National RTAP eNews - May 28, 2020

eNews - May 28, 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.

Updates to Rural Integrated National Transit Database (iNTD)

The Rural Integrated National Transit Database (iNTD) has been updated with new data and functionality. iNTD includes an Urban Module and a Rural Module and both are part of the Florida Transit Information System, created by Florida International University for Florida DOT. The Rural Module is sponsored by National RTAP.

The module now contains 2018 NTD data and a new peer grouping tool which assist users in finding comparable peer transit agencies for performance measurement and benchmarking.

Featured Resource

National RTAP Launches Rural Transit Heroes Photo Contest

Do you know a someone who has gone above and beyond to make sure their passengers travel safely and comfortably in all situations? An individual who has spurred innovations to help rural and tribal transit agencies overcome challenges and find new solutions? A person who has helped provide essential transportation or delivery of vital resources during the COVID-19 pandemic? Somebody who has played a leadership role in curbing human trafficking, addressing the opioid crisis, or helping other vulnerable populations through transit? All these heroes deserve to be commended and celebrated, so the theme of our 2020 Photo Contest is “Rural Transit Heroes.” The contest ends August 20, 2020.

Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Agency (HIRTA) Driver Jim Eitel

Enter the Contest

Resources and Events

National RTAP Issues Training Request for Information (RFI)

National RTAP has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to solicit proposals from interested and qualified trainers to provide compliance training and technical assistance through in-person workshops, virtual online training and/or webinars to subrecipients of FTA Section 5311, 5311(c), 5311(f) and 5310 funding. Completed documents are to be submitted no later than June 5, 2020 at 5:00 PM ET. Questions should be sent via email to [email protected]. Learn more and download the RFI.

Poll: What Are Your Current COVID-19 Questions?

To help us better assist you as we enter this new "reopening" phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, please fill out this one-question poll . We have added new resources to answer some of the questions that have already been asked, such as:

American Industrial Hygiene Association Back to Work Safely web page
CTAA's State by State COVID-19 NEMT Guidance Tool and COVID-19 Buyer's Guide
U.S. Chamber of Commerce State by State Business Reopening Guidance

Save the Date for the Second Annual Rural Transit Day

The second annual Rural Transit Day will take place on July 16, 2020. We will be holding a #RuralTransitDay Twitter Chat from 2:00-3:00 PM ET, moderated by Julia Castillo, Executive Director, HIRTA Public Transit, Kari Banta, Section 5304 Program Manager, TX DOT, and Angie Jones, District Manager, Grant County Transportation District (People Mover). The chat will focus on what agencies are doing to recognize passengers and staff on #RuralTransitDay and through the year, and shared thoughts about challenges and solutions for rural transit. RSVP to receive an invite. Also, stay tuned for contests on our Twitter and Instagram pages to win a Rural Transit Day t-shirt.

Young Professionals in Transportation/National RTAP Happy Hour Slides Available

Young Professionals in Transportation and National RTAP held a Happy Hour peer discussion on May 22, 2020. Download the presentation slides.

AASHTO, National RTAP, FDOT Vehicle Specifications Webinar Recording Posted

AASHTO’s Multi-State Transit Technical Assistance Program (MTAP) and National RTAP held a webinar on May 13, 2020 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, moderated the webinar and provided a state’s perspective. We posted the webinar recording, slides, and handout.

U.S. DOT and FTA Updates

FTA Comprehensive Review Guide has been renamed the FTA Comprehensive Review Contractor's Manual. It is a name change from prior years to more clearly indicate that these are instructions for contractors on how to execute a review as opposed to guidance to recipients on how to be compliant. The 2020 edition was published in April.

U.S. DOT released a new interactive map highlighting federal investment in major projects located in and around Opportunity Zones in the United States.

FTA's Mobility Performance Metrics (MPM) for Integrated Mobility and Beyond presents traveler-centric mobility performance strategies and metrics to assess how well an integrated public/private mobility system meets the needs of individual travelers, how well the system performs while meeting overall travel demand, and what the system’s impact is locally and nationally.

FTA issued guidance to help transit agencies and vehicle manufacturers understand and comply with prohibitions on FTA-funded rolling stock procurements contained in the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Guidance includes which manufacturers are affected, deadlines, and how state schedules are treated.

U.S. DOT will hold a webinar on June 3, 2020, 2:00-3:00 PM ET, about their Inclusive Design Challenge. The Challenge will make up to $5,000,000 available to designers for solutions to enable individuals with disabilities to use automated vehicles.

FTA announced $1.25 million for the Public Transportation Innovation funding for the Real-Time Transit Infrastructure and Rolling Stock Condition Assessment Research and Demonstration Program to fund projects that demonstrate innovative approaches, practices, partnerships, and technologies to enhance public transportation effectiveness, increase efficiency, expand quality, promote safety, and improve the traveler’s experience. Proposals must be submitted by July 17, 2020.

FTA announced approximately $5 million in funding through the Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program. The primary purpose of these competitive grants is to support planning, capital, and some operating assistance for tribal public transit. Proposals must be submitted by August 24, 2020.

Opportunities

Cartegraph for COVID-19 Response is available free for transit agencies looking to measure time and resources spent on COVID-19 response. Agencies can track data to request FEMA reimbursement funds.

Nominations are open through July 1, 2020 for FHWA/AASHTO STIC Excellence Awards. Awards will be given to State Transportation Innovation Councils (STICs) that have made significant impacts toward fostering strong cultures for innovation.

Nominations are open for the 2020 Professional Fleet Manager of the Year, held by Wheels Inc. and Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association. The award recognizes an individual with special business acumen in developing and executing key management policies. Nominations are also being accepted for the 2020 Fleet Hall of Fame. Submissions for both will be accepted through June 1, 2020.

The National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM) announced the Community Mobility Design Challenge 2020. Planning Grants, which support innovative ways to address the mobility challenges of low-income individuals. Grants up to $25,000 are available. The deadline is July 6, 2020.

Webinars and Training

The National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT) will be holding a webinar on GTFS Flex on June 17 at 2:00 PM ET. The webinar will include information on National RTAP's GTFS Builder web app.

The Midwestern Public Health Training Center, Rocky Mountain Public Health Training Center, and Region IV Public Health Training Center have created the course Thriving in an Online Work Environment. It contains tips, practices, and resources for staying productive and connected in an online environment, such as converting in-person training into online training and working remotely.

NCMM is offering a remote training opportunity on how communities can establish and/or expand existing One-Call/One-Click systems, which inform the public about transportation options for populations in a given geographic area. NCMM is inviting those interested in this training to submit an expression of interest through June 30, 2020.

Databases and Tools

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has developed a COVID Tracing Tracker, which shows significant automated contact tracing effort around the world.

AASHTO's Center for Environmental Excellence now has a Transportation and Environmental Research Ideas (TERI) Database, for tracking and sharing new transportation and environmental research ideas. Users can view and submit ideas.

Publications

Victoria Transport Policy Institute published Pandemic-Resilient Community Planning: Practical Ways to Help Communities Prepare for, Respond to, and Recover from Pandemics and Other Economic, Social and Environmental Shocks. The report discusses rural transportation pandemic risks and describes potential benefits derived from policy actions.

CDC published a Decision Tool for Reopening Offices. Factors involved in reopening include consistency with applicable state and local orders and intensified cleaning, disinfection, and ventilation.

National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) has published Assisting Passengers with Alzheimer’s and Dementia to provide information, tips and resources for bus operators assisting passengers with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. The publication helps staff identify dementia in passengers and best assist those populations.

AASHTO has released their latest free Salary Survey, which provides job classifications and salary information for 82 transportation job titles divided into 5 job categories.

The latest issue of the Maryland Transit Update newsletter focuses entirely on COVID-19 response, particularly among the local transit agencies across Maryland. KFH Group prepared this newsletter pro bono for the Maryland RTAP and the Transportation Association of Maryland.

National RTAP Procurement Topic Guide Updated

The National RTAP Procurement Topic Guide was updated in May 2020. Newly added resources include:

FTA's 2020 Master Agreement
APTA's Transit Board Member Handbook
National RTAP's Cost Allocation Calculator

Legislation

An Executive Order on Regulatory Relief to Support Economic Recovery was signed on May 19, 2020. This order gave federal agencies power to address the economic emergency due to COVID-19 by rescinding, modifying, waiving, or providing exemptions from regulations and requirements that may inhibit economic recovery, consistent with applicable law and with the protection of the public health and safety, national and homeland security, budgetary priorities, and operational feasibility.

Business Loan Program Temporary Changes; Paycheck Protection Program-Nondiscrimination and Additional Eligibility Criteria is an interim final rule from the Small Business Administration (SBA) that supplements previous interim final rules. The rule explains how nonprofits must meet their nondiscrimination obligations. Comments must be received by June 8, 2020. On May 15, 2020, SBA released a PPP Forgiveness Application Form. The maximum payroll cost for an individual employee in the covered period is $15,385 and the expiration date is October 31, 2020.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a Proposed Rule on Streamlining and Consolidating of Existing Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Programs on May 14, 2020 in the Federal Register. The rule proposes to update the existing gasoline, diesel, and fuels programs to improve compliance assurance, maintain environmental performance, and reduce compliance costs. Comments must be received by June 29, 2020.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) published a final rule in the Federal Register on May 26, 2020 on Unlicensed Use of the 6 GHz Band. The rule includes provisions to protect Intelligent Transportation Services. FCC also published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on May 26, 2020 on Establishing a 5G Fund for Rural America. Comments are due by June 25, 2020.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published Revised Enforcement Guidance for Recording Cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on May 19, 2020. The guidance explains that employers are responsible for recording cases of COVID-19 and should take action to determine whether employee COVID-19 illnesses are work-related. Employers with 10 or fewer employees and certain employers in low hazard industries need only report work-related COVID-19 illnesses that result in a fatality, in-patient hospitalization, or certain other results.

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 6 for Hawaii.

BraunAbility

BraunAbility Dual Parallel Arm (DPA) Lift Technical Overview

May 28, 2:00 PM