Survey: Have you filled out our survey for Reaching New Heights in Rural and Tribal Transit, National RTAP's upcoming technical assistance conference? We will base our programming on your answers, so please take a few minutes and help us shape the conference agenda! What are the issues most important to you? Which conference workshops would you attend? Please fill out this short, four-question survey by May 1st. 

Speakers: Speaker proposals are still being accepted through May 31st. We are looking for good programs and ideas that will fit into our main routes so please consider submitting a presentation abstract even if you haven't spoken at a national conference before. Visit our conference website for more information. 

Scholarships: National RTAP has a limited number of scholarships available to speakers only. 

Registration: Look for the link next week!

General Information: October 27-30, 2015, Denver, CO

In case you missed our notice, our website address has been updated to nationalrtap.org. Although you could previously go directly to our site using that address, you will need to update any bookmarks. We apologize for any ongoing issues with the website and Resource Library. If you are having trouble with any part of our website, please get in touch with us at 888-589-6821 or info@nationalrtap.org. 

The FTA issued a Federal Register Notice for the Revised NTD Reporting Manual and Response to Comments.

The FTA is looking for public comment on the interim policy guidance for the Capital Investment Grant Program. To view the document, go to FTA's homepage and click on the first red link under the MAP-21 graphic. View the Notice of Availability of Proposed Interim Policy Guidance. FTA will also be conducting a webinar on this program on Thursday, April 16th from 2-3:30PM. 

The comment period for the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Geographic-Based Hiring Preferences in Administering Federal Awards has been extended to May 6, 2015. This rule would allow geographic-based hiring preferences for recipients and sub-recipients wherever not prohibited. DOT specifically invites comments on rolling stock. 

TCRP Synthesis 117: Better On-Street Bus Stops explores best practices for these types of stops from both the customer's and agency's perspective. 

Quantifying Transit's Impact on GHG Emissions and Energy Use-the Land Use Component, TCRP Report 176, explores transit emissions as they interrelate with land use in order to quantify environmental impact. Also contains an Excel-based calculator tool.

TCRP Report 178: A National Transit Certification Program for Vehicle Maintenance Instructors proposes a national plan for training transit bus and rail maintenance instructors, including best practices for preparation and certification.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics has released its annual report, including statistics of all kinds for bus transit. 

NCHRP Research Results Digest 393: Selected Indirect Benefits of State Investment in Public Transportation is an excellent overview of the many less obvious benefits of providing public transportation. This is a great tool to share with your states and communities.

The latest edition of TRB's Transportation Research Record, Demand Management, Parking, Taxis, and Accessible Transportation and Mobility, includes articles on mobility management, ADA and travel training, and paratransit. 

The White House Conference on Aging has produced a policy brief on Healthy Aging, which mentions the importance of transportation and livable communities. 

Metro Magazine posted a blog entry about the final day of bus operator training.