eNews - August 3, 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
National RTAP Webinar on Cultural Competence and Book Discussion Group Meeting
Nominations Open for Tribal Capital Projects Awards and Wall of Fame Honorees
Vendor Prospectus Launched for National RTAP 2023 Technical Assistance Conference
TACL News and Updates
National RTAP Review Board Member Spotlight - Jonnie Kusek
National RTAP Webinar on Rural Cultural Competence Training Next Week

National RTAP will host a Rural Cultural Competence Training for Transportation and Mobility Professionals Webinar on August 16, between 2:00-3:00 PM ET. This training will help transportation and mobility management professionals who work in rural communities to gain a better understanding of these unique characteristics, as well as the determinants of health and health challenges for people in rural areas. The instructor will be Mary Maruscak, Director of Community Health at the Rural Health Network of South Central NY, which was one of National RTAP's Community Rides grantees in 2021-2023.
Upcoming Books in Transit Discussion Group Meeting - I Was Told It Would Get Easier

Our Books in Transit Discussion Group has selected I Was Told It Would Get Easier by Abbi Waxman as our next book to read. A mother and daughter travel in a bus full of strangers for a college tour all along the east coast. Register for our meeting on August 22, 2023, 2:00-3:00 PM ET. The author will be joining us!
Cara Marcus Reading I Was Told It Would Get Easier Collage
TACL News and Updates

TACL, the Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library, provides a sustainable methodology and platform for access and findability of rural and tribal transit coordination resources across a diverse range of transportation technical assistance centers and FTA. TACL completed its quarterly update and now contains 137 resources.

New resources include:

National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT) is the featured TA Center on the TACL homepage. TACL welcomes new reviewers Alexandria Lowery, Olivia Nix-Sifuentes, and Emily Tiet, graduate students at San Jose State University.

We are conducting a utilization study to see how users utilize TACL. We are looking to see how users find resources and how they use the resources to solve actual transportation coordination challenges. If you (or a member of your team) are working on a transportation coordination project and would like to participate, contact us at info@nationalrtap.org.
Tribal Travel Scholarships Available to Attend the FTA State and Tribal Programs and Transit Partnerships Conference

Travel scholarships are available to Tribal Transit employees wishing to attend the 2023 Biennial FTA State and Tribal Programs and Transit Partnerships Conference, which will be held on August 16-18 in Washington, DC. The scholarships are made possible through National RTAP. 

Upcoming National RTAP Events

In support of the forthcoming National Transit Database (NTD) reporting requirements for General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) for fixed and deviated fixed route service, National RTAP is offering free, live GTFS support Thursdays between 1:00-1:30 PM ET. Meet with our instructor, share your screen, and ask questions. Use this link to join the Zoom meeting – no preregistration is needed. GTFS support is also available Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM ET by contacting info@nationalrtap.org.

National RTAP is hosting a three-part GTFS: Three Steps to Trip Planning and Meeting New NTD Reporting Requirements workshop series which began on August 8, and continues on August 15, and 29, 2023, 2:00-3:00 PM ET, offering free, targeted, hands-on training to help you develop your GTFS data and publish your services online. At the end of the training, you can expect to complete GTFS data for one bus route, and most importantly, have the skills to create GTFS data for other routes.

The next Learn about TACL training will be held on August 17, 2023, 2:00-3:00 PM ET. TACL, the Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library, helps rural and tribal transit agencies access information about public transportation coordination. The session will include a Resource Feature by Al Benedict and Nate Seeskin on SUMC's The Path to Mobility Interoperability.

National RTAP will hold an iNTD Webinar on August 24, 2023 between 2:00-3:00 PM ET. This webinar will re-introduce the iNTD (Integrated National Transit Database), provide several demonstrations of how it is used, offer detailed instructions on performing peer comparison and trend analyses, and provide a discussion on how the tool and data can be used by State DOTs and transit managers. Presenters are Albert Gan, Ph.D., Florida International University, and Kristin Haar, Iowa RTAP Manager.

National RTAP's first LinkedIn Learnalong will focus on best practices in communication. Participants will watch videos on stressful situations, empathy, and conflict engagement. Moderators Marianna Hanefeld, Washington DOT, Kevin Wassom, Michigan DOT, and Jaimie Baldwin, Training and Transportation Specialist, will lead a discussion on our LinkedIn page about applying these lessons to transit scenarios. Please RSVP.

Recording Posted for Intercity Bus 101: State of the Industry

National RTAP held Intercity Bus 101: State of the Industry on July 25, 2023. Speakers described the state of the industry, technological advancements, and how best to move forward. Access the recording, presentation slides, and Q&As.

State RTAP Peer Roundtable Summary Available

Our State RTAP Manager Peer Roundtable was held on July 18, 2023. This was an informal session for State RTAP Managers to meet with their peers for a discussion of issues of interest to them. Issues discussed included NTD requirements, driver training for passengers using drugs on the bus, and statewide knowledge repositories. Read the Roundtable summary.

Enter the National RTAP 2023 Photo Contest: This is Rural Transit

Our National RTAP 2023 Photo Contest – This is Rural Transit – is all about the “rural” in rural transit. We’re looking for photos that showcase the beauty and uniqueness of rural areas and tribal lands and highlight what makes small towns special. Entries must include a photo of the bus, bus stop, driver, and/or riders. Each transit agency can enter up to three photos by August 21, 2023.

Welcome New RTAP Managers

National RTAP extends a warm welcome to new Maine RTAP Manager Karla Chase, additional Iowa RTAP Manager Jamie Wingert, and Interim Oregon Training Program Contact Marsha Hoskins. To learn more about them or any State RTAP Manager, visit our Directory of RTAP Managers.
National RTAP Review Board Member Spotlight: Jonnie Kusek

National RTAP Review Board Member Jonnie Kusek, Director of Transportation, Open Plains Transit, has been successful in bringing intercity transportation to the Nebraska Panhandle region, new transportation services between the Nebraska Panhandle to bordering Indian reservations, and new service to many areas that never had public transportation before. Find out about her (surprising) early career and advice for others who want to launch or enhance intercity services. Read more about Jonnie.

National RTAP Participation in Upcoming Conferences

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

National RTAP Tribal Transit Topic Guide Updated

National RTAP continues our annual Topic Guide updates with our Tribal Transit Topic Guide. New resources include:

Thank you to San Jose State University student Olivia Nix-Sifuentes for assistance with resource selection for this topic guide.

Call for Tribal Transit Award Nominations, Wall of Fame Nominations, and Student Posters for the National RTAP 2023 Conference

The National RTAP Tribal Transit Champions, Agencies, and Capital Projects Awards honor innovation, efficiency, commitment, and performance in the tribal transit industry. Awards will be presented at the 5th Rural and Tribal Transit Technical Assistance Conference: Navigating the Tides of Change, December 3-6, 2023 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The deadline for nominations is October 20, 2023.

The Wall of Fame is an event that recognizes exemplary rural and Tribal transit agency staff at all levels for their dedication, innovation, customer service, and professionalism. Each honoree will be showcased on the wall and the National RTAP website and receive a commendation. Honorees that attend the conference will also receive an additional award. Nominations are due November 10, 2023.

Students are also invited to submit a poster by October 6, 2023 for our conference. Students must be able to present posters in-person on December 3, 2023.

Vendor Prospectus Launched for National RTAP's 2023 Technical Assistance Conference

There are many opportunities for vendors to participate in the 5th Rural and Tribal Transit Technical Assistance Conference: Navigating the Tides of Change. We will be holding a Vendor Expo and an additional Bus Expo our evening event. A Rapid Fire Intro segment will provide exposure for all exhibitors and sponsors. We are also planning a segment for software companies to provide demos. Please see the Vendor Prospectus for details, pricing, and sponsorship opportunities.
U.S. DOT and FTA Updates
FTA reopened the application submission period and revised the requirements for its Emergency Relief Program for states, territories, local government authorities, Tribes, and other FTA recipients affected by major declared disasters in calendar years 2017, 2020, 2021, and 2022. FTA is waiving the non-federal match requirement and invites eligible applicants to apply for funding at 100% Federal share. Expenses related to COVID–19 response or recovery are not eligible. Proposals must be received by October 31, 2023.

U.S. DOT published a webpage on Understanding Non-Federal Match Requirements. It includes a flowchart on determining the match amount and guidance on what programs allow a reduced match and how to meet match requirements.

FTA published a Synthesis Report on Findings and Lessons Learned from the Independent Evaluation of the Mobility on Demand (MOD) Sandbox Demonstrations. This report provides a synthesis of findings from the 11 MOD Sandbox Demonstrations independent evaluation. The report presents an overview of the methodology and evaluation framework employed for developing test procedures and conducting the evaluations.

U.S. DOT launched new Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking (TLAHT) training for transportation employees and members of the traveling public, which highlights the intersection of human trafficking and transportation, provides general and transport-specific indicators of human trafficking, and emphasizes reporting methods.

U.S. DOT launched the Project Delivery Center of Excellence to help recipients of federal infrastructure funds deliver projects more efficiently and effectively, from concept to completion. The Center will serve as a central resource for innovative practices and will bring project managers together to enable knowledge sharing and peer-to-peer learning.

For transit construction projects funded in whole or in part by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law or American Rescue Plan, U.S. DOT and FTA strongly encourages grant recipients to place sign(s) at construction sites that display the Investing in America logo. To facilitate this, they created an Investigating in America Signage webpage with logo templates and guidance on using the logo.

FTA’s July 2023 Transit Safety and Oversight Spotlight newsletter contains guidance on safety communication and a summary of the Bus Compartment Redesign Program and Future of Bus Listening Session.
Webinars and Training
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) offers free on-demand training on The Benefits of Walkable Streets for All Ages. It covers walkable streets, routes, multi-use trails, mobility lanes, and pedestrian infrastructure, and how grassroots efforts and pilot projects can help create walkable communities.

National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM) offers an eLearning course on Transportation Call Center Operations. The course provides training on call center functions, delivering effective service, and performance metrics.
Publications
Policing and Public Transportation by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine covers a range of issues, including safety and security, community engagement, equity and fairness, and technology and innovation. It serves as a resource for policymakers, transit authorities, law enforcement agencies, researchers, and other stakeholders.

TRB's Safety Assessment of the Interaction Between the Autonomous Shuttle Bus and Vulnerable Road Users identifies potential safety issues regarding vehicle interactions with vulnerable road users and evaluates the vehicle performance to provide practical recommendations on improving safety.

The AARP Disaster Resilience Tool Kit is a guide that offers strategies for those hit by natural disasters and includes a focus on how these events can affect the elderly. For example, it is important to identify where older adults are, know how to reach them, and understand what they need. Ultimately, these steps will help before, during, and after the disaster occurs.

Shared-Use Mobility Center’s (SUMC) Zero Fare Transit examines the advantages and disadvantages of fare collection while using public transportation. For example, an agency established zero fares for specific population groups to address social equity concerns, and offered veterans, senior citizens, and K-12th grade students free rides.
Databases and Tools
Nebraska Public Transit provides interactive maps of public transit and intercity transit agencies in Nebraska. Clicking on a county or city brings up a tooltip with agency contact information and website links.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) released its Summer 2023 update to the National Transportation Atlas Database (NTAD) with updated data on bikeshare and scooter systems, National Transit Map stops, routes, and agencies, Intercity Bus Atlas routes and stops, and much more data.

Transitland collects information about public transportation from cities and countries. It gathers data such as bus routes, GTFS, GTFS Realtime, GBFS (General Bikeshare Feed Specification), and other open data feeds. It can be used by developers to help create transit-related software, as well as anyone who wants to explore transit data.

Census Reporter is an independent, non-governmental website for writers to write articles using information from the U.S. Census Bureau. Users can search by topics (such as language, geography, disability, etc.), input keywords, and access a library of charts.
Opportunities
The Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC) is conducting a survey that seeks to understand more about personal transportation decisions and interest in a membership association with insurance for shared mobility users. Perspectives will inform national efforts to promote people-focused mobility for social equity and climate action.

The deadline for full applications for the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation Ride and Drive Electric Fiscal Year 2023 Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) has been extended to August 25, 2023. The Joint Office invites subject matter experts to review applications starting in late August 2023. Reviewers who are not government or government laboratory employees may be eligible to receive a stipend per each application that is properly reviewed.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) released a Notice of Funding Opportunity for its Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program. This program will invest funds in persistently distressed communities to create and connect people to good jobs. The application deadline is October 5, 2023.
Legislation
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) proposes to require security-sensitive employees of certain public transportation operators to undergo security threat assessments that include immigration and terrorism watchlist checks to determine whether applicants may pose security threats. Comments are due August 21, 2023.

On July 25, 2023, the President signed into law S. 111, the Providing Accountability Through Transparency Act of 2023, which requires all government agencies, in providing notices of proposed rulemaking, to include a link to a 100-word plain language summary of the proposed rule.

The Council on Environmental Quality is proposing a Bipartisan Permitting Reform Implementation Rule to revise its regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Comments are due September 29, 2023.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to amend requirements that apply to the petroleum and natural gas category of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule to ensure that reporting is based on empirical data, reflects total methane and waste emissions from facilities, and allows facilities to submit empirical emissions data that demonstrate the extent to which a charge is owed. Comments are due October 2, 2023.
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.

U.S. DOT Project Delivery Center of Excellence (COE)
August 3, 1:00 PM

National RTAP
August 3, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

FHWA
August 3, 1:00-2:30 PM

FHWA 
August 3, 1:00-3:00 PM

Easter Seals Project Action (ESPA)
August 3, 2:00 PM

Community Transportation Association of Virginia (CTAV)
Fredericksburg, VA, August 7-9

National RTAP
August 8, 15 and 29, 2:00-3:00 PM

Association of Travel Instruction (ATI)
Salt Lake City, UT, August 8-10

FHWA
August 9, 2023, 1:00-2:00 PM

U.S. DOT
August 9, 1:30-3:30 PM

American Bus Association
August 9, 2:00-3:00 PM

Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA)
Gulfport, MS, August 9-11

U.S. DOT Project Delivery Center of Excellence (COE)
August 10, 1:00 PM

National RTAP
August 10, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

WSTA/OTA
Vancouver, WA, August 13-15
Please visit our table!

NRITS and ITE
Portland, OR, August 13-16

Northwest Tribal Emergency Management Council and Planning Team
Tulalip Bay, WA, August 14-18

U.S. DOT
August 15, 1:30-3:30 PM

National Local Technical Assistance Program Association (NLTAPA) 
August 15-17, 1:00-3:00 PM

FHWA
August 16, 1:00-3:00 PM

Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI)
August 16, 1:00-4:00 PM

National RTAP
August 16, 2:00-3:00 PM

FTA
Washington, DC, August 16-18
We're participating

National RTAP
August 17, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP and SUMC
August 17, 2:00-3:00 PM ET

National Transit Institute
August 17, 2:00-3:30 PM

Michigan Public Transit Association (MPTA)
Thompsonville, MI, August 21-23
Stop by our booth!

National RTAP
August 22, 2:00-3:00 PM

TRB 
August 22, 2:00-3:00 PM

Green Transportation Summit & Expo (GTSE)
Tacoma, WA, August 22-24

Southwestern Tribal Technical Assistance Program (SWTTAP)
Albuquerque, NM, August 22-24

State Smart Transportation Initiative (SSTI)
August 23, 2:00 PM

National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) 
August 23, 2:00-3:00 PM

National RTAP
August 24, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Transit Planning 4 All
August 24, 1:00-2:00 PM

National RTAP 
August 24, 2:00-3:00 PM ET

TRB 
August 29, 2:00-3:30 PM

Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged (CTD)
Orlando, FL, August 29-30
We're participating

U.S. DOT ITS JPO
August 30, 2:00-3:30 PM

National RTAP
August 31, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Transit Planning 4 All
August 31, 1:00-2:00 PM

National Transit Institute
August 31, 2:00-3:00 PM

United Tribes
Bismarck, ND, September 5-7

New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine DOTs
Killington, VT, September 6-7
Please stop by our booth!

MPTA, IPTA, KPTA, NATP
Kansas City, MO, September 6-8
National RTAP Ambassadors are attending.

U.S. DOT Project Delivery Center of Excellence (COE)
September 7, 1:00 PM

National RTAP
September 7, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Utah Urban Rural Specialized Transit Association (URSTA) 
Kanab, UT, September 7-9
Please visit our table!

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Accreditation Commission (NEMTAC)
Jacksonville, FL - September 10-12
Please stop by our table!

National Association of Development Organizations (NADO)
Oklahoma City, OK, September 12-14
We're participating

Colorado Association of Transit Agencies (CASTA) 
Crested Butte, CO, September 12-15
Please stop by our table!

Hawaii Transportation Association (HTA)
Honolulu, HI, September 13-14
We're participating

National RTAP
September 14, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

FHWA
September 14, 1:00-3:00 PM

Dakota Transit Association (DTA)
Minot, ND, September 15-19
Please visit our table!

The Transportation Alliance
Myrtle Beach, SC, September 19-23

National RTAP
September 21, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

NTCA: The Rural Broadband Association
Boston, MA, September 24-27

National Transportation in Indian Country Conference (NTICC)
Anchorage, AK, September 24-28
Please stop by our booth!

National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA)
Cherokee, NC, September 25-29

Move America
Austin, TX, September 26-27

National Transit Institute
September 26-27, 1:00-4:30 PM

Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE)
San Diego, CA, September 26-28
Please stop by our booth!

U.S. DOT Project Delivery Center of Excellence (COE)
September 27, 1:00 PM

American Bus Association
September 27, 2:00-3:00 PM

AARP
September 27-28, 1:00-5:00 PM

Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship
Keene, NH, September 27-28

International Association of Transportation Regulators (IATR)
Scottsdale, AZ, September 27-30

American Public Works Association (APWA) - New England Chapter
September 28, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

National RTAP
September 28, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Massachusetts DOT
Boston, MA, October 4
Please visit our booth!

National RTAP
October 5, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

American Public Transportation Association (APTA)
Orlando, FL, October 8-11

Volpe Center
October 12, 1:00 PM

National RTAP
October 12, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) 
Kansas City, MO, October 17-19

National RTAP
October 19, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP
October 19, 2:00-3:00 PM ET

WPTA/MPTA
La Crosse, WI, October 23-24

Volpe Center
October 26, 1:00 PM

National RTAP
October 26, 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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