eNews - April 11, 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

Upcoming Webinar on Introducing the Tribal Sections of the Transit Manager's Toolkit

Updated National RTAP Social Media and Website Resources

Transportation Technical Assistance Library (TACL) News and Updates

U.S. DOT Rural Surface Grant NOFO and FTA Updates to PTASP and NPTSP

EPA Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards Final Rule

Updated National RTAP Social Media and Website Resources

National RTAP updated three of its resources:

• Leveraging Social Media: Spreading the Word and Enhancing Community Participation
• Best Practices Spotlight Article: Social Media
• Driving Your Online Presence: The Importance of Creating a Website for Your Transit Agency

These resources have been updated with information about new social media platforms with case studies and screenshots of rural and tribal transit agencies with outstanding social media platforms and websites.

National RTAP expresses appreciation to Jill Stedem, Administrative & Development Director, OATS Transit, for the review of the update to Driving Your Online Presence. Thank you also to Jill Stedem; Kaylan Kelley, Mobility Manager, Greenway Public Transportation; Danny Schnathorst, Outreach Coordinator, HIRTA Public Transit, for the review of the update to Leveraging Social Media.

Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library (TACL) Updates

The Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library (TACL) helps rural and tribal transit agencies access information about public transportation coordination, coordinate among federally funded programs, and share resources across agencies to improve transit in their communities. TACL contains reports, training seminars, toolkits, and other materials developed by FTA and its technical assistance centers.

Thank you to outgoing Task Force member Alex Rosander, Senior Associate, Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC), for her contributions. TACL welcomes its newest Task Force Member: Michaela Boneva, Research Associate, Transit Workforce Center (TWC). TACL also welcomes Machelle Kyles, Regional Mobility Manager, Trans-Con Group, as a new reviewer.

In April 2024, 5 new resources were added to TACL:

• NADTC's Coordination in Planning and Resources on Rides for Employment for Older Adults and People with Disabilities
• National RTAP's Shared-Use Paths Best Practices Spotlight Article
• TCRP's Transportation for People with Disabilities and Older Adults During COVID-19: Lessons for Emergency Response and Homelessness: A Guide for Public Transportation (TACL Partner Resources with FTA)

The Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC) is this quarter's featured TA Center with resources shown in a carousel at the bottom right of TACL's homepage.

The next Learn about TACL training will take place on August 28, 2024 from 2:00-3:00 PM ET. The session will instruct on how to use TACL and include a Resource Feature by by N-CATT Director Andrew Carpenter, on GTFS Flex.

Visit TACL

The U.S. DOT Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program supports projects that improve and expand the surface transportation infrastructure in rural areas to increase connectivity, improve safety and reliability, generate regional economic growth, and improve quality of life. Eligible projects include those that develop, establish, or maintain an integrated mobility management system, transportation demand management system, or on-demand mobility services. The deadline to apply is May 6, 2024. The grant is part of the Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant (MPDG) Opportunity and U.S. DOT seeks public comment through May 6, 2024 on an information request about the MPDG.

FTA published updates to the National Public Transportation Safety Plan (NPTSP) and the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans (PTASP). Updates include new safety performance measures to address incidents and rates of vehicle collisions, transit worker injuries, fatalities and transit worker assaults, new practices for transit agencies to ensure public and personnel safety during an emergency, and additional updates.

FTA published its March 2024 Transit Safety and Oversight Spotlight Newsletter. The issue contains information on transit agency responses to the National Roadway Safety Strategy Call to Action Campaign and Fiscal Year 2024 Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) safety training available.

FTA invites public comment through June 3, 2024 its proposed guidance in the form of an updated circular, to assist recipients in their implementation of the Rural Areas Formula Program and the rural component of the Buses and Bus Facilities Program. Proposed statutory changes for section 5311 include additional sources of local share, in-kind match for intercity bus service, and fund allocations for Tribes.

U.S. DOT is establishing the Reconnecting Communities Institute (RCI). The RCI will be U.S. DOT’s center for learning about restoring and reconnecting communities that have been harmed, isolated, and cut off from opportunity by past transportation choices. RCI will assist communities in developing and delivering reconnection projects that better connect people to jobs, education, health care, and economic opportunities.

FTA invites public comment through June 4, 2024 on revisions to its policy guidance for the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program. Proposed changes include Land Use for New Starts and Small Starts projects and other topics.

National Transit Institute has resumed Transit Academy - in-person training presented through lectures, roundtables, demonstrations, and facility tours. Participants will learn directly from experienced transit leaders as key transit agency personnel serve as Academy instructors and facilitators, sharing the successes and challenges of the host agency. Upcoming trainings will take place at Metro Transit in Minneapolis, MN on July 22-26, 2024.

AMF Bruns offers free Wheelchair and Occupant Securement Certification through an online training program. Upon completion of the course, learners will receive a certificate of completion. 

The South West Transit Association (SWTA) is holding a Reducing Transit Worker Assaults Webinar on April 18, 2024, from 12:00-1:00 PM ET. SWTA assembled a panel of experts to examine the situation and explore effective strategies for reduction.

NCHRP's Update of Selected Studies in Transportation Law: Indian Transportation Law, examines the intersection of transportation law and Indian law as it relates to federal, state, and local transportation agencies. Subjects covered include land ownership on reservations and in Indian country, acquisitions of Indian lands for public transportation purposes, construction activities, and other topics.

The Shared-Use Mobility Center's (SUMC) Sharing in Action: Micromobility in Local Climate Strategies provides an overview of how policymakers and planners have framed micromobility as a tool to address climate change. The report identifies actions that climate plans use to support micromobility as a climate tool, such as incorporating micromobility into transportation demand management initiatives.

Rural Health Information Hub's Rural Emergency Preparedness and Response Toolkit compiles evidence-based and promising models and resources to support organizations implementing emergency planning, response, and recovery efforts in rural communities. The Toolkit includes resources for funding and support and case studies for rural responses to mass casualty incidents, equipment and infrastructure failures, and other topics.

The National Center for Health Statistics published Lack of Reliable Transportation for Daily Living Among Adults, United States using the most recent data from 2022. 5.7% of adults lacked reliable transportation for daily living in the past 12 months and differences by sex, age, race, Hispanic origin, family income, education level, and geographic region were observed. 

Johns Hopkins University provides a Public Transit Disability Dashboard. The Dashboard evaluates and compares information and accessibility of public transit system websites. These data assess the information available to potential users, such as information about facility and vehicle accessibility features, policy and planning procedures, rider accommodation processes, and paratransit services.

The National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM) Community Transportation Map has been updated so users can see every county with transportation service. The Map also now includes mobility managers and volunteer transportation drivers.

The U.S. Department of Energy provides a database for users to find their local Clean Cities Coalition and data on energy utilization and emission reduction in their area. Users can search by zip code or city/state, or view an interactive map with Coalition locations.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) published a data story on the Contribution of Transportation to the Economy. Charts and maps show transportation’s contribution to Gross Domestic Product relative to other industries or sectors by year and other data.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights (OEJECR) is accepting applications to its Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program through November 21, 2024. These grants fund community-driven projects that address climate challenges, reduce pollution, and strengthen communities.

The John A. Hartford Foundation Business Innovation Award acknowledges the achievements of community-based organizations that partner and contract with health care entities to improve health outcomes and quality of life for older adults, people with disabilities, and/or caregivers. The application deadline is May 6, 2024.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Indian Health Service is offering grants through the Tribal Self-Governance Negotiation Cooperative Agreement Program (to help defray the costs associated with preparing for and engaging in Tribal Self-Governance negotiations) and the Tribal Self-Governance Planning Cooperative Agreement Program (to provide resources to Tribes interested in entering the Tribal Self-Governance Program and to existing Self Governance Tribes). The application deadline for both programs is June 12, 2024.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for the fifth round of its ReConnect Program, which provides loans and grants to bring high-speed internet to the most remote and difficult-to-serve rural and Tribal communities in the U.S. Applications are due May 21, 2024.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Indian Energy is soliciting applications from Indian Tribes, Alaska Native Regional Corporations and Village Corporations, Intertribal Organizations, and Tribal Energy Development Organizations through its Clean Energy Technology Deployment on Tribal Lands Program through May 30, 2024.

The Campaign for Rural Progress provides a form to request support with a rural issue, program, policy, or piece of legislation.

The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) invites applications to the Broadband Help Hub, part of the National Broadband Technical Assistance Marketplace. This rapid-response program provides communities with technical assistance to produce investment-ready broadband plans. Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis from any community-facing entity leading local efforts around broadband. 

On March 29, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final rule, Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles – Phase 3, which applies to transit, passenger vans, and shuttle buses. The rule enables each manufacturer to choose what set of emissions control technologies is best suited for them and the needs of their customers.

The U.S. Department of Energy published a final rule, effective June 12, 2024, that revises the value for the petroleum-equivalency factor (PEF). The PEF is used by the Environmental Protection Agency in calculating light-duty vehicle manufacturers' compliance with U.S. DOT's Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) seeks public comment through June 3, 2024 on its proposed rule to implement the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act of 2022 (CIRCIA). The proposed rule includes information about transportation security incidents, covered transportation entities reporting cyber incidents, and other topics.

Effective May 10, 2024, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) amended the Hazardous Materials Regulations to maintain alignment with international regulations and standards by adopting various amendments, including hazard classes, special provisions, and other amendments.

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 5 or 6 for Hawaii (depending on daylight savings time).

National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT)

GIS and Data Office Hours Session 3

April 11, 12:00-1:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

April 11, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

TRB 

When Our Technology Solutions Do Not Work for Everyone Webinar

April 11, 2:00-3:30 PM

Native Learning Center

Preparing for the Small Business Journey in Indian Country Webinar

April 11, 2:00-3:30 PM 

Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA)

CVSA Workshop

Louisville, KY, April 14-18

TRB 

Design Strategies for Stated Choice Experiments Webinar

April 15, 4:00-5:30 PM

California Association for Coordinated Transportation (CALACT)

CALACT Spring Conference and Expo

San Diego, CA, April 15-18

Please visit our booth!

Self-Governance Communication and Education Tribal Consortium (SGCETC)

2024 Tribal Self-Governance Conference

Chandler, AZ, April 15-18

Center for Transportation Studies (CTS) and Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation (CHAI)

Transportation and Aging—Opportunities and Challenges in Rural Communities Webinar

April 16, 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

April 16, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

FTA

FTA Drug and Alcohol Training Special Topics Seminars: Random Pool and Selections

April 16, 1:00-2:30 PM

National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT)

GIS and Data Office Hours Session 4

April 16, 2:00-3:00 PM

Community Transportation Association of the Northwest (CTANW)

CTANW Summit

Ocean Shores, WA, April 16-19

Please visit our booth!



Forth

Design and Fund Equitable Electric Transportation for Communities Workshop

Chicago, IL, April 17

National Transit Institute

Violence in the Transit Workplace - Prevention, Response and Recovery (Train the Trainer) Online Course

April 17, 1:00-4:30 PM

U.S. DOT ITS JPO

From Outreach to Enrollment: How HIRTA is Promoting Health Connector Enrollment, Presented by Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Agency (HIRTA) Webinar

April 17, 2:00-3:30 PM

Mid-Atlantic ADA Center

Common Myths and Mix-Ups: Accessibility Standards Webinar

April 17, 2:00-3:30 PM

National Institute for Transportation and Communities

Marginalized Populations’ Access to Transit Webinar

April 17, 3:00-4:00 PM

BusRide Maintenance

Preparing Your Transit System for a Changing [EV] Fleet Webinar

April 18, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

South West Transit Association (SWTA)

Reducing Transit Worker Assaults Webinar

April 18, 12:00-1:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

April 18, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE)

Empowering Tomorrow's Transportation Leaders: A Spotlight on Dynamic Workforce Training Resources Webinar

April 18, 1:00-2:00 PM

National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE)

Transportation Operations Manual (TOM) Series: Resources to Support the TOM Webinar

April 18, 2:00-3:00 PM

National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT)

GIS and Data Office Hours Session 5

April 19, 10:00-11:00 AM

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine

Technology Transfer Symposium: Approaches to Advance Commercial Applications

Washington, DC and Online, April 22, 10:00AM - 5:00 PM

National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT)

GIS and Data Office Hours Session 6

April 22, 12:00-1:00 PM

FTA

FTA Sustainable Transit for a Healthy Planet Earth Day Event

April 22, 2:00-3:00 PM

National RTAP

National RTAP Rural and Tribal Transit Training - Capital Projects

Spokane, WA, April 22-24

ITS America

ITS America Conference & Expo

Phoenix, AZ, April 22-25

National Transit Institute

Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-Making Online Course

April 22-25, 1:00-5:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

April 23, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

TRB 

Incorporating Maintenance Costs into a Transportation Asset Management Plan Webinar

April 23, 1:00-2:30 PM

National Safety Council (NSC)

Road to Zero Webinar- Distracted Driving Awareness Month

April 23, 4:00 PM

AASHTO

2024 AASHTO Spring Meeting

Madison, WI, April 23-26

TRB 

Valuation and Compensation Approaches for Utility Accommodations Webinar

April 24, 2:00-3:30 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

April 25, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

FHWA

Strategic Workforce Development Initiatives with Tribal Communities Webinar

April 25, 1:00-2:30 PM

No preregistration necessary, join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

Early Property Acquisition and NEPA Compliance Webinar

April 25, 2:00-3:30 PM ET

U.S. DOT ITS PCB

Foundational Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) Training

Phoenix, AZ

April 25, 3:00-7:00 PM

American Public Transportation Association (APTA)

International Bus Roadeo

Portland, OR, April 26-30

American Public Transportation Association (APTA)

APTA Mobility Conference

Portland, OR, April 28 - May 1

National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM)

NCMM Planning Grant Pitch Session

April 29, 2:00 PM

National Operations Center of Excellence (NOCoE)

Coffee Break TSMO: April 2024

April 30, 12:00-1:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

April 30, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

ALTRANS & Transportation Association of Alabama

2024 ALTRANS & Transportation Association of Alabama Conference

Gulf Shores, AL, April 30-May 2

Please visit our booth!

National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT)

N-CATT Spring 2024 Workshop: Putting Your GTFS Data to Work

April 30-May 2, 2:00-4:30 PM

The Drug and Alcohol Testing Institute, Inc.

2024 Drug and Alcohol Testing Institute Summit for DER's and Program Managers

May 1-2, Kansas City, MO

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

May 2, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

May 7, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

Introducing the Tribal Sections of the Transit Manager's Toolkit

May 7, 2:00-3:00 PM

FTA

FTA Drug and Alcohol Training Session

Indianapolis, IN, May 7-8

National Transit Institute

Crisis Communications for Transit Managers Online Course

May 7-8, 1:00-4:30 PM

WTS International

WTS International Annual Conference 2024 

New Orleans, LA, May 7-10

Government Fleet

Public Transportation Conference

Louisville, KY, May 7-10

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

May 9, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

May 14, 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 Online Course

May 14, 1:00-5:00 PM

National Safety Council (NSC)

Spring NSC Safety Conference & Expo

Rosemont, IL, May 14-16

FTA

Advancing Safety Risk Management and Safety Assurance Workshop

Atlanta, GA, May 15-16, 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM 

Registration deadline: May 1, 2024

FTA

FTA Drug and Alcohol Training Special Topics Seminars: Post-Accident Scenarios

May 15, 1:00-2:30 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

May 16, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

NADO and RPO America

RPO America Peer Exchange: RPO 101 and Learning Experiences from Peers

May 16, 2:00 PM

National Transit Institute

Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-Making Online Course

May 20-23, 1:00-5:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

May 21, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

2024 Investing in Rural America: Building and Sustaining Momentum Conference

Roanoke, VA, May 21-22

Registration Deadline: May 6, 2024

The Transportation Alliance

Legislative Fly-In

Washington, DC, May 21-23

Virginia Transit Association (VTA)

2024 VTA Annual Conference & Bus Expo 

Harrisonburg, VA, May 22

Please stop by our table!

FHWA

Equitable Data Analysis Webinar

May 22, 1:00 PM

National Transit Institute

Assault Awareness and Prevention for Transit Operators (Train-the-Trainer) Online Course

May 22, 1:00-4:30 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

May 23, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Joint Office of Energy and Transportation 

Reliability Strategies for Electric Vehicle Charging Webinar

May 23, 1:30 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

May 28, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

FMCSA

FMCSA Registration Modernization Stakeholder Day II

May 29, 1:00-3:00 PM

National Transit Institute

Violence in the Transit Workplace - Prevention, Response and Recovery (Train the Trainer) Online Course

May 29, 1:00-4:30 PM

U.S. DOT

DOT Climate Change Center 2024 Webinar Series: Climate Adaptation and Resilience in Transportation

May 30, 1:00 PM 

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

May 30, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Transit Institute

Transportation Planning Process Online Course

June 3-6, 1:00-5:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

June 4, 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 Online Course

June 4, 1:00-5:00 PM

National Transit Institute

Assault Awareness and Prevention for Transit Operators (Train-the-Trainer) Online Course

June 5, 1:00-4:30 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

June 6, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA)

CTAA Expo

Palm Beach, FL, June 9-12

Please visit our booth!

National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT)

The First Steps to Defending Your Agency in Cyberspace: an N-CATT Forum

West Palm Beach, FL, June 10, 10:15 AM - 2:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

June 11, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Transit Institute

Crisis Communications for Transit Managers Online Course

June 11-12, 1:00-4:30 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

June 13, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

June 18, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

June 20, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

Rural Grocery Initiative

National Rural Grocery Summit

Montgomery, AL, June 24-25

Please visit our booth!

TRB

TRB's 4th International Conference on Access Management

Boston, MA, June 24-26

National Transit Institute

Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-Making Online Course

June 24-27, 1:00-5:00 PM

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

June 25, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

June 27, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

July 2, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

TRB

TRB’s Workshop on Transportation Law

Kansas City, MO, July 7-10

USAging 

Answers on Aging Annual Conference and Tradeshow

Tampa, FL, July 8-11

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

July 9, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

State RTAP Manager Peer Roundtable

July 10, 2:00-3:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

July 11, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

TRB 

TRB Conference on Advancing Transportation Equity

Baltimore, MD, July 15-18

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

July 16, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

Rural Transit Day Chat

July 16, 2:00-3:00 PM

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

July 18, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Local Technical Assistance Program Association (NLTAPA)

National LTAP/TTAP Annual Conference

Albuquerque, NM, July 21-25

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

July 23, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National RTAP

GTFS Office Hours

July 25, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Transit Institute

Transit Academy

Minneapolis, MN, July 22-26

National RTAP

Website Builder Office Hours

July 30, 1:00-1:30 PM

No preregistration necessary - join at the time of the meeting

National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) 

2024 National Regional Transportation Conference

Greenville, SC, July 30 - August 1

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