National RTAP eNews - October 31, 2019

eNews - October 31, 2019

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.

Upcoming National RTAP Tribal Transit Peer Roundtable

Join us and fellow Tribal Transit providers on November 27, 2019 from 3:00-4:00 PM ET to talk about your programs and challenges you're facing. Topics we'll be discussing will include the Proposed Rule on Tribal Transportation Self-Governance. No need to register, just join the GoToMeeting. Please let us know what you're interested in discussing by filling out a Google Form, and you can RSVP for an email invite.

New National RTAP Best Practices Spotlight Article on Wheelchair Charging

Public transit systems may wish to consider offering riders the option of charging their wheelchairs while using transit services. Charging stations can be installed at transit facilities and inside transit vehicles. This new Best Practices Spotlight article on Wheelchair Chargers explains how wheelchair battery chargers work, describes success stories throughout the U.S., and provides implementation best practice recommendations.

Featured Resource

Resources and Events

Register for the National RTAP/CTE Webinar on Rural Transit Zero-Emission Vehicle Deployments: Collaborating with your Electric Utility

Join National RTAP and the Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) on November 5, 2019 from 2:00-3:30 PM ET for a webinar about strategies to help electric utilities and transit agencies build and maintain partnerships, featuring a case study about Roaring Fork Transportation Authority's (RFTA) partnership with Holy Cross Energy (HCE).

Survey for National RTAP Scheduling and Dispatching Training Update

National RTAP is updating our Scheduling and Dispatching Training and we need your help! Please fill out this brief survey to help the instructional designers better understand the audience for this training, the roles of schedulers and dispatchers at rural transit agencies, and specific items or topics you would find helpful. The survey will close on Thursday, October 31. Thank you!

U.S. DOT and FTA Updates

FTA has launched the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) Technical Assistance Center to support transit agencies and states in meeting PTASP requirements by the July 20, 2020 compliance deadline. The center offers peer-to-peer support, training, and resources.

FTA's Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Implementation: Hazards and Consequences Self-Guided Learning Tool is an e-learning tool developed to help individuals distinguish between hazards and consequences as the terms apply to Safety Risk Management under a Safety Management System (SMS).

Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (ROUTES) is a new U.S. DOT initiative launched in October 2019 that is focused on collecting input from stakeholders on the benefits rural projects offer for safety and economic benefits, as well as the type and degree of assistance rural projects require.

FTA's October 2019 Transit Safety and Oversight Spotlight newsletter is now available. The issue includes information about registering for FTA's Oversight Tracking System (OTrak) focus groups on November 19 and December 4. The issues also contain information about the forthcoming State Safety Oversight reporting tool, with training.

Webinars and Training

Montana State University's Center for Health & Safety Culture is holding a webinar on November 6, 3:00-4:00 PM ET, that will describe results of a Key Information for Driving Under the Influence of Cannabis (DUIC) Policy research project that was sponsored by the Traffic Safety Culture Pooled Fund Program hosted by the Montana DOT.

Register for a webinar featuring M.G. Tech Writing, LLC and Tribal Injury Prevention Resource Center - It’s Not Just About the Money: Writing Grants for the End Gain on November 13 at 1:00 PM ET. This webinar is for anyone wanting tips for grant writing for tribal nations. Participants will learn how to match their organizations’ needs to funding opportunities, gather demographic information, build effective partnerships, and draft project abstracts with smart objectives.

Opportunities

Native Americans in Philanthropy and the Minneapolis Fund are accepting applications for the GenIndigenous Response Fund through November 11, 2019. Grantees will promote the advancement of Native human rights for youth. Priority areas for funding include education, sustainability, workforce development, and environmental justice.

The 2020 Motorcoach Awards submission process is open and applications are being accepted through November 15, 2019. Awards are for the United Motorcoach Association Operator of the Year and American Bus Association Innovative Operator.

Welcome New RTAP Managers

National RTAP extends a warm welcome to our community to several new State and Territory RTAP managers - Tabitha Martin, Kentucky, Pamela West, Mississippi, and Karole Ovesen-McGregor, Virgin Islands . If you would like to get in touch with them or any RTAP Manager, visit our Directory of RTAP Managers .

Publications

APTA's Supporting Late-Shift Workers: Their Transportation Needs and the Economy highlights the economic importance of the late-shift, profiles the state of late-shift commuting, and discusses challenges and approaches to operating late-shift public transportation.

National Academy for State Health Policy's (NASHP) Toolkit: State Strategies to Support Older Adults Aging in Place in Rural Areas highlights state initiatives to help older rural adults age in place by increasing services that help people remain in their homes, such transportation access and services.

National Rural Health Resource Center's Network Sustainability Toolkit is a performance improvement tool that measures indicators of a sustained network. Results help networks meet goals and maintain the ability to do so over time. The priorities identified act as a framework to allow focused efforts.

The latest blog post by National Transportation Knowledge Network (NTKN) bloggers describes the State DOT Organizational Charts LibGuide.

TriMet's The Rider's Voice is the latest addition to the National RTAP Resource Library's circulating collection. The book contains compelling stories about taking the steps to learn to ride public transit. If you would like to borrow this or any of our other books or media available for loan, contact [email protected].

APTA has published their 2019 Public Transportation Fact Book. It includes data on passenger travel, vehicles, funding, infrastructure, and more.

Legislation

NHTSA seeks public comment on permitting camera-based rear visibility systems (also called camera monitor systems or CMS) as an alternative to inside and outside rear-view mirrors. FMVSS No. 111 requires that all multipurpose passenger vehicles and buses be equipped with one or more rear-view mirrors for visibility. Comments must be submitted by December 9, 2019.

An interim final rule published in the Federal Register on October 17, 2019 delayed the November 7, 2019 deadline to comply with requirements to collect data on proposed roads for the Tribal Transportation Program, 81 FR 78456, to March 6, 2020. In an effort to strengthen government-to-government regulations with Indian Tribes, and in recognition of Tribal right to self-governance and Tribal sovereignty, the U.S. Department of the Interior evaluated the rule and identified effects on federally recognized Indian Tribes.

Congratulations to #RTAP2019 Web App Game Winner!

Congratulations to Nevada DOT Transportation Planner/Analyst Matthew Bradley, who was number one in both the Conference App Game and the Click Game. The App games were a way to facilitate and enhance networking at the 4th Annual National RTAP Technical Assistance Conference in Portland, Oregon on September 15-18, 2019.

Calendar of Upcoming Events

National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE)

Enhancing Active Transportation and Demand Management (ATDM) with Advanced and Emerging Technologies and Data Sources

October 31, 2:00-3:30 PM