eNews - July 6, 2023
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
Get Ready for Rural Transit Day!
Upcoming State RTAP Peer Roundtable
National RTAP Review Board Member Spotlight: Jessie Schmitzer
TACL Utilization Study Launches
U.S. DOT's New Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant Opportunity (MPDG)
Get Ready for Rural Transit Day!

Our fifth #RuralTransitDay Twitter Chat will be held July 14, 2023, 2:00-3:00 PM ET. (Rural Transit Day is always July 16, which is a Sunday this year.) This is an event where participants share thoughts about the benefits of rural transit, along with challenges and solutions. The chat will be moderated by Stephanie Lewis, Instructional/Multimedia Project Manager, Florida RTAP, Paula Smith, Executive Director, Tri River Transit, and National RTAP staff. RSVP for an invite.


  • We added a new section to our Rural Transit Day webpage. Click on the "Ideas for Rural Transit Day Celebrations" button in the top righthand section of the page for ways to honor your staff and riders and celebrate with your community.
  • We started a Rural Transit Day time capsule and are collecting bus passes. If you have one (even if you don't use bus passes anymore), please mail it to Cara Marcus, National RTAP, 5 Wheeling Ave., Woburn, MA 01801 by July 7, 2023.
  • Use graphics from our Rural Transit Day Toolbox to spread the word about the benefits of rural transit on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
  • Send a Rural Transit Day Hero Card (downloadable templates are in the middle of the page) to thank someone for their special contributions.
  • Email us your answer to the question, "What does rural transit mean to you?" and we will post it on our Rural Transit Day webpage.
  • Take the Rural Transit Day Pledge to show your commitment to rural transit. 219 organizations have taken the pledge so far - let's hit our target goal of 250 by July 16, 2023!
Upcoming State RTAP Peer Roundtable

Our next State RTAP Manager Peer Roundtable will be held on July 18, 2023, 2:00-3:00 PM ET. This is an informal session for State RTAP Managers to meet with their peers for a discussion of issues of interest to them. One issue we will be discussing will be the implementation of and training on the new NTD GTFS requirements.
Upcoming National RTAP Events

In support of the forthcoming National Transit Database (NTD) reporting requirements for General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) for fixed and deviated fixed route service, National RTAP is offering free, live GTFS support Thursdays between 1:00-1:30 PM ET. Meet with our instructor, share your screen, and ask questions. Use this link to join the Zoom meeting – no preregistration is needed. GTFS support is also available Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM ET by contacting info@nationalrtap.org.

National RTAP will be hosting Intercity Bus 101: State of the Industry on July 25, 2023, 2:00-3:30 PM ET. We are hosting a series of webinars describing these changes and setting up states and communities to successfully integrate with the newly emerging industry. Join us for Intercity Bus 101 where multiple speakers from a diverse group of backgrounds will describe the state of the industry, technological advancements, and how best to move forward.

The next Learn about TACL training will be held on August 17, 2023, 2:00-3:00 PM ET. TACL, the Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library, helps rural and tribal transit agencies access information about public transportation coordination. The session will include a Resource Feature by Al Benedict and Nate Seeskin on SUMC's The Path to Mobility Interoperability.

Our Books in Transit Discussion Group has selected I Was Told It Would Get Easier by Abbi Waxman as our next book to read. A mother and daughter travel in a bus full of strangers for a college tour all along the east coast. Register for our meeting on August 22, 2023, 2:00-3:00 PM ET. The author will be joining us!

Recordings Published for U.S. DOT Drug & Alcohol Regulation Update and Shared-Use Mobility Webinars

On June 22, 2023, Sean Oswald, Chief of Operations and Director of Drug & Alcohol Initiatives RLS & Associates, Inc., led a National RTAP webinar on U.S. DOT Drug & Alcohol Regulation Update (49 CFR Part 40) - Oral Fluid Drug Testing & More! Access the webinar recording, white paper, and presentation slides.

On June 29, 2023, the Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s (TTI) Transit Mobility program led a Challenges and Successes with Shared‐Use Mobility in Rural, Frontier, and Tribal Areas Virtual Workshop focused on needs for transportation along with ideas and examples for solutions to challenges. The session was co-hosted by National RTAP and SUMC. Access the workshop recording and presentation slides.

Enter the National RTAP 2023 Photo Contest: This is Rural Transit

Our National RTAP 2023 Photo Contest – This is Rural Transit – is all about the “rural” in rural transit. We’re looking for photos that showcase the beauty and uniqueness of rural areas and tribal lands and highlight what makes small towns special. Entries must include a photo of the bus, bus stop, driver, and/or riders. Each transit agency can enter up to three photos by August 21, 2023.

National RTAP Launches RFP to Update our Marketing Toolkit

National RTAP is soliciting proposals from interested and qualified firms or individuals to update the Marketing Transit Toolkit. The submission deadline is July 27, 2023 at 5:00 PM ET. Answers to questions received during the Pre-Proposal Call have been posted.

State RTAPs Publish Articles about National RTAP

The Missouri RTAP 2nd Quarter 2023 eNewsletter contains an article entitled What's New at National RTAP (pages 10-11). The article provides information about several of our new training resources, such as Delivering Excellent Customer Service in Rural Transit.

Minnesota RTAP published an article entitled Strategies for Working with Difficult Passengers. It describes a diffusion method called the Cairo Method and also cites National RTAP's Problem Passengers eLearning course.
National RTAP Review Board Member Spotlight: Jessie Schmitzer

Jessie Schmitzer, RTAP Manager, Ohio DOT Office of Transit, joined the National RTAP Review Board in the Spring of 2023. As an ESL teacher in Korea, she fell in love with public transportation after taking Korea’s beautiful buses and subways. Jessie is planning a statewide training opportunity for transit leadership development. Another innovation she is putting into place is a collection of recorded trainings. Read more about Jessie.

National RTAP Participation in Upcoming Conferences

We're presenting and exhibiting at the following conferences and meetings:

National RTAP Procurement Topic Guide Updated

National RTAP continues our annual Topic Guide updates with our Procurement Topic Guide. (We are repeating this article because the headline in the last newsletter was for a different topic guide.) New resources include:

Call for Tribal Transit Agencies and Champions Nominations and Student Posters for the National RTAP 2023 Conference

The National RTAP Tribal Transit Champions and Agencies Awards honor innovation, efficiency, commitment, and performance in the tribal transit industry. Awards will be presented at the 5th Rural and Tribal Transit Technical Assistance Conference: Navigating the Tides of Change, December 3-6, 2023 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The deadline for nominations is October 20, 2023.

Students are invited to submit a poster by October 6, 2023 for our 5th Rural and Tribal Transit Technical Assistance Conference: Navigating the Tides of Change, which will take place on December 3-6, 2023 in Myrtle Beach, SC. Students must be able to present posters in-person on December 3, 2023.

TACL Utilization Study Launches

National RTAP is conducting a utilization study to see how users utilize TACL, the Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library. We are looking to see how users find resources, as well as how they use specific resources to solve actual transportation coordination challenges. If you (or a member of your team) are currently working on a transportation coordination project and would like to participate, please contact us at info@nationalrtap.org.
U.S. DOT and FTA Updates
Travel scholarships are available to Tribal Transit employees wishing to attend the 2023 Biennial FTA State and Tribal Programs and Transit Partnerships Conference. These scholarships are made possible through National RTAP. Please click here for an application and guidelines.

U.S. DOT is accepting applications for up to $5.575 billion in funding through the National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) program, Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) program, and Rural Surface Transportation Grant (Rural) program through its Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant Opportunity (MPDG). The deadline for applications is August 21, 2023.

FTA is accepting applications through July 14, 2023 for its Outstanding Achievement Award for Excellence in Environmental Document Preparation. The biennial award recognizes environmental documents prepared for projects that will receive or anticipate receiving federal funds.

FTA’s June 2023 Transit Safety and Oversight Spotlight newsletter provides an overview of the proposed changes to the National Public Transportation Safety Plan and a data spotlight on suicide fatalities and injuries.

FTA created a Data Visualization Tool for its FY2023 Buses & Bus Facilities and Low-No Grants. An interactive map lets users select individual projects to learn more about them, including project sponsors, descriptions, and funding amounts. There are tabs for Rural and Statewide Awards and for Tribal Projects.

Corrections were made to the U.S. DOT Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program. Several web links were corrected and the submission deadline was corrected to September 28, 2023.

U.S. DOT published a Request for Information about potential areas for future innovative advanced research and development programs to be funded and managed by the newly designated U.S. DOT agency Advanced Research Projects Agency—Infrastructure (ARPA–I). Submissions must be received by July 28, 2023.
Webinars and Training
Easter Seals Project Action (ESPA) is offering a new workshop on Determining ADA Complementary Paratransit Eligibility. This workshop provides transit professionals with the information and tools to develop a comprehensive approach to conducting accurate paratransit eligibility determinations. Contact ESPA for more information.

TRB has several upcoming webinars of interest, including:
Publications
The Shared-Use Mobility Center's (SUMC) Guidebook for Mobility Innovation serves as a reference for leaders in transit and mobility innovation to pilot new ideas. A case study describes how Crawford Area Transportation Authority (CATA) created a separate, non-profit organization that allowed the agency to maintain ownership over its bike-sharing program while leveraging other funding sources, like local business sponsorships.

The Transit Workforce Center (TWC) debuted the TWC Blog, featuring Transit Career Stories, Research Roundups, and TWC Research. Transit Career Stories spotlights frontline workers’ experiences, career trajectories, and their thoughts on what makes their public transportation careers exciting and beneficial.

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Equitable and Resilient Infrastructure Investments looks at natural disaster relief and resilience, focusing on partnerships for equitable infrastructure development, and innovations in finance and financial analysis. The report discusses knowledge transfer between rural areas and tribal communities and other practitioners.

Shared-Use Mobility Center's (SUMC) This All Started with Carsharing: Mapping the Shared Mobility Ecosystem shares examples of how different partnerships have multiplied the efforts of single carshare providers, and the role of carsharing as a connector.
Databases and Tools
The Georgia Health Policy Center's Funding Navigator contains self-paced trainings, tools, and a funding dashboard designed to support states, collaboratives, and local fiscal intermediaries in aligning resources and strategies across sectors.

The federal Rural Partner's Network provides an interactive map of Rural Community Networks that bring new opportunities and improvements to their communities. Select a state or territory to see how these networks are creating improvements in sustainable energy, infrastructure, and more.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) updated its Transit Safety Data by Mode for All Reported Incidents. The 2022 version of this table updates to a new and more accurate methodology done by the source.
Opportunities
The Toyota Mobility Foundation, Challenge Works, and the World Resources Institute launched the Sustainable Cities Challenge. The grant program brings cities and innovators together to enable safe, inclusive, and sustainable mobility solutions. The entry deadline is September 18, 2023.

Micromobility Industry's Mobility Innovation Awards honor achievements across various aspects of mobility innovation. Organizations need to be operating for more than 10 years to enter.

The National Center for Mobility Management's (NCMM) Community Mobility Design Challenge 2023 is to enable multi-sector community teams to develop promising mobility solutions that are inspired and informed by the results of community research. Applications are due August 4, 2023.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants awards are made on a rolling basis as applications are received. The FY 22 and FY 23 application deadline was extended for Indian Tribes, including Alaska Native Corporations, until August 31, 2023. DOE's Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) program seeks to improve the resilience, reliability, and affordability of energy systems in communities across the country with 10,000 or fewer people. Pre-applications are due July 13, 2023. Full applications are due by October 12, 2023.

Nominations for TCRP Synthesis Panels have been extended to July 14, 2023. Nominate yourself or a colleague on MyTRB.

The Center for Digital Government is accepting responses for the 2023 Digital Cities Survey through July 20, 2023. ALL U.S. cities, towns, and villages are invited to participate including all smaller population-sized cities. Awards are based on five population classifications.

The TRB Sharon D. Banks Award for Humanitarian Leadership in Transportation recognizes individuals whose accomplishments have made a significant difference in the lives of those who use, deliver, or support transportation services. Nominations are being accepted through July 31, 2023.

The Rural Business-Cooperative Service announced competitive grants for activities designed to expand the sales and use of renewable fuels under the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program. Applications will be accepted over five quarters from July 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024.

The deadline for NCHRP Volunteer Driver Programs (VDPs) Serving Rural and Low Density Communities panel nominations has been extended until the panel is formed. This project will identify existing VDPs in North America, particularly in rural or low-density areas, and available resources on these programs, including tools for planning services or monitoring and dispatching volunteers. Nominations can be submitted through MyTRB.
Legislation
The Federal Communications Commission proposed measures to clarify and strengthen people's ability to revoke consent to receive robocalls and robotexts. Comments are due July 31, 2023.

NHTSA is seeking comments through July 31, 2023 on a new information collection on the Automated Vehicle Transparency and Engagement for Safe Testing (AV TEST) Initiative, which involves the collection of voluntarily-submitted information from entities involved in the testing of vehicles equipped with automated driving systems (ADS) and from states and local authorities involved in the regulation of ADS testing.

NHTSA is also seeking comments through August 2, 2023 on a new information collection on Strategies To Improve Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Officers’ Performance. The project will request information about existing DRE processes and procedures, tools, and strategies used, and how NHTSA plans to implement new or enhance existing processes and procedures.
Upcoming Events
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.

National RTAP
July 6, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

FTA
July 6, 1:00-2:30 PM

American Bus Association
July 7, 2:00-3:00 PM

Conference Of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO)
Los Angeles, CA, July 8-11

Q'STRAINT Training Academy
July 11, 12:00 PM

National Institute for Congestion Reduction (NICR) 
July 11, 12:00-1:00 PM

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
New Orleans, LA, July 11-12

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Washington, DC, July 11-12

U.S. DOT ITS JPO
July 12, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

TRB 
July 12, 12:00-1:30 PM

USDA
Tribal Caucus, July 12, 1:00-2:00 PM; Tribal Consultation and Listening Session, July 12, 2:00-3:30 PM

TRB 
July 13, 12:00-1:30 PM

National RTAP
July 13, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

FTA
July 13, 2:00 PM

National RTAP
July 14, 2:00-3:00 PM
Rural Transit Day, July 16, is on Sunday this year

USAging 
Salt Lake City, UT, July 16-19

National Local Technical Assistance Program Association (NLTAPA) 
Columbus, OH, July 17-20

Rural Health Information Hub
July 18, 1:00-2:00 PM

National RTAP
July 18, 2:00-3:00 PM ET

TRB
July 19, 12:00-1:30 PM

U.S. DOT
July 19, 2:00 PM

National RTAP
July 20, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

AASHTO
July 20, 2:00 PM

TRB
Richmond, VA, July 23-26

National RTAP
July 25, 2:00-3:30 PM

U.S. Access Board 
July 25, 1:30-3:30

American Bus Association Bus Industry Safety Council (BISC)
Orlando, FL, July 25-27

American Bus Association Bus Maintenance and Repair Council (BusMARC)
Orlando, FL, July 25-27

West Virginia Public Transit Association (WVPTA)
Wheeling, WV, July 25-27
Please visit our booth!

TRB 
July 26, 1:00-2:30 PM

National RTAP
July 27, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE)
July 27, 2:00 PM

APTA
Anaheim, CA, July 30 - August 2

National RTAP
August 3, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

FHWA 
August 3, 1:00-3:00 PM

Association of Travel Instruction (ATI)
Salt Lake City, UT, August 8-10

American Bus Association
August 9, 2:00-3:00 PM

National RTAP
August 10, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

WSTA/OTA
Please visit our table!

NRITS and ITE
Portland, OR, August 13-16

National Local Technical Assistance Program Association (NLTAPA) 
August 15-17, 1:00-3:00 PM

FHWA
August 16, 1:00-3:00 PM

FTA
Washington, DC, August 16-18

National RTAP
August 17, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP and SUMC
August 17, 2:00-3:00 PM ET

National Transit Institute
August 17, 2:00-3:30 PM

National RTAP
August 22, 2:00-3:00 PM

Green Transportation Summit & Expo (GTSE)
Tacoma, WA, August 22-24

National RTAP
August 24, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged (CTD)
Orlando, FL, August 29-30
We're participating

National RTAP
August 31, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Transit Institute
August 31, 2:00-3:00 PM

New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine DOTs
Killington, VT, September 6-7
Please stop by our booth!

MPTA, IPTA, KPTA, NATP
Kansas City, MO, September 6-8
National RTAP Ambassadors are attending.

National RTAP
September 7, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Utah Urban Rural Specialized Transit Association (URSTA) 
Kanab, UT, September 7-9
Please visit our table!

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Accreditation Commission (NEMTAC)
Jacksonville, FL - September 10-12
Please stop by our table!

National Center for Rural Road Safety
Oklahoma City, OK, September 12-14

Colorado Association of Transit Agencies (CASTA) 
Crested Butte, CO, September 12-15
Please stop by our table!

Hawaii Transportation Association (HTA)
Honolulu, HI, September 13-14
We're participating

National RTAP
September 14, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Transit Institute
September 14, 1:00-5:00 PM

National RTAP
September 21, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Transportation in Indian Country Conference (NTICC)
Anchorage, AK, September 24-28
Please stop by our booth!

National Transit Institute
September 26-27, 1:00-4:30 PM

Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE)
San Diego, CA, September 26-28
Please stop by our booth!

American Bus Association
September 27, 2:00-3:00 PM

National RTAP
September 28, 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.
National RTAP | 888-589-6821 | info@nationalrtap.org | nationalrtap.org