Resource Center

Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library (TACL)

The Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library (TACL) provides a viable methodology and platform for access and findability of rural and tribal transit coordination resources across a broad range of transportation technical assistance centers and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

The FTA-funded Technical Assistance (TA) Centers participating in this ongoing work are:

• National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC)
• National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT)
• National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM)
• National Rural Transit Assistance Program (National RTAP)
• Shared Use Mobility Center (SUMC)
• Transit Workforce Center (TWC)

The TACL Task Force uses a systematic review process for resources included in the database. New resources will be added on a quarterly basis. Let us know if you would like to serve as a peer reviewer for our resources.

Why was TACL created?

The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) published Public Transportation: Enhanced Federal Information Sharing on Coordination Could Improve Rural Transit Services in January 2020. GAO recommended that FTA “develop a communication plan that will effectively share information with state and local stakeholders on coordination opportunities in an accessible and informative way.” This effort was created to improve interagency resource coordination between FTA and its five TA Centers.

How can TACL be used?

TACL resources can be used to identify high quality technical assistance on transportation coordination. The resources can be used for research, training, practice, operations, planning, and other purposes. We encourage authors to cite TACL resources.

Ready to get started?

Visit http://transportation-tacl.org. Click on the Training tab at the top for instructions.

If you have a question about TACL, or if you would like to be considered to become a TACL peer reviewer, please contact info@nationalrtap.org

FTA’s Technical Assistance and Workforce Development Program (49 U.S.C. § 5314) and the Public Transportation Innovation Program (49 U.S.C. § 5312) fund technical assistance centers through national nonprofit organizations across a number of areas to improve public transportation. These nonprofit partners and the work they do play a critical role in supporting public transit agencies. Their services help to:

• Improve transportation for older adults and people with disabilities
• Drive the adoption of mobility management and related promising practices
• Accelerate innovative mobility practices and strategies
• Support rural communities
• Leverage new transit technologies
• Train the public transit workforce
• Provide workforce development technical assistance
• Support research projects chosen by the transit industry that address day to day issues
• Support the transit industry meet safety regulations

National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT)

The National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT) delivers expert, focused technical assistance to transit agencies and organizations in rural areas and small cities to use or develop transit technologies and innovations that make services more cost-effective and efficient. N-CATT’s work supports FTA’s mission and focus on innovation by developing and supporting transit programs and services in rural and small-city America.

National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC)

The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) is a national technical assistance center funded by FTA with guidance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living to promote the availability of transportation options that serve the needs of people with disabilities, seniors and caregivers with a focus on the Section 5310 program and other transit investments. NADTC supports the delivery of more effective, efficient, high-quality and coordinated specialized transportation services that maximize federal investments. NADTC provides technical assistance, information and referral; develops field training; implements interactive communication and outreach strategies; and supports communities in assessing their needs and developing innovative transportation solutions.

National Rural Transit Assistance Program (National RTAP)

The National Rural Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) was established by FTA in 1987 to provide a wide range of professional services and products. National RTAP addresses the training and technical assistance needs of rural and tribal transit programs across the nation and supports state RTAP programs. National RTAP provides comprehensive free technical assistance programs and resources including training materials, webinars, newsletters and technical briefs, peer resources, research, and innovative technology initiatives. The National RTAP also manages the Transportation Technical Assistance Coordination Library (TACL), which provides a sustainable methodology and platform to access resources across a diverse range of transportation technical assistance centers and FTA.

Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC)

The Shared-Use Mobility Center is a public-interest organization dedicated to achieving equitable, affordable, and environmentally sound mobility across the US through the efficient sharing of transportation assets. By connecting the public and private sectors, piloting programs, conducting new research, and providing policy and technical expertise to cities and regions, SUMC seeks to extend the benefits of shared mobility for all. The Shared Mobility 2030 Action agenda includes improving access to public transit, on-demand shuttles or buses, ride-on-demand services, carpooling and vanpooling, and carsharing, bikesharing and scooter-sharing.

Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM)

The strategic goal of CCAM, operated but the Community Transportation Association of America, is to support federal agencies, their grantees, partners, and stakeholders in improving transportation access for people with disabilities, older adults, and individuals of low income. CCAM promotes and facilitates human services transportation, public transit, and non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) coordination that advances people’s access to everyday destinations.

Registered Apprenticeship is an industry-driven pathway to high-quality careers where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience; progressive wage increases; classroom instruction; and a portable, nationally recognized credential. The U.S. Department of Labor recently updated the way we describe Registered Apprenticeship Programs to reflect the worker safety elements embedded in those programs.

Link to Full Article

This E-learning module introduces how mentorship is essential to registered apprenticeship programs. Best practices for selecting, training, and supporting mentors are included to support registered apprenticeship program sponsors and participating employers. The objectives for this course are: 

• Identify the responsibilities of sponsors to provide mentorship.
• Describe the role of mentors.
• Recognize why mentorship is important to a successful registered apprenticeship program.
• Employ strategies for mentorship to create a culture of support and guidance for workers throughout their registered apprenticeship.

Link to Full Course

Along with the Framework, the ETA released additional resources including:

• Implementation Guide and Self-Assessment and Action Planning Tool: Resources to help practitioners implement the Framework and assess and strengthen existing sector strategies efforts.
• ETA Blog Post: “Demand-driven training: Reimagining sector partnerships to build career pathways”
• Training and Employment Notice No. 08-24: Release and Availability of Updated 2024 U.S. Department of Labor’s Sector Strategies Framework
• Virtual Training Series: Learn more about the Framework and strategies to implement and scale sector strategies by viewing each session in this three-part series.

Sector Strategies Framework

Transit agencies will necessarily incur expenses in efforts to improve the recruitment, retention, and morale of employees, but will struggle to solicit adequate funding unless they are able to demonstrate the value of such efforts to a broader audience. Thus, developing and implementing ROI assessments is critical. The literature review, survey, and follow-up interviews conducted by the MTI research team found that program outcome measures and programmatic expense data required for ROI is similar across employee development programs but is not currently being uniformly collected across agencies. The research findings demonstrate the need for technical assistance to combat data collection challenges such as staff capacity and know-how.

Link to Full Report Link to Abstract

After data analysis and expert interviews, GAO published this report which describes: (1) the status of transit agencies’ transition to low-no bus fleets and any challenges they may face meeting transition goals; (2) skill- and workforce-development needs of transit agencies and actions selected agencies are taking to address any workforce gaps; and (3) recommended FTA actions to assist transit agencies in preparing their workforces new fuel technologies.

Link to Full Report