6th National RTAP Conference in Austin, TX

Preconference Workshops & 1:1 Tech Support

Preconference workshops were held on Sunday, December 7 at the National RTAP conference. The workshops offered an opportunity to learn about NRTAP technology tools and other training opportunities. Attendees could join the workshops and for the NRTAP tools sign-up for 1:1 technical support throughout the conference.

National RTAP Tools Workshops

Our Pre-conference sessions were held on Sunday, Dec 7. 

Cost Allocation Calculator includes free tools that make the process of cost allocation a little less daunting. Michael Walk led the session and was available for 1:1 Technical Assistance throuhgout the conference.

GTFS Builder uses a free Microsoft Excel-based web application to generate fully valid General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS).  Attendees learned what is GTFS and why accurate data is certified in your NTD report. Marcy Jaffe and was available for 1:1 Technical Assitance throughout the conference.

Website Builder, a free resource using the latest technology to create, edit and launch your transit website. ProcurementPRO, a free web-based application that guides rural and Tribal agencies and State DOTs through Federal Transit Administration (FTA) procurement procedures. Erik Dickey led both of these workshops and was available for 1:1 Technical Assistance throughout the conference.

RideSheet is a scheduling platform for operating and reporting on small demand-response transportation (DRT) services. It supports rural, small urban, and specialized urban services that are ready to move away from paper, whiteboards, and ad hoc spreadsheets toward systematic, accessible tracking tools.

There were two RideSheet sessions scheduled. The first offered an overview of RideSheet and the second gave attendees the opportunity to learn how to use it first hand to see if it’s the right fit for their transit scheduling, operations, and trip and financial data reporting. Kevin Chambers led the sessions and was available for 1:1 Technical Assistance throughout the conference.

More Workshops!

Intercity Bus Planning Workshop

This workshop provided an update on the status of the intercity bus industry,  the rural intercity bus planning process, using in-kind match, and best practices in state intercity bus programs. Participants provided examples of intercity bus systems, had the opportunity to ask questions, as well as participate in work groups using to develop an approach to intercity connectivity for their state, region or system. The session concluded with attendees developing an application of a hypothetical in-kind match project and outlining marketing and branding approaches.

Presenters: Fred Fravel, Principal, KFH Group; Nina Stocker, Program Manager, Travel Washington Intercity Bus; and Stephanie Gonterman, Principal, Isaacs & Associates, Greyhound State Government Affairs Representatives

Additional preconference workshops included:

• State Oversight 101
• Rural and Tribal Transit Service Design: Microtransit or Fixed Route? 
• Tribal Transit Oversight
• eLearning: ELDT for Rural and Tribal Programs
• The Energy Bus: 10 Rules for the Ride of Your Life  RTAP1A
• Scheduling and Dispatching 
• Facility Construction Overview