eNews - February 29, 2024

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 Rural and Tribal Transit Training on Capital Projects

New National Best Practices Spotlight Article on Shared-Use Paths

New Rural Transit Day Proclamation Template Available

Upcoming FTA FY2024 Bus/Low-No Webinar 

U.S. DOT Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity

New National RTAP Best Practices Spotlight Article on Shared-Use Paths

A shared-use path (also called a multi-use path) is a bikeway, at least 8 feet in width, physically separated from motor vehicle traffic by an open space or barrier, and within a highway or independent right-of-way. In addition to bicycle use, shared-use paths may also be used by pedestrians, skaters, wheelchair users, joggers, and other users. This National RTAP Best Practices Spotlight Article highlights a shared-use path project that spans across Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

National RTAP is grateful for the contributions to this article by Michael J. Farrell, Senior Transportation Planner, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

New Rural Transit Day Proclamation Template Available

Although Rural Transit Day is not until July 16, 2024, we are sharing this new resource so organizations can start to plan. Several individuals have requested a Rural Transit Day Proclamation Template, so we created one with assistance from Bakari Height, Transit Organizer, Labor Network for Sustainability.

To access the template, visit the Rural Transit Day web page and click on the second button in the right-hand column (under the Take the Pledge button). The template will download to your computer. It is a Word document that can be fully customized and can be used at every level, including by transit agencies, municipalities, elected officials, etc. If you have any questions about the template, please contact us.

FTA will be holding an FY2024 Bus/Low-No Webinar on March 5, 2024 from 2:00-3:30 PM ET. FTA will discuss the FY 2024 Bus Competitive Program and Low-No Program NOFO, including application requirements and changes from FY 2023. The webinar will feature a Q&A session focused on rural and tribal applicants.

Applications are being accepted through May 16, 2024 for applications for U.S. DOT Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grants. Funds support initiatives to prevent death and serious injury on roads and streets involving all roadway users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation, personal conveyance, micromobility, motorists, and commercial vehicle operators.

U.S. DOT published an update of the DOT Equity Action Plan. The update outlines new actions that U.S. DOT is committing to across the following five focus areas: Wealth Creation; Power of Community; Proactive Intervention, Planning, and Capacity Building; Expanding Access; and Institutionalizing Equity.

U.S. DOT's Mobility Equity Research Initiative seeks to advance research and technologies that support the Department’s goal of expanding accessibility and mobility to underserved communities, including people with disabilities, older Americans, and rural and disadvantaged communities. Applications from institutions of higher education will be accepted through March 22, 2024.

U.S. DOT released a new report, Investing in America: Best Practices to Expand Access to Jobs and Economic Opportunity Through Transportation Infrastructure Investments, on ways for states and local jurisdictions to expand access to construction jobs. The report includes recommendations for transportation agencies to expand access to jobs and opportunities for underrepresented groups such as women, youth, people with disabilities, and people of color.

FTA's February 2024 Transit Safety and Oversight Spotlight newsletter highlights the new Transit Customer Assault Prevention Resources webpage and shares Human Trafficking Prevention Resources.

The Transit Workforce Center's (TWC) new Train-the-Trainer Level 1 course is a week-long course for new and experienced trainers that includes adult learning theory, teaching techniques, and presentation skills. Train-the-Trainer Level 2 is a three-day course that builds on Level 1. Contact Kristen Ribaudo if you are interested in scheduling a Train-the-Trainer class at your agency. TWC also offers Train-the-Mentor programs; contact Maurice Beard if you would like to schedule a session.

There are many upcoming training opportunities to assist transit agencies in their zero emission transition (see our upcoming events listings for even more):

• How U.S. Cities and Counties Are Accelerating the Deployment of EV Charging Infrastructure Webinar
• FY2024 Bus/Low-No Webinar
• Electrification 2024 International Conference & Exposition
• Electric Vehicle Adoption Leadership (EVAL) Information Session

The newest addition to the National RTAP Resource Library Circulating Collection is Are We There Yet? Building America's Transportation Infrastructure Network, a look back at the history of transportation and its infrastructure.​ Topics include the public/private partnerships that built our transportation network, how transportation opens access to historic sites and scenic wonders, and the future of our transportation network.

NCHRP's Developing a Guide for Managing Performance to Enhance Decision-Making provides guidance on how agencies can strengthen their gathering and use of feedback to inform actions and performance activities.

National Aging and Disability Transportation Center's (NADTC) Transportation Call Centers and Information & Referral/Assistance is a best practice brief that highlights successful strategies call centers can use to increase ridership by simplifying the process and increasing trust. It includes rural case studies.

Infrastructure Solutions published a 2024 Charger Catalog with specifications for plug-in, overhead, and mobile electric bus chargers from various manufacturers. Data includes operating temperature range, maximum altitude, special features, and other information.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) published its Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0. The Framework provides guidance to industry, government

agencies, and other organizations to manage cybersecurity risks. It offers a taxonomy of cybersecurity outcomes that can be used by any organization to better understand, assess, prioritize, and communicate its cybersecurity efforts. 

The Alternative Fueling Station Locator from the U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center shows electric vehicle charging stations in the United States by charging level, access type, station status, and other key data points. At the time of this writing, there are more than 170,000 public charging ports across the country, with an average of 900 new chargers opening each week. 

Smart Growth America's Complete Streets Policy Evaluation Tool quantifies the Complete Streets Policy Framework and can help identify policy strengths, as well as areas where the policy can be improved. Users can search for policies by MPO, state, municipality, or county.

USDA's Cultural Landscape Training Path is a Story Map intended to increase respect for the land, and engagement with Indigenous communities. It includes videos, documents, and a Policy Reference Chart Tool.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) recently updated its National Transportation Atlas Database with new data for the Intercity Bus Atlas, National Transit Map Stops, state boundaries, and other data.

The National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM) added a filtering feature to its Daily News web page. Users can filter by topic (such as rural communities, fare payment, etc.) and/or by date.

N-CATT is accepting applications for transit agencies to receive one-on-one technical assistance through the Center's Strategic Technology Technical Assistance Teams (STTATs). N-CATT will work with transportation providers to navigate a technology challenge or opportunity that results in a useful starting product for the agency

Please submit your application in one document in PDF format to carpenter@ctaa.org.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory announced the Clean Bus Planning Awards (CBPA) program, which is funded by the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation. The program provides free technical assistance to create comprehensive and customized bus electrification plans for transit fleets across the U.S. through Fiscal Year 2024.

The Transit Workforce Center (TWC) maintains a Transit Agency Recruitment Video Library. If your agency has recruitment videos to share, please contact Communications Manager David Stephen to request that they be added to the library. 

The National Safety Council (NSC) has several award opportunities currently available, including Workplace and Safe Driver Awards, Green Cross for Safety Awards, and CEOs Who Get It Awards. The Joseph M. Kaplan Safe Driver of the Year Award will be accepting nominations through March 31, 2024.

The ADA Guru is conducting a survey of ADA Paratransit Eligibility Determination programs throughout the U.S. The purpose of this survey is to understand how public transit agencies manage the eligibility determination process and to understand the many unique approaches used in the industry.

The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) is collecting stories from transit agencies that are celebrating or supporting DEI initiatives that encourage gender equality within transportation. If you'd like to share a story, fill out this form.

The General Services Administration (GSA) proposes to amend the Federal Management Regulation, which contains regulatory policies concerning property management and related administrative activities. Changes include removing, adding, and modifying definitions, eliminating gender pronouns, streamlining requirements, and revising statutory references. Comments will be accepted through April 16, 2024.

The comment period for the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems Proposed Rule has been extended to March 26, 2024.

FMCSA proposed to amend the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations to incorporate by reference the most recent edition of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, Inc. Commercial Driver's License Information System State Procedures Manual. This would require all State driver's licensing agencies to use this edition of the manual to provide guidance on the information systems procedures of the commercial driver's license program. Comments are due March 21, 2024.

Effective March 22, 2023, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Bureau of the Fiscal Service Final Rule on Management of Federal Agency Disbursements will update the electronic funds transfer (EFT) requirement by narrowing the scope of existing waivers from the EFT mandate or requiring agencies to obtain Fiscal Service's approval to invoke certain existing part 208 waivers.  

Congress established a bipartisan Task Force on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to explore innovation and safeguard the U.S. against current and emerging threats. Twelve members of the Task Force represent key committees of jurisdiction. The Task Force will produce a report that will include guiding principles, recommendations, and bipartisan policy proposals developed in consultation with committees of jurisdiction.

Effective April 26, 2024, FMCSA will amend its regulations to implement the statutory exemption from its operating authority registration requirements for providers of recreational activities. The exemption applies to motor vehicles designed or used to transport between 9 and 15 passengers (including the driver), whether operated alone or with a trailer attached, if the motor vehicle is operated by a person that provides recreational activities within a 150 air-mile radius of the location at which passengers initially boarded the motor vehicle at the beginning of the trip. 

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.

TRB 

Emerging Technology, Tools, and Practices to Address Impaired Driving Webinar

February 29, 12:00-1:30 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

February 29, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

World Resources Institute

How U.S. Cities and Counties Are Accelerating the Deployment of EV Charging Infrastructure Webinar

February 29, 2:00-3:00 PM

FTA

FTA Bus Procurement Best Practices Update Webinar

February 29, 2:30 PM

U.S. DOT Advisory Committee on Transportation Equity (ACTE)

ACTE Virtual Public Meeting 

March 1, 2:30-4:30 PM

The registration form will close on February 29

Mobility, Access, and Transportation Insecurity (MATI) Program

MATI Office Hours

March 5, 1:00-2:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

March 5, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

FTA

FY2024 Bus/Low-No Webinar

March 5, 2:00-3:30 PM

National Transit Institute

NTD Reduced and Rural Reporting Safety & Security Data Webinar

March 5, 2:00-3:30 PM

AV America

Autonomous Vehicles and Public Transport Conference

San Francisco, CA, March 5-6

U.S. DOT

Meaningful Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-making DOT-Hosted Virtual Training

March 6, 12:00-3:00 PM ET

Registration will close on March 1, 2024

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

March 7, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

U.S. DOT

Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Program - Action Plans Webinar

March 7, 1:30 PM

WTS International

WTS Policy Symposium

Washington, DC, March 7-8

U.S. DOT

Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Program - Supplemental Planning and Demonstration Activities Webinar

March 8, 1:30 PM

National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) and the Development District Association of Appalachia (DDAA) 

2024 NADO & DDAA Washington Conference

Arlington, VA, March 10-13

U.S. DOT Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)

4th Annual Women’s Small Business Transportation Summit

March 12, 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM

Mobility, Access, and Transportation Insecurity (MATI) Program

MATI Office Hours

March 12, 1:00-2:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

March 12, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Native Learning Center

Updates to Davis Bacon & Related Acts Webinar

March 12, 2:00-3:30 PM

U.S. DOT ITS JPO

Georgia DOT ITS4US Deployment Program Phase 2 Webinar

March 12, 2:00 - 3:30 PM

Native Wellness Institute

Being an Ally in Indian Country Online Training

March 12-13 

Safe Electrification Coalition

Safe Summit 2024

Washington, DC, March 12-13

National RTAP and Transportation Safety Institute (TSI)

Safety, Security, and Emergency Management Considerations for FTA Capital Projects Course

Santa Fe, NM, March 12-14 

EPRI

Electrification 2024 International Conference & Exposition

Savannah, GA, March 12-14

U.S. DOT

U.S. DOT Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking Virtual Meeting

March 13, 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM

To register, contact trafficking@dot.gov by March 5, 2024. 

Forth

Electric Vehicle Adoption Leadership (EVAL) Information Session 

March 13, 1:00-1:30 PM

Institute for Human Services, Inc. (IHS)

Poverty 101 Workshop

March 13, 1:00-2:30 PM

U.S. DOT 

Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Program - Implementation Grants Webinar

March 13, 1:30 PM

Forth

Design and Fund Equitable Electric Transportation For Communities Workshop

Washington, DC, March 14, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

March 14, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Texas Transit Association (TTA)

TTA Annual State Conference, Expo, and Roadeo

San Antonio, TX, March 15-20

Please visit our booth!

Native Learning Center

Steps to Starting a Tribal Business Training

Hollywood, FL, March 18-19

AASHTO

2024 TechEx Conference

Boston, MA, March 18-21 

Mobility, Access, and Transportation Insecurity (MATI) Program

MATI Office Hours

March 19, 1:00-2:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

March 19, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Steuben County Human Services Transportation Advisory Committee and National RTAP

March 19, 1:30-3:00 PM ET  

No preregistration is necessary; join at the time of the meeting. 

United Motorcoach Association (UMA)

2024 Bus and Motorcoach Industry Legislative Fly-In

Washington, DC, March 19-20

Forth 

Driving Change with a Sustainability Certification Webinar

March 20, 3:00-4:00 PM

President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID) 

Virtual Public Meeting

March 21, 12:00-5:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

March 21, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Braunability

DPA-2 Model Lifts Maintenance & Certification Checklist Webinar

March 21, 1:00-2:00 PM

Braunability

DPA-2 Model Lifts General Overview Webinar

March 22, 1:00-3:00 PM

Southwest Transit Association (SWTA)

Federal Transit Funding & Legislation 201: Understanding the Formula Programs Webinar

March 25, 2:00-3:00 PM

U.S. DOT

DOT Climate Change Center 2024 Webinar Series: Transit-Oriented Development

March 25, 2:30 PM 

ActivEnviro

Active Living Conference

Chattanooga, TN, March 25-28

Native Learning Center

Tribal Grant Writing Virtual Training

March 25-28

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

March 26, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Transit Institute

NTD 2024 Safety and Security Non-Rail Mode Reporting Webinar

March 26, 2:00-3:30 PM

National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT)

N-CATT March 2024 Workshop on Free GIS Tools for Transit Analysis and Map Making

March 26-28, 2:00-4:30 PM

AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

2024 Safe Mobility Conference

Chapel Hill, NC, March 26-27

Institute for Human Services, Inc. (IHS)

Social Factors That Impact Health and Why They Matter Webinar

March 27, 9:00-10:00 AM

National Transit Institute

Violence in the Transit Workplace - Prevention, Response and Recovery (Train the Trainer) Online Course

March 27, 1:00-4:30 PM

Smart Growth America

Smart Growth America’s Equity Summit

Washington, DC, March 27-28

United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc.

2024 USET/USET SPF Impact Week

Arlington, VA, March 27-29

We're participating!

Intelligent Transport

Driving Sustainable Progress: Harnessing the Potential of Alternative Power in Public Transport Webinar

March 28, 10:00 AM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

March 28, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

April 2, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

Active Shooter Preparedness Training for Rural Transit Systems - Overview Webinar

April 2, 2:00-3:00 PM

FTA

17th Annual FTA Drug and Alcohol Program National Conference

Atlanta, GA, April 2-4

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

April 4, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

North Carolina Public Transportation Association (NCPTA)

NCPTA Conference, Expo, Roadeo & Golf Tournament 

Concord, NC, April 5-10

Please stop by our table!

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

April 9, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Transit Institute

Assault Awareness and Prevention for Transit Operators (Train-the-Trainer) Online Course

April 10, 1:00-4:30 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

April 11, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Self-Governance Communication and Education Tribal Consortium (SGCETC)

2024 Tribal Self-Governance Conference

Chandler, AZ, April 15-18

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

April 16, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Forth

Design and Fund Equitable Electric Transportation For Communities Workshop

Chicago, IL, April 17

National Transit Institute

Violence in the Transit Workplace - Prevention, Response and Recovery (Train the Trainer) Online Course

April 17, 1:00-4:30 PM

FTA

Advancing Safety Risk Management and Safety Assurance Workshop

Denver, CO, April 17-18

Registration deadline: April 3, 2024

BusRide Maintenance

Preparing Your Transit System for a Changing [EV] Fleet Webinar

April 18, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

April 18, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine

Technology Transfer Symposium: Approaches to Advance Commercial Applications

Washington, DC and Online, April 22, 10:00AM - 5:00 PM

National RTAP

National RTAP Rural and Tribal Transit Training - Capital Projects

Spokane, WA, April 22-24

ITS America

ITS America Conference & Expo

Phoenix, AZ, April 22-25

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

April 23, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

AASHTO

2024 AASHTO Spring Meeting

Madison, WI, April 23-26

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

April 25, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

Early Property Acquisition and NEPA Compliance Webinar

April 25, 2:00-3:30 PM ET

American Public Transportation Association (APTA)

APTA Mobility Conference

Portland, OR, April 28 - May 1

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

April 30, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

ALTRANS & Transportation Association of Alabama

2024 ALTRANS & Transportation Association of Alabama Conference

Gulf Shores, AL, April 30-May 2

The Drug and Alcohol Testing Institute, Inc.

2024 Drug and Alcohol Testing Institute Summit for DER's and Program Managers

May 1-2, Kansas City, MO

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

May 2, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

May 7, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Government Fleet

Public Transportation Conference

Louisville, KY, May 7-10

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

May 9, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

May 14, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Safety Council (NSC)

Spring NSC Safety Conference & Expo

Rosemont, IL, May 14-16

FTA

Advancing Safety Risk Management and Safety Assurance Workshop

Atlanta, GA, May 15-16, 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM 

Registration deadline: May 1, 2024

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

May 16, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

May 21, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Virginia Transit Association (VTA)

2024 VTA Annual Conference & Bus Expo 

Harrisonburg, VA, May 22

Please stop by our table!

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

May 23, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

May 28, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

U.S. DOT

DOT Climate Change Center 2024 Webinar Series: Climate Adaptation and Resilience in Transportation

May 30, 1:00 PM 

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

May 30, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

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.

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