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Ethics Survey for Transit Managers

Transit managers/CEOs are encouraged to complete a brief, confidential online survey conducted by North Dakota State University about the ethics of transit agency board members. 

Ethics is especially important in public transportation because of the public trust placed in agencies as taxpayer-funded public services. Survey results will help identify areas of strength, as well as areas needing additional attention for training and policy development. 

The survey will take 5-10 minutes to complete and responses will be confidential. Please email [email protected] with any questions.
2016 National RTAP Annual Photo Contest

The theme of this year's photo contest is Rides to _____: What is public transit used for?  Photos should reflect the ways public transit is utilized in your community, for example:
  • Rides to wellness/healthcare
  • Rides to work
  • Rides to school
  • Rides to shopping/groceries
  • Rides to recreation
  • Rides for socialization on the bus
The deadline is Friday, July 15.  First prize is a top-of-the-line digital camera and the runner up receives a $250 gift check. To view photos from previous contests, visit our Facebook page!
Procurement 101 Webinar Recording Now Available

The recording from National RTAP's Procurement 101 Webinar on June 15 is now available, along with select presentation slides.  Ryan Hammon of FTA Region 8 provided an overview of procurement basics and Mike LaBello of Main Street Connections walked through how to use National RTAP's ProcurementPRO tool.
Federal Transit Administration and US DOT Updates

FTA released a summer edition of their Transit Asset Management Newsletter, which offers updates on TAM initiatives and creates a forum for sharing information. The topic for the next edition is TAM at
small providers. Email [email protected] with useful processes that your agency has adopted.

U.S. DOT is seeking 25 candidates for appointment to the new National Advisory Committee on Travel and Tourism Infrastructure (NACTTI), established on June 1.  Nominations are due July 13. Visit the NACTTI website for more information.

FTA is seeking nominations for individuals to serve two-year terms on the Transit Advisory Committee for Safety (TRACS). Nominations are due August 31.  Learn more in the Federal Register notice.

FTA and FHWA published the Final Rule on Statewide and Nonmetropolitan Transportation Planning and Metropolitan Transportation Planning.  A webinar about the rule will be held on July 13 at 1:00pm ET.

U.S. DOT published in the Federal Register the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Coordination and Planning Area Reform NPRM. Comments are due August 26.  A webinar about the rule will be held on July 15 at 1:00pm ET. 

Reminder: FTA is hosting a National Online Dialogue on preventing and mitigating transit worker assaults until July 25. A webinar recording is now available to help individuals navigate the conversation and to provide an overview of some of the topics.
Resources and News

Opportunities

The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) is offering a free online course, Section 5310: Filling Gaps in Mobility for Older Adults & People with Disabilities, running now until September 30.  Registration ends July 15.  The course involves three webinars, one of which is today at 2:00pm ET on the State DOT Perspective. You can also view a recording of last week's webinar on the Federal Perspective.

The National Volunteer Transportation Center 2016 STAR Award Program is now open and will close on or before August 1. Submit your application now to ensure consideration. Only transportation programs with volunteer drivers are eligible for cash or vehicle prizes. 

Publications

NADTC released an Information Brief on Identifying and Overcoming Transportation Barriers for Clients, developed to assist hospital social workers, case managers, housing coordinators and others who are trying to help their clients arrange transportation.

TRB recently released E-Circular 210: Multimobility and Sharing Economy with the results of a workshop from the 2016 Annual Meeting on new developments in shared-mobility. One panel focused on the application of mobility services in rural and suburban areas, discussing the role of public transit and the need for paratransit options in emerging transportation modes.

TRB's recent TCRP Synthesis 123: Onboard Camera Applications for Buses explores the current technologies and provides examples of how surveillance systems are used to improve operations, safety, security, training, and customer satisfaction.
Surveillance Program Best Practices Article

Read our new Best Practices Spotlight article on the topic of installing onboard cameras for safety and security benefits, financial benefits, training opportunities, and more.

The article highlights the Southern Nevada Transit Coalition's new Safety Assurance and Award Program, which uses surveillance for a safety program that also involves training and staff appreciation. 

Also check out our previous articles, with best practices for Fuel Efficient Driving, Travel Training, Safety, Employee Wellness Programs, and more!
July 7th, 2016
Events
NADTC
Section 5310: State DOT Perspective
July 7, 2:00-3:30pm

FTA/FHWA
Statewide & Nonmetropolitan Transportation Planning/Metropolitan Transportation Planning Final Rule
July 13, 1:00pm

LTAP/TTAP
2016 National Conference
July 18-21
Madison, WI

WVPTA
Annual Conference
July 27-29
Wheeling, WV

PPTA
2016 Summer Conference & Roadeo
August 5-8
Scranton, PA

CTAA
Small Urban Network (SUN) Conference 
Denver, CO
August 10-12
Conference

AASHTO/APTA/CTAA
Midwest Transit and
State Public Transportation Partnerships Conference
August 14-16
Kansas City, MO

CTAV
Expo & Conference
August 16-18
Virginia Beach, VA

NCRRS
National Working Summit on Transportation in Rural America
September 7-9
Denver, CO

Tri-State Transit
Annual Conference
September 7-9
Woodstock, VT

DTA
Roadeo and Fall Conference 
September 10-14
Spearfish, SD
Conference

TRB
National Conference on Rural Public and Intercity Bus
October 2-5
Asheville, NC

For a listing of all National RTAP and other national events, view our Calendar. If you'd like to submit an event, please email [email protected].

All event times listed as Eastern Time
Resource Spotlight
Don't have your route and schedule data in GTFS?

Check out National RTAP's new Why GTFS? Technical Brief, or dive right in with our free GTFS Builder software!
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.: 50 F Street NW, Suite 7020, Washington, DC 20001