HELP US SHOWCASE YOUR INGENUITY!

Build a Better Mousetrap 2026

CALTAP is excited to announce the launch of California’s 2026 Build a Better Mousetrap (BABM) statewide competition.

Celebrating local ingenuity on a national platform, this federally sponsored initiative recognizes agencies across the country who are using innovation to solve transportation-related problems that improve job safety and efficiency.

Eligible solutions must be locally relevant and could include anything from the development of a new project design/delivery process to the invention of a new tool, equipment, or modification that increases efficiency, enhances safety, reduces cost, and/or improves the quality of local road transportation.

Federal Aid Series: Right-of-Way Training

May 27–28, 2026, 8:30am–12pm PT

CALTAP is hosting a two-day online training detailing the high-level process and procedures for completion of project right of way work. This training outlines state & federal regulations that Local Public Agencies must follow for compliance with Uniform Act 49 CFR Part 24 & 23 CFR Part 710, required when completing Right of Way activities on projects with federal aid.

Webinar Topics:

• RoW Requirements for Federal Aid Projects
• Understanding RoW & Utility Processes
• Methods to Accomplish RoW Deliverables

Webinar: Local HSIP Cycle 13 Call for Projects

June 2, 2026, 9am–10am PT

Caltrans DLA and FHWA present this KEY info-session on the latest details for California’s Local Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 13 Call-for-Projects, the announcement for which is expected shortly.

The approximately $370M in HSIP funds will cover two application categories: Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) and Funding Set-asides. 

Webinar: Freight & Land Use Handbook

June 9, 2026, 10am–11am PT



The next Talking Freight webinar will explore the soon to be released updated Freight and Land Use Handbook, which provides tools, strategies, and insights for integrating freight and land use planning effectively.

This webinar will highlight key changes, emerging trends, and actionable recommendations to support transportation infrastructure owner-operators, state DOTs, and land use planners.

Speakers:

• Jeff Purdy, FHWA Office of Freight Management & Operations
• Heather Monteiro, PhD, PMP, Project Manager, Leidos
• Dan Haake, AICP, Associate Vice President, Cambridge Systematics
• Frank Kalpakis, Managing Principal, Renaissance Planning

Webinar: Project Fit Analysis

June 16, 2026, 9am–10am PT

Join the Safety Navigator for California Communitie for a free webinar to help you determine which funding program—SS4A, HSIP, ATP, or state sources—is the best fit for your specific safety project.

Presenters will walk through real examples and decision frameworks to match project types with the right funding opportunities. By the end, you’ll have a strategy to position your project for the strongest chance of funding success.

Training: ATSSA Flagger Certification

June 17, 2026, 8am–12pm PT

The ATSSA Flagger Certification workshop in Yreka, CA, covers why proper flagger operations are important, the skillset of a good flagger, standard flagger control references, and best practices for various situations, all delivered via a combination of lecture, video, and group activities.

Learning Objectives:

• Practice safe, standards-based flagging operations
• Recognize key elements of proper flagging signals and procedures
• Recall factors used for determining proper flagger station positioning
• Describe basic flagging techniques using one or more flaggers
• List effective communication techniques between flaggers
• Describe nighttime considerations, setup & removal, and use of flagging

Webinar: Research Topics for Rural Mobility

June 18, 2026, 8am–9:15am PT

Join the Minnesota DOT's Office of Research & Innovation and the Minnesota Local Road Research Board (LRRB) for the June 2026 Research Radar: Low Density, High Impact: Research Topics for Rural Mobility.

Join this webinar to gain insights from the rural point of view and to learn more about transportation research that seeks to connect communities and provide pragmatic mobility solutions for rural localities. 

RSCP: Reading the Roadway

July 7, 2026, 1pm–3:30pm PT

In this sixth of seven core Road Safety Champion Program courses, real world examples on different roadway components are used to demonstrate potential safety issues discoverable during routine activities, how the road safety audit process can be used to “read the road”, and the consequences daily activities of workers may have on safety.

RSCP: Safety Analysis Process

July 15, 2026, 9am–11:30am PT

In this final core Road Safety Champion Program course, learn to apply the Safety Analysis Process to both traditional site reviews and systemic network screenings.

Conference: 13th Annual Distracted Driving Summit

August 12-13, 2026, 8:30am–5:30pm PT

The 13th Annual Distracted Driving Summit in Blacksburg, Virginia, brings together industry leaders, scientists, educators, safety professionals, and law enforcement to share ideas and forge solutions for distracted driving.

Sessions topics include technology to curb distracted driving, best corporate practices across the nation, what the research tells us, vulnerable road user issues, law enforcement efforts, and how to ultimately change behavior.

Training: Pothole Patching & Repair

August 27, 2026, 1pm–3:30pm PT

The 2.5-hour virtual training compares partial and full-depth repair techniques along with the materials used to implement them.

Using proper patching and repair techniques can improve structural integrity and restore ride-ability for pavements experiencing local failures.

Training Topics:

• Types of Distresses Best Addressed by Each Treatment
• Recommended Materials & Mixtures for Each Treatment
• Recommended Construction Procedures & Key QC Activities

Training: Intro to

Active Transportation Planning & Design

September 24, 2026, 9am–4pm PT

This 1-day in-person course in San Diego, CA, introduces planning & design concepts to active transportation champions with little or no experience.

Participants will explore tools used to assess and evaluate the suitability of transportation infrastructure for use by all types of bicyclists and pedestrians, learn of California’s commitment to support all modes of transportation, and receive an overview of ped/bike planning & design standards and guidance.

A second session will be held on October 1, 2026, in Sacramento

Other Upcoming Trainings & Events

Advancing Safety Through the CSSA | May 28, 2026, 12pm–1pm

Join UC Berkeley's SafeTREC for a peer exchange focused around how smaller cities like Wildomar, CA are moving the needle on local road safety. 

Pavement Marking & Installation | June 2-3, 2026, 8am–11am

This training explores the standard types and uses of pavement markings and explains marking installation preparation, marking application and inspection

Safe Flagger Operations & Required PPE | June 2, 2026, 5:30am–9am

Review the basic elements of roadway work zones for two-lane temporary traffic control, with an emphasis on rural and urban applications

ATSSA Flagger Training | June 3, 2026, 8am–12pm

Join one of two workshops in Reno to learn proper flagger operations, the skillset of a good flagger, standard flagger control references, & best practices

Pavement Design for Local Agencies | June 4, 2026, 11:30am–1:30am

This webinar explores considerations for determining necessary pavement thickness for applications in a local setting

Aligning Engineering & Public Works | June 9, 2026, 9am–10am

Hear how innovative engineering programs in the U.S. are providing educational experiences emphasizing communication, teamwork, & innovation

Asphalt Maintenance: Treatment Options | June 9, 2026, 11:30am–1:30am

Learn about alternative surface treatments that can lengthen the life of pavement, including chip seals, hybrid chip seals, slurry seals, & others

Working With Local Media | June 9, 2026, 7am–8:30am

Attend this free webinar to learn about practical strategies for building strong and collaborative relationships with journalists and news organizations

Child Passenger Safety Certification | June 9-12, 2026, 8am–12pm

This certification course conducted in Blue Lake, CA, presents the proper use of car seats, booster seats, seat belts, and vehicle safety systems

APWA Legislative Day in Sacramento | June 10, 2026, 8:30am–5pm

Join APWA and ASCE for an impactful legislative day to make your voice heard on the issues shaping California's infrastructure future

Public Works Radio: What is Public Works?

The latest edition of Public Works Radio hits the road for some face-to-face sidewalk interviews to hear what public works means to everyday people in the community, with a little public works trivia thrown in for good measure.

Equipped with a podcast microphone and a smile, Public Works Radio host Bailey Dickman showed up at the local farmers' market in Kansas City, just a stone's throw away from APWA headquarters, ready to ask strangers about public works. Their answers are honest and likely a strong representation of what most people think public works means to their community

Home Safely: Holly Kostrzewski

This May edition of Home Safely features Holly Kostrzewski, an international keynote speaker from a frontier rural community who is also a traumatic brain injury survivor and traffic safety specialist.

Holly shares her personal story and how it helped her become a supporter of tribal, state, and federal transportation safety programs. She also discusses the Safe System Approach in the rural context, and offers steps rural and local agencies can take to improve their transportation systems.

Funding Opportunity: Urban Greening Grants

The Urban Greening Grant Program allocates $100M for projects that use nature-based solutions to mitigate climate change impacts, such as the urban heat island effect, rising temperatures, and extreme heat.

Funding is provided through California's voter-approved Climate Bond (Prop 4) and will be awarded in two competitive cycles.

Research: Preparing the Transportation

Workforce for Emerging Technologies

This NCHRP report addresses recruitment, development, and retention of a workforce proficient in developing and deploying complex emerging tech, to enhance the agility, adaptability, and preparedness of transportation agencies in bolstering their worker resiliency to change and enable the capitalization of benefits offered by emerging technologies

Other Recordings, Research, & Reports

Women Leaders Share Transportation Vision

Five female state DOT CEOs shared their insights on the industry’s future during the 2026 WTS International Conference in Los Angeles.

SWCPA Presents EPIC Awards

SWCPA presented EPIC Awards to six projects this year during the California Concrete Pavement Conference

Amended NOFO: Bridge Investment Program

USDOT/FHWA released an amendment to the FY26 Bridge Improvement Program (BIP) NOFO that better aligns it with Administration priorities

Interdependence of Transportation Funding & Ownership

This report explores interdependent funding in the transportation community, the strategies to manage it, and the outcomes of funding interdependences

Liability Mitigation Framework

Geotab's "The Liability Mitigation Framework" serves as a data-driven guide to operational, compliance and environmental oversight for municipal fleets

Public Works Radio: Snow Business

The latest edition of APWA's Public Works Radio reviews the April 26-29 North American Snow Conference in Cleveland, OH.

APWA Reporter Magazine: May 2026

The May issue showcases smart-city readiness roadmaps, Toronto's equity-based green streets program, and the future of public works in Raleigh, NC.

Recording: Mini & Modular Roundabouts

Learn how roundabout configurations represent a low-cost, quick construction, & traffic calming solution that will be competitive in HSIP Cycle 13

Recording: LSA Program Emergency Work Notifications

A recording of the April 21st, 2026, webinar on Lake & Streambed Alteration Emergency Work Notifications is now available

EDC Round 8

The Every Day Counts (EDC) program is rolling out six new initiatives to help transportation agencies deliver projects faster & build safer transportation

More Training Coming Up in June

Need a closer look? Stop by CALTAP.org for a calendar view of upcoming training and events focused specifically on local agency project success.

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