Welcome to the Florida Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Center quarterly newsletter. This newsletter shares the latest information from a range of local, state, federal, and non-federal resources, addressing topics in transportation and innovation. Through this information exchange, the Florida LTAP Center hopes to foster dialogue at all levels and continue to further the education of the transportation workforce.

Southwest Florida Impact and Recovery after Hurricane Ian

FHWA Emergency Relief Program ER Training

This training is recommended for all Local Agencies seeking federal Emergency Relief funds after an emergency/disaster. These events may be attributed to nature or manmade, and your agency becomes eligible as soon as the governor or president declares the event an emergency/disaster.

The intent of this training is to provide local government agencies with an overview of the FHWA Emergency Relief (ER) program. This training addresses the process of applying for and receiving Emergency Relief (ER) funds from FHWA for damages on Federal-aid eligible roadways.

This course is intended for Local Agency and/or Emergency Management staff involved in developing and/or managing emergency contracts for debris removal, emergency and permanent repair work or pre-event contracts for debris removal and other activities.

Build a Better Mousetrap 2022 Florida Competition Winner Announced!

Congratulations to Broward County Aviation Department (BCAD) for winning the Florida Build a Better Mousetrap Competition. Their submission in the Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time bound, (SMART), category for the development of the Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Parking Counter application was chosen as the winner for Florida's state competition.

FDOT Unveils Groundbreaking Statewide Lane Closure Notification System to Enhance Safety for Drivers and Roadway Workers

FDOT announced the official start of a one-year statewide technology pilot program that establishes a new Lane Closure Notification System (LCNS) – the first of its kind in North America.

The main goal of the LCNS is to improve the safety of workers by alerting drivers about active work zones or lane closures, and aiding motorists in navigating these work zones safely, timely, and efficiently. The system leverages the latest GPS and mapping technologies to provide advanced notices to motorists through leading GPS apps and services.



Learn More

New 2022 FDOT ADA Pocket Field Guide Available 

The new FDOT 2022 ADA Pocket Field Guide is now available to help transportation practitioners with design, construction, and maintenance in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The following accessibility issues on public transportation projects are covered in this brochure:

■ Sidewalks

■ Street Crossings

■ Pedestrian Pushbuttons

■ Curb Ramps & Detectable Warnings

■ Signs, Street Furniture, & Landscaping

Learn More

On-Demand Training Available

FDOT administers several grant funding programs for subrecipients more commonly known as “local agencies”. Local agencies have jurisdiction over a transportation facility and include but are limited to a municipality, county, expressway, or transportation authority, special district, or regional governmental unit. 

Go to Florida LTAP Center - Local Programs Training Resources for a complete list of webinar trainings. The recorded webinars include course materials and most qualify for PDH credits.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This session will focus on:

■ Tampa's long-term vision for the future.

■ The ongoing growth and urban transformation in the City.

■ Associated mobility challenges and opportunities.

■ The impact and importance of land use as it relates to mobility.

■ Strategic initiatives and key projects currently underway to maintain and improve the quality of life for current and future Tampanians.

This webinar is provided at no cost and will award a certificate of training listing Professional Development Hours (PDHs) or a certificate of completion verifying your attendance.

✅AICP CMs have been requested. 

Participants will gain an understanding of current guidance, classification of materials (iron/steel, manufactured products, construction materials, other), and how to appropriately document materials used in construction projects with Federal Funds. Currently available FDOT programs/applications will be presented, as applicable tools for tracking/verifying BABA funding eligibility.

COURSE ATTENDANCE

While this presentation targets Construction and Maintenance professionals, all transportation disciplines, including Design, will benefit from understanding the BABA requirements for products and construction materials used in all areas: Maintenance of Traffic, Drainage, Pavement, Lighting, Signing, Traffic Operations, etc.

This webinar is provided at no cost and will award a certificate of training listing Professional Development Hours (PDHs) or a certificate of completion verifying your attendance.

Due to the overwhelming popularity of the August 2022 webinar we have invited Brad Bradley (FDOT), along with Carey Shepherd (FHWA), for a special two-hour session. Brad and Carey will answer follow-up questions received about ADA in Design, Construction, and Maintenance. Attendees will also have the opportunity to submit additional questions during registration.

Please note – We will NOT be providing certificates of completion or PDH certificates for this training. This training is provided at no cost.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This session will focus on:

■ Become familiar with how other local agencies are practicing Pavement Management and learn what works and what doesn’t.

■ Learn strategies to include pavement management at a strategic level.

■ Explore ways a pavement management can be used to select pavement preservation treatments. ■ Furthermore, approaches for using pavement treatments to inform the asset management process will be identified.

■ Be able to identify metrics that can be used for gauging the effectiveness of pavement treatments.

■ Input into how the outputs from the project should be presented to practitioners.

This webinar is provided at no cost and will award a certificate of training listing Professional Development Hour (PDH) or a certificate of completion verifying your attendance.

You will walk away from this training with some key tips to help your next training be a success.

This webinar is provided at no cost and will award a certificate of training listing Professional Development Hours (PDHs) or a certificate of completion verifying your attendance.

National Walk & Roll to School Day 2022

Celebrate any day in October for the 26th annual National Walk & Roll to School Day. Whether addressing the need to make routes to school safer for active trips or encouraging children to be more active, these events can be powerful tools to inspire lasting change. Of course, they are also fun!

The FDOT SRTS program provides opportunities for schools and communities to work together to help improve the safety of families walking and biking to school. Learn how to initiate, plan, coordinate, and carry out an event in your community by watching the How to Plan a Walk and Bike to School Day recorded webinar.

Learn More

National Pedestrian Safety Month

Walking is a part of many of our trips each day, and for some, it is their primary mode of transportation. October is Pedestrian Safety Month, the goal: to increase awareness around pedestrian safety and remind drivers to watch for pedestrians each and every time they are behind the wheel. Each week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will focus on a theme, and share information about being a safe driver and keeping those who walk safe. 

Learn More

National Center for Rural Road Safety: Road Safety Champion Program

Now - November 2022

The Road Safety Champion Program (RSCP) is a nationally recognized certificate program designed to build a knowledgeable, safety minded workforce, responsible for operating, maintaining, and designing local roads.

Learn More

Fifth Annual Gulf Coast Safe Street Summit

The Fifth Annual Gulf Coast Safe Streets Summit (GCSS) is an educational event that brings together national speakers, public officials, technical staff, sister counties, and community partners to elevate our efforts on how to design and implement safe and equitable transportation facilities for all modes of transportation.

The GCSSS is a great opportunity to learn more about safety efforts in the region, lessons learned from elsewhere, and explore how we can continue to work together to make our community safer for everyone.

For details about this summit, please contact the event coordinator directly.

Learn More

USDOT: State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program 

Now - November 15, 2022

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a first-of-its-kind cybersecurity grant program specifically for state, local, and territorial (SLT) governments across the country.

Funding from the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) and the Tribal Cybersecurity Grant Program (TCGP) helps eligible entities address cybersecurity risks and threats to information systems owned or operated by—or on behalf of—state, local and territorial (SLLT) governments. Through two distinct funding opportunities, SLCGP and TCGP combined will distribute $1 billion over four years to support projects throughout the performance period of up to four years. This year, the TCGP will be released after SLCGP.

Learn More

USDOT: Thriving Communities Program

Now - November 22, 2022

This program is part of an ongoing effort to ensure that ensure state, local, Tribal and territorial governments large and small have the tools needed to access federal funding for projects serving their communities. The $30 million Program will allow Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development to provide technical assistance to help communities access grants and opportunities, diversifying the pipeline of projects under consideration for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding and financing. Funding seeks to establish national technical assistance program that will drive innovation, advance equity outcomes, and build a national pipeline of community-driven infrastructure projects. In its first year, TCP will provide deep-dive technical assistance to at least 30 communities. 

Learn More

For additional funding opportunities, visit the Florida LTAP Funding News page