eNews - November 11, 2021
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
Updated National RTAP Emergency Response Checklists & Risk Management Tech Brief
New National RTAP Intercity Transportation Topic Guide
Tomorrow: Robin Phillips will be a Panelist for Thanksgiving In Times of Covid Discussion
FTA Seeks Input on Title VI Circular
FAST Act Extended to December
Updated National RTAP Checklists: Emergency Response Procedures - During and After Business Hours

National RTAP's Emergency Response Checklists: During and After Normal Operating Hours define the responsibilities of an Emergency Response Coordinator (ERC) in emergency situations that take place during and after the "normal" workday. These templates are designed to be customized by the user. Our 2021 updates include specific assignments (such as who verifies operable communications infrastructure) and planning for telecommuting staff.

Thank you to National RTAP Review Board Member Laura A. Corff, Transit Director, United Community Action Program, Inc., for reviewing the updates.
National RTAP Risk Management for Rural Transit Systems Technical Brief Updated

Risk management is the process of controlling the chance or possibility of financial loss. We recently updated our Risk Management for Rural Transit Systems technical brief, which provides rural transit managers with the tools and strategies they need to understand and effectively manage risk in an effort to improve system safety and minimize potential loss.

Updates include information about correction/action plans, Safety Officers, and training for risk management, as well as new graphics and resources for further information.

Thank you to National RTAP Review Board Member Brenda Schweitzer, Executive Director, Brookings Area Transit Authority, for the review of the 2021 update.
Dispatching & Scheduling Training Introductory Webinar Recording Posted

We held an Introductory Webinar on our updated Dispatching & Scheduling Training for Rural Transit Systems manual, eLearning course, and Instructor materials on November 4, 2021. Lisa Koch of the University of Kansas Transportation Center, subject matter expert and author of the manual, provided helpful information for managers of dispatchers and schedulers. Access the webinar recording and presentation slides.

National RTAP Participation in Upcoming Conferences

Please look for us at the following upcoming in-person and virtual conferences:

New Resources Added to TACL

TACL, The Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library, was updated with eight new resources this quarter, including FTA's Mobility on Demand (MOD) Sandbox Demonstration: Puget Sound First/Last Mile Partnership with Via, NCMM's Cost Sharing and Cross Partnership Funding Models, N-CATT's Microtransit: When and Where it Makes Sense, and SUMC's Transforming Transit into Mobility at The COMET, Columbia, SC. Six resources from NADTC are also featured through the end of December 2021.

National RTAP RFP for Active Shooter Training Course

National RTAP is soliciting proposals for the development of a training course to prepare transit staff to handle active shooter situations on transit vehicles or property. The deadline is December 15, 2021 at 3:00 PM ET.

We will be hosting a Pre-Proposal Meeting on November 22, 2021 at 2 PM ET to address questions about the RFP, which can be submitted during registration or to rfp@nationalrtap.org by November 18, 2021.

Robin Phillips is a Panelist for Thanksgiving in Times of COVID

National RTAP Executive Director Robin Phillips is a Panelist for a virtual Co-Creation Nation discussion on Thanksgiving in Times of COVID on November 12, 2021 at 12:00 PM ET. Discussion will focus on adapting to the demands of reaching more low-income Americans who want the vaccine through coordinated services.
Upcoming State RTAP Manager Peer Roundtable

State RTAP Managers can join your peers for a State RTAP Manager Peer Roundtable, an informal discussion of issues relevant to State RTAP Managers. No registration required; join the Roundtable (passcode 567285) on January 18, 2022 from 2:00-3:00 PM. Contact us to RSVP if you would like a calendar invitation and send us topics you'd like to be discussed.

Get Ready for our January #MobilityManagementMatters Twitter Chat

Please join National RTAP and HIRTA Public Transit on January 19, 2022, 2:00-3:00 PM ET, for a Twitter Chat on #MobilityManagementMatters to discuss engaging your communities, what mobility management looks like post-COVID, and more! The chat will be moderated by Danny Schnathorst, Mobility Outreach Coordinator, HIRTA. RSVP for the chat.

New National RTAP Intercity Topic Guide

We have added a new Intercity Topic Guide to our Topic Guides page focusing on intercity transportation. The page contains resources to FTA, National RTAP, and additional resources on intercity transportation, including:

(Please note, we've also moved the former Wheelchair Securement Topic Guide contents to the ADA Topic Guide.)

Kansas RTAP Newsletter Features National RTAP

The Autumn 2021 Kansas RTAP Reporter features an article by National RTAP Resource Center Manager Cara Marcus about National RTAP resources and an article by Kansas RTAP Manager Lisa Koch about our new Dispatching & Scheduling Training Module.

Research Citing National RTAP

Several recent publications have cited National RTAP, including:
U.S. DOT and FTA Updates
FTA requested transit agencies and states to complete a brief survey on the FTA Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) Technical Assistance Center (TAC). Surveys can be filled out through November 24, 2021.

The latest version of the FTA COVID-19 Resource Tool now summarizes information about new U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized booster doses and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) workplace vaccination program guidance.

Several FTA grants have upcoming deadlines: Route Planning Restoration Program grant applications are due on November 15, 2021 and Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program applications are due on November 19, 2021.

FTA is considering amending Circular 4702.1B, Title VI Requirements and Guidelines for Federal Transit Administration Recipients (Title VI Circular) to incorporate lessons learned since its issuance. FTA seeks input on requirements related to public participation, service and fare equity, facility equity analyses, implementation of rider conduct policies, and additional technical resources for determining and documenting disparate impact. Comments should be submitted by December 3, 2021.

FTA published an Accessing and Using National Transit Database Safety and Security Event Data Guide. The guide reviews how to access NTD Safety and Security data to support a transit agency’s safety performance measurement activities and benchmarking efforts.
Webinars and Training
The A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) Cyber Readiness Center launched a new Cyber Training and Exercise Range. Created in conjunction with the Texas A&M Cybersecurity Center and with funding from the Texas A&M University System, the cyber range offers a virtual environment that simulates cyber-attacks for training purposes.

AASHTO is offering free eLearning courses on Census Transportation Planning Products. Courses include Census Transportation Planning Products (CTPP) data tabulations that are based on the American Community Survey (ACS) and how geographic areas are defined for tabulating CTPP data.

National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT) is holding an Integrating Micromobility and Transit webinar on December 1, 2021 at 2:00 PM ET. This webinar illustrates promising practices in harnessing this tech through relationship building and collaboration, and identifies methods for your agency to consider.
Publications
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released booster vaccination recommendations for all three Food and Drug Administration (FDA) vaccines. Individuals who work in high-risk settings, such as public transit drivers over 18 years of age, are eligible for booster shots.

The TRB Behavioral Traffic Safety Cooperative Research Program's (BTSCRP) Using Electronic Devices While Driving: Legislation and Enforcement Implications examines legislation on electronic device use while driving, evaluates the benefits and impediments associated with enacting, enforcing, and adjudicating electronic device use, and proposes model legislation and educational materials.

Meeting the Needs of Older Adults Living in Rural Communities: The Roles of Area Agencies on Aging is a Data Brief based on the National Survey of Area Agencies on Aging by USAging. The brief shows how rural and non-rural Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) differ in their organizational structures and transportation services they provide.
Databases and Tools
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) updated National Transportation Statistics with new data on the annual cost of car ownership and transportation fatalities. The average total cost of car ownership per 15,000 miles rose from $8,487 in 2010 to $9,561 in 2020. BTS also added geospatial data layers for transportation-related demographic information. For example, Means of Transportation to Work data can be used with EPA's National Walkability Index, to create a map that displays the percent of travel to work compared to the walkability score at the Census tract level.

Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC) developed an interactive Micromobility Policy Atlas along with the New Urban Mobility alliance and the WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities. The atlas classifies shared bike, e-bike, and scooter policies across areas of regulation and management, providing information on guidelines, permits, and laws from around the world. Users can search and refine by mode, country, policy type, or year.
Opportunities
Individuals can submit problem statements for the FY 2022 TCRP Legal Studies Program through January 21, 2022.

FHWA announced their 2022 Environmental Excellence Awards Program. Nominations will be accepted through December 15, 2021. The program recognizes outstanding transportation projects, processes, and partners that use FHWA funding sources to go above and beyond compliance to achieve environmental excellence.

The American Bus Association (ABA) created the African American Motorcoach Council (AAMC) and is seeking additional industry leaders to step forward. Anyone interested in participating in the AAMC can contact ABA.

A coalition of transit agencies, cities, nonprofits, planning organizations, and State DOTs created and signed a set of principles for achieving greater interoperability in the technologies used for the mobility industry. The Mobility Data Interoperability Principles represent a coordinated attempt to implement open data standards throughout the transit industry. To become a cosignatory, contact Scott Frazier.
Legislation
The Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) has been extended through December 3, 2021. The H.R.5763 - Further Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2021 which granted the extension became law on October 31, 2021.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeks comment on the structure of the 4940–4990 MHz (4.9 GHz) band through November 29, 2021. The proposed rule includes standards for private land mobile radio licensees, which are sometimes used by transportation agencies.

Effective December 9, 2021, FMCSA amends the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations to include rear impact guards on the list of items that must be examined as part of the required annual inspection for each commercial motor vehicle.

U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) filed an Emergency Temporary Standard on Vaccination and Testing on November 4, 2021. Private employers with 100+ employees will be required to ensure all onsite workers are fully vaccinated or undergo weekly testing starting January 4, 2022. Starting December 5, 2021, all their unvaccinated employees must wear masks in the workplace. Public employers may be covered if they work in a state that has an OSHA-approved state plan. Written comments on any aspect of the ETS must be submitted by December 6, 2021 in Docket number OSHA-2021-0007.
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.

Community Transportation Association of America
Richmond, VA, November 7-11
We're exhibiting. Please stop by our table!

Q'Straint/Sure-Lok
November 11, 12:00-1:30 PM

Co-Creation Nation 
November 12, 12:00 PM
National RTAP Executive Director Robin Phillips is a Panelist

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH)
November 15, 1:00 PM

U.S. DOT ITS Joint Program Office, ITS America
November 15, 1:30-3:00 PM

North American Bikeshare Association (NABSA) and Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC)
November 15, 2:00 PM

Government Fleet
Orlando, November 15-17

AzTA and ADOT
Riverview Mesa, AZ, November 15-17
We're presenting and exhibiting.

Intelligent Transport
November 15-19

U.S. DOT
November 16, 12:00-1:30 PM

Forth
November 16, 1:00-2:00 PM

Native Learning Center
November 16, 2:00-3:30 PM

Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health
November 17, 12:00 PM

National Network for the Transportation Workforce
November 17, 1:00-2:00 PM

FHWA
November 17, 1:00-2:00 PM

Rural Health Information Hub
November 17, 1:00-2:00 PM

U.S. DOT ITS Joint Program Office, ITS America
November 17, 1:30-3:00 PM

Alzheimer's Association and MCOA
November 17, 2:00-3:30 PM

EVNoire and Forth
November 17-18

FMCSA
November 17-18, 1:00 PM

National Transit Institute
November 18, 1:00-4:30 PM

National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
November 18, 2:00 PM

Center for Health and Safety Culture (CHSC)
November 18, 2:00-3:00 PM

Native Learning Center
November 19, 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

National RTAP 
November 22, 2:00 PM

NADTC, TransCen, Inc., and Mid-Atlantic ADA Center
November 23, 2:00-3:00 PM

Native Learning Center
November 29 - December 3

Great Lakes ADA Center
November 30, 1:00-2:30 PM

N-CATT
December 1, 2:00 PM

National Transit Institute
December 2, 1:00-4:30 PM

Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee (MCSAC)
December 6-7, 9:15 AM - 4:30 PM

Q'Straint/Sure-Lok
December 7, 12:00-1:30 PM

ITS America
Charlotte, NC, December 7-10

TRB
December 8, 12:00-3:00 PM

Eno Center for Transportation
December 8, 2:00-3:00 PM

Alzheimer's Association and MCOA
December 8, 6:00-7:00 PM

Georgia Transit Association
Jekyll Island, December 8-10
We're presenting and exhibiting.

National Safety Council
December 9, 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM

National Transit Institute
December 9, 1:00-4:30 PM

FTA
December 14, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

APTA
December 15-16

National Transit Institute
December 16, 1:00-4:30 PM

TRB
Washington, D.C., January 9–13

Smart Growth America
January 11-13, 2022

National RTAP
January 18, 2:00-3:00 PM

National RTAP and HIRTA Public Transit
January 19, 2:00-3:00 PM

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