eNews - September 6, 2018
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.
Register for a National RTAP webinar on September 27, 2018 from 2:00-3:00 PM ET that will focus on coordination in asset management and capital planning between state departments of transportation and rural transit agencies. PennDOT's Bureau of Public Transportation (BPT) and the Crawford Area Transportation Authority will serve as case studies. 

Webinar topics include: Challenges and benefits of streamlining agency asset data reporting; Business processes that support the capital planning/funding request workflow between agencies and BPT; and BPT's integration of grant management with capital planning. 
National RTAP updated our Healthy Habits Technical Brief in August 2018. Transit operators and other staff might feel tired or worn down and not really know why they feel that way. This brief focuses on simple habits that will help you to feel better and be more active and alert, which is critical for safe driving. It includes new exercises and stress reduction information.
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Resources and Events
Many Ways to Connect with National RTAP

If you've been following eNews, you know we've expanded our social media presence and created new peer forums. We recently updated the Connect With Us page of our website, where you'll find all the addresses, phone numbers, emails, and other ways to contact and connect with National RTAP.

U.S. DOT and FTA Updates

FTA announced recipients of the F Y18 Low or No-Emission Bus Program Projects. Over $84 million was awarded for rural and tribal Low-No projects. One of the recipients was Cherokee Nation; read about their new electric buses here .

US DOT offers safety eLearning courses available any time, including:
  • Curbing Transit Employee Distracted Driving
  • Fatigue and Sleep Apnea Awareness for Transit Employees

I n FTA's August 2018 Transit Safety and Oversight Spotlight newsletter, read about the benefits of voluntary on-site bus safety reviews, a new document on Effective Practices in Bus Transit Safety: Emergency Response, Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan webinars, and connected vehicle warning systems.

FTA announced the reestablishment of the Transit Advisory Committee for Safety (TRACS) via a new charter. TRACS provides information, advice and recommendations to the Secretary and the FTA Administrator on public transportation safety matters. The charter will be in effect through August 27, 2020.

US DOT, in partnership with NHTSA, has invited all stakeholders to participate in a new Heatstroke Awareness Challenge by creating a brief video about the dangers of heatstroke and posting it on social media. Find out more about this campaign.

FTA produced a new drug abuse awareness video on effects and consequences of prohibited drug use on health, safety and work, and signs and symptoms that may indicate prohibited drug use. The video meets 60-minute training requirements of section 655.14(b)(1) for covered employees.

Webinars and Training

FHWA and NHI are offering a free web-based course on Introduction to Financial Planning for Transportation Asset Management. Topics covered include components of financial plans and how financial plans and other state plans, programs and budgets are related.

FDOT is offering a new course : National RTAP START (Safety Training and Rural Transit) Train the Trainer Course in Tallahassee, FL, November 7-8. This course will provide a guide for trainers on how to effectively use the START materials when training transit drivers. 

TRB will conduct a webinar on September 27, 2:00-3:30 PM ET that features research from NCHRP’s Best Practices in Rural Regional Mobility . The webinar will present case studies that exemplify models for rural regional transit services.  

Publications

TCRP's Legal Implications of Video Surveillance on Transit Systems discusses issues including using video to discipline employees, safety, public access and video retention. This digest explores federal and state laws and transit agency practices for compliance. 

Victoria Transport Policy Institute's Rural Multimodal Planning: Why and How to Improve Travel Options in Small Towns and Rural Communities discusses strategies that can help rural communities improve and connect transportation options including walking, cycling and public transport. 

TRB's Admissibility and Public Availability of Transit Safety Planning Records considers arguments for and against evidentiary protections for safety planning records. Issues discussed include the quality of safety planning records and deterrence of unsafe conditions.

National RTAP contributed to Campbell University's Summary Report to the Field, Number 1: Rural Group Recommendations for National Funders . Our recommendations included facilitating learning communities, education, and training.

Opportunities

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize honors communities that bring partners together to improve health for all residents. The application deadline is November 1, 2018.

The AARP Foundation is offering grants through a program for Increasing Social Connectedness for Older Adults. The application deadline is September 28, 2018. 

RIBTC Plenary Session with National Perspectives on Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation: Words from the Industry

If you are attending the upcoming National Conference on Rural and Intercity Bus Transportation ( RIBTC ) in Breckenridge, CO, you can join a lively dialogue on October 2, with leaders of national associations, including National RTAP. The session will include an update on transit issues at the national level and an open discussion with attendees.

Now You Can Follow Us on LinkedIn

National RTAP recently launched a LinkedIn site where you can read and connect with weekly posts about professional opportunities, training resources and information that help rural and tribal transit professionals learn and grow.
Center for Transportation & the Environment (CTE)
Zero Emissions Bus Conference
September 10-11, Los Angeles, CA

ESPA
Taking ADA Complementary Paratransit Service to the Next Level
September 10-October 19

Q'Straint
Wheelchair Securement Training
September 11, 12:00-1:15 PM

NTI
Performance Based Planning and Programming
September 11-12, Atlanta, GA

ESPA
ADA Complementary Paratransit: Responding to Emergencies
September 12, 2:00-3:30 PM

FTA
Safety Rules Webinar for State DOTs
September 12, 2:00 PM

NHDOT
Tri-State Transit Conference
September 12-14, North Conway, NH

CUTR
The Role of Public Transportation During a State of Emergency Declaration Due to Natural Disasters
September 13, 12:00-1:00 PM

NCMM
Conversations with Leaders
September 13, 2:00-2:30 PM

NITC
Transportation and Communities 
September 13-14, Portland, OR

NTI
Project Management for Transit Professionals
September 13-14, Phoenix, AZ

Collaborative Sciences Center for Road Safety
Safe Systems Summit
Durham, NC, September 13-14

NTI
Procurement for Small and Medium Transit Systems
Charlottesville, VA, September 17-18

NTI
Advancing Mobility Management
Dallas, TX, September 17-18

NTICC
National Transportation in Indian Country Conference
September 17-20, Duluth, MN

FSU/FDOT
BraunAbility Lifts – Maintenance and Repair Training
Tallahassee, FL, September 18

NTI
National Transit Database: Annual Reporting for State DOTs
September 18, 2:00-3:30 PM

NTI
Ridership Forecasting with STOPS for Transit Project Planning
Miami, FL, September 18-20

CUTR
Substance Abuse Management and Program Compliance
Tampa, FL, September 18-20

FSU/FDOT
BraunAbility Lifts – Maintenance and Repair Training
Daytona, FL, September 19

NTI
Risk Assessment for Transit Capital Projects
Newark, NJ, September 19-20

FHWA/TTAP
National Tribal Transportation Conference (NTTC)
September 24-27, Oklahoma City, O K

National RTAP
Best Practices - Coordination Between State DOT and Transit Agencies in Asset Management and Capital Planning
September 27, 2:00-3:00 PM

TRB
Practices in Rural Regional Mobility: Case Studies and Lessons Learned
September 27, 2:00-3:30 PM ET

RIBTC
National Conference on Rural Public & Intercity Bus Transportation
September 30-October 3, Breckenridge, CO

FTPA/CTD
Annual Florida Public Transportation Conference & Expo
October 14-17, Daytona Beach, FL

Connecticut Association for Community Transportation
Conference and Expo
October 15, Newington, CT

Oregon Transit Association
Oregon Public Transportation Annual Conference
October 28-31, Bend, OR

Louisiana Transportation Research Center
Louisiana Transportation Conference
New Orleans, LA, Oct. 31-Nov. 2

For a listing of all National RTAP and other national events, view our  Calendar . To submit an event, email  [email protected] .

All event times listed as Eastern Time
Look for Us at these Upcoming Conferences
  • Tri-State Transit Conference, North Conway, NH, Sep. 12-14
  • Dakota Transit Association Conference, Brookings, SD, Sep. 15-19
  • National Transportation in Indian Country Conference, Duluth, MN, Sep. 17-20
  • Rural & Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, Breckenridge, CO, Sep. 30-Oct. 3
  • FTPA/CTD Annual Florida Public Transportation Conference & Expo, Daytona Beach, FL, Oct. 14-17
  • Connecticut Association for Community Transportation Conference and Expo, Newington, CT, Oct. 15
  • Oregon Public Transportation Conference, Bend, OR, Oct. 28-31
  • Louisiana Transportation Conference, New Orleans, LA, Oct. 31-Nov. 2
National RTAP | 888-589-6821| [email protected] | nationalrtap.org