of injuries annually in the United States. Although WWD crashes have been a concern since the advent of access-controlled divided roadways, the problem persists despite efforts to address it over time.

Wrong-Way Driving Solutions, Policy, & Guidelines (NCHRP Document 357) was also released this past week as a companion to the report.

Access the full report here.

Check-Out Our Site Recently?

New Updates Released

As more CALTAP site features get released, know that we'll be bringing you new resource collections to simplify your search for eligible funding, online presentations and webinars, and on-demand recorded trainings.

Also be sure to checkout our online training and events calendars, where you'll find upcoming classes, conference, and webinars by event date. Most are free of charge and support online attendance.

Visit www.caltap.org for all of your

local agency training, news, and event needs

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