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National RTAP Welcomes New Executive Director

Robin Phillips recently took over as the Executive Director of National RTAP. Her position will be based in Washington, DC (the National RTAP Resource Center is based near Boston). Robin comes to National RTAP from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), with nine years on the TRB Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Committee. Her career includes revamping the intercity bus programs in Oregon and Washington states as well as staffing Washington State's inter-agency coordination council, ACCT.

In 1997 Ms. Phillips left the practice of law and was hired by ODOT to create a state multimodal intercity policy, which she later implemented. The resulting Oregon and Washington programs focus on user experience and travel network development, including travel information and bike access.

This is not the first time for Robin in the DC area. She also worked for the American Bus Association as Senior Policy Director, helping private industry work with federal and state programs. Relationships with AARP, ESPA, APTA, AASHTO, CTAA, NADO and others will give National RTAP more chances to connect with more people. The National RTAP staff and Review Board look forward to working with her to enthusiastically tackle our challenging and changing transit environment. Contact Robin at rphillips@nationalrtap.org.
Another Great Year for National RTAP

The National RTAP staff would like to wish all of you a very happy holiday season! Let's take a look back at some of the highlights of 2014:
 We are also looking forward to what's coming in 2015, including:
  • START Online, an online version of our START training
  • Top Shops: Emergency Procedures for Vehicle Maintenance Facilities, another online training
  • Tech briefs and topic guides on various topics, including oversized wheelchairs and interstate regulations
  • Marketing Transit Toolkit
  • 101 Webinars on the FTA Bus Safety Program, Title VI, and Workplace Ethics
  • National RTAP Conference (more information to come!)
Thank you for your continued support, and don't hesitate to contact us at www.nationalrtap.org, info@nationalrtap.org, or 888-589-6821
Federal Transit Administration Hiring Program Analysts
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is hiring program analysts in both the Urbanized Areas and Rural Areas and Targeted Population Divisions. These positions will help to manage key FTA formula grant programs (e.g. 5307, 5311) at a national level. The application deadline for these announcements is December 29, 2014.
FTA/DOT Updates

 

New Deadline: Comment on the ADA Proposed Circular Amendment 2 by February 11th, 2015. 

 

Tribal Transit Program Discretionary Funding NOFA has been published. Proposals due February 18th, 2015. Funds can be used to support tribal planning, capital, and to a lesser extent, operating activities.

 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is seeking comments on revising the minimum levels of financial responsibility for interstate commerce vehicles. This may have an impact on some transit agencies who run interstate public transit service. Comment by February 26th, 2015. 

 

FMCSA also plans to convene a Negotiated Rulemaking Committee about Minimum Training Requirements for Entry-Level Commercial Drivers. 

Resources and News

Reports

TCRP Report 172: Guidance for Developing a Transit Asset Management Plan includes best practices and a spreadsheet tool for tracking asset management.

The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released a report reviewing Federal and Transit Agencies' Efforts to Build Transit Systems' Resilience.

Easter Seals Project ACTION (ESPA) has released the Americans with Disabilities Act Training Program for Motorcoach Companies: Self-Study Guide, which can also be used for group training classes in ADA regulations, customer service, securement, and employment. 

Minnesota Department of Transportation has produced a report on Rural and Small Urban Multimodal Alternatives for Minnesota using case studies from around the country. 

Transportation Research Record's Transit 2014, Volume 3, contains articles about bus operations.  

The Norwegian Institute of Transport Research has released a report (in English) about fatigue, and how it affects bus operators. 

Web Resources

The Powerpoint presentations from the 2014 Rural Public and Intercity Bus Conference are now available online (click on the Powerpoint Presentations menu tab). 

The National Center for Mobility Management has topic guides for improving local coordinated services, and employment transportation. 

Survey

The National Center on Senior Transportation is looking for transit agencies using 5310 funds to answer a short survey for their upcoming toolkit on the 5310 program. 
December 23, 2014
Events
South West Transit Association 
Joint Annual Conference and EXPO (with NMTA)
March 1-4
Santa Fe, NM

FHWA
Fundamentals of Transportation Data (Pt 1)
March 10
2-3:30PM

FTA 
Drug and Alcohol Program National Conference
April 28-30
Atlanta, GA

Community Transportation Association of America EXPO
May 31-June 5
Tampa, FL

FHWA
Fundamentals of Transportation Data (Pt 2)
June 9
2-3:30PM

National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a)
Annual Conference and Tradeshow
July 11-15
Philadelphia, PA

FHWA
Telling the Performance Story
September 8
2-3:30PM

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

All event times listed as Eastern Time
Resource Spotlight
The ADA and Rural Transportation 101 Webinar, presented in partnership with Easter Seals Project ACTION, is now available for viewing on our website. 
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