National RTAP Topic Guides are collections of specially selected resources on major rural and Tribal transit topics. Click on the titles or icons below to access resources from the FTA, U.S. DOT, National RTAP, and other organizations on the topics listed.
Each year we also compile resources on Hot Topics, based on the questions from National RTAP customers within the past year. Click on the Hot Topics button to access the 2024 topics, which include GTFS, Marketing, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT), Planning, and Safety.
Transit agencies are required to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act. The resources in this topic guide provide information to ensure compliance with the law.
Banks, foundations and local governments may have funding available for transit, either as grants or tax revenue opportunities. Human service agencies such as United Way may have funding opportunities. They also may provide unique opportunities to partner with transit agencies, therefore extending access to many more grant opportunities surrounding mobility management and human service transportation.
Transit agencies are increasingly looking to alternatives to traditional fuels to lower emissions and improve the air quality and environment. The resources in this topic guide will assist them with planning, decisionmaking and funding.
The resources in this topic guide will help raise awareness of human trafficking in the transportation industry and assist transit agencies and other transportation stakeholders to identify and report victims of human trafficking.
Dealing with emergency situations that involve the possible spread of bloodborne pathogens can be scary. Fortunately, there are a lot of resources to help train drivers and other transit system personnel about the proper ways to handle these types of emergencies.
Intercity transportation is regularly scheduled service for the general public that connects two or more areas not in close proximity. This topic guide will assist with understanding of practices and issues surrounding intercity transportation.
The resources in this topic guide provide training and guidance on construction of transit facilities and structures (such as bus shelters). Transit agencies who receive federal funding must comply with regulations that cover construction, and these resources will address that.
Livability entails the factors that create a community's quality of life, including access to transportation, natural resources, educational opportunities, medical care, employment and leisure activities. Resources are provided for creating higher quality of life through community design, focusing on transit in rural areas.
Provides links to resources addressing cybersecurity prevention and mitigation from FTA, National RTAP, and other national, regional and local resources.
Mobility management is the idea of using available resources to get passengers from point A to point B. It often focuses on coordination between different agencies providing transportation, and may include a technological component.
Provides links to FTA, National RTAP, and other national, regional and local COVID-19 resources and planning documents.
Best practices and information about transportation for older adults can be found at these organizations.
Nobody is ever prepared for a disaster. From fires to hurricanes to blizzards, natural disasters and extreme weather affect every aspect of normal transit operations. This topic guide provides resources that help transit agencies plan, respond and recover from disasters.
Provides resources on compliance with federal procurement regulations, training and templates on procurement topics.
Driver distractions can be dangerous for passengers, and also other vehicles on the road. Resources in this section focus on distracted driving and training to reduce the practice and distractions.
Transit asset management (TAM) is a model that prioritizes funding based on the condition and maintenance of transit assets, such as vehicles, equipment and/or facilities.
Safety-sensitive employees are required to undergo drug and alcohol testing as part of federal regulations aimed at increasing public safety. Rural and tribal transit agencies are responsible for making sure that these requirements are met. This topic guide will direct you to the most current and relevant resources on all aspects of the federal drug and alcohol requirements.
These resources include training and technical assistance specifically geared toward tribal transit operators and riders.
Banks, foundations and local governments may have funding available for transit, either as grants or tax revenue opportunities. Human service agencies such as United Way may have funding opportunities. They also may provide unique opportunities to partner with transit agencies, therefore extending access to many more grant opportunities surrounding mobility management and human service transportation.
The resources in this topic guide will help raise awareness of human trafficking in the transportation industry and assist transit agencies and other transportation stakeholders to identify and report victims of human trafficking.
Intercity transportation is regularly scheduled service for the general public that connects two or more areas not in close proximity. This topic guide will assist with understanding of practices and issues surrounding intercity transportation.
Livability entails the factors that create a community's quality of life, including access to transportation, natural resources, educational opportunities, medical care, employment and leisure activities. Resources are provided for creating higher quality of life through community design, focusing on transit in rural areas.
Mobility management is the idea of using available resources to get passengers from point A to point B. It often focuses on coordination between different agencies providing transportation, and may include a technological component.
Best practices and information about transportation for older adults can be found at these organizations.
Provides resources on compliance with federal procurement regulations, training and templates on procurement topics.
Transit asset management (TAM) is a model that prioritizes funding based on the condition and maintenance of transit assets, such as vehicles, equipment and/or facilities.
These resources include training and technical assistance specifically geared toward tribal transit operators and riders.
" National RTAP offers one-stop shopping for rural and tribal transit technical assistance products and services. Call, email, or chat with us and if we can’t help with your request, we’ll connect you with someone who can! "
" You go above and beyond and I wanted to let you know that I appreciate it so much and always enjoy my time with you. The presentations give me so much to bring back to my agency and my subrecipients. "
" I always used the CASE (Copy And Steal Everything) method to develop training materials until I discovered RTAP. They give it to you for free. Use it! "
" National RTAP provides an essential service to rural and small transit agencies. The products are provided at no cost and help agencies maximize their resources and ensure that their employees are trained in all aspects of passenger service. "
" We were able to deploy online trip planning for Glasgow Transit in less than
90 days using GTFS Builder. Trip planning information displays in a riders'
native language, which supports gencies in travel training and meeting Title VI
mandates. "
" Having a tool like GTFS Builder is really light years ahead of what it used to be at one time in terms of how fast you can put everything together. Our university students really can't imagine transit without it, so I think it's very important for us in terms of attracting that particular demographic. "
" In the past we used proprietary database software that was very challenging, very murky, and hard to update. GTFS Builder is a great opportunity to make this more user-friendly, more readily updatable and it
would enable us to show how to create a GTFS to more of the staff. "
" Collaboration is a buzz word these days in the industry. On behalf of our Tribal segment, I appreciate RTAP for making Tribes a partner in industry opportunities. The organization goes over and beyond reaching partners one would not expect in a busy industry such as public transportation. Thank you for your tireless efforts! "
"We are so very thankful for all your transportation training materials. Your resources are as valuable as gold!"
A program of the Federal Transit Administration administered by the Neponset Valley TMA
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by National RTAP |