eNews - March 13, 2025

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 National RTAP Webinar on the National RTAP Cost Allocation Calculator

Employment Focused Transit Manager Peer Roundtable Today

Spring into New National RTAP Resources Webinar Next Week

U.S. DOT Seeking Applicants for its Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program

Upcoming National RTAP Webinar - A Cost Allocation Tool You Can Use!

March 19, 2:00-3:00 PM ET

The webinar will provide a brief training on National RTAP’s enhanced Cost Allocation Calculator. The Calculator helps to accurately allocate costs for NTD reporting, calculates transit costs per time and distance, and determines fully allocated costs for providing service by individual route/service, mode, service area, type of service, sponsored type, primary funding source, and individual local sponsors (if applicable).

Michael Walk from the Texas Transportation Institute will provide a brief training on the updated Cost Allocation Calculator. Jessica Schmitzer from the Ohio DOT will discuss her experience encouraging and training subgrantees to use the tool.

National RTAP Employment-Focused Transit Manager Peer Roundtable

National RTAP will be holding an Employment-Focused Transit Manager Peer Roundtable, today, March 13, 2025 from 2:00-3:00 PM ET. Bryna Helfer, Director of Employment Support and Innovative Partnerships, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability and Employment Policy, and Scott Michael Robertson, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor, will discuss challenges and solutions regarding employment transportation.

Please note that this Peer Roundtable is just for transit managers. Our next State RTAP Manager Peer Roundtable will be in July 2025.

U.S. DOT is seeking applications for its Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program through April 17, 2025. Eligible project sponsors may receive grant funds to select advisors to assist with pre-development-phase activities, such as public benefits studies, preliminary engineering and design works, and more.

U.S. DOT's Preventing and Addressing Human Trafficking in the Transportation Sector illustrates the ways it has encouraged efforts throughout our nation’s transportation systems. The report provides information on legislation, funding, policies, partnerships, training, and other topics for transportation agencies, states, associations, and other stakeholders.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and FTA created a Medicaid Coordination Fact Sheet to guide transportation coordination between state Medicaid agencies and state departments of transportation. The fact sheet helps clarify and encourage partnership at the state level and includes commonly asked questions and relevant resources.  

U.S. DOT rescinded two memorandums that injected a social justice and environmental agenda into decisions for infrastructure projects.

The Southwest Transit Association (SWTA) is holding a Next Gen Webinar on Critical Thinking for Critical Times on March 18, 2025 from 12:00-1:00 PM ET. The webinar will help participants improve beliefs and quality of decisions, learn to process fact vs. what others call fact, and learn the power of asking great questions.

TCRP's Bus Operator Barrier Design: Guidelines and Considerations provides information and guidance on procuring and installing bus operator barriers to prioritize the health and safety of essential operators and the public they serve. Appendices include a design criteria matrix and a bill of materials.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) National Resilience Guidance: A Collaborative Approach to Building Resilience outlines how to strengthen resilience by organizing and engaging people, incorporating resilience concepts into planning efforts, creating change through policies, prioritizing projects and programs, financing resilience efforts, and measuring and evaluating resilience. The report includes a Resilience Maturity Model that illustrates stages in the evolution of a community’s approach to resilience. 

The case studies in Minnesota Department of Transportation's Utilizing Arts and Culture to Mitigate the Negative Impacts of Transportation Infrastructure on Communities demonstrate the value of incorporating arts and culture practices through increases in participation and public trust.

In The Intersection of Travel Burdens and Financial Hardship in Cancer Care: A Scoping Review, researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that transportation comprises one of the biggest direct nonmedical costs of cancer care and that rural-dwelling patients were more likely to incur additional costs associated with temporarily relocating to be near their cancer center.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) updated its National Transportation Statistics (NTS). Updated tables included: injured persons by transportation mode, personal consumption expenditures on transportation by subcategory, and other topics.

TCRP Synthesis Topic SB-44 will describe the state of art programs in transit in the U.S. and Canada. EBP is distributing a survey to transit agency staff who manage or are involved with selecting, siting, installing, maintaining, curating, assessing, and/or decommissioning art in a transit system. The findings will characterize the state of art in transit and its benefits and challenges. EBP is also seeking volunteers to share their experiences through interviews to develop case examples for the research report. The survey deadline is March 28, 2025.

FHWA's Final Rule for Buy America Requirements for Manufactured Products will be delayed until March 20, 2025.

NHTSA will not take enforcement action against regulated entities for failing to comply with the Bus Rollover Structural Integrity Final Rule and the Bus Rollover Structural Integrity Final Rule; partial grant of petitions for reconsideration until March 20, 2025. NHTSA also will not enforce the requirements of the Final Rule titled Implementing the Whistleblower Provisions of the Vehicle Safety Act until March 20, 2025.

Executive Order 13166 of August 11, 2000, Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency, was revoked. However, nothing required or directed any change in the services provided by any agency.  

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 5 or 6 for Hawaii (depending on daylight savings time).

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

March 13, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

Employment-Focused Transit Manager Peer Roundtable

March 13, 2:00-3:00 PM

American Bus Association (ABA)

The Morality Matrix: Understanding Ethical Decision Making Webinar

March 14, 2:00-3:00 PM

American Public Transportation Association (APTA)

Legal Affairs Seminar

Phoenix, AZ, March 16-18

Trapeze Group

ThinkTransit 2025 

Kansas City, MO, March 16-19

ActivEnviro

2025 Active Living Conference

Manhattan, KS, March 16-20

SWTA, NMTA, and NMDOT

2025 New Mexico Transit Roadeo & Conference & EXPO

Santa Ana Pueblo, NM, March 17-18

We're participating

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

2025 AASHTO re:source Technical Exchange

Bellevue, WA, March 17-20

New

Southwest Transit Association (SWTA)

Next Gen Webinar - Critical Thinking for Critical Times

March 18, 12:00-1:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

March 18, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

National Transit Institute

NTD Understanding New Geographic Area Data Requirements Webinar

March 18, 2:00-3:30 PM

New

TRB 

Tort Implications for Flexibility and Engineering Judgment Webinar

March 18, 3:00-4:30 PM

FTA

2025 FTA Drug & Alcohol Conference

Kansas City, MO, March 18-20 

American Bus Association (ABA)

Women in Buses Meet & Eat Virtual Event

March 19, 1:00 PM 

National RTAP

A Cost Allocation Tool You Can Use Webinar

March 19, 2:00-3:00 PM

New

Metro Magazine

The Hidden Bottleneck in Transit Operations—and How AI Can Fix It Webinar

March 19, 2:00 PM

New

MnDOT's Office of Research & Innovation and the Minnesota Local Road Research Board

Research Radar: Supporting Vibrant Communities through Art and Livability

March 20, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

March 20, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

Spring into New National RTAP Resources

March 20, 2:00-3:00 PM

American Public Transportation Association (APTA)

Transit CEOs Seminar

San Antonio, TX, March 21-23

National RTAP

2025 National RTAP Rural & Tribal Transit Training

Anchorage, AK, March 24

New

Complete Coach Works

Benefits of Adding Used Buses to Your Transit Operations Webinar

March 25, 12:00-1:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

March 25, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Safe, Efficient, Affordable Transportation (SEAT)

Small Operator's Summit

Perrysville, OH, March 25-26

We're presenting

Alaska Tribal Transportation Work Group (ATTWG)

21st Annual Alaska Tribal Transportation Symposium

Anchorage, AK, March 25-27

We're presenting

National Transit Institute

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

March 26, 1:00-4:30 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

March 27, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

2025 National RTAP Rural & Tribal Transit Training

Anchorage, AK, March 28

New

Native Learning Center

Tribally Determined Wage Rates Virtual Training

March 31, 1:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

April 1, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Native Learning Center

Strategic Planning for Tribal Professionals Workshop

Hollywood, FL, April 2-4

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

April 3, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

National Safety Council (NSC)

Distracted Driving Awareness Month: Ask the Experts Session Webinar

April 3, 2:30 PM

New

CSG East 

Policy Summit: Pathways to Rural Prosperity and Small Town Resilience

Portland, ME, April 4-5

We're participating

Association of Mobility Managers

Inaugural Annual Conference

Edmond, OK, April 5-8

Please stop by our booth!

American Public Transportation Association (APTA)

APTA Mobility Conference 

Austin, TX, April 6-9

Self Governance Communication and Education Tribal Consortium

2025 Tribal Self-Governance Conference

Chandler, AZ, April 7-10

We're participating

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

April 8, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

April 10, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Arizona Transit Association (AzTA)

Arizona’s 38th Annual Statewide Transit Conference

Flagstaff, AZ, April 14-16

Please visit our booth!



National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

April 15, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New Jersey Transaction

New Jersey Transaction Conference

Atlantic City, NJ, April 15-17

We're presenting

The Drug & Alcohol Testing Institute, Inc. (DER)

2025 Drug and Alcohol Testing Institute Summit for DER's and Program Managers

Omaha, NE, April 15-17

Local Motion

Moving Missouri Forward Summit

Columbia, MO, April 16-18

Please visit our table!

National Transit Institute

Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-Making

St. Louis, MO, April 16-18

New

Connecticut RTAP

CTRTAP Spring Conference

Hartford, CT, April 17

Please visit our table!

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

April 17, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

April 22, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

AASHTO

AASHTOWare Connect Conference

Providence, RI, April 22-24

National Safety Council (NSC)

2025 NSC Spring Safety Conference & Expo (SSCE) and NSC Networks Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) Summit 

Charlotte, NC, April 22-25

New

National Safety Council (NSC)

Distracted Driving Awareness Month Expert Panel

April 23, 1:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

April 24, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

North Carolina Public Transportation Association (NCPTA)

NCPTA Conference, Expo, Roadeo & Golf Tournament

Cherokee, NC, April 25-30

Please visit our booth!

North American Fleet Association (NAFA)

NAFA 2025 Institute & Expo (I&E)

Long Beach, CA, April 28-30

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

April 29, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

America Walks

Tribal Pedestrian Safety Workshop and Quick-Build Demonstration Project

Jemez, NM, April 29-30

ALTRANS & Transit Association of Alabama

2025 ALTRANS & Transit Association of Alabama Conference

Gulf Shores, AL, April 29 - May 1

Please visit our booth!

New

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

May 1, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

May 6, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

May 8, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

AASHTO 2025 Spring Meeting

Hartford, CT, May 12-15

New

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

May 13, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

Nevada Department of Transportation, University of Nevada Reno, FHWA, Regional Transportation Commission

Nevada Transportation Conference

Reno, NV, May 13–14

Please visit our table!

New

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

May 15, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

Community Transportation Association of the North West (CTANW)

CTANW Summit 

Bremerton, WA, May 19-20

New

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

May 20, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

May 22, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

May 27, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

New

TRB

TRB's Conference on Data and AI for Transportation Advancement

Seattle, WA, May 27-29

New

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

May 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.

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