eNews - January 18, 2024

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 Launches Active Shooter eLearning Course

National RTAP Review Board Nomination Deadline Extended to February 23, 2024

GTFS Builder Spotlight - Florida Rural General Transit Feed Specification Development

Stay Healthy This Winter with Three Updated National RTAP Technical Briefs

New Federal Reporting Requirement for Businesses with Fewer than 20 Employees

National RTAP Review Board Nomination Deadline Extended to February 23, 2024



National RTAP is soliciting nominations through February 23, 2024 for new members to join the Review Board in 2024 and 2025. There will be openings for one state transit official and four rural or tribal transit providers in 2024. The term is three years. Anyone involved in rural or tribal transit can nominate someone, and individuals may nominate themselves.

Serving on the Board involves attending in-person meetings in the spring and fall and participating in workgroups to guide the development of training and technical assistance products. See the online Nomination Form for details, including eligibility and the solicitation process. (View the form as a PDF here.) You can also view the current and former Review Board members on our website.

FTA established an Emergency Relief Docket for the calendar year 2024, so grantees and subgrantees affected by a national or regional emergency or disaster may request temporary relief from FTA administrative and statutory requirements.

U.S. DOT's interactive Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development Planning map provides descriptions of projects awarded through this program. Listings describe whether the projects include affordable housing, mixed-use development, and other features.

FTA published a new webpage addressing the ongoing risk of assaults on transit workers by using Safety Management System principles and methods. It includes information on funding, technical assistance, de-escalation training, and FTA actions to address assaults on transit workers.

U.S. DOT extended the opportunity to hear from the public about ways to improve the accessibility of public transportation facilities for people with disabilities to February 20, 2024. The Proposed Rule is available at Transportation Services for Individuals With Disabilities: ADA Standards for Transportation Facilities.

U.S. DOT's annual Combating Human Trafficking in Transportation Impact Award seeks to raise awareness among transportation stakeholders about human trafficking and increase training and prevention to combat the crime. Applications will be accepted through March 11, 2024.

U.S. DOT updated its Benefit-Cost Analysis Spreadsheet Template for Discretionary Grant Programs. Users can input project information, parameter values, user volumes, and capital costs.

FTA’s new Procurement Cost and Price Analysis - Regulations and Best Practices e-learning course provides recipients with an understanding of the fundamentals and best practices for procurement cost and price analysis. The lessons will help recipients in mitigating procurement findings during State Management and Triennial Reviews.

The Assistive Technology Act Technical Assistance and Training Center (AT3) is holding a Making Videos Accessible Webinar on January 18, 2024 at 3:00 PM ET. Lyssa Prince of Oklahoma ABLE Tech will instruct on making videos accessible to all audiences.

The Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) is hosting a GHG Emissions Prediction using Machine Learning Webinar on March 1 from 12:00-1:00 PM ET. Registration is not necessary; join the webinar live at the link on the page above.

U.S. DOT's ITS JPO is holding a HIRTA ITS4US Webinar: Health Connector Procedures from Booking to Boarding on January 24, 2024 from 2:00-3:30 PM ET. This session offers an exploration of standard processes for HIRTA operations staff, drivers, and riders. Learn about the Health Connector Standard Operating Procedures and the Traveler app and understand how non-urgent medical trips get delivered.

National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM) is holding a Don't Forget about the Sidewalk in Community Coordination Webinar on February 1 from 12:00-1:00 PM ET. Join NCMM and colleagues from projects funded by the National Science Foundation to learn about opportunities and challenges related to collecting data about the condition of sidewalks. These data can inform mobility managers, community planners, transit providers, and ADA Coordinators about pedestrian access to community settings, including transit service.

The Native Learning Center's podcast on Cybersecurity for Small Business and How to Avoid Scams covers how small businesses can prepare for a potential data breach, keeping networks and data safe, cyber scams, ransomware, and steps to take after a cyber-attack.

TRB has a new Snap Search on Artificial Intelligence. It lists resources from 2021-2023, such as Equity in Artificial Intelligence Applications and AI Analyzer for Revealing Insights of Traffic Crashes.

The Mobility Data Interoperability Principles (MDIP) Coalition is a group of government agencies, mobility service providers, and nonprofit organizations that publish resources on topics in transit and technology. They published Interoperable Procurement to document why and how interoperability should be included in a transit technology procurement and provide example language.

The TRB Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis Programs (IDEA) published New Ideas for Transit. Rural innovations include smart card automated fare collection systems for small transit agencies and open platforms to attract, organize, and coordinate volunteers for rural and small urban transit.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a fact sheet on How to Define Rurality in terms of the Veteran's Health Administration. VA rurality definitions include VA medical centers, community-based outpatient clinics, independent outpatient centers, and other types of VA facilities.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Funding Navigator provides a list of funding opportunities under the Inflation Reduction Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and other federal agencies to support efforts to enhance climate resiliency, energy efficiency, renewable energy integration, workforce development, and environmental justice in HUD supported communities, programs, and properties. 

The Kansas Rides map is a searchable database hosted by the University of Kansas Transportation Center with links and information for all Kansas public transportation options. Users can search by county for agency contact information, service hours, number of vehicles, and more.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) provides an app of ADA Transition Plans and Inventories (toward the middle of the webpage). States are visualized in different colors. These colors signify when a state DOT’s ADA Transition Plan was last updated. 

The National Resource Center on Native American Aging's Native Elder Service Locator is an interactive map to locate services for Tribal elders in each state. Users can filter by transportation. Color-coding shows the number of services identified for each state and listings provide contact information.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics released its final update to the Government Transportation Financial Statistics, with data through 2021. This database provides a set of maps, charts, and tables with information on transportation-related revenue and expenditures for all levels of government, including federal, state, and local, and for all modes of transportation.  Next year this data will transition to a new database.

USDA Rural Business Development Grants promote economic development and job creation projects through the awarding of grant funds to eligible entities. Applications will compete in two separate categories, business opportunity grants and business enterprise grants, for use in funding various business and community projects that serve rural areas. The application deadline is February 28, 2024.

FEMA's Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Grants support states, local communities, tribes, and territories as they undertake hazard mitigation projects, reducing the risks they face from disasters and natural hazards. Letter of interest forms are due February 15, 2024.

AARP Community Challenge funding is available for local governments and nonprofits that are eager and ready to work on a community-improving project that can be started and completed before year’s end. The application deadline is March 6, 2024.

The Texas A&M Transportation Institute is conducting a research study, called Accessible Public Bus and Rail Passenger Information for Riders with Vision Disabilities. The project will create a transit agency guide for improving the way information is provided to blind or low-vision passengers, in order to help those passengers more independently navigate fixed-route transit systems. The survey deadline is January 31, 2024.

Mass Transit Magazine is conducting a survey that transit stakeholders can participate in on The Year Ahead - 2024. The results will define the transit industry's challenges, opportunities, and overall expectations of 2024 and will be published in a future issue of the magazine. 

The National Safety Council recognizes outstanding advances in safety through its Green Cross for Safety® awards. Nominees and recipients demonstrate alignment with its mission to save lives and prevent injuries. Nominations are open through March 17, 2024.

The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) invites comments through March 5, 2024 on proposed nonprocurement debarment and suspension regulations. DFC proposes establishing a new CFR chapter that adopts the Office of Management and Budget's final guidance on nonprocurement debarment and suspension and contains supplemental DFC nonprocurement debarment and suspension provisions.

The White House Council on Environmental Quality is seeking information and input from state and local program managers through January 19, 2024 on the functionality and accuracy of the Environmental Justice Scorecard tool. 

The White House published a memorandum that provides guidance to help agencies advance digital accessibility by maintaining an accessible federal technology environment, promoting accessible digital experiences, and continuing the implementation of accessibility standards in accordance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Guidance includes buying accessible products and services and designing and developing accessible digital experiences.

Effective January 1, 2024, the Corporate Transparency Act requires businesses with fewer than 20 employees to report their ownership information to the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network as part of an effort to curb money laundering and illicit financial operations. Existing companies must file by January 1, 2025 and new companies have 90 calendar days to file after receiving actual or public notice that their company’s creation or registration is effective. Once done, business owners only need to update their information if there's an ownership change.

FMCSA invites comments on a proposed rule through March 5, 2024 that would gather the information necessary to develop performance requirements and require that new passenger motor vehicles be equipped with advanced drunk and impaired driving prevention technology through a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS).

The U.S. Department of Labor published a proposed rule on National Apprenticeship System Enhancements. The proposed rule would improve the capacity of the National Apprenticeship System to respond to evolving employer needs, provide workers equitable pathways to good jobs, and increase the system’s long-term resilience. Comments are due March 18, 2024.

Effective January 17, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adopted the Department of Energy’s Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Categorical Exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to use in EPA’s program and funding opportunities administered by EPA.

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

GTFS Office Hours

January 18, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP and Rural Health Information Hub

Resources for Rurals Rural Health Chat

January 18, 2:00-3:00 PM

Native Learning Center 

Forecasting for Federal Grants Webinar

January 18, 2:00-3:30 PM

AT3 Center

Making Videos Accessible Webinar

January 18, 3:00 PM

National Transit Institute

Enhancing Your Transit Asset Management Program with Lifecycle Management Virtual Course

January 22-24, 1:00-4:30 PM

Eno Center for Transportation

Inclusive Transportation: A Manifesto for Repairing Divided Communities Webinar

January 23, 1:00-1:45 PM

Native Learning Center

Federal Grants 201: How to Feel Confident as You Click Submit Webinar

January 23, 2:00-3:30 PM

U.S. DOT

How To Compete for RAISE Grants: Rural and Tribal Applicants Webinar

January 23, 2:30-4:00 PM

U.S. Access Board

U.S. Access Board Public Meeting and Webcast

January 24, 1:30-3:00 PM

FTA

Human Trafficking Prevention Month Webinar

January 24, 2:00 PM

USDOT ITS JPO

HIRTA ITS4US Webinar: Health Connector Procedures from Booking to Boarding

January 24, 2:00-3:30 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

January 25, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

TRB 

Alternative Services for ADA Paratransit Riders Webinar

January 25, 1:00-2:30 PM

Braunability

DPA-2 Model Lifts General Overview Webinar

January 25, 1:00-3:00 PM

Native Learning Center

4 Steps to Effective Training Part 2 Webinar

January 25, 2:00-3:30 PM

Safety Through Disruption (SAFE-D)

Measuring the Safety of ADS: How Safe is Safe Enough Webinar

January 25, 2:30 PM

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Disability Advisory Committee (DAC)

FCC DAC Public Meeting

Washington, DC, January 30, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

FTA

Virtual FTA MIS Overview

January 30, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

ITS America

Data – Fueling the Future of Transportation Webinar

January 30, 2:00-3:00 PM 

TRB 

Transportation for People with Disabilities and Older Adults in COVID-19 Webinar

January 30, 2:00-3:30

HHS 

Food Is Medicine Summit

Washington, DC, January 31, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

FORTH/Electric Vehicle Adoption Leadership (EVAL)

EVAL Information Session

January 31, 1:00-1:30 PM

Vision Zero Network

Equity By Design: Developing a Framework for Inclusive Vision Zero Planning Webinar

January 31, 1:00-2:00 PM

National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM)

Don't Forget about the Sidewalk in Community Coordination Webinar

February 1, 12:00-1:00 PM 

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

February 1, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Southwest Transit Association (SWTA) 

2024 SWTA Annual Conference & Expo

Tulsa, OK, February 4-7

We're participating

United Motorcoach Association (UMA)

UMA Motorcoach EXPO

Raleigh, NC, February 4-7

AASHTO

AASHTO Washington Briefing

Washington, DC, February 5-8

Native Learning Center

6th Annual Renewable Energy & Sustainability Conference 

Hollywood, FL, Feb 6-8

FHWA Office of Realty 

Uniform Act Virtual Conference

Phoenix, AZ, February 6-8

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

February 8, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP and NADTC

Learn About TACL, The Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library

February 8, 2:00-3:00 PM

Transportation Energy Partners (TEP)

2024 Energy Independence Summit

Washington, D.C., February 11-14 

American Public Transportation Association (APTA)

APTA Marketing, Communications & Customer Experience Workshop

New Orleans, LA, February 11-14

National Transit Institute

Enhancing Your Transit Asset Management Program with Lifecycle Management Virtual Course

February 12-14, 1:00-4:30 PM

National Transit Institute

Procurement II - Risk Assessment and Basic Cost or Price Analysis Course

Birmingham, AL, February 12-15

National Transit Institute

Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-Making Virtual Course

February 12-15, 1:00-5:00 PM

FORTH/Electric Vehicle Adoption Leadership (EVAL)

EVAL Information Session

February 14, 3:00-3:30 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

February 15, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Transit Institute

FTA Uniform Act Basics for Transit Agency Personnel Virtual Course

February 15, 1:00-5:00 PM

National RTAP

Books in Transit Discussion Group Meeting - A Purposeful Path

February 15, 2:00-3:00 PM

Complete Coachworks (CCW)

Electric Bus Technology & Symposium

Riverside, CA, February 15-16

Please stop by our booth! This event is being rescheduled. New date TBD.

National Safety Council (NSC)

Future of EHS 2024 

Louisville, KY, February 20-22 

U.S. DOT Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) 

Small Business Summit: Roadmap to HUBZone Success

Washington, DC, February 21, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Native Learning Center

Developing a Tribal Nonprofit Training

Pala, CA, February 22

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

February 22, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Braunability

DPA-2 Model Lifts Adjustments Webinar

February 22, 1:00-2:00 PM

U.S. DOT

Virtual Public Involvement Practices in NEPA Webinar

February 27, 2:00 PM, and February 28, 1:00 PM

Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs

2024 Tribal Clean Energy Summit

Temecula, Ca, February 27-28

National RTAP

Transit Manager Peer Roundtable - Healthcare Transportation Focus

February 28, 2:00-3:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

February 29, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR)

GHG Emissions Prediction using Machine Learning Webinar

March 1, 12:00-1:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

March 7, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) and the Development District Association of Appalachia (DDAA) 

2024 NADO & DDAA Washington Conference

Arlington, VA, March 10-13

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

March 14, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Texas Transit Association (TTA)

TTA Annual State Conference, Expo, and Roadeo

San Antonio, TX, March 15-20

Please visit our booth!

Native Learning Center

Steps to Starting a Tribal Business Training

Hollywood, FL, March 18-19

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

March 21, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Braunability

DPA-2 Model Lifts Maintenance & Certification Checklist Webinar

March 21, 1:00-2:00 PM

Braunability

DPA-2 Model Lifts General Overview Webinar

March 22, 1:00-3:00 PM

ActivEnviro

Active Living Conference

Chattanooga, TN, March 25-28

Native Learning Center

Tribal Grant Writing Virtual Training

March 25-28

Smart Growth America

Smart Growth America’s Equity Summit

Washington, DC, March 27-28

United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc.

2024 USET/USET SPF Impact Week

Arlington, VA, March 27-29

We're participating!

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

March 28, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

National RTAP Rural and Tribal Transit Training - Capital Projects

Spokane, WA, April 22-24

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