National RTAP eNews - March 19, 2020

eNews - March 19, 2020

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.

New National RTAP Technical Brief: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Information and Resources for Transit

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new respiratory virus that can spread through droplets in the air or by touching surfaces touched by someone with the virus. This new National RTAP technical brief, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Information and Resources for Transit, will help your transit agency staff and passengers through information and resources about the risks and evidence-based strategies. The brief covers what is known about COVID-19 at this time and the basics of planning, prevention and treatment.

Since this tech brief was first released on March 9, 2020, we have added updated statistics and new information about conference planning and vaccine and treatment clinical trials that have launched.

We have also added new resources to our Coronavirus Hot Topic Guide.

Featured Resource

Upcoming National RTAP and National Center for Mobility Management Cost Allocation Webinar

Join National RTAP and the National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM) on March 25, 2020, 2:00-3:00 PM ET for a webinar to learn about the fundamentals of two-variable cost allocation, how to use National RTAP's Cost Allocation Calculator, and ways to utilize the results for data reporting, pricing, and planning of services.

The demonstration will show how the Calculator generates fully allocated costs and metrics by route, travel mode, funding source, jurisdiction, and shared-ride services. The webinar will also have panelists with perspectives from rural transit agencies on how the Calculator is beneficial for their organizations.

Rich Garrity of RLS & Associates, Inc. will provide an overview of NCMM's upcoming course "Cost Allocation Techniques for Community Transportation" and the process of using cost allocation for financial data. Todd Hansen of the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) will demonstrate the Access and Excel versions of National RTAP's Cost Allocation Calculator, which is available to help states and transit programs with the financial management and performance measurement of their transit services.

Resources and Events

Upcoming National RTAP Twitter Chat on Climate and Transit

Please join us for a #ClimateTransit Twitter chat on April 21, 2020, from 2:00-3:00 PM ET to discuss how climate change could impact rural communities and transit agencies. We will also discuss how transit agencies can prepare for potential effects of a changing climate, as well as tackle their emissions to mitigate potential climate impacts. The chat will be moderated by Josh Goldman, Associate Director, Climate Nexus. Panelists are Jimmy O’Dea, Senior Vehicles Analyst, Union of Concerned Scientists, and Camron Gorguinpour, Senior Global Manager, Electric Mobility, World Resources Institute. RSVP to [email protected].

Save the Date for National RTAP/MTAP/FDOT Webinar on Vehicle Specifications

On April 22, 2020, 2:00-3:00 PM ET, join AASHTO’s Multi-State Transit Technical Assistance Program (MTAP) and National RTAP for a webinar with Carlton Allen, Florida DOT’s Transit Research Inspection Procurement Services (TRIPS) Program Manager about the state purchasing process. Robert E. Westbrook, Assistant State Transit Manager at Florida DOT, will moderate and provide a state’s perspective. Register for the webinar.

Minnesota RTAP Launches Interactive New Website

The Minnesota RTAP program launched a new website in December 2019, www.mnrtap.us, that has streamlined training database management and improved access to statewide RTAP training. The new site includes user registration, a catalog of all courses, a dynamic training calendar, and a smart scholarship application and reimbursement form, in addition to other resources and tools for transit agencies. The website will enable transit agencies to keep accurate training records and both register for in-person trainings and sign up for online courses.

RIBTC Student Paper Contest Accepting Entries

The deadline to submit student papers for the 24th National Conference on Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation (RIBTC), to be held October 18-21, 2020, in Charleston, SC, is April 15, 2020. Students can submit their work to the Graduate Student Research Paper Contest and the Undergraduate Student Essay Contest and be eligible for a full scholarship to present their paper at the conference.

National RTAP RFP for 2021 Technical Assistance Conference Local Host

National RTAP is requesting proposals for a location for our 5th biennial rural and tribal technical assistance conference in fall 2021. Visit the 2021 Conference page and the Local Host RFP for full details. On that page, you will also find the Q&A webinar recording and slides, and a Q&A document that answers all questions submitted regarding the RFP and the 2021 conference.

U.S. DOT and FTA Updates

FTA established a 2020 Emergency Relief Docket on March 15, 2020, so grantees and subgrantees affected by a national or regional emergency or disaster may request temporary relief from FTA administrative and statutory requirements. Petitions for relief must be posted in the docket in order to receive consideration. FTA also announced that in states where the Governor has declared an emergency, transit agencies can use federal formula funds for operating expenses in addition to capital expenses, and that operating expenses are covered at an 80% federal share rather than 50%.

FTA announced a Competitive Funding Opportunity: Accelerating Innovative Mobility (AIM) Challenge Grants in the Federal Register on March 18, 2020. AIM Challenge Grants are part of FTA’s new AIM Initiative to foster innovative transit technologies, practices and solutions that incentivize travelers to choose public transportation, promote economic development in communities, and enhance public/private partnerships to improve personal mobility. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by April 17, 2020.

U.S. DOT announced the availability of their new guidance portal in the Federal Register on March 3, 2020. This guidance portal provides access to guidance documents, ensure transparent use of guidance documents. The portal includes guidance on plain language, special programs and policies, and regulatory reform, and a section on what's new.

On March 2, 2020, FTA announced the allocation of $423,329,839 to 94 projects, including many rural and tribal projects, under the FY2019 Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program. The final rule in the Federal Register provided administrative guidance on project implementation. Applications for the FY2020 program may be submitted to Grants.gov by March 30, 2020.

The 2020 FTA Certifications and Assurances, execution instructions, and a summary of changes made between 2019 and 2020 have been posted on FTA’s website.

The FTA PTASP Technical Assistance Center offers voluntary reviews of draft Agency Safety Plans. Agencies my submit plans to [email protected] by April 30, 2020. The PTASP TAC will review the plan and provide feedback and ongoing technical assistance, as needed, to help agencies meet the compliance deadline of July 20, 2020. FTA has also posted a Sample Small Public Transportation Provider Agency Safety Plan.

Welcome New Guam RTAP Manager

National RTAP extends a warm welcome to our community to new Guam RTAP Manager Jacqueline Taitano . If you would like to get in touch with her or any RTAP Manager, visit our Directory of RTAP Managers.

Opportunities

NADTC announced their Innovations in Accessible Mobility Grant Program for the development of program innovations that increase transportation options for older adults and people with disabilities and maximize utilization of Section 5310 and other federal funding. Applications are due April 8, 2020.

CTAA's Emerging Leaders Academy will begin at the Association's annual EXPO, on May 31-June 4 in Louisville, Kentucky. The program guides transit professionals identified as rising leaders in community and public transportation. Applications are open through April 3, 2020.

Administration for Community Living (ACL) launched an Innovative Technology Solutions for Social Care Referrals challenge with an award of $500,000. Solutions may address transportation issues through scalable technology solutions that demonstrate data sharing between health care and social services organizations. Teams must submit letters of intent by May 15, 2020.

AASHTO, AAA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are accepting nominations for the 2020 America’s Transportation Awards through April 10, 2020. Award categories are: Operations Excellence, Best Use of Technology & Innovation, and Quality of Life/Community Development.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2020 Tribal Opioid Response grants. The program will address the opioid crisis in tribal communities by increasing access to culturally appropriate and evidence-based treatment and transportation. Applications are due through Grants.gov by May 4, 2020.

Webinars and Training

Easterseals Project Action Consulting (ESPAC) now offers certification for professional paratransit managers. Certified through the Center for Urban Transportation Research at the University of South Florida, the program provides paratransit managers of all experience levels with the Certified ADA Paratransit Manager credential.

Transportation Research Board (TRB) is holding a number of upcoming webinars on diverse topics, including:

How to Guide Alternative Contracting Projects
Demanding Data - Transactional Data for Demand-Responsive
Guide for Transportation Performance Management and Data
The Intersection between Health and Transportation

To find out more or register, visit the TRB webinars page.

Publications

AASHTO's The Benefits of Transportation shares state success stories for many U.S. states, such as FindMyRidePA, Pennsylvania’s web-based trip planning software application, and Arkansas' National Summer Transportation Institute for high school students.

TCRP's Multimodal Fare Payment Integration documents practices and experiences of transit agencies dealing with the complexities of multimodal fare payment convergence. Challenges include transit systems serving rural systems with many unbanked customers.

The March/April 2020 FHWA Innovator contains an article titled Public Involvement Communication Tools for a 21st Century Audience. Methods included Colorado DOT's rural telephone town halls and Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission's interactive map, where the public could draw project ideas and add comments.

Drive to Zero's Zero-Emission Technology Inventory is an interactive online resource for commercially available offerings of zero-emission vehicles, including transit buses, shuttle buses, and vans. The tool provides information where zero-emission brands are available for purchase, and when additional models are expected to become available.

Coordinated Transportation Serves Veterans in Western Montana is a new TCRP Research in Action Case Study. The case study describes how Montana Transit Association has improved coordination of service for veterans through implementation of an Emergency Transportation Assistance voucher program and data-informed decision-making.

National RTAP Disasters Topic Guide Updated

The National RTAP Disasters Topic Guide was updated in March 2020. The topic guide contains general information and resources on disaster planning, response, and recovery. We've added Mass Transit's Best Practices: Emergency Response and FEMA's Community Recovery Management Toolkit.

Legislation

On March 10, 2020, the Federal Communications Commission adopted the framework for the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. This fund will commit up to $20.4 billion over the 10 years to support broadband networks in rural America.

FMCSA posted an Emergency Declaration Under 49 CFR Section 390.23 No. 2020-002. Motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance for relief efforts related to COVID-19 are granted emergency relief from Parts 390 through 399 of Title 49, except as restricted. The relief covers transportation of persons designated by federal, state or local authorities for medical, isolation or quarantine purposes. Once drivers complete the trip, they must receive a minimum of 8 hours off-duty if transporting passengers.

National RTAP Resource Library Expands Circulating Collection

New TRB resources were added to National RTAP library's circulating collection, including A Research Roadmap for Transportation and Public Health and Transportation Workforce Planning and Development Strategies. Please contact [email protected] if you would like to borrow these or any of our resources available for loan.

Calendar of 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 5 for Hawaii.

The Compliance Team

Coronavirus and Preventing the Spread of Infection

March 19, 2:00-3:00 PM