eNews - February 17, 2022 |
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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
Books in Transit Discussion Group Today: The Accidental Bus Driver
Learn about TACL Webinar Next Week
Meet our Team: Scott Zadakis
FTA Tribal Transit Notice of Funding Opportunity
FTA Seeking Transit Advisory Committee for Safety (TRACS) Members
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Books in Transit Discussion Group Meeting Today - The Accidental Bus Driver
Join us today, February 17, 2022 from 11:00 AM-12:00 PM ET to discuss the Accidental Bus Driver by Tom Beaumont - an entertaining view from the bus driver's seat.
The first half-hour of the meeting will be an introduction to the book by the author. During the second half-hour of the meeting, National RTAP staff will lead a group discussion. If you haven't read the book (but are interested), you are welcome to join the first half of the meeting.
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Learn about TACL in Next Week's Webinar
The Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library (TACL) helps rural and tribal transit agencies access information about public transportation coordination, coordinate among federally funded transit programs, and share resources across agencies to improve transit in their communities. The library contains reports, training seminars, toolkits, and other materials developed by FTA and its technical assistance centers.
TACL also extends a warm welcome to its newest Task Force members: Michael Linder, FTA, and Betty F. Jackson, Transit Workforce Center (TWC), and new reviewer Alana Spendlove, Utah Department of Transportation.
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Meet our Team - Scott Zadakis
Our most recent National RTAP Team Spotlight Article features Scott Zadakis, eLearning Manager. As the eLearning Project Manager, Scott has already brought the system to a new level with improved graphics and functionality. He’s also introduced several new and updated courses, such as Customer Service and Dispatching & Scheduling, and is currently working on a new Active Shooter training.
But you may not know he's climbed every mountain over 4K in New Hampshire and Vermont. Read more about Scott.
Relaxation Workshop Recoding Posted
On February 7, 2022, George Kinder, author of Reflections on Spectacle Pond, offered an intimate window into the creative process with a poetry reading, photography slideshow, and discussion about meditation, nature, and inspiration. Access the recording.
Upcoming Webinar on Building Better Bus Stops: Planning and Partnerships
This webinar, on March 14, 2022, 2:00-3:00 PM ET, will provide an overview of the Building Better Bus Stops Resource Guide, highlight ways to incorporate transit in local plans and policies, build strategic partnerships to implement better bus stops, and provide insights and real-world examples of rural bus stop improvement projects.
Panelists are Andy Batson, Chief, Planning and Project Delivery, Pennsylvania DOT - Bureau of Public Transportation; Natasha Manbeck, Senior Project Manager, McMahon Associates, Inc.; and Rich Schlameuss, Assistant Executive Director, Monroe County Transit Authority. Register for the webinar.
National RTAP and AASHTO MTAP Hold Transit Insurance and Risk Management Webinar
National RTAP and AASHTO Multi-State Transit Technical Assistance Program (MTAP) are hosting a Risky Business: Transit Insurance and Risk Management webinar on March 31, 2022 from 2:00-3:30 PM ET to provide training on two very important components of rural transit management: insurance and risk management. Participants will also learn about statewide insurance pools.
The webinar will be moderated by Mike Spadafore, Director of Mobility Management, Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging, and panelists are Jill Nagy, President and Managing Partner, Summers Nagy Law Offices; Brenda Schweitzer, Review Board Member, National RTAP; and Glen Griffin, Executive Director, Michigan Transit Pool (MTP). Register for the webinar.
National RTAP Participation in Upcoming In-Person Conferences and Meetings
Please stop by our table at the following conferences and meetings:
National RTAP TransitCon Presentation Recording Posted
On January 30, 2022, National RTAP Center Resource Center Manager Cara Marcus presented on "How to Find (Almost) Anything in Transportation." The presentation recording has been posted. |
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National RTAP Solicitation for New Review Board Members
National RTAP is soliciting nominations through March 31, 2022 for new Review Board members to join the Board in 2022 and 2023. There will be vacancies to fill for 2 state transit officials in fall 2022 and 2 in spring 2023. For rural or tribal transit providers there will be 3 vacancies in 2023. Read more and access the nomination form.
National RTAP COVID-19 Topic Guide Updated
National RTAP is continuing its annual update of Topic Guides, starting with the COVID-19 Topic Guide. New resources include:
Register for the Transit Knowledge Sharing Retreat
Northwest Pennsylvania Mobility Alliance, Inc., in partnership with National RTAP, National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT), and PennTRAIN, will be hosting the Transit Knowledge Sharing Retreat in Erie, PA on June 15-16 2022. Topics will include mobility management, alternative fuels, transit's role in economic development, and more.
National RTAP Marketing Workshop Series: Step 2 - Transit Websites Webinar Recording Posted
The second of six virtual marketing workshops in 2022 geared toward rural and tribal transit systems was held on February 10, 2022. The first hour featured a presentation by Selena Barlow of Transit Marketing LLC. Participants had the opportunity to discuss their experience planning a trip on another transit agency’s website. Access the recording and presentation slides.
Upcoming National RTAP Intercity Bus Peer Roundtable
Welcome New State RTAP Managers
National RTAP extends a warm welcome to new Florida RTAP Managers Tony Brandin and Heather L. Kay. If you would like to get in touch with them or any other RTAP Managers, visit our Directory of State RTAP Managers.
National RTAP ELDT Technical Brief Updated
As the FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training requirements went into effect on February 7, 2022, we updated our ELDT tech brief. The update includes 3 trainer checklists developed by the Minnesota DOT and RTAP ELDT Working Group.
New Topic Menu for Directory of Trainers
In addition to being able to filter and search by keyword, last name, and FTA region, now you can search our Directory of Trainers with a drop-down topics menu. Topics include distracted driving, safety, transit management, and more.
Save the Date for our April Twitter Chat
Mark your Calendars for April 12, 2022, for the second #Every1OnTheBus Twitter Chat. More details soon! |
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FTA published a Dear Colleague letter to remind heads of transit agencies of their responsibility to ensure TAM plans that were developed are updated by October 1, 2022.
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American Public Transportation Association (APTA) provides an Emerging Leaders Program, a 12-month program with skill-building workshops, roundtable sessions, online collaboration, and access to industry leader mentoring. The Class of 2023 begins in 2022.
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TCRP's Innovative Practices for Transit Planning at Small to Mid-Sized Agencies documents innovative practices for solving transit planning challenges faced by small and mid-sized transit agencies, such as ridership, demographic shifts, first- and last-mile transportation, changes in land use, changes in regulations, service design, funding challenges, service delivery, and technology changes.
National Center for Applied Transit Technology's (N-CATT) Guidebook on New Software Adoption for Small Transit Agencies provides a four-step process to move from the initial stages of software consideration to later steps involving set-up, operations, and maintenance. The Guidebook focuses on trip planning, booking, scheduling, and payment software, but is relevant for all types of software.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission added a new section to its COVID-19-related technical assistance to clarify when COVID-19 may be considered a disability and what that means for employers, employees, and job applicants. |
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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides Smart Location Mapping tools, which are interactive maps and data for measuring location efficiency and the built environment. Tools include a Smart Location Database, a geographic data resource for measuring location efficiency, and Access to Jobs and Workers Via Transit, a geospatial data resource and web mapping tool for comparing the accessibility of neighborhoods via public transit service. |
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Dell Technologies and Microsoft are inviting state and local governments to host an e-waste recycling drive for a chance to win $50,000 in technology.
NCMM is seeking letters of interest from communities who would like to have them facilitate a one-day meeting with mobility management practitioners and their partners to try to solve a particular perplexing mobility issue that requires cross-agency coordination.
USDA is providing funding through February 28, 2022 to promote economic development and job creation projects through business opportunity grants and business enterprise grants, for use in funding various business and community projects that serve rural areas. USDA also offers a Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program.
Administration for Community Living is soliciting grant applications through March 21, 2022 for the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) National Network Collaborative Research Project.
TCRP is conducting a Synthesis study to gather information on how public transit organizations engaged in initiatives to meet community needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. To better understand the scope of these initiatives and partnerships, they are conducting a survey of organizations of any type that may have been or currently are involved in such initiatives. For questions about this study, contact Cecilia Viggiano and Naomi Stein. The deadline has been extended to March 1, 2022. |
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FMCSA amended its regulatory guidance to explain that its current statutory authorities and regulations do not prohibit third-party testers from administering the commercial driver’s license knowledge tests for all classes and endorsements. In addition, a Final Rule by FMCSA changed the inspection interval for compressed natural gas fuel containers installed on vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 10,000 pounds to at least every 12 months. The compliance date for this rule is March 14, 2023.
H.R.6119 - the Further Extending Government Funding Act, provides continuing FY2022 appropriations to federal agencies through February 18, 2022, or the enactment of the applicable appropriations act, whichever is earlier.
The Federal Communications Commission proposes to improve the clarity and accessibility of their visual Emergency Alert System messages to the public, particularly to people with deafness or hearing loss. The first round of comments is due March 11, 2022.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has abandoned its plan to require users of their online account to supply documentation, including a video, for their id.me account. |
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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.
National RTAP
February 17, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
TRB
February 17, 12:00-3:00 PM
Strong Towns
February 17, 1:00-2:00 PM
U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)
February 17, 2:00-3:00 PM
ITS America
February 17, 2:00-3:00 PM
Public Lands Transportation Fellowship Program
February 18, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
White House
February 18, 2:30 PM
Mass Transit
Tuscon, AZ, February 21-23
U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)
February 22, 12:00-1:00 PM
FORTH
February 22, 1:00-2:00 PM
National RTAP
February 22, 2:00-3:00 PM
EPA
February 22, 2:00-4:00 PM
WTS Portland
February 22, 3:00 PM
Native Learning Center
February 22-24
SWTA/TTA
Austin, TX, February 22-26
Please visit our info table!
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
February 23, 12:00 PM
NADTC
February 23, 12:00-12:45 PM
TRB
February 23, 1:00-2:30 PM
American Public Transportation Association (APTA)
February 23-24
Transportation Energy Partners
February 23-25, 2:00-5:00 PM
United Motorcoach Association (UMA)
Long Beach, CA, February 23-26
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
February 24, 12:00-1:30 PM
FTA
February 24, 2:00 PM
Vision Zero Network
February 24, 1:00-2:00 PM
FHWA
Feb 24, 2:00 PM
U.S. Joint Office of Energy and Transportation
February 24, 2:00 PM
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
February 28 - March 1, 12:00-4:00 PM
FTA
March 1, 1:00-2:30 PM
Native Learning Center
March 1, 2:00-3:30 PM
North Dakota Department of Transportation and Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute
Bismarck, ND, March 1-2
AASHTO
Washington, DC, March 1-4
Native Learning Center
March 2, 2:00-3:30 PM
Portland State University
March 3, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Native Learning Center
March 3, 2:00-3:30 PM
New Mexico Transit Association
Albuquerque, NM, March 5-8
Please visit our info table!
FORTH
March 8, 1:00-2:00 PM
TRB
March 9, 2022, 2:00-3:30 PM
Global Mass Transit
Washington, D.C., March 9-10
Native Learning Center
March 10, 1:00-4:30 PM
National Transit Institute
March 10, 1:00-4:30 PM
National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) and Development District Association of Appalachia (DDAA)
Arlington, VA, March 13–16
National Transit Institute
March 15, 2:00-3:30 PM
ITE - Community of Transportation Professionals
March 15-16
National RTAP
March 16, 2:00-3:30 PM ET
FHWA
March 16, 2022, 2:00-3:00 PM
Q'Straint / Sure-Lok
March 22, 12:00-1:15 PM
Nebraska Association of Transportation Providers (NATP)
Grand Island, NE, March 22-23
Please visit our info table!
UMass Transportation Center
March 22-23
Arkansas Transit Association
North Little Rock, AR, March 29
Please visit our info table!
U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)
March 29, 12:00-1:00 PM
Alaska Tribal Transportation Working Group
Anchorage, AK, March 29-31
We're participating.
National RTAP and AASHTO MTAP
March 31, 2:00-3:30 PM
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