eNews - August 27, 2026

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 collaboration.

Newsletter Highlights

Upcoming National RTAP Tribal & Rural Mini-Conference in Boston, MA in October

New National RTAP Tech Brief on Rural Mobility Hubs and Updated HIIPAA Tech Brief

National RTAP Review Board Member Spotlight - Tim Thomas

Intercity Bus Atlas Relaunched

CCAM-TAC 2027 Community Rides Grants RFP

Upcoming National RTAP Tribal & Rural Mini-Conference in Boston, MA

New National RTAP Technical Brief on Rural Mobility Hubs

Rural Mobility Hubs: A Community-Based Framework for Rural Transit Providers and Partners is a new RTAP technical brief that offers tools and strategies to support the planning, design, and implementation of Rural Mobility Hubs. It outlines stop-level design standards that emphasize accessibility, safety, and user experience; introduces scalable hub models; discusses funding strategies; presents partnership frameworks; and includes an implementation roadmap to guide communities through each phase of development—from assessment and stakeholder engagement to design, deployment, and ongoing evaluation.

National RTAP gratefully acknowledges the contributions to this technical brief by the following individuals: Rebecca Anger, Joey Bilyeu, Sheri Bozic, Colin Bratton, Carrie Brown, Laura Corff, Shayne Gill, Heather Griffin, Carrie Kissel, Stephen Kuban, Jonnie Kusek, Miranda Lyons, Ridhima Mehrotra, Kelly Scalf, Tom Nutter, Beverly Sidlo-Tolliver, and Michelle Thomas.

Updated National RTAP HIPAA Technical Brief

U.S. DOT published its Department Regulatory and Deregulatory Agenda Summary. FTA is reviewing 49 CFR parts 625 (Transit Asset Management), 630 (National Transit Database), and 665 (Bus Testing) in 2026, with other sections slated for review in 2027 and 2028. This document also summarizes reviews that have been completed in previous years. The public is invited to comment, and there is no deadline for comments.

FTA's web page on Understanding Non-Federal Match Requirements provides guidance on determining the match amount for various projects, what programs allow a reduced match, and meeting match requirements, along with additional resources for further information. 

FTA seeks comments as to whether FTA should remove the proposed requirement in its Buy America waiver for certain battery-electric minibuses that the minibuses be battery-electric propulsion. Comments must be received by September 2, 2026.

FTA seeks comments on its continued information collection for the National Transit Database (NTD), which was updated in 2025 to include the consolidation of station and facility reporting, security reporting clarification, trip planning and geospatial data, and ensuring a state of good repair. Comments must be submitted by September 21, 2026.

FTA's 3rd Quarter 2026 Transit Safety Oversight Spotlight newsletter includes articles on mitigation strategies to reduce worker transit assault, cybersecurity, transit worker fatigue, drug and alcohol testing, and other topics.

FTA published the Effective Mitigation Practices Fact Sheet: Agency Responses to General Directive 24-1, which describes the challenges and effectiveness experienced by transit agencies when using de-escalation training, operator barriers, patrol strategies, and policies and procedures to reduce assaults on transit workers and improve safety. FTA also updated its Two-Hour Safety Event Notification Guide, which provides guidance on establishing definitions and minimum notification thresholds for safety events.

The National Transit Institute (NTI) is holding a Quality Assurance and Quality Control in Transit Course in Miami, Florida, on September 14-15, 2026. The course provides an overview of the essential components of quality assurance and quality control in transit agencies. This course will also review and expand upon the FTA's Quality Management System Guidelines and address the various perspectives for quality relative to capital development, transit operations, maintenance, and vehicle acquisition.

Partners in Autonomous Vehicle Education (PAVE) is holding a Next Stop: Autonomous Transit and the Evolving Workforce Webinar on September 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET. The panel, which includes a panelist from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), will discuss the role of autonomous technology in public transportation, the evolving role of the workforce, and the new careers and skills emerging as automation becomes part of our transportation ecosystem. 

The Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office (ITS JPO) is hosting a webinar on Demystifying AI Procurement: Actionable Strategies for Transportation Agencies on September 17, 2026 from 1:00-4:00 PM ET. This webinar is designed to build a common understanding of AI procurement considerations, to identify effective practices and approaches, and to establish a shared language around AI procurement themes.

The National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE) Best Practices: Procurement reviews procurement practices that support Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO) programs and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). It explains the challenges agencies face when utilizing traditional procurement methods for technology-focused operations, software services, data resources, and transportation systems. Thank you to National RTAP summer intern and San Jose State University graduate student Minnie Esquivel Gopar for contributions to this abstract.

NCHRP's Toolkit for Institutionalizing the Safe System Approach contains 30 tools designed to help agencies implement the Safe System Approach (SSA) in their institution. The Toolkit is relevant to state, regional, and local transportation and planning agencies working to reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities. Tool 29 includes principles from Arlington, VA's (with low-density areas) General Land Use Plan. Thank you to National RTAP summer intern and San Jose State University graduate student Sy Maestas for contributions to this abstract.

A National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) case study on SPARC (Strategic Planning And Revitalization for Communities) describes a program administered by the East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission that delivers targeted planning support to rural communities. Through visioning sessions, one-day intensive workshops, professional design consultation, and follow-up grant assistance, SPARC helps small communities translate transportation planning goals into actionable projects centered on economic development and mobility.

An article by researchers at five universities in the journal Travel Behaviour and Society, E-scooters and Public Transit: Unveiling the Conditions for a Connection using Trip and Survey Data, found that those far from transit and without cars were likely to connect to transit using e-scooters. The research included a small urban area.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) relaunched the Intercity Bus Atlas, an interactive, digital mapping application of scheduled, intercity passenger bus services in the United States. The atlas includes downloadable data on intercity stops and routes.

A GTFS Validator & Analyzer from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) works for sources like the Mobility Database and is available in three languages.

Mass Transit magazine has an interactive map tracking all transit ballot measures that voters have, will, or may decide on in 2026. This is a living tool that will be updated as new data becomes available. Hover over a county to get a quick rundown, or scroll down to the body copy to get a full picture of transit ballot measures.

North Dakota DOT provides an interactive Transit Provider Map. Users can click on the county to view the Transit Provider's information for that county as well as the cities they serve. The Transit Provider information includes phone number(s), cities and counties served, email address(s), and website link if available. The map also provides information on Minnesota, Montana, and South Dakota providers that operate near North Dakota.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) updated its Transportation Economic Trends (TET). TET highlights transportation's role in the economy and explores changes over time through a series of interactive charts and downloadable data. Updates include the cost of transportation faced by households and employment in transportation.

The National Water Prediction Service provides an interactive map that shows hazards, precipitation estimates, flood inundation, and a snow analysis.

The Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility Technical Assistance Center (CCAM-TAC) launched a Request for Proposals (RFP) for its 2027 Community Rides Grants. This pilot initiative will strengthen local transportation coordination and partnerships, foster cross-sector service coordination, and build capacity to improve transportation access for populations with the greatest need. Proposals are due October 19, 2026.

NHTSA published a Notice of Funding Opportunity for its Innovative Traffic Safety Enforcement (ITSE) Grant Program. This program funds nonprofits and governments that develop innovative traffic safety enforcement programs that demonstrate effectiveness by reducing the number of motor vehicle crashes due to one or more of the subject risky driving behaviors. Applications are due September 1, 2026.

The TRB publication TR News welcomes the submission of articles for possible publication, including feature articles, opinion articles, research articles, and highlights.

The USDA Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant programs provide funding for rural projects through local utility organizations. Funding may be used for community development assistance to nonprofits and public bodies (particularly for job creation or enhancement), business expansion, and technical assistance. Applications are due September 30, 2026.

GovRAMP launched an Accelerator Partner Program, a new initiative designed to help service providers achieve GovRAMP verification more efficiently through trusted accelerator organizations. GovRAMP provides cybersecurity standards and frameworks for government organizations.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is proposing new size standards for 338 industry groups and industries, including transportation, transit systems, transportation equipment manufacturing, tire dealers, and other categories. Comments are due September 21, 2026.

A suit filed by a U.S. District Court Judge has stopped all parties from moving forward with the federal government obtaining approximately 17 million driver records from the Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS), which is managed by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.

NHTSA seeks comments on an information request to conduct research on safety-related aspects of interactions with portable electronic device integration systems that allow access to smartphone applications through the vehicle's built-in display. Comments are due September 21, 2026. NHTSA also seeks comments through October 26, 2026 on a new information collection on Driver Monitoring System (DMS)—Applied Research To Develop Test Procedure for Drowsiness. The research study will identify approaches, procedures, and metrics to evaluate drowsy driver DMS performance with human subjects.  

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued a temporary order to place three psychoactive opioids in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. This temporary order is effective through August 26, 2028.

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 5 or 6 for Hawaii (depending on daylight savings time).

NC Clean Energy Technology Center and NC State University

Sustainable Fleet Technology Conference & Expo

Durham, NC, August 25-27

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

August 27, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

U.S. Census Bureau

Get the Economic Data You Need on data.census.gov Webinar

August 27, 2:00-3:00 PM

New

Native Learning Center

Budgets that Tell Your Story Webinar

August 27, 2:00-3:00 PM

New

National Transit Institute

Procurement II - Risk Assessment and Basic Cost or Price Analysis

Alexandria, VA, August 31 - September 3

National Community Action Partnership (NCAP)

CAPCON 2026 Annual Convention

St. Louis, MO, August 31 - September 4

We're providing resources!

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

September 1, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Transit Institute

National Transit Database: Annual Reporting for State DOTs and Subrecipients Webinar

September 1, 2:00-3:30 PM

New

Idaho Transportation Department (ITD)

ITD 2026 Public Transportation Summit

Boise, ID, September 1-3

Please visit our booth!

ADA Guru

ADA Compliance Workshop

Las Vegas, NV, September 1-3

We're providing resources

New

Blue EQ

Leading Through Conflict: How Leaders Navigate Discord and Drive Results Webinar

September 2, 1:00 PM

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Procurement Under Grants Training: Emergency or Exigency

September 2, 1:00-2:00 PM

National Transit Institute

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

September 2, 1:00-4:30 PM

New

U.S. Census Bureau

How to Find Census Bureau Data for Rural Communities Webinar

September 2, 2:00-3:00 PM

Missouri Public Transit Association (MPTA)

2026 Missouri Transit Conference

Columbia, MO, September 2-3

Please visit our booth!

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

September 3, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility Technical Assistance Center (CCAM-TAC)

CCAM-TAC Community Rides Informational Webinar

September 8, 1:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

September 8, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Safe Routes Partnership

Safe Routes to Libraries Virtual Learning Series: Collaborations Between Libraries and Safe Routes to School Programs

September 8, 3:00-4:00 PM

Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE)

Future-Proofing Zero-Emission Bus Operations Webinar

September 9, 1:00 PM

United Tribes Technical College

2026 Tribal Leaders Summit

Bismarck, ND, September 9-10

New

Northern TTAP

2026 Northern TTAP Regional Workshop

Bismarck, ND, September 9-10

We're sending a trainer!

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

September 10, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

TRB 

Research in Progress—Sharing and Finding Transportation Research Webinar

September 10, 1:00-2:30 PM

National Transit Institute

NTD Annual Reduced Reporting for Tribal Transit Providers Webinar

September 10, 2:00-3:30 PM

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Procurement Under Grants Training: Navigating the Procurement Lifecycle

September 10, 3:00-5:00 PM

FEMA Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP)

Tribal Nations Training Week 

Anniston, AL, September 12-19

South West Transit Association (SWTA)

SWTA Summer Leadership Lab 2026

Breckenridge, CO, September 13-15

We're participating and providing resources!

New

Forth

Forth Roadmap Conference

Seattle, WA, September 13-15

NTCA: The Rural Broadband Association 

2026 NTCA Fall Conference 

Nashville, TN, September 13-16 

National Transit Institute

Quality Assurance and Quality Control in Transit Course

Miami, FL, September 14-15

National Transit Institute

Management of Transit Construction Projects Course

Ames, IA, September 14-16

International Association of Transportation Regulators (IATR)

IATR 39th Annual Conference 2026

Las Vegas, NV, September 14-17

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Procurement Under Grants Training: Workshop

September 15, 12:00-3:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

September 15, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

National Center for Rural Road Safety

Intersection of Transportation with Public Health and Law Enforcement Webinar

September 15, 1:00-3:00 PM

National Transit Institute

FTA Uniform Act Basics for Transit Agency Personnel Online Course

September 15, 1:00-5:00 PM

AASHTO, APTA, CTAA, FTA, and CASTA

State Public Transportation Partnerships Conference 

Breckenridge, CO, September 15-17

We're presenting!

New

Colorado Association of Transit Agencies (CASTA)

CASTA 2026 Fall Conference & Expo

Breckenridge, CO, September 15-18

We're participating!

New

Partners in Autonomous Vehicle Education (PAVE)

Next Stop: Autonomous Transit and the Evolving Workforce Webinar

September 16, 12:00 PM

New

TRB 

What’s New in the Transit Capacity & Quality of Service Manual, 4th Edition Webinar

September 17, 12:00-1:30 PM 

New

Rural Sociological Society and Interdisciplinary Network on Rural Population Health and Aging

From Research to Impact: Communicating Rural Research to Broader Audiences Webinar

September 17, 1:00 PM

New

Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office (ITS JPO)

Demystifying AI Procurement: Actionable Strategies for Transportation Agencies Webinar

September 17, 1:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

September 17, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Montana Transit Association

2026 MTA Fall Business Meeting & Bus Roadeo

Butte, MT, September 17-19

We're providing resources!

National Transit Institute

Advanced Transit Service Planning

Portland, OR, September 21-24

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

September 22, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Mobility Data

2026 International Mobility Data Summit

Montréal, Quebec, September 22-23

We're participating!

National Transit Institute

National Transit Database: Annual Reporting for Indian Tribes Online Course

September 22-23, 1:00-4:30 PM

New

National Transit Institute

Ridership Forecasting with STOPS for Transit Project Planning

St. Louis, MO, September 22-24

New

Wisconsin Public Transportation Association (WIPTA)

Fall Wisconsin Public Transit Association Conference 

Green Bay, WI, September 22-24

Please visit our table!

Utah Urban Rural Specialized Transit Association (URSTA)

URSTA Conference & Roadeo

Price, UT, September 22-25

Please visit our booth!

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Procurement Under Grants Training: Introduction

September 23, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Zero Emission Bus Resource Alliance (ZEBRA)

ZEBRA’s Fall 2026 Roundtable – “Charging Ahead: Are We There Yet?”

Spokane, WA, September 23-24

National Association of Counties (NACo)

2026 NACo Energy Symposium

Amarillo, TX, September 23-25

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

September 24, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

2026 AASHTO Safety Summit and Peer Exchange

Hartford, CT, September 28-30

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

September 29, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

Fall for New National RTAP Resources Webinar

September 29, 2:00-3:00 PM

Redding Area Bus Authority (RABA)

2026 North State Symposium

Redding, CA, September 29 - October 1

Please visit our booth!

New

U.S. DOT

Beautifying Transportation Infrastructure Council Public Meeting

September 30, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

TripSpark

The Workforce Challenge: What Transit Leaders Are Doing Differently Webinar

September 30, 1:00 PM

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Build America, Buy America Act: 3 Key Pillars Training

September 30, 1:00-2:00 PM

Clean Mobility Options

Clean Mobility Forum

Sacramento, CA, September 30 - October 1

Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and Federal Reserve System and Rural LISC

Investing in Rural America Conference

Asheville, NC, September 30 - October 2

American Public Transportation Association (APTA)

APTA 2026 TRANSform & EXPO

Chicago, IL, October 4-7

New

National Transit Institute

Procurement II - Risk Assessment and Basic Cost or Price Analysis

Newark, NJ, October 5-8

New

National Transit Institute

Pathway to Effective Management and Supervision Online Course

October 5-8, 1:00-5:00 PM

New

National Transit Institute

Transportation Planning Process Online Course

October 5-8, 1:00-5:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

October 6, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

October 8, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Arkansas Transit Association

2026 Arkansas Public Transportation Conference

North Little Rock, AR, October 12-14

Please visit our booth!

New

National Transit Institute

Procurement I: Orientation to Transit Procurement

Park City, UT, October 12-15

New

National Transit Institute

Introduction to Transit Service Planning Online Course

October 12-15, 1:00-5:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

October 13, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

National Transit Institute

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

October 13, 1:00-4:30 PM

Industrial Cyber

Industrial Cyber Days Critical Infrastructure Virtual Event 2026

October 13-14

New

National RTAP

National RTAP Tribal & Rural Transit Mini-Conference

Boston, MA, October 13-15

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

October 15, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)

NCAI 83rd Annual Convention & Marketplace

Palm Springs, CA, October 18-22

NAFA Fleet Management Association

Fleet Safety Symposium

National Harbor, MD, October 19

National Association of Development Organizations (NADO)

2026 NADO Annual Training Conference (ATC)

Reno, NV, October 19-22

Please visit our table!

New

National Transit Institute

Project Management for Transit Professionals Online Course

October 19-22, 1:00-4:30 PM

New

National Transit Institute

Introduction to Paratransit Management and Operations Online Course

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

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

October 20, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

National Transit Institute

Understanding ADA Online Course

October 20, 1:00-5:00 PM

Bobit Business Media

Fleet Forward Conference

National Harbor, MD, October 20-22

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

October 22, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Transit Institute

NTD Safety and Security (S&S-40) Collision Report Completion Webinar

October 22, 2:00-3:30 PM

New

National Transit Institute

Introduction to Transit Asset Management Online Course

October 26-28, 1:00-4:30 PM

New

National Transit Institute

Procurement I: Orientation to Transit Procurement

San Mateo, CA, October 26-29

New

National Transit Institute

Procurement II - Risk Assessment and Basic Cost or Price Analysis

Richmond, VA, October 26-29

New

National Transit Institute

Procurement III: RFPs and Competitive Contract Negotiations

Long Beach, CA, October 26-29

New

National Transit Institute

Introduction to Transit Service Planning Online Course

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

New

National Transit Institute

Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-Making Online Course

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

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

October 27, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

National Center for Rural Road Safety

Integrating Public Health and Transportation to Enhance Road User Safety

October 28, 1:00-3:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Builder Office Hours

October 29, 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. To submit an event, email info@nationalrtap.org.

National RTAP | 888-589-6821 | info@nationalrtap.org | nationalrtap.org