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
Upcoming FTA TA Center Webinar on Planning for Microtransit vs. Micromobility
New National RTAP Diversity and Inclusion Organizational Assessment
National RTAP Review Board Member Spotlight Article: Laura Corff
FTA Final Rule on NTD Changes and Clarifications
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FTA TA Center Webinar on Planning for Microtransit vs. Micromobility Next Week
Join National RTAP, NCMM, NADTC, and SUMC for the final webinar in our 3-part series on Microtransit and Micromobility on March 22, 2023 from 2:00-3:30 PM ET. The City of Lincoln Nebraska will provide its experience planning the VAN LINK StarTran service, and the Crawford County/Venango County joint system will share about their integrated systems (bikeshare, microtransit, and fixed route).
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New National RTAP Diversity and Inclusion Organizational Assessment
The new National RTAP Diversity and Inclusion Organizational Assessment will help rural and Tribal transit agencies evaluate their diversity and equity behaviors in the following areas: foundation, leadership, service delivery, communication, and performance. This self-assessment tool is meant to facilitate reflective conversations around “How we are doing?” and “What we could be doing.” It is meant to springboard assessment conversations toward meaningful and continuous action and inspire mindfulness and responsiveness.
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National RTAP Review Board Member Spotlight Article: Laura Corff
National RTAP Review Board Member Laura Corff, Transit Director for United Community Action Program, Inc./Cimarron Transit in Ponca City, Oklahoma has reviewed everything from technical briefs to toolkits to eLearning courses. With no transit experience, she learned the ropes by driving, staffing, dispatch, and sitting in on every role in the transit program and became the Cimarron Public Transit's second director. Read more about Laura's early career (she was a photojournalist!) and her passion for transit.
Upcoming National RTAP Events
National RTAP is offering a free, targeted, hands-on training to help you develop your GTFS feed and publish your services online. The final session on March 27, 2023 at 2:00 PM ET is optional, with the instructor available for questions and extra help. At the end of the training, you can expect to complete GTFS data for one bus route and will have the ability to create GTFS data for other routes. Register for this session.
Our third #ClimateTransit Twitter chat on April 21, 2023, from 2:00-3:00 PM ET, will discuss how climate change could impact rural communities and transit agencies. Learn how transit agencies can prepare for the potential effects of a changing climate and tackle emissions to mitigate potential climate impacts. The chat will be moderated by Kate Mason, Communications Manager, Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE), and Harrison Carpenter-Neuhaus, Communications Associate, Climate Nexus. RSVP for an invite.
National RTAP and AASHTO MTAP will be holding a Succession Planning 101 webinar on May 9, 2023, from 2:00-3:00 PM ET. Learn from an expert panel of transit agency and State DOT managers about the components and steps to a successful succession plan. Be among the first to preview National RTAP’s new eLearning course on succession planning, which includes customizable templates.
Our next State RTAP Manager Peer Roundtable will be held on July 18, 2023, 2:00-3:00 PM ET. This is an informal session for State RTAP Managers to meet with their peers for a discussion of issues of interest to them. One issue we will be discussing will be the implementation of and training on the new NTD GTFS requirements.
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!
GTFS Builder, Resource Share, Veteran Transportation, Microtransit vs. Micromobility Webinar Recordings Published
We've published webinar recordings and handouts for four of our recent webinars:
- GTFS Builder Workshop, March 8, recording, slides
- Microtransit vs. Micromobility, March 8, recording, resource guide
- Resource Share Overview, March 9, recording, slides
- Veteran's Transportation, March 14, recording, slides
New Community Transportation Map Includes National RTAP Data
The National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM) developed a Community Transportation Database depicting the approximate location of transit agencies and organizations across the U.S. This database and map contain public transit providers, community action agencies, senior centers, and others that provide transportation. National RTAP supplied data for the map. |
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Help Shape Tribal Transit Pages of our Transit Manager's Toolkit
National RTAP is updating the Transit Manager’s Toolkit to include expanded information for Tribal Transit managers. Tribal Transit Managers can participate in a survey through March 24, 2023 to provide information on needs, knowledge gaps, and best practices. Please contact us if you would like a print survey.
National RTAP Participation in Upcoming Conferences
We're presenting and exhibiting at the following conferences and meetings:
- Alaska Tribal Transportation Symposium, March 28-30
- Transit Training on Capital Projects, March 31
- AzTA/ADOT Statewide Transit Conference, April 3-5
- 2023 TTA State Conference, Expo and Roadeo, April 11-15
- 2023 NCPTA Conference, Expo, Roadeo & Golf Tournament, Concord, NC, April 14-19
- CalAct Spring 2023 Conference & Expo, April 17-20
- 2023 NJ TransAction Conference, April 18-20
- 2023 MassDOT Transportation Innovation Conference, May 2-3
- 2023 National Shared Mobility Summit, May 2-4, 2023
- MLA/SLA Annual Conference, May 16-19
National RTAP Distracted Driving Topic Guide Updated
Call for Presentations and Student Posters are Open for the National RTAP 2023 Conference
National RTAP Staff Helped Review New Cybersecurity Assessment Tool
FTA, MetroLINK, Max Cybersecurity, and Grayline Group developed the Cybersecurity Assessment Tool for Transit (CATT), which assists small and mid-sized public transit agencies in formalizing and developing their cybersecurity program and assessing their cyber preparedness and resilience. National RTAP staff helped review this tool prior to its launch. It has been added to our Cybersecurity Hot Topic Guide.
Florida RTAP Bulletin Highlights National RTAP Training Resources
The Winter 2023 Florida RTAP Bulletin highlighted several of National RTAP's training resources: our Transit Manager's Toolkit (page 1), Reasonable Suspicion Training for Supervisors (page 2), and Safety Training and Rural Transit (START) (page 5).
National RTAP Bus Roadeo Toolkit Now Includes Full-Text PDF Version
The National RTAP Bus Roadeo Toolkit now includes a full-text PDF version of the content in the toolkit. Click on the Download Full-Text Toolkit button on the toolkit page banner. |
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FTA published the Final Rule for the National Transit Database: Reporting Changes and Clarifications in the Federal Register on March 3, 2023. The rule covers changes in the following areas: sample-based monthly data, General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS), geospatial data for demand response modes, emergency contact information, and vehicle fuel type. Some changes will take effect in NTD Report Year 2023 or 2024, while others will take effect in calendar year 2023. Technical support for GTFS Builder is available.
FTA released a response to public comment that finalizes changes and clarifications to NTD Safety and Security reporting requirements. Changes focus on transit worker assaults and bus impact fatalities. Some changes will take effect in NTD Report Year 2023, while others will take effect in calendar year 2023.
FTA seeks additional transit agencies to submit climate action plans for its Sustainable Transit for a Healthy Planet program. Submit your plan to FTAClimateInitiative@dot.gov and check the webpage for an upcoming Earth Day event.
FTA activated the new version of the ECHO-Web grant payment request system. All users who had access to the previous ECHO-Web product were granted automatic access to the new version and the new version is open for payment requests. Anyone with technical issues can contact FTAITHelpDesk@dot.gov.
U.S. DOT requests clearance of a new information collection: Electric Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey (eVIUS). This collection will be used to produce national statistics on the characteristics and uses of battery electric vehicles. Comments are due May 5, 2023.
U.S. DOT published a solicitation for the annual Combating Human Trafficking in Transportation Impact Award. A prize will be awarded to the most impactful counter-trafficking initiative or technology. Submissions will be accepted through March 27, 2023.
U.S. DOT issued a request for information to receive public input on the updated Transportation Disadvantaged Census Tracts Tool and index methodology supporting the Justice40 initiative. The comment period closes on March 18, 2023.
The federal Fiscal Year 2024 Budget has been published. For U.S. DOT, $27.8 billion was enacted in discretionary budget authority for 2024, a $1.8 billion (6.7%) increase from the 2023 enacted level.
FTA provided guidance to clarify existing requirements under the law or agency policies in response to cost and payment questions. Q&A topics include reimbursement for advance vehicle payments and adjustment of federally assisted contracts to address price increases.
FTA published guidance clarify an asset disposition option under the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2022. FTA may authorize the transfer of an asset acquired with federal assistance, but no longer needed for the originally authorized purpose, to a local governmental authority, nonprofit organization, or other third-party entity if certain statutory criteria are met. Comments must be submitted by April 14, 2023. |
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N-CATT's webinar on Planning for Fleet Transitions to Low/No-Emission Vehicles shares a recording and slides where two speakers discussed how they developed their transition plans, including lessons learned, and how other agencies can set themselves up for success in planning their own transitions.
Cross Timbers Consulting, FHWA, and Muscogee (Creek) Nation are delivering free training for tribal transit staff in Glenpool, OK, April 24-26. Register for this Tribal Transportation Training.
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National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM) researched and highlighted national examples to identify programs using FTA Section 5310 funding that demonstrate qualifying mobility management activities performed by various agencies around an area defined as a state.
The Institute of Transportation Engineers' (ITE) Mobility Hubs documents the current state of the practice of mobility hub planning. This report is intended to help promote the mobility hub network concept as a form of development that can support greater sustainability in transportation, including in rural areas. It includes mobility hub guidelines and funding opportunities.
TRB created a Snap Search on Communities & Cultural Concerns. It contains links to TRB research, reports, committees, and other resources, such as Improving Public Transportation in Rural Areas and Tribal Communities and Pathways to Effective, Inclusive, and Equitable Virtual Public Engagement for Public Transportation.
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The USDA Rural Data Gateway includes more than 20 data visualizations to spotlight rural investments made in the last 11 years in more than 65 programs. Data can be filtered by state, fiscal year, and type of investment.
TomTom provides United States Traffic data. Data includes average travel time per 10 km, CO2 emitted by city or metro area, rush-hour travel time vs optimal travel time, and other metrics for selected areas of the U.S.
The U.S. Department of Energy's Livewire Data Platform lets users search for and share transportation and mobility-related data, including behavioral, experimental, modeled, analytical, and raw data at the vehicle, traveler, and system levels. Datasets include Rural electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) Planning and Analysis, various travel surveys, and more. |
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The Center for Digital Government (CDG) Digital Counties Survey (DCOS), in partnership with the National Association of Counties (NACo), identifies and promotes best and emerging practices in the public-sector IT community. The survey submission deadline is Thursday, March 30, 2023.
The Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC) seeks participants for its Shared Mobility 2030 Action Agenda and Network. This program will advance shared mobility, which includes improving access to public transit, on-demand shuttles or buses, ride-on-demand services, carpooling and vanpooling, and carsharing, bikesharing, and scooter-sharing.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Fiscal Year 2023 Transit Security Grant Program. The grant provides funds to transit agencies to protect critical surface transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from acts of terrorism. The application deadline is May 18, 2023. |
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FHWA issued a final rule, effective March 30, 2023, establishing regulations setting minimum standards for National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program projects and for the construction of publicly accessible electric vehicle chargers that are funded with Title 23 funds.
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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.
Portland State University TREC/NITC
March 16, 1:00-2:00 PM
Minnesota LTAP
March 16, 2:00-3:00 PM
AARP
March 21, 11:00 AM
Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN)
San Francisco, CA and virtual, March 21, 12:00-3:00 PM
Mobility 21
March 21, 12:30 PM
Joint Office of Energy and Transportation
March 21, 2:00 PM
Mineta Transportation Institute
March 21, 2:00-3:00 PM
Native Learning Center
March 21, 2:00-3:30 PM
National Institute for Congestion Reduction (NICR)
March 22, 12:00-1:00 PM
TRB
March 22, 1:00-2:30 PM
Partners in Automated Vehicle Education (PAVE)
March 22, 2:00-2:30 PM
NADTC, NCMM, National RTAP, and SUMC
March 22, 2:00-3:30 PM
Collaborative Sciences Center for Road Safety
March 22, 2:30-3:00 PM
Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association (DATIA)
Las Vegas, NV, March 22-25
Automotive Fleet
March 23, 2:00-3:00 PM
Native Learning Center
March 23, 2:00-3:30 PM
Ability360
Phoenix, AZ, March 24, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
TRB
March 27, 1:30-3:00 PM
National RTAP
March 27, 2:00-3:00 PM
Native Learning Center
March 27-29, 2:00-3:30 PM
Transit Workforce Center (TWC) American Transit Training & Apprenticeship Innovators Network (ATTAIN)
March 28, 1:30 PM
TRB
March 28, 3:00-4:30 PM
ATTWG
Anchorage, AK, March 28-30
We're participating
NADTC
March 29, 12:00 PM
FHWA/FTA
March 29, 2:00-3:30 PM
FTA
March 29, 2:00–3:30 PM
TRB
March 30, 1:00-2:30 PM
National RTAP
March 31
APTA
Portland, OR, April 2-4
AzTA/ADOT
Mesa, AZ, April 3-5
We're presenting
Mcity and UMTRI
Ann Arbor, MI, April 4-5 and Virtual
FHWA/FTA
April 6, 3:00 PM
National Transit Institute
April 11, 1:00-5:00 PM
N-CATT
April 11, 18, and 25, 3:00-5:00 PM
TRB
Washington, DC, April 11-12
AASHTO
Oklahoma City, OK, April 11-14
Texas Transit Association
Corpus Christi, TX, April 11-15
Please visit our booth!
North Carolina Public Transportation Association (NCPTA)
Concord, NC, April 14-19
California Association for Coordinated Transportation (CalAct)
Truckee, CA, April 17-20
Please stop by our table!
New Jersey TransAction
Atlantic City, NJ, April 18-20
Please visit our booth!
Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Agency (HIRTA)
April 19, 10:00 AM - 4:10 PM
National RTAP, CTE, and Climate Nexus
April 21, 2:00-3:00 PM
APTA
Minneapolis, MN, April 23-26
Cross Timbers Consulting, FHWA, and Muscogee (Creek) Nation
Glenpool, OK, April 24-26
ITS America
Grapevine, TX, April 24-27
FHWA
April 26, 1:00-3:00 PM
Mineta Transportation Institute
April 27, 1:00 PM
DePaul University
Chicago, IL, April 27-28
U.S. DOT
Grapevine, TX and Virtual, April 28, 9:30-6:00 PM
Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC)
Chicago, IL, May 2, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Massachusetts Department of Transportation
Worcester, MA, May 2-3
We're presenting and exhibiting
Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC)
Chicago, IL, May 2-4, 2023
We're moderating a session
STRIDE
May 3, 12:00 PM
TRB
May 3, 2:00-3:30 PM
Safe-D
May 4, 2:00 PM
National RTAP and AASHTO MTAP
May 9, 2:00-3:00 PM
engAGED
May 9-10, 1:00-4:00 PM
WTS International (Women's Transportation Seminar)
Atlanta, GA, May 10-12
FORTH
Portland, OR, May 15-17
Medical Libraries Association/Special Libraries Assortation
Detroit Michigan and Virtual, May 16-19
We're presenting
National Transit Institute
May 18, 1:00-5:00 PM
National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM) and the National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT)
Oklahoma City, OK, May 22, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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