Newsletter Vol. 11
August 2018
In This Issue
Center Activities
Teachers Translate Transportation Research into Classroom Experiences

The Center's first Research Experience for Teachers in Innovative Transportation Systems (ITS-RET) program is well underway with ten middle, high school, and community college faculty participants conducting multidisciplinary transportation research for six weeks at Montana State University this summer.  The research topic areas focus on the unique challenges of rural transportation systems as well as on developing solutions to transportation challenges through innovation. In addition to working with faculty and research mentors on research, the ITS-RET participants are translating their research experiences into classroom curricula. 

On July 31 and August 1, they were able to implement new teaching materials they have developed during a two-day workshop held for middle and high school students. 

The classroom activities demonstrate what an excellent vehicle transportation is for integrated STEM learning. 
The young workshop participants were able to hone computational thinking skills during a programming challenge, test the strength of different materials, build and test crash attenuators, and use drones to survey a landscape before designing and building wildlife crossing structures.  The classroom modules will be posted to the WRTWC website next month as a resource for other teachers. Teachers interested in participating 
in the RET program next summer can 
visit our website for additional information.  



Safety Career Pathways Research Dissemination

Over the past year, the WRTWC has conducted research and outreach related to the development of its transportation safety career pathway implementation plan. In June, the Center shared initial findings at regional and national meetings. A paper documenting results from the WRTWC's data collection effort on safety content in construction-related coursework, An Example from Construction Safety: Professional Certifications as Potential Drivers of Degree Program Enhancements, was presented at the American Society of Engineering Education's (ASEE) annual conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, June 24-27.  The Center also shared information and gathered feedback on the WRTWC's Transportation Safety Career Pathway Model for Preparing and Advancing Next Generation Transportation Professionals at the 2018 WASHTO Annual Meeting in Rapid City, South Dakota, June 10-13. 

Webinar: Tools for the Zombie Apocalypse: Avoiding the Brain Drain in Transportation Organizations

A two-part webinar series on knowledge management for transportation organizations, organized by the Northeast Transportation Workforce Center, and co-sponsored by the TRB Standing Committee on Transportation, Education and Training (ABG20), the National Network for the Transportation Workforce (NNTW), the National Transportation Training Directors (NTTD), and the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Workforce Center.

Part I was held on July 13, featuring Leni Oman of the Washington State Department of Transportation and Frances Harrison of Spy Pond Partners, LLC. Don't worry if you missed it. The recording is available here .

Part 2 is scheduled for August 8, noon-1pm ET, and features Donna Cuomo of MITRE Corporation on their approach to anticipating the knowledge and process needs of employees, and Benjamin Pecheux of Applied Engineering Management Corporation, presenting on an NCHRP guide for development and management of effective DOT enterprise information portals (EIPs). To register, click here.

Success Stories
Do you have a success story to share?

Let your peers know what has worked for you. You can now enter details about your workforce development successes online and we will showcase them on our website.

Upcoming Trainings & Events
Webinar: Tribal Transit Program Competitive Funding Opportunity
Date: August 8, 2018
Time: 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm ET
Cost: Free
Organization: Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

FTA will host a webinar to provide more information about FTA's  Tribal Transit Program  competitive funding opportunity at 2 PM EDT Tuesday, August 8. Join FTA program staff to learn more about the funding, application eligibility and criteria, and the submission process. FTA issued its notice of funding on July 11.

The Tribal Transit Program (TTP) awards funds competitively to help with planning, capital, and, in limited circumstances, operating assistance grants for tribal public transit services. Last year, FTA received 73 project proposals from tribes totaling approximately $14.2 million, although only $5 million was available for award. Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about the bus program and how to apply before the application deadline of September 10. Advance registration required.

For more information or to register, click  here .
Link:  https://connectdotcqpub1.connectsolutions.com/content/connect/c1/7/en/events/event/shared/1144754755/event_landing.html?sco-id=1196890682&_charset_=utf-8

Webinar: Meeting and Exceeding Mobility User Expectations with Real-Time Transit Information 
Date: August 9, 2018
Time: 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm ET
Cost: Free
Organization: National Institute for Transportation and Communities (NITC)

Every day transit riders ask the same question: when's the next one coming? To answer this question, transit agencies are transitioning to providing real-time transit information through smartphones or displayed at transit stops. The presentation will discuss challenges in working with agency data to meet modern, customer expectations in delivering accurate, real-time transportation data.

For more information or to register, click  here .
Link:  https://nitc.trec.pdx.edu/events/professional-development/webinar-august2018

Webinar: Designing for Rural Bike Safety 
Date: Thursday, August 16, 2018
Time: 11:00am-12:30pm Mountain
Organization:  National Center for Rural Road Safety

This webinar will provide an overview of why bicycle travel should be included in the rural transportation network. Participants will gain an understanding of key safety principles for bicyclists, and learn about design treatments, countermeasures, and the latest guidance.

For more information or to register, click here. 

Conference:  National Transportation Training Directors 
Date: October 7-11, 2018
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Early bird registration rates for the NTTD Conference ends August 8!  

The conference offers an important networking opportunity to increase professional competencies and network connections.  The workshop topics will include:
  • Innovative Strategies to Build the Pipeline of Future Workers;
  • Learning for Career Advancement;
  • Tech in the Classroom for Engagement;
  • Crafting New Approaches to Organizational Leadership, among others.
It will also feature special workshops on "Implementing UAS Technology into DOT Operations" and "Innovative Solutions to Transportation Training Challenges." 

For more information and to register, click here.
To view the Conference Flyer, click here.

Conference: 2nd National Summit on Rural Road Safety 
Date: December 4-6, 2018
Location: Savannah, GA
Organization: National Center for Rural Road Safety, National Association of County Engineers (NACE)

Rural communities provide food, energy, resources and much more to keep America running. In 2016, attendees at the National Working Summit on Transportation in Rural America helped define the future for "Moving Rural America" by articulating the key transportation safety issues facing rural areas, culminating in a call to action of "On the Road to Zero, We Cannot Ignore Rural."
The 2nd summit will continue to move the rural conversation forward and will focus more intently on safety solutions and "Bridging the Gap."
  1. How do we create awareness and a unified voice for rural areas?
  2. What rural-specific solutions exist and how do you implement them within rural constraints?
  3. How do we look at rural safety without peering through an "urban lens?"
  4. More importantly, how do we shift rural safety culture to get us to zero?
Join this conversation in Savannah, Georgia in December 2018.  We need your perspective and expertise to successfully articulate rural transportation safety needs and solutions.

For more information or to register, click  here .
Link:  http://www.cvent.com/events/national-summit-on-rural-road-safety/event-summary-a2af3dedc4894794a3e16264520f5446.aspx  



Please check out our website for the most up-to-date news and activities.

Is your organization hosting an event or opportunity you would like to share with the regional network? Please contact us and we will be happy to help you distribute the information.