eNews - December 7, 2023

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.


Newsletter Highlights

Upcoming State RTAP Manager Peer Roundtable

Updated National RTAP Technical Brief on FMCSA Regulations and Interlining

FTA Seeks Input on the Future of Public Transportation Research Online Dialogue

FTA 2024 Drug and Alcohol Random Testing Rates

U.S. DOT RAISE Grant NOFO Published

Upcoming State RTAP Manager Peer Roundtable

Our next State RTAP Manager Peer Roundtable will be held on January 16, 2024 from 2:00-3:00 PM ET. State RTAP Managers need to register for this informal discussion. Topics to be discussed include bus maintenance training, transit manager succession planning and onboarding, RTAP Manager job descriptions, outsourcing procurement, and photo libraries.


Please note that this session is for State RTAP Managers. Stay tuned for an upcoming Roundtable for transit managers.

Register

Updated National RTAP Technical Brief on FMCSA Regulations and Interlining


National RTAP's updated Technical Brief on FMCSA Regulations and Interlining Transportation for Rural Transit Providers gives an overview of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations that affect rural systems. Also included is an introduction into interlining agreements and oversight for community transportation providers.


In this update, we added information about hours of service and entry-level driver training. Thank you to Jaimie Baldwin, formerly of Oregon DOT, for the review of this update.

Featured Resource

Upcoming National RTAP Events


In support of the NTD reporting requirements for GTFS for fixed and deviated fixed route service, National RTAP is offering free, live support on Thursdays from 1:00-1:30 PM ET. Meet with our instructor, share your screen, and ask questions. Use this link to join – no preregistration is needed. GTFS support is also available weekdays by contacting info@nationalrtap.org.


Join experts from National RTAP and Rural Health Information Hub (RHIhub) for a #Resources4Rurals Rural Health Chat on January 18, 2024 from 2:00-3:00 PM ET. The chat will introduce many sources of information and training on how rural transit can improve the health of the community. RSVP to info@nationalrtap.org.


The next Learn about TACL training will take place on February 8, 2024 from 2:00-3:00 PM ET. It will instruct on how to use TACL and include a Resource Feature by Jane Mahoney on the NADTC Coordination Committee Toolkit.


Our Books in Transit Discussion Group has selected A Purposeful Path by Casey Beaumier, SJ, as our next book to read. The book answers the question, "How far can you go with $30, a bus ticket, and a dream?" Our next meeting will be on February 15, 2024, 2:00-3:00 PM ET and the author will be joining us. Register for the meeting. If you are interested in attending in-person at our Woburn, MA office, please contact us.


National RTAP Sponsored Special Library Awards


National RTAP sponsored 2 awards for the Special Libraries Association Transportation Community in 2023. The Professional Achievement Award was given to Laura Wilt, Librarian for the Oregon Department of Transportation. The Innovation Award was given to Rosalyn Alleman, Reference Librarian, National Transportation Library, for her founding and launch of the National Transportation Knowledge Network (NTKN) Mentorship Program. Both awardees received a $25 gift card.


National RTAP Cited in Congressional Report on Autism


Technical assistance provided by National RTAP has been cited in the 2022 Report to Congress on Supportive Services for Individuals with Autism: Report to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations (see page 68). The report details our conference session and research assistance.

National RTAP Solicitation for New Review Board Members


National RTAP is soliciting nominations through January 30, 2024 for new Review Board members to join the Board in 2024 and 2025: 1 state transit official and 4 rural or Tribal transit managers.


National RTAP Participation in Upcoming Conferences


We're presenting and exhibiting at the following conferences and meetings:


National RTAP Rural Transportation List Updated


National RTAP posted an update of its Rural Transportation List, which is part of its webpage on Assisting People with Finding Transportation. While not exhaustive, this spreadsheet details rural public transportation, demand-response, paratransit, and other transportation options by state, county, and city. If you would like your rural transportation service listed in this spreadsheet, please contact info@nationalrtap.org.


RFP for NCHRP Project on Development of a Knowledge Capture Toolkit for State DOTs


A Request for Proposals was posted to solicit qualified proposers for an NCHRP project on the Development of a Knowledge Capture Toolkit for State DOTs. National RTAP Knowledge and Resource Manager Cara Marcus serves on the panel for this project. The RFP closes December 19, 2023.


Maryland Transit Update Features National RTAP


The November 2023 edition of Maryland Transit Update, jointly sponsored by Maryland RTAP and the Transportation Association of Maryland (TAM), published an article about our Technical Assistance Conference and our resources and events in its Transit Bookshelf and Toolbox. There is also an interesting article about Maryland's Intercity Bus Network.


Upcoming National RTAP Office Closure


National RTAP offices will be closed on December 7-8, 2023 as our staff will be holding our Review Board meeting in Myrtle Beach, SC.

 
U.S. DOT and FTA Updates

FTA is seeking input on the agency’s transit research and demonstration program - Exploring the Future of Public Transportation Research: A National Online Dialogue. The online dialogue will be open through January 5, 2024. FTA seeks comments from stakeholders including:

  • representatives within the industry
  • community organizations representing the transportation needs and interests of people with disabilities
  • organizations and groups with an interest in mobility, sustainability, and transit
  • people with ideas or interest in this topic


FTA updated its Spare Ratio webpage to clarify guidance regarding the spare ratio policy, which ensures that grant recipients operate within prudent financial management guidelines and do not use federal funds to acquire rolling stock until needed.


FTA announced its 2024 drug and alcohol random testing rates for specific recipients of FTA financial assistance. Effective January 1, 2024, the minimum random drug testing rate will remain at 50 percent, and the random alcohol testing rate will remain at 10 percent. 


U.S. DOT announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity for $1.5 billion in grant funding through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program for 2024. The program helps communities around the country carry out projects with significant local or regional impact. The deadline for applications is February 28, 2024.

Webinars and Training

The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) will be holding Office Hours on Transportation in Tribal Communities on December 20, 2023 from 1:00-2:00 PM ET. The Cherokee Nation Transit, Choctaw Tribe of Mississippi, and Muscogee Nation Transit will join a discussion on how their transportation programs serve their Tribal and rural communities.


National Center for Mobility Management's (NCMM) next Mobility Management Connections is on Mapping Universal Mobility Options to Better Food Access. The webinar will take place on December 20, 2023 at 12:00 PM ET. Participants will learn from regional mobility managers who will guide them through the process of creating informative and user-friendly maps. 

Publications

The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) published a Section 5310 and Cycling Without Age Program report. It describes the Lutheran Social Services Make the Ride Happen program that helps older adults and people with disabilities. Trained staff help identify public bus, paratransit, rural, meal site transportation, and volunteer driver programs to fit the needs of the customer.


The NCHRP IDEA report on An Automated System for Large-Scale Intersection Marking Data Collection and Condition Assessment developed an automated system to intelligently detect and characterize intersection markings and to assess degradation conditions with existing roadway geographic information systems data and aerial images.


The Future of Mobility by McKinsey & Company examines regional trends across the world to explore the changes that could transform the sector by 2035. They predict that micromobility will increase and autonomous vehicles will be in place in some rural areas by that time.


FHWA has a webpage on Coordination of Safety and TSMO. The page includes brochures, case studies, presentations, and additional resources on coordinating safety and Transportation Systems Management and Operations (TSMO).

Databases and Tools

The Transit Workforce Center (TWC) enhanced its Transit Workforce Data Dashboard. The Dashboard now features multiple charts capturing workforce trends from 2017 to 2021, including changes in full-time and part-time employment levels and average wages. Users can explore a variety of interactive charts to compare employment in different categories, such as vehicle operations, bus drivers, transit, and intercity.


The Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office (ITS JPO) launched the Benefits, Costs, and Lessons Learned Map. It allows users to see where ITS technologies have been successfully deployed and evaluated in their state, city, region, community, or globally. Users can search by search by keyword, content type, date posted, technology, goal area, and result type.

Opportunities

FHWA published a Transportation Safety Grant Opportunities for Tribes webpage with technical assistance about the  Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A), Tribal Transportation Program (TTP), and Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund (TTPSF).


The FHWA Tribal High Priority Projects Program provides funding for Tribal high priority programs and recovery from an emergency or disaster with respect to a transportation facility included on the national inventory of Tribal transportation facilities. The deadline to apply is January 31, 2023.

Legislation

An Executive Order was published on November 27, 2023 to form an Interagency Security Committee to to address continuing government-wide security for federal facilities. U.S. DOT will be a part of this effort.


FHWA published National Performance Management Measures; Assessing Performance of the National Highway System, Greenhouse Gas Emissions Measure (23 CFR Part 490) on November 19, 2023. State DOTs will be able to use their best available vehicle miles traveled (VMT) data when establishing targets, reporting baseline and actual performance, and discussing progress. If states determine that transit and other measures to reduce VMT are not an effective means of influencing greenhouse gas emissions, they have a range of alternative strategies and funding programs available.


A Proposed Rule by the Health and Human Services Department (DHHS) on Discrimination on the Basis of Disability in Health and Human Service Programs or Activities is accepting comments through November 13, 2023. The proposed rule would add new provisions that clarify existing requirements under section 504 prohibiting recipients of financial assistance from DHHS from discriminating on the basis of disability in their programs and activities.


On November 20, 2023, NHTSA announced that it was withdrawing a previous proposal to create a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard requiring vehicle-to-vehicle communications in certain new vehicles.

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.


United Motorcoach Association (UMA)

2023 UMA Safety Management Seminar

Annapolis, MD, December 6-7


Georgia Transit Association

2023 GTA Annual Conference

Athens, GA, December 6-8

Please visit our booth!


National RTAP/National Transit Institute 

Rural National Transit Database (NTD) Reporting Training

Myrtle Beach, SC, December 7


Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC) and May Mobility

AVs: Achieving the Promise and Avoiding the Pitfalls: How to Successfully and Sustainably Use AVs for Good Webinar

December 7, 1:00 PM


National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

December 7, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting


National Safety Council (NSC)

Empowering Youth Through Mobility Safety Webinar

December 8, 2:00-3:00 PM


Environmentally Responsible Transportation Center for Communities of Concern (ERTC3)/Missouri Center for Transportation Innovation (MCTI) 

Innovative Practices for a Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure

December 8, 3:00 PM


Native Learning Center

How to Master Grant Strategy, Calendars, and Teams Webinar

December 11, 10:00-11:30 AM


National Council on Aging

Senior Center Summit: Reframing Aging

December 11, 1:00-4:00 PM


TRB 

Understanding Evacuation Behavior and Regional Resilience Webinar

December 11, 4:00-5:30 PM


TRB 

Next Stop—Inclusive Virtual Public Involvement Webinar

December 12, 12:00-1:30


National Transit Institute

National Transit Database: Annual Reporting for Indian Tribes Course

December 12-13, 1:00-4:30 PM


U.S. DOT

Public Meeting of the Department of Transportation Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking

Washington, DC, December 13, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM


TRB 

Utilizing External Data Sources for Maintenance Decision Making Webinar

December 13, 1:00-2:30 PM


National Transit Institute

Assault Awareness and Prevention for Transit Operators (Train-the-Trainer) Virtual Course

December 13, 1:00-4:30 PM


HIRTA 

Driving Inclusivity: Community Forum on Access and Equity!

Ames, IA and Online, December 14, 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM


National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

December 14, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting


FTA

Developing Community-Based Public Safety Programs for Transit Webinar

December 14, 1:00-2:00 PM


AASHTO

AASHTO 5310/5311 Program Managers Forum

December 14, 2:00 PM

Email Rebecca Anger for meeting details.


FTA

Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility Webinar 

December 14, 3:00 PM 

No pre-registration necessary - click on the Join the webinar link at the time of the webinar


National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE)

2024 TTT: Why You Should Join Webinar

December 14, 4:00-5:00 PM


National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM) 

Mobility Management Connections: Mapping Universal Mobility Options to Better Food Access Webinar

December 20, 12:00 PM


National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC)

NADTC Office Hours: A Conversation on Transportation in Tribal Communities

December 20, 1:00-2:00 PM


FHWA

Value Capture Strategies Toolkit for Practitioners: An Overview Webinar

December 20, 1:00-3:00 PM 


National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

December 21, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting


National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

December 28, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting


National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

January 4, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting


TRB

2024 TRB Annual Meeting

Washington, DC, January 7-11

We're participating


National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

January 11, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting


National RTAP

State RTAP Manager Peer Roundtable

January 16, 2:00-3:00 PM


National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

January 18, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting


National RTAP and Rural Health Information Hub

Resources for Rurals Rural Health Chat

January 18, 2:00-3:00 PM


National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

January 25, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting


AT3 Center

Making Videos Accessible Webinar

January 18, 3:00 PM


Safe-D 

Measuring the Safety of ADS: How Safe is Safe Enough Webinar

January 25, 2:30 PM


National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

February 1, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting


Native Learning Center

6th Annual Renewable Energy & Sustainability Conference 

Hollywood, FL, Feb 6-8


National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

February 8, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting


National RTAP and NADTC

Learn About TACL, The Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library

February 8, 2:00-3:00 PM


Transportation Energy Partners (TEP)

2024 Energy Independence Summit

Washington, D.C., February 11-14 


National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

February 15, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting


National RTAP

Books in Transit Discussion Group Meeting - A Purposeful Path

February 15, 2:00-3:00 PM


Complete Coachworks (CCW)

Electric Bus Technology & Symposium

Riverside, CA, February 15-16

Please stop by our booth!


Native Learning Center

Federal Grants Management for Tribes & Tribal Entities Training

Pala, CA, February 20-21


Native Learning Center

Developing a Tribal Nonprofit Training

Pala, CA, February 22


National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

February 22, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting


National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

February 29, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting


For a listing of all National RTAP and other national events, view our Calendar. Also, see the FTA Events Calendar. To submit an event, email info@nationalrtap.org.

Calendar of Events

National RTAP | 888-589-6821 | info@nationalrtap.org | nationalrtap.org

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