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Recycling Used Oil Tech Brief Now Available

Missed last week's announcement of our newest technical brief,
Used Oil Recycling: Getting Extra Mileage Out of Your Motor Oil? The brief, which can be downloaded by clicking the above link, explains the different options for recycling used oil, and provides examples of transportation providers burning used oil for heat. It also includes important regulatory information, a glossary of key terms, and a list of helpful resources. Pass this one along to your maintenance staff!
 
New Online Course Covers Basics of Federal Transit Administration

The American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO), AASHTO's Multistate Technical Assistance Program (MTAP) and the Small Urban and Rural Transit Center (SURTC) have partnered to produce FTA 101, a brief guide to the history and grant-making activities of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The free learning module is designed for new State DOT employees, but any transit agency will benefit from the overview. The course is also bolstered by frequent quizzes to reinforce the material, which includes segments explaining the different modes of transportation covered by FTA, and grant administration.

 
Register Now for the Website Builder Version 2 Webinar

National RTAP staff will be presenting the updated version of Website Builder during a webinar on August 25th at 3PM. Anybody who does not currently have a live website using Website Builder is encouraged to attend. A live demo will emphasize the ease of use for Website Builder Version 2, as well as the new, streamlined design options and a ready-made template. 

Register now for the webinar.
 
Board Member Solicitations
 
The National Rural Transit Assistance Program (National RTAP) is soliciting nominations for National Review Board members. The deadline for submitting nomination forms is August 22nd

National RTAP has three upcoming vacancies on the National RTAP Review Board for state transit officials, and one for a rural or tribal transit provider. The term of office is for three years beginning in the fall of 2014. Section 5311 or RTAP managers and representatives of a transit provider that receives 5311 or Tribal Transit Program funds are eligible to be nominated. Any group or individual involved in rural transit is encouraged to nominate a representative to the Board. An individual may also nominate him/herself for consideration. For more information about the responsibilities of Review Board members and the selection process, please see the nomination form.


FTA/DOT Updates

 

FTA Drug and Alcohol Update Issue #55 is available.

 

The FTA issued a Federal Register Notice of Request for Comments on Updates to National Transit Database Information Collection


Resources and News

Reports

Partnership for Sustainable Communities: Five Years of Learning from Communities and Coordinating Federal Investments describes the state of sustainability in the US, as well as impacts that the Partnership has had on several communities.

TCRP Report 171: Use of Mobility Devices on Paratransit Vehicles and Buses addresses issues around the use of mobility devices in transit vehicles. It includes guidance on accessible design, and discusses level of service issues for heavier and larger occupied mobility devices.

TCRP Report 169: Developing Best Practice Guidelines to Improve Bus Operator Health and Retention is a guide for transit managers and others interested in developing programs that improve health issues for bus operators. The materials include an evaluation and Return on Investment (ROI) template.

Blogs

METRO Magazine has posted two new blog entries, one about maximizing performance of new transit maintenance facilities, and the other on the "safety blitz," a process for randomly making sure bus operators are following safety protocol.  

Training

NTI has developed a new course, Developing a Transit Emergency Management Plan.

August 21, 2014
Events
CUTR
Five Ways to Mitigate Substance Abuse in the Transportation Workplace
August 21
12-1PM

National Rural ITS Conference
August 24-27
Branson, MO

National RTAP
Website Builder Version 2 Overview
August 25
3-4PM

TRB
Conference on Transportation and Federal Lands
September 15-17
Washington, D.C.

National Tribal Transportation Conference
September 22-25
Anchorage, AK

NTI
FTA Environmental Justice Training Course
September 29-30
Los Angeles, CA

APTA
Annual Meeting
October 12-15
Houston, TX

APRIL
2014 Conference
October 17-20
Albuquerque, NM

RIBTC
21st National Conference on Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation
October 26-29
Monterey, CA

TRB
Shaping the New Future of Paratransit
October 29-31
Monterey, CA

NADO
2014 National Rural Transportation Conference
December 3-5
Cincinnati, OH

For a listing of all National RTAP and other national events, view our EventShare Calendar.

All event times listed as Eastern Time
Resource Spotlight
Transportation to Support Rural Healthcare

The Rural Assistance Center has produced a new topic guide, Transportation to Support Rural Healthcare. The guide showcases funding opportunities for rural healthcare transportation, organizations that focus on this work, and a list of events for professionals.
National RTAP is a program of the Federal Transit Administration dedicated to creating rural and Tribal transit solutions through technical assistance, partner collaboration and FREE training materials.

Contact us:
Main: 5 Wheeling Avenue, Woburn, MA 01801, 888-589-6821
Washington, D.C.: 122 C Street NW, Suite 520, Washington, DC 20001