CALTAP Holiday News: December 30th, 2025 | | |
Policy Update: DBE Program
On October 3, 2025, the USDOT published an Interim Final Rule that updates 49 CFR Parts 23 & 26 governing the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concessions DBE (ACDBE) programs.
In response to these changes, Caltrans DLA issued an updated Office Bulletin 25-07 R1, suspending components of the DBE Program in the LAPM.
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Policy Update: Prohibition on
Procurement or Operation of UAS
Effective December 22, 2025, the U.S. OMB has prohibited the procurement or operation of covered Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) or Drones.
Section 1825 of the American Security Drone Act of 2023 prohibits federal-funded contracts and grants from expenditure on or operation of UAS/Drones and their components from covered entities such as DJI, Autel, and others.
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Webinar: Tools for Reliable Bus Service
January 20, 2026, 1pm – 2:30pm PT
The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is hosting a free webinar on “Clearing the Lane: New Tools for Reliable Bus Service" as part of its "Toolbox Tuesday" program.
This session provides an overview of Santa Monica’s Automated Bus Lane Enforcement program and LA Metro’s Bus Lane Enforcement program, highlighting opportunities, challenges, and lessons learned for each initiative.
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Training: Workforce Writing & Presentation Skills
Michigan Tech's Center for Technology & Training is hosting a 10-week virtual workshop on Workplace Writing & Presentation Skills.
Learning Objectives:
- Analyze own sentences
- Spot common sentence errors
- Write persuasive and convincing paragraphs
- Craft business letters and responses to complaints
- Create more engaging board reports
- Prepare and deliver eye-catching and impactful presentations
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Training: Pavement Management
February 3, 2026, 11:30am – 1:30pm PT
The Arkansas LTAP is hosting a 2-hour webinar on Pavement Management Budgets & Strategies, which focuses on how the concepts of network value, remaining service life, and project value index are used to provide an objective strategy for managing a local road network. Additional tools are presented for planning a 5-year network strategy.
Who should attend?
- County Judges, Mayors, Planners, Supervisors, Decision Makers
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Training: Asphalt 101
March 10, 2026, 11:30am – 1:30pm PT
Join the ARLTAP for its online presentation of Asphalt 101: Materials & Mixes.
This webinar provides an introduction to asphalt pavements, covering topic s like why they behave the way they do, how their material properties and mixture components impact pavement performance, quality control, and recycled materials. PDHs are available for attending.
Who should attend?
- Crew Leaders & Members, Inspectors, Supervisors, Decision Makers
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Training: Intro to Construction Management
March 10 & 12, 2026, 9am – 11:30am PT
WTTAP is hosting a 2-day virtual workshop on the essential components of the construction management process, to help improve how you manage project risk, communications, delivery, and scheduling.
Topics Covered:
- Relationships among owner, contractor, & engineer on PWX projects
- Common project delivery methods & types of contract documentation
- Importance of communication with a contractor & stakeholders
- Methods for selecting a construction contractor
- The function of a quality assurance program
- How to build & lead highly effective teams
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RSCP 2026: Dates Announced
NCRRS announced the latest training schedule for its Road Safety Champion Program (RSCP), a nationally recognized certificate program designed to build a knowledgeable, safety minded workforce responsible for operating, maintaining, and designing local roads.
Winter 2026 Courses Include:
Core Modules (CM):
Tuesdays, Jan 13th – Feb 24th, 10am-12pm PT
Planning & Engineering (P&E) Modules:
Tuesdays, March 3rd – April 7th, 10am-12pm PT
Public Health (PH) Modules:
Wednesdays, March 4th – April 8th, 10am-12pm PT
Maintenance & Construction (M&C) Modules:
Tuesdays, April 14th – April 28th, 10am-12pm PT
First Responder (FR) Modules:
Wednesdays, April 15th – May 6th, 10am-12pm PT
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Training: Roundabouts
Balancing Safety & Mobility for All Users
February 25 - 26, 2026, 1:30pm - 5pm PST
This course guides practitioners through the evaluation and design aspects for roundabouts within a multimodal and complete-street context.
Topics include lane configuration, traffic ops evaluation, bike & ped design, signing & striping, right of way, drainage, and landscaping consideration.
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Other Upcoming Trainings & Events
Pothole Patching & Repair | Jan 6, 2026, 9am–11am
The NVLTAP is hosting a 2-hour virtual training to compare partial and full-depth repair techniques along with the materials used to implement them
Introduction to Construction Management | Jan 7-8, 2026, 8am–10:30am
WTTAP is hosting a 2-day virtual workshop on the essential components of the construction management process
TRB Annual Meeting | Jan 11-15, 2026
The 105th Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting will be held in Washington D.C., from January 11th through January 15th, 2026
Intertribal Transportation Association | Jan 13-15, 2026
The 2026 ITA meeting brings together tribal leaders & transportation professionals to connect and strengthen their shared voice.
Two-Dimensional Hydraulic Modeling | Jan 20-23, 2026, 6:30am–1:30pm
The Ohio LTAP is hosting a virtual 4-day workshop on Two-Dimensional Hydraulic Modeling of Rivers at Highway Encroachments
Road Safety Enhancements | Jan 20, 2026, 11:30am–1:30pm
The Arkansas LTAP is hosting a free webinar on "Road Safety Enhancements: Data-Driven Strategies"
Low-Cost Safety Improvements | Jan 21-22, 2026, 8am–10:30am
WTTAP is hosting a 2.5-hour webinar on selecting and implementing low-cost measures for reducing fatalities and injuries caused by road departures
Road Safety Enhancements | Jan 22, 2026, 11:30am–1:30pm
The Arkansas LTAP is hosting the free webinar "Road Safety Enhancements: Safety Countermeasures".
Building a Public Works Drone Program | Jan 22, 2026, 8am–9:30am
APWA is hosting a 90-minute webinar on "Building a Responsible & Responsive Public Works Drone Program"
Evaluating Pavement Condition | Jan 27, 2026, 9am–11am
The Nevada LTAP is hosting a free virtual training on conducting asphalt pavement condition surveys based on the PASER methodology
Pothole Patching & Repair | Feb 3, 2026, 8am–10:30am
WTTAP is hosting a 2.5-hour virtual training to compare partial and full-depth repair techniques along with the materials used to implement them.
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Resource: ATP Office Hours
Were you awarded a Non-Infrastructure (NI) or Plan grant through the Active Transportation Program (ATP) and have questions? Would you like to apply for an NI or Plan grant and want help?
Join the Active Transportation Resource Center's office hours via Zoom, where your ATP proprsoal and project questions will be addressed one-on-one.
Office hours are January 15 and February 19, 2026, at 11am PT
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Open Funding Opportunities
Regional Early Action Planning Grants
SCAG is now accepting applications for the second Notice of Funds Available for the REAP 2.0-funded Lasting Affordability Program, with $20M available
2026 Road to Zero Traffic Safety Grants
The National Safety Council is accepting applications for the 2026 Road to Zero Community Traffic Safety Grants, with a total of $750,000 available
Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program
The FSP Grant Program is providing funding to improve American passenger rail assets by funding projects that enhance safety or expand existing service
Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund
FHWA has issued an amended NOFO for the 2025 TTPSF and is accepting applications until the deadline on January 15, 2026.
Tribal Homeless Housing, Assistance, & Prevention Grants
The HHAP program provides flexible funding to California federally recognized tribes for activities that prevent & address homelessness in their communities
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Resource: Distracted Driving in the Public Sector
Samsara's "Behind the Wheel: Distracted Driving in the US Public Sector" uncovers firsthand insights from drivers and provides practical solutions and actionable strategies to help public sector organizations reduce risk, enhance driver safety, and foster a culture of safer driving that protects the public and strengthens community trust.
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Recording: PSR Equivalent Workshop
A recording of the ATCR's December 4th, 2025 Project Study Report (PSR) Equivalent Workshop is now available for viewing.
This workshop covered important components of the ATP application, like how an to serve as a PSR-equivalent, including the Engineer’s Checklist, plans and cross sections, cost estimates, and scheduling. Any agency applying for ATP Cycle 8 are encouraged to watch this workshop recording.
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Recording: Resilient
Streets Through Green Infrastructure
ATRC's November 18th, 2025 webinar on how greening strategies in active transportation projects can help build climate resiliency is now available.
Learn how to collaborate with the California Conservation Corps to install green amenities and hear the inspiration behind a San Joaquin Valley community that is incorporating green infrastructure into its design.
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** More Training Scheduled in January**
Need a closer look? Stop by CALTAP.org for a calendar view of upcoming training and events focused specifically on local agency project success.
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California Local Technical Assistance Program
Center for international Trade & Transportation
California State University, Long Beach
6300 E State University Dr, Long Beach, CA 90815
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