eNews - January 16, 2025

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 Webinar on the Updated ADA Toolkit

New National RTAP Mobility Management Peer Forum

Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library (TACL) News and Updates

New Grant Opportunities from FTA, FMCSA, USDA, HRSA, and DOE

NCHRP Panel Workshop Opportunity for Grants Toolkit for Local and Tribal Agencies

Thank you to Kristin Haar, Iowa Department of Transportation; Jessie Schmitzer, Ohio Department of Transportation; and Kevin Wassom, Michigan Department of Transportation for review of the 2024 updates.

As the Mobility Management Connections platform hosted by the National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM) has ended, we are introducing a new platform that will help you all navigate the landscape, continue to find the right resources and more. The National Rural Transit Assistance Program and the Association of Mobility Managers have partnered to host and continue this community of practice at the National RTAP Mobility Management Peer Forum. Mobility managers who were previously a part of the Mobility Management Connections platform were given the option to join the new peer forum. Mobility managers who have not already been added to the Forum may email info@nationalrtap.org and request to join.

The Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library (TACL) helps rural and tribal transit agencies access information about public transportation coordination, coordinate among federally funded programs, and share resources across agencies to improve transit in their communities. TACL contains reports, training seminars, toolkits, and other materials developed by FTA and its technical assistance centers.

In 2025, TACL will be transitioned to be led by the new Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility Technical Assistance Center (CCAM TAC). TACL welcomes its newest Task Force members: Bill Wagner, Director, and Sage Kashner, Communications Associates, CCAM TAC, who will become the new TACL leads. TACL also welcomes Carter Spradling, Senior Planner, Piedmont Triad Regional Council, as a new reviewer.

In January 2025, 7 new resources were added to TACL:

• FTA's Medicaid Transportation Coverage & Coordination Fact Sheet
• TACL Partner TCRP with FTA's Guidebook and Research Plan to Help Communities Improve Transportation to Health Care Services and Handbook for Examining the Effects of Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Brokerages on Transportation Coordination
• National RTAP's Community Rides Grant Project: Outcomes and Lessons Learned, Intercity Transportation - Why Connection Points Matter
• National RTAP and N-CATT's Mobility Wallets 101
• SUMC's Connecting Community Transportation: The Transactional Data Specification

Several TACL resources were also updated during 2024. National RTAP is this quarter's featured TA Center with resources shown in a carousel at the bottom right of TACL's homepage. A Learn About TACL training is being planned for February 2025, featuring an FTA resource.

A new Site Search feature has been added to TACL. When users search, the feature will display results on TACL web pages, if applicable, in addition to TACL resources.

In the TACL Peer Forum, transportation coordination stakeholders can ask questions about TACL and transportation coordination resources. TACL Task Force members will answer questions and peers can also share best practices. Request to join the forum.

The Mobility, Access and Transportation Insecurity (MATI) Program’s Round 2 Request for Proposals is open through April 30, 2025. The Round 2 RFP has a focus on rural and small communities. Funded by FTA and managed by the University of Minnesota, MATI seeks to support the planning and development of community-shaped, innovative demonstration projects that can help address transportation insecurity. Applicants must complete a basic expression of interest form by March 14, 2025 to submit a full proposal.

FTA published a Solicitation of Project Proposals for the Technology Transfer (T2) Program. This program will highlight promising innovation research projects that will improve public transportation and enable transit agencies to implement these results in their operations. Submissions will be accepted through February 11, 2025.

FTA published its annual National Transit Summaries and Trends (NTST). The NTST describes the state of public transit using the most currently available National Transit Database (NTD) data. Data shows that transit ridership is on the rise. In 2023, more people chose to take transit with over 6.8 billion passenger trips on transit nationwide.

FTA is extending the comment period for the Federal Register notice regarding its National Transit Database (NTD) reporting changes and clarifications to January 29, 2025.

U.S. DOT is soliciting applications for the Annual Combating Human Trafficking in Transportation Impact Award through March 7, 2025. The award serves as a platform for transportation stakeholders to creatively develop impactful and innovative counter-trafficking tools, initiatives, campaigns, and technologies that can be shared with the broader community to help stop human trafficking. 

FTA proposes to amend its Charter Service regulations for recipients of federal financial assistance. The proposed changes will remove federal financial assistance programs listed in an appendix of qualified human service organizations (while creating a new web page with these) and update other sections. Comments are due March 10, 2025.

FTA issued a notice of proposed policy statement clarifying its policy on the applicability of FTA’s drug and alcohol testing program to transportation network companies (TNCs). Comments are due February 13, 2025.

FTA announced its Fiscal Year 2024 Tribal Transit Project selections. Grants were provided for new vehicles, dispatch systems, maintenance vehicles, and crosswalks, and to continue transit service for many Tribes.

Join the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) for a webinar on January 28, 2025 at 2:00 PM ET to showcase the Community Conversation on Transportation Equity Toolkit. Michelle Caserta-Bixler, Mobility Manager at Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley in Sidney OH, will talk about her experience using the toolkit to facilitate a meeting about equitable transportation in her community. 

The Transit Workforce Center (TWC) is holding Mentorship Program Office Hours on January 17, 24, and 31, 2025. Interested individuals can sign up to book times and speak with TWC team members about exploring, developing, expanding, or evaluating mentorship programs. If the scheduled times do not work for you, please email Karitsa Holdzkom with your availability.

The ADA Guru, Jess Segovia, posted a video from Transit ADA University on Transit ADA Compliance Q&A, which covers questions and answers about ADA compliance during a recent webinar.

Fundamentals of Community Impact Assessment, FHWA-NHI-142096, is a free, self-paced course that explores strategies to evaluate the effects of a transportation action on a community and its quality of life and details how to prepare for and conduct Community Impact Assessments. Contact Faith Hall for more information.  Basics of Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-Making, FHWA-NHI-142077, is a free course that provides transportation practitioners with the knowledge and tools needed to better engage the public in transportation decisions. Contact Brian Goodson for more information.

The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, Department of Energy (DOE), and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) collaborated to produce the Public Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Playbook. The Playbook provides interactive resources to help communities plan and build the infrastructure needed to support a zero-emission transportation system. Eight modules contain guiding questions, activities, videos, and additional resources. Topics include EV infrastructure plans, costs and funding, policies and incentives, and other subjects.

The TCRP/NCHRP Transformational Technologies and Mobility Inclusion Playbook contains resources for transit agencies and their partners to assess, plan, and measure their progress toward achieving transportation equity and inclusive mobility. Some of the transformational technologies described are ease-of-payment programs, motor-assisted micromobility fleets, and vehicle-assisted service technologies.

TRB's Taxonomy and Terms for Stakeholders of Older Adult Mobility provides a reference document for the usage of terminology clarification to be used by stakeholders in older adult mobility. New terms defined include Connected Vehicle Systems (CVS), Curve-Adaptive Headlamps, Drowsy-Driver Warning System, and others.

Transit Workforce Development Challenges and Mitigation Practices by the Mineta Transportation Institute at San Jose State University provides tools that are available to help attract more qualified candidates to the transit industry and ways to advance the development of the transit workforce. This research highlights social media recruiting; online hiring platform improvements; and partnerships with career centers, universities, and recruitment centers to attract new employees to the transit workforce.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a database where buyers can search for eligible vehicles (search bar toward the bottom of the page) to determine the availability of federal tax credits for new plug-in electric and fuel cell electric vehicles.

FHWA's Database for Air Quality and Noise Analysis (DANA) now includes a Traffic Noise Model Aide (TNMAide) Tool, which was previously a separate spreadsheet tool. The new release also includes an installer, user guide, and fact sheet. 

The USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity for grants to provide technical assistance for passenger Rural Transportation systems under the Rural Business Development Grant program and the terms for such funding. Grant funds will provide technical assistance for systems including designated funds to provide technical assistance to systems operating within Tribal lands of Federally Recognized Native American Tribes. Applications are due April 7, 2025. USDA is also accepting applications for its Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) through March 31, 2025.

FMCSA is accepting applications for its Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training (CMVOST) and Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation (CDLPI) Grant Program. CMVOST funds organizations providing CMV operator training to current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces. CDLPI helps implement and enhance the national CDL program, which is focused on ensuring each CDL driver has only one license and one driving record. The deadlines are February 25, 2025 for CMVOST and February 24, 2025 for CDLPI.

FMCSA is accepting applications for its High Priority-Commercial Motor Vehicle (HP-CMV) and High Priority-Innovative Technology Deployment (HP-ITD) Grant Programs through March 7, 2025. HP-CMV provides funding for projects that support, enrich, and evaluate CMV safety programs and to target unsafe driving of CMVs and non–CMVs in areas identified as high-risk crash corridors. HP-ITD provides funding to advance technological capability and promote the deployment of intelligent transportation system applications for commercial motor vehicle operations.

FMCSA is also accepting applications through January 23, 2025 for its High Priority Enforcement Training & Support (HP-ETS) Grant Program, which provides funding to non-profit entities to train non-federal personnel who conduct CMV safety enforcement activities.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Rural Health Network Development Planning Program supports the planning and development of rural integrated healthcare networks with a specific focus on collaboration of entities to establish or improve local capacity and care coordination in underserved communities, including expanding access to healthcare. Applications are being accepted through February 19, 2025.

The U.S. Department of Energy is accepting applications through August 28, 2025 for its Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas Program. This program serves communities of 10,000 people or fewer. Any projects that increase energy efficiency are eligible.

The AEM Corporation is leading NCHRP's Guide to Supporting and Sustaining Transportation Grant Programs for Local Governments and Tribes. They are conducting research to develop resources, tools, and guidance through a 90-minute stakeholder panel workshop in late February/early March 2025. Agencies participating in this workshop will clarify their needs and generate information to inform the development of a Grants Toolkit for Local and Tribal Agencies. Interested individuals can contact Shule Chen.

Mass Transit is conducting its annual Mobility Outlook Survey to provide an overview of trends in budgets and procurements, and the general sentiment about the upcoming year.

AARP is accepting applications through March 5, 2025 for its 3 Community Challenge Grants: Flagship Grants, Demonstration Grants, and Capacity Building Microgrants.

USDA announced the acceptance of applications under the Community Connect Grant program for Fiscal Year 2025. These grant funds will be made available to eligible applicants to construct broadband networks that provide service on a community-oriented connectivity basis in rural areas. The application window opens on February 20, 2025. Applications must be submitted by April 21, 2025.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking comments through March 3, 2025 on an information request for its Transportation and Climate Division Grant Program Reporting Templates, such as its Project Reporting Templates for Diesel Emission Reduction Act Template and Clean Heavy Duty Template.

Effective January 17, 2025, a Final Rule will amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to improve consistency between the procurement and nonprocurement procedures on suspension and debarment.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) increased its standard mileage rate for business use to 70 cents, up 3 cents from 2024.

NHTSA is proposing to amend the means of required recall notification to include notification by electronic means, in addition to first-class mail, and proposing to revise certain language that is currently required for recall notifications. Comments must be received by March 11, 2025.

NHTSA proposes a voluntary framework for the evaluation and oversight of motor vehicles equipped with automated driving systems (ADS). The ADS-equipped Vehicle Safety, Transparency, and Evaluation Program would establish a national program for ADS-equipped vehicles that operate or may operate on public roads in the U.S. under NHTSA's oversight. Comments are requested by March 17, 2025.

The U.S. Department of the Interior revised the regulations governing the process through which the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges an Indian Tribe, creating a conditional, time-limited opportunity for denied petitioners to re-petition for federal acknowledgment. The effective date is February 14, 2025.

The Department of Health and Human Services issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to solicit comment on its proposal to modify the Security Standards for the Protection of Electronic Protected Health Information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH). Comments must be submitted by March 7, 2025. Note: Transit agencies that transmit electronic information about the health of their riders, such as taking them to a dialysis facility, would be covered under these rules.

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).



New

Center for Regional and Rural Connected Communities

Electric Vehicle Ownership and Adoption Factors in Rural Tennessee Webinar

January 16, 12:00-1:00 PM

New

Active Transportation Resource Center

Finding the Money: Additional Active Transportation Funding Programs Webinar

January 16, 12:30 PM

Accessible Transportation Resource Center (ATRC)

The Future of Accessible Autonomous Vehicles Webinar

January 16, 1:00 PM

New

FMCSA 

CMVOST FY2025 NOFO Funding Conference

January 16, 1:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

January 16, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Transit Institute

FTA Uniform Act Basics for Transit Agency Personnel Online Course

January 16, 1:00-5:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

January 21, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

FORTH

EVAL Information Session

January 21, 2:00-3:00 PM

New

Smart Growth America

Advancing Equity Through Planning Webinar

January 21, 2:00-3:30 PM 

New

FMCSA

HP FY2025 NOFO Funding Conference

January 22, 1:00 PM

National RTAP

Risky Business III: Insurance for NEMT

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

MnDOT's Office of Research & Innovation and the Minnesota Local Road Research Board 

Research Radar: Exploring Autonomous Vehicle Innovations Webinar

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

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

January 23, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Seminole Tribe of Florida 

Renewable Energy & Sustainability 7th Annual Conference 

Hollywood, FL, January 27-29

National Transit Institute

Procurement II - Risk Assessment and Basic Cost or Price Analysis Course

Greensboro, NC, January 27-30, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

January 28, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC)

Introducing the Community Conversation on Transportation Equity Toolkit Webinar

January 28, 2:00 PM

National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT) 

Enhancing Your Real-Time Communications Workshop

January 28-29, 1:00-4:00 PM

National Transit Institute

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

January 29, 1:00-4:30 PM

U.S. Access Board

U.S. Access Board Virtual Public Meeting

January 29, 1:30-3:00 PM

New

AARP

2025 AARP Community Challenge Q&A Webinar

January 29, 2:00-3:00 PM

New

Thriving Communities Network

Thriving Communities Network Learning Series: Supporting Activity-Friendly Thriving Communities

January 29, 3:00 PM

Appalachian Regional Commission

Getting the Grant: Successfully Applying for ARC Funding Opportunities

Charleston, WV, January 30, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

January 30, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

PennState

Preparedness in Rural Communities: National and State/Local Perspectives and Plans Virtual Mini-Symposium

January 30-31, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

2025 AASHTO Washington Briefing

Washington, DC, February 3-6

Appalachian Regional Commission

Getting the Grant: Successfully Applying for ARC Funding Opportunities

Cartersville, GA, February 4, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

February 4, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Appalachian Regional Commission

Getting the Grant: Successfully Applying for ARC Funding Opportunities

Ithaca, NY, February 6, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

February 6, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Transit Institute

FTA Uniform Act Basics for Transit Agency Personnel Online Course

February 6, 1:00-5:00 PM

National RTAP

What's New in the ADA Toolkit?

February 6, 2:00-3:00 PM

Transportation Energy Partners

Energy Independence Summit 2025

Washington, DC, February 10-13

New

NAFA Fleet Management Association

Essentials of Fleet Management Seminar

February 10-13

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

February 11, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Section 30C Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit Public Hearing

Washington, DC, February 12, 2025, 10:00 AM

New

Transit Workforce Center (TWC)

Fuel Cell Bus (FCB) Familiarization Webinar for Transit Technicians Webinar

February 12, 1:00-2:30 PM

National Transit Institute

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

February 12, 1:00-4:30 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

February 13, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

February 18, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Southwest Transit Association (SWTA)

SWTA 2025 Annual Conference & Expo

Tucson, AZ, February 18-21

MnDOT's Office of Research & Innovation and the Minnesota Local Road Research Board 

Research Radar: Sustainable Transportation Solutions Webinar

February 20, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

February 20, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

Books in Transit Discussion Group Meeting - The Lost Ticket

February 20, 2:00-3:00 PM

United Motorcoach Association (UMA)

UMA Motorcoach Expo

Oklahoma City, OK, February 20-23

New

American Public Transportation Association (APTA)

APTA Marketing, Communications & Customer Experience Workshop

Long Beach, CA, February 23-26

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

February 25, 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

February 26, 1:00-4:30 PM

Portland State University

Mobility Matters 2025

February 27, 11:30 AM - 6:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

February 27, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Transit Institute

Principles for Effective Management and Supervision Online Course

March 3-6, 1:00-5:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

March 4, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

FHWA

DANA/TNMAide Peer Exchange

March 4-5

National Transit Institute

Crisis Communications for Transit Managers Online Course

March 4-5, 1:00-4:30 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

March 6, 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

McAllen, TX, March 7-12

We're participating

Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, North Dakota State University

Ethics Virtual Learning

March 10, 2:00-4:00 PM

Registration deadline March 5, 2025

National Transit Institute

Procurement IV: Contract Administration Course

Birmingham, AL, March 10-13

National Transit Institute

Introduction to Paratransit Management and Operations Online Course

March 10-13, 1:00-5:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

March 11, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

World Bank and WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities

Transforming Transportation

Washington, DC, March 11-12

New

National Transportation Safety Board 

Automation In Transportation: Lessons For Safe Implementation Public Forum

Washington, DC, March 11-12

New

American Bus Association (ABA)

Empower Your Business With Purposeful Leadership Webinar

March 12, 2:00-3:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

March 13, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Transit Institute

FTA Uniform Act Basics for Transit Agency Personnel Online Course

March 13, 1:00-5:00 PM

National RTAP

Employment-Focused Transit Manager Peer Roundtable

March 13, 2:00-3:00 PM

New

American Bus Association (ABA)

The Morality Matrix: Understanding Ethical Decision Making Webinar

March 14, 2:00-3:00 PM

New

American Public Transportation Association (APTA)

Legal Affairs Seminar

Phoenix, AZ, March 16-18

New

ActivEnviro

2025 Active Living Conference

Manhattan, KS, March 16-20

National Transit Institute

Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-Making Online Course

March 17-20, 1:00-5:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

March 18, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

American Bus Association (ABA)

Women in Buses Meet & Eat Virtual Event

March 19, 1:00 PM 

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

March 20, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

American Public Transportation Association (APTA)

Transit CEOs Seminar

San Antonio, TX, March 21-23

National Transit Institute

Introduction to Transit Service Planning Online Course

March 24-27, 1:00-5:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

March 25, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

Safe, Efficient, Affordable Transportation (SEAT)

Small Operator's Summit

Perrysville, OH, March 25-26

We're presenting

New

National Environmental Justice Conference, Inc. (NEJC)

2025 National Environmental Justice Conference and Training Program 

Washington, DC, March 25-27

National Transit Institute

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

March 26, 1:00-4:30 PM

Smart Growth America

Equity Summit

Washington, DC, March 26-27

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

March 27, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Transit Institute

Introduction to Transit Service Planning Online Course

March 31 - April 3, 1:00-5:00 PM

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.

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