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 2023 Technical Assistance Conference Updates
National RTAP iNTD Webinar Next Week
Upcoming National RTAP Transit Manager Peer Roundtable
National RTAP Review Board Member Spotlight - Bren Schweitzer
U.S. DOT & FTA NOFOs for SMART and Transit-Oriented Development Funding
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National RTAP 2023 Technical Assistance Conference Updates
In addition, several awards will be presented at the conference:
- The Tribal Transit Champions, Agencies, and Capital Projects Awards honor tribal transit innovation, commitment, and best practices. The deadline for nominations is October 20, 2023.
- The Wall of Fame will recognize exemplary rural and tribal transit industry staff for their dedication, innovation, and professionalism. All honorees will be showcased on the wall and the National RTAP website and receive a commendation. Nominations are due November 10, 2023.
- Students are invited to submit a poster by October 6, 2023. Three students will be recognized with an award at the conference.
There are also many opportunities for vendors to participate in the 5th National RTAP Conference, including a Vendor Expo and an additional Bus Expo during our evening event. A Rapid Fire Intro segment will provide exposure for all exhibitors and sponsors. Please see the Vendor Prospectus for details, pricing, and sponsorship opportunities. |
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Rural iNTD Webinar Next Week
National RTAP will hold an iNTD Webinar on August 24, 2023 at 2:00-3:00 PM ET. This webinar will re-introduce the iNTD (Integrated National Transit Database), provide 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. |
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Upcoming Transit Manager Peer Roundtable - Training Focus
National RTAP will hold a Training Focused Transit Manager Peer Roundtable on August 30, 2023 at 2:00-3:00 PM ET. Transit managers will discuss with their peers training-related topics such as corrective action training plans, CDL training strategies, tailgate training, and driver training checklists. The roundtable will be facilitated by National RTAP staff and Review Board members. |
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Upcoming National RTAP Events
National RTAP is hosting a three-part GTFS: Three Steps to Trip Planning and Meeting New NTD Reporting Requirements workshop series which began August 8 and continued on August 15, 2023. Access the recordings of the sessions so far. The final meeting will be held on August 29, 2023, 2:00-3:00 PM ET, offering free, targeted, hands-on training to help you develop your General Transit Feed Specification (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.
In support of the forthcoming NTD reporting requirements for GTFS for fixed and deviated fixed route service, National RTAP is offering free, live support Thursdays at 1:00-1:30 PM ET. Meet with our instructor, share your screen, and ask questions. Use this link to join – no preregistration is needed. GTFS support is also available weekdays by contacting info@nationalrtap.org.
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!
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 Rural Cultural Competence Training for Transportation and Mobility Professionals
National RTAP held a Rural Cultural Competence Training Webinar on August 16, 2023 to help rural transportation and mobility management professionals gain a better understanding of the unique characteristics, determinants of health, and health challenges for people in rural areas. The webinar recording and presentation slides will be available.
Final Call to Enter the National RTAP 2023 Photo Contest
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.
National RTAP Participates in TCRP Day
TCRP Day is September 21, 2023. National RTAP is a participant partner this year. We will have a table of TCRP reports in the library available to read and visitors can enjoy TCRP cookies. If you are interested in visiting us in Woburn, MA on TCRP Day, please RSVP.
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National RTAP Review Board Member Spotlight: Bren Schweitzer
National RTAP Review Board Member Bren Schweitzer, Transportation Program Coordinator for the City of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has served on the National RTAP Review Board since the spring of 2021. Find out about her auspicious beginning, her many successes (including tripling ridership at a rural transit agency), and her advice to future transit leaders. Read more about Bren.
National RTAP Participation in Upcoming Conferences
We're presenting and exhibiting at the following conferences and meetings:
- 2023 Biennial FTA State and Tribal Programs and Transit Partnerships Conference, August 16-18
- MPTA Annual Conference, August 21-23
- Florida CTD 31st Annual Training Workshop & Expo, August 29-30
- Tri-State Transit Conference, September 6-7
- URSTA Conference & Roadeo, September 7-9
- NEMTAC TRANSFORM 2023 Conference, September 10-12
- NADO National Summit on Rural Road Safety, September 12-14
- CASTA Fall 2023 Conference and EXPO, September 12-15
- HTA 2023 Annual Conference, September 13-14
- 2023 DTA Fall Conference and Roadeo, September 15-19
- National Transportation in Indian Country Conference (NTICC), September 24-28
- CTE Zero Emission Bus Conference (ZEB Con), September 26-28
- MassDOT 2023 Moving Together Conference, October 4
- Wisconsin/Minnesota Public Transit Expo, October 23-25
- AzTA Maintenance Forum, October 25-26
- Louisiana Transit Conference, October 29 - November 1
National RTAP Build America, Buy America Topic Guide Published
National RTAP began publishing our annual Hot Topic Guides in our Find Anything Toolkit. These guides list resources about the most highly requested topics from National RTAP users within the past year. Our first Hot Topic Guide is on Build America, Buy America. Resources include:
Thank you to San Jose State University student Alexandria Lowery for help with resource selection for this topic guide.
TACL Utilization Study Running Through the End of August
We are conducting a 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.
New eLearning Wheelchair Securement Training Materials
National RTAP's eLearning now includes updated Braunability wheelchair securement training.
Maryland Transit Update Article on National RTAP
The August 2023 issue of the Maryland Transit Update, a publication of the Maryland RTAP and the Transportation Association of Maryland, contains an article on page 5 entitled "See What's New at National RTAP." |
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U.S. DOT published a FY23 SMART (Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation) Stage 1 Notice of Funding Opportunity. This program conducts demonstration projects focused on advanced smart city or community technologies and systems in a variety of communities to improve transportation efficiency and safety. Applications must be submitted by October 10, 2023.
FTA seeks comments through December 13, 2023 on how its Tribal Transit competitive program and technical assistance to Tribes is administered. The notice also introduces FTA’s consultation process and schedule for implementation, which will include an in-person consultation meeting in September and a virtual meeting in November 2023. The notice also posted amounts of funds available through the Tribal Transit competitive and formula programs through FY 2026.
FTA encourages transit agencies to help notify staff and riders about the need to renew Medicaid and/or Children’s Health Insurance Program coverage. FTA recommends using the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Communications Toolkit, which contains multi-lingual outreach and education materials that transit agencies can use.
U.S. DOT is seeking comments on a proposed temporary waiver for the Pacific Island Territories and the Freely Associated States of the requirements of the Build America, Buy America Act Section 70914(a) (requiring that all iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used for infrastructure projects in the U.S. under federal awards be produced in the U.S.). Comments must be received by August 24, 2023.
U.S. DOT finalized a limited waiver of Buy America requirements for de minimis costs and small grants. Iron and steel products used on FHWA-assisted projects are not included in the scope of the final waiver. The waiver is applicable to awards that are obligated on or after August 16, 2023. |
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National Aging and Disability Transportation Center's (NADTC) Learning Short, Starting a Volunteer Transportation Program, trains on supporting older adults and people with disabilities who want to age in place and starting a volunteer transportation program.
The 4th National Summit on Rural Road Safety focuses on Resources for Rurals. The conference will feature rural road safety training and practical, low-cost ways to improve rural road safety. It is held by the National Center for Rural Road Safety and the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) and will take place on September 12-14, 2023 in Oklahoma City, OK, along with a virtual option.
The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) is hosting a Transportation Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Lunch and Learn Webinar on September 20, 2023 from 12:30-1:15 PM ET. The session will feature Kiana Parker, Transportation Consultant, Community Advocate, and Practitioner of Mobility Justice who will discuss experience-driven strategies for community engagement and connection to serving underrepresented communities. |
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NCHRP’s Metropolitan Planning Organizations: Strategies for Future Success is a resource for metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and their State DOT partners. The report provides strategies for MPOs of different sizes, structures, resources, and regional contexts. For example, the report suggests MPOs develop alternative funding scenarios for rural transit agencies serving smaller communities with limited resources to account for economic downturns or unforeseen funding variations.
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The Florida Department of Transportation’s Statewide Transit Training and Technical Assistance Program, in partnership with Truckers Against Trafficking, created a Human Trafficking Response Procedure Template that can be adapted to and adopted at transit agencies to ensure front line employees, dispatch, and safety supervisors know the appropriate responses if they suspect a human trafficking situation.
The source menu advanced search in two of TRB's libraries: TRID and Research In Progress, now provide checkboxes for each source so users no longer need to execute multiple searches and combine them.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Public Transportation Section provides the Louisiana Transit Providers Guide, which includes an interactive map where users can search by parish to find transportation providers within the state. Data includes contact information, operating information, ridership, and more.
The Census Bureau's My Tribal Area gives users access to selected statistics from the American Community Survey, displaying demographic, social, economic, and housing statistics for Tribes. Drop-down menus let users select a Tribe, and access data that includes commuting to work by public transportation (under the jobs tab). |
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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting applications nationwide for projects that achieve significant reductions in diesel emissions. Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Grants will be selected and managed by EPA’s ten regional offices. The application deadline is December 1, 2023.
The Notice of Funding Opportunity has been published for the second round of funding for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program, which seeks to improve broadband access and provide digital training and inclusion programs to Native American communities. Applications must be submitted by January 23, 2024.
USDA published a Request for Applications for its Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs Phase I. The programs focus on transforming scientific discovery into products and services with societal benefit. The application deadline is September 19, 2023.
The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Office on Women’s Health is seeking innovative ways to address human trafficking prevention among women and girls in the United States. Cash prizes will be awarded. The Innovation Challenge closes on February 1, 2024.
FHWA and AASHTO Research Advisory Committee (RAC) announced the Transportation Pooled Fund (TPF) Excellence Awards. The awards highlight TPF studies that demonstrate meaningful collaboration and partnership to advance national transportation research priorities in the areas of safety, economic strength, equity, climate and sustainability, transformation and organizational excellence. Nominations are open through September 29, 2023.
The AI Cyber Challenge (AIxCC) will challenge competitors across the U.S. to identify and fix software vulnerabilities using AI. Led by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), this competition will include collaboration with several AI companies. Registration closes December 15, 2023.
APTA provides a TCRP Day Toolkit with suggested ideas for celebrations and printable posters. TCRP Day is September 21, 2023. If organizations want to serve as local hosts, they can contact Peggy Wilson to volunteer. |
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The U.S. Access Board issued a Final Rule, effective September 7, 2023, that provides minimum guidelines for the accessibility of pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way. These guidelines ensure that facilities used by pedestrians, such as sidewalks and crosswalks, constructed or altered in the public right-of-way by federal, state, and local governments are readily accessible to and usable by pedestrians with disabilities.
The Department of Energy is issuing a Notice of Intent to notify interested parties of its intent to launch a Responsible Carbon Management Initiative to recognize and encourage project developers and others to pursue the highest levels of safety, environmental stewardship, accountability, community engagement, and societal benefits in carbon management projects. Comments and information are requested by September 11, 2023.
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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.
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
U.S. DOT
August 17, 2:00 PM
National RTAP and SUMC
August 17, 2:00-3:00 PM ET
National Safety Council (NSC)
August 17, 2:00-3:00 PM
National Transit Institute
August 17, 2:00-3:30 PM
FTA
August 17, 2:00-3:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the webinar
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
August 17, 3:00-4:00 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
Native Learning Center
August 22, 2:00-3:30 PM
Green Transportation Summit & Expo (GTSE)
Tacoma, WA, August 22-24
Southwestern Tribal Technical Assistance Program (SWTTAP)
Albuquerque, NM, August 22-24
TRB Rural Transportation Issues Coordinating Council
State DOT Rural Research Liaison Recruitment Meeting
August 23, 12:00-1:00 PM
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
U.S. DOT
August 24, 1:30 – 3:30 PM
National RTAP
August 24, 2:00-3:00 PM ET
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
August 24, 3:00-4:00 PM
Cornell Center for Transportation, Environment, and Community Health (CTECH)
August 28, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
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
United Tribes
Bismarck, ND, September 5-7
FHWA
September 6, 2:00 PM
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
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
September 7, 1:00-4:00 PM
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
September 7, 3:00-4:00 PM
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!
Fleet Forward
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ, September 13
Hawaii Transportation Association (HTA)
Honolulu, HI, September 13-14
We're participating
Launch Alaska and the Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE)
Anchorage, AK, September 13-14
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!
National Advisory Committee on Seniors and Disasters (NACSD) and National Advisory Committee on Individuals With Disabilities and Disasters (NACIDD)
September 19, 1:00-3:00 PM
The Transportation Alliance
Myrtle Beach, SC, September 19-23
National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC)
September 20, 12:30-1:15 PM
National RTAP
Woburn, MA and online, September 21
If you would like to visit, please RSVP
National RTAP
September 21, 1:00-1:30 PM
No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting
Latinos in Transit
Washington, D.C., September 22-23
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
National RTAP
September 28, 2:00-3:30 PM
Fleet Forward
Dallas, TX, October 3
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
National Safety Council (NSC)
New Orleans, LA, October 20-26
WPTA/MPTA
La Crosse, WI, October 23-24
Please stop by our table!
EVNoire and Forth
Washington, DC and Virtual; October 25 - Virtual and October 26 - In Person
Arizona Transit Association (AzTA)
Mesa, AZ, October 25-26
Please stop by our table!
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
Louisiana Public Transit Association
New Orleans, LA, October 29 - November 1
Please visit our booth!
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