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60 Minute Substance Abuse Awareness Training Now Available on National RTAP eLearning

This two-module course fulfills FTA's substance abuse training requirement for safety-sensitive employees. National RTAP is now providing the complete training for free on our eLearning platform. Not familiar with National RTAP eLearning? View our Getting Started Guide!

The first module covers information about the FTA substance abuse program and educates learners  about the dangers of alcohol misuse on the individual's health, work, and personal life, as well as signs and symptoms of an alcohol problem. 

The second module on prohibited drugs is timed, and includes five sections.The training must take a minimum of one hour to receive credit for the course. Learners are tested after each of the sections. Learners who finish the course will be awarded a printable certificate with the course information, their names, and the time spent completing the content. 

We will be hosting a kickoff webinar on August 31 at 2:30pm ET to showcase the course and answer any questions.
Announcing the Winners of National RTAP's 2016 Photo Contest!

Congratulations to our winners and thanks to all who submitted photos! View the winners on our website and all entries on our Facebook page, where you can also view photos from previous years.

The grand prize went to "Dayton" by Stephanie Wolf of Lyon County Human Services in Dayton, NV.  The runner up was "Kid Safety Day at Summer Camp" taken by Patti Waitkevich and submitted by Mary Basilone of Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority in Taunton, MA. 

Honorable Mentions went to Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System in Merced, CA and Tri-CAP Transit in Waite Park, MN.
Recordings Now Available for Recent Webinars: Website Builder Overview and Connecting Users and Rides for Specialized Transportation

Couldn't make our recent webinars?  View both recordings on National RTAP's  Webinars page!

In last week's new overview webinar about our Website Builder application and hosting service, Chase Field of National RTAP Tech Support provided a demo,  explained the features of the system, highlighted recent changes and additional modules, and gave answers to common questions. 

In yesterday's webinar, Judy Shanley of NCMM provided an overview of mobility management and Will Rodman and Dan Berez of Nelson\Nygaard walked through NCHRP Report 832: State DOTs Connecting Specialized Transportation Users and Rides, Volume 1: Research Report and Volume 2: Toolkit for State DOTs and Others

Will and Dan explained the research on existing linkage programs, the strengths and weaknesses of each type of program (from a directory of local transportation options to a direct trip booking app), and discussed the evaluation of linkage programs.
FTA and US DOT Updates

FTA released its Final Rule for the Public Transportation Safety Plan, effective September 12. Read their explanation of what this means for you in the  FastlaneThey will host webinars on August 30, 2-3pm ET and September 1, 3-4pm ET to discuss the rule and answer questions related to implementation. Register here.

TRaMS will close on September 23 for Fiscal Year 2016. Don't get caught out! 

The FTA released an amendment to its Drug and Alcohol Regulations concerning the term 'service agent,' effective August 8. 

The FTA issued its Transit Asset Management (TAM) Final Rule, effective October 1, and is hosting a series of webinars, including one on Small Systems. Also take a look at the Press Release.

FTA is seeking input via a National Online Dialogue on their 5-Year Strategic Plan for Research, open until September 8. Submit your research ideas and make sure rural and tribal transit is represented!

FTA is seeking nominations through August 31 for individuals to serve two-year terms on the Transit Advisory Committee for Safety (TRACS). Learn more in the  Federal Register  notice .
Resources and News

Opportunities

TRB is hosting a  Webinar on Shared Mobility and the Transformation of Public Transit on September 29 from 2-3pm ET to discuss how changes in technology have affected our ability to find, pay for, and enable transportation. 

The National Center for Aging and Disability (NADTC) announced an  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 investments. Applications  are due August 26.  

Nominations for the Robert Tate is Smiling Award to be presented at the Rural and Intercity Bus Conference are due September 1. Nominate someone who does excellent work in transportation.

An upcoming TRB Webinar: Guide to 21st Century Planning for State DOTs, to be held September 7 at 2-3:30pm ET, will address how planning functions in a state DOT can more effectively support future strategic decision making. 

Publications

CTAA published their Analysis of the Final Transit Safety Rule and what it means to FTA grantees.
August 18th, 2016
Events

FTA
Public Transportation Safety Program Final Rule Webinar
August 30
2-3pm
  Webinar

National RTAP
Substance Abuse Training Webinar
August 31
2:30-3:30pm

FTA
Public Transportation Safety Program Final Rule Webinar
September 1
3-4pm

Easter Seals Project Action Consulting
Travel Training Data
Collection Standards
September 7
2-3:30pm

NCRRS
Working Summit on Transportation in Rural America
September 7-9
Denver, CO

Tri-State Transit
Annual Conference
September 7-9
Woodstock, VT

DTA
Roadeo and Fall Conference 
September 10-14
Spearfish, SD
Conference

WSTA
Roadeo, Conference & Vendor Expo 
September 17-21
Wenatchee, WA

CATA
Fall Transit Conference & Expo
September 20-23
Snowmass Village, CO

TAM
Expo
September 26-29
Ocean City, MD

TRB
Rural Public & Intercity Bus Transportation Conference
October 2-5
Asheville, NC

NTI
Implementing Rural Transit Technology
Training Session 
October 25-26
Fargo. ND 

For a listing of all National RTAP and other national events, view our  Calendar . If you'd like to submit an event, please email [email protected].

All event times listed as Eastern Time
Resource Spotlight
Read our new Best Practices Spotlight article on the topic of installing onboard cameras for the safety and security benefits, financial benefits, training opportunities, and more.

Also check out our previous articles on Fuel Efficient Driving, Travel Training, Safety, and Employee Wellness Programs!
National RTAP is a program of the Federal Transit Administration dedicated to creating rural and Tribal transit solutions through technical assistance, partner collaboration and FREE training materials.

Contact us:
Main:  5 Wheeling Avenue, Woburn, MA 01801, 888-589-6821
Washington, D.C.:  50 F Street NW, Suite 7020, Washington, DC 20001