Join NADTC, NCMM, National RTAP, and SUMC for a Microtransit vs. Micromobility Series Webinar on February 22, from 2:00-3:30 PM ET. Learn the real difference between the two terms and how to plan a successful Microtransit service. What’s the difference between Microtransit and Micromobility? In this webinar, we will hear from the Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC), which will present a framework for what a true Microtransit service and network should look like in a community. The City of Dublin, Ohio will provide an example of its Microtransit system, operated by SHARE Mobility. SHARE Mobility is an operator of Microtransit systems across the United States.

National RTAP is offering a free, targeted, hands-on training to help you develop your GTFS feed and publish your services online. The training will consist of three 1-hour sessions held on March 8, March 15, and March 27, 2023 at 2:00 PM ET. The third session will be optional, with the instructor available for questions and extra help. At the end of the training, you can expect to complete GTFS data for one bus route and will have the ability to create GTFS data for other routes. Register for all three workshops. 

U.S. DOT Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grants, which help communities around the country carry out projects with significant local or regional impact, are accepting applications through February 28, 2023.

FTA added a new document category to the Transit Award Management System (TrAMS) for lobbying disclosures: Form LLL: Disclosure of Lobbying Activities to their Recipient Documents. For help using TrAMS, contact the HelpDesk at (877) 561-7466 or FTAITHelpDesk@dot.gov. For technical assistance with lobbying disclosure rules, contact your FTA regional office.

FTA is requesting comments on a potential change to the updated Joint Development guidance on including technology to fuel a zero-emission vehicle as an eligible joint development improvement. The proposed Circular 7050.1C will supersede Circular 7050.1B, once finalized. FTA published a notice summarizing proposed changes, with comments due by March 31, 2023.

FHWA and FTA published a joint Federal Register Notice announcing recent statutory changes affecting the monetary thresholds for the limited Federal financial assistance categorical exclusions established by FHWA and FTA in regulation. The thresholds have been adjusted for inflation.

U.S. DOT’s FY23 Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Solicitation is open until March 7, 2023. The program awards contracts to small businesses to pursue research on and develop innovative solutions to the nation’s transportation challenges.

The Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Agency (HIRTA) is holding a Beyond the Bus: It Takes a Village Virtual Symposium on April 19, 2023, between 10:00 AM - 4:10 PM ET. This event will focus on current challenges public transit is facing and how service agencies, as well as others, can help improve transit in their communities. Attendees will learn about volunteer programs, benefits, and recruitment strategies.

There are several upcoming trainings and conferences focusing on older adults and persons with disabilities, including:

Transit Workforce Center's (TWC) Resources and Best Practices for a Zero Emission-Workforce Fleet Transition Plan offers an initial set of building blocks for creating a comprehensive workforce development plan for ZEB transition, a plan that should cover all affected transit frontline workers.

The TRB BTSCRP's Influence of Infrastructure Design on Distracted Driving provides an opportunity to develop a better understanding of the interaction between the built environment and driver distraction.

The Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Agency (HIRTA) is an awardee for the Complete Trip – ITS4US contract for its Health Connector for the Most Vulnerable: An Inclusive Mobility Experience from Beginning to End. This report details HIRTA's role in how the Health Connector system will be further designed, developed, procured, configured, and deployed.

CTAA and SWATA launched a Crime and Human Trafficking Prevention for Smaller Transit Agencies website. The website includes publications and training resources on human trafficking, labor trafficking, and Tribal transit and trafficking. There is also a social media guide and podcast available.

Upfit Supply provides Measurement Guides for common transit vehicles. Guides include a schematic illustration and measurements for specific features, such as inside roof height and wheel well dimensions.

Google launched Live Satellite Earth View Maps with a GPS Navigation app. Users can use live voice navigation to give spoken voice instructions to move on the map. The map also includes live traffic status.

The Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association (DATIA) offers a Supplier Directory where users can search for drug and alcohol testing software, DOT physicals, supervisor/employee training, and many other categories.

The U.S. Access Board shares accessibility animations at the bottom of its homepage. Subjects include Parking and Passenger Loading Zones, Sales and Counter Services, and more.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) released its Winter 2023 update to the National Transportation Atlas Database (NTAD), with updates to data on intermodal passenger connectivity, bikeshare, National Transit Map routes, and additional updates.

TCRP is seeking to learn how State DOTs, metropolitan planning organizations, and transit agencies foster and integrate transit service information (often GTFS feeds) for public use. As part of a Statewide Approaches to the Development of Comprehensive Transit Information Systems study, TCRP is surveying staff at the state, regional, and local levels and identifying state or regional efforts for follow-up case studies.

Rutgers University and Foursquare ITP are working with TCRP to research challenges and impacts of mental health and wellness for frontline transit workers. This research will include a survey of frontline workers on mental health and wellness stressors such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. You can disseminate the survey to your staff with this Survey Distribution Kit.

TCRP has commissioned the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) to conduct a research study on the potential benefits and challenges of diversifying paratransit fleet configurations. A paratransit fleet that is composed of different types of vehicles, vehicles of differing capacities, and/or vehicles with differing levels of accessibility are considered to have a diverse fleet configuration. The survey will be open through March 3, 2023.

FMCSA has opened several FY2023 grant programs: High Priority Program - Commercial Motor Vehicle, Commercial Driver's License Program Implementation, High Priority Program – Innovative Technology Deployment, and Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training Program. All are accepting applications through April 3, 2023.

The application deadline for the 2023 Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund (TTPSF) has been extended to March 9, 2023.

FHWA announced $10 million in funding for Fiscal Year 2022 Disadvantaged Business Enterprise/Supportive Services (DBE/SS) program funding to State DOTs and U.S. territories. The funding allows participating states to provide training and business development services to eligible small businesses to improve their ability to compete as prime and subcontractors on federally assisted contracts.

TCRP is accepting Problem Statement submissions through June 16, 2023 on topics including operations, policy, planning, service configuration, engineering of vehicles and facilities, maintenance, human resources, and administration.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced 3 funding opportunities where recipients will work collaboratively to implement strategies that address health disparities. Transportation is an eligible expense. The grant programs are the High Obesity Program (HOP) (applications due March 21, 2023), State Physical Activity and Nutrition (SPAN) (applications due March 28, 2023), and Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) (applications due April 11, 2023).

FHWA posted a Request for Information for states, cities, and local governments to provide feedback on ways to improve upon Complete Streets programs. FHWA also issued a waiver that outlines that financial barriers do not prevent states and Metropolitan Planning Organizations or MPOs from engaging in Complete Streets efforts.

The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs discussed the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). Effective February 11, 2023, Secretary Becerra renewed the COVID-19 PHE for 90 days. Based on current trends regarding COVID-19, HHS is planning for this to be the final renewal and for the COVID-19 PHE to end on May 11, 2023.

FHWA published a Final Rule establishing regulations setting minimum standards and requirements for projects funded under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program and projects for the construction of publicly accessible electric vehicle chargers under certain statutory authorities, including any EV charging infrastructure project funded with federal funds that is treated as a project on a federal-aid highway.

February 16, 1:00-2:30 PM

February 16, 2:00-3:00 PM

February 16, 2:00-3:00 PM

February 16, 3:00 PM

February 16, 3:00-4:00 PM

February 16, 3:00-4:15 PM

Originally scheduled for February 17

Phoenix, February 17-21

February 22, 1:00-2:30 PM

February 22, 1:00-3:00 PM

February 22, 2:00 PM

February 22, 2:00-3:30 PM

February 22, 2:30-3:00 PM

February 22, 3:00 PM

February 23, 12:00-1:30 PM

February 23, 1:00 PM

February 23, 1:00-2:00 PM

February 23, 3:00-4:00 PM

Aurora, CO, February 22-25

Las Vegas, NV, February 26 - March 1

February 28, 2:00 PM

February 28, 2:00-3:00 PM

February 28, 2:00-3:30 PM

March 1, 12:00-1:00 PM

Washington, DC, February 28 - March 3

March 2, 2:30-4:00 PM

Columbia, SC, March 1-5

March 7, 1:00-2:30 PM

Washington, DC, March 7-9

March 9, 2:00-3:30 PM

Washington, DC, March 12-14

Arlington, VA, March 12-15

March 14, 10:00-11:00 AM

San Diego, CA, March 14-16

Washington, DC and Virtual, March 15, 1:00-2:30 PM

March 16, 2:00-3:00 PM

Las Vegas, NV, March 22-25

Phoenix, AZ, March 24, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Anchorage, AK, March 28-30

March 29, 2:00–3:30 PM

March 31

Portland, OR, April 2-4

Mesa, AZ, April 3-5

Washington, DC, April 11-12

Oklahoma City, OK, April 11-14

Corpus Christi, TX, April 11-15

Truckee, CA, April 17-20

Atlantic City, NJ, April 18-20

April 19, 10:00 AM - 4:10 PM

Minneapolis, MN, April 23-26

Grapevine, TX, April 24-27

Chicago, IL, April 27-28

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.