Schedule at a Glance | Speakers and Moderators | Sessions by Route
General Program Information | Detailed Session Information
Monday, October 20, 2008, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Keynote Address: “Progress with Foresight…Regress with Hindsight.” presented by
Michael Dilich, Foresight reconstruction, Inc.
Sharper hindsight leads to better foresight. True or false?
Hindsight is supposed to help us learn from our errors and progress into a better future. Not true, psychologists say. A natural human judgmental bias, deep within the way we all think about the past, called “the hindsight bias,” distorts our perception of the past, makes us unduly harsh in our judgment of decisions made in the past and gives us an illusion of all-knowing, severely limiting what we can learn from experience.
When we look backwards at situations that turned out badly, we end up thinking backwards and judging those involved on the unwanted outcome. Whereas hindsight for us merely explains one outcome, foresight for them required consideration of many possible outcomes. 20/20 hindsight eyes that clearly see, with no surprises, the certainty of what happened, are remarkably blind to the uncertainty the future held for those involved at the time. Yet, no magic will provide certainty in our future; our plans for progress must work without it.
Awards Luncheon: Monday, October 20, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
The Roger Tate is Smiling Award: The Transportation Research Board established this award to honor individuals who, like Roger Tate, have records of passionate, innovative, and unswerving commitment to improving transportation services in rural America. For 14 years, until his untimely death in 1996, Roger Tate kept the needs of rural transportation before the U.S. Department of Transportation leadership and others who could, and did, make a difference. For more information about the award or to make a nomination, please contact Jon Burkhardt at JonBurkhardt@Westat.com. Click here to download 2008 nomination procedures. For information about the 2006 award winner, click here.
Monday, October 20, 2008; 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Vendor EXPO and Social Hour
Enjoy a chance to visit with the vendors before heading off to dinner. Light hors d' orderves served with a cash bar in the vendor area at the Qwest Center.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008; 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Plenary Session: Where Are We Now and Where Do We Go From Here? Bill Millar and Dale Marsico.
Bill Millar, President of the American Public Transportation Association and Dale Marsico, Executive Director of the Community Transportation Association of America look into their crystal balls to share their insights on rural mobility and the future of rural public transportation funding in the U.S. Join us on Tuesday, October 21 from 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008; 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. Special Topic Roundtables
Special Topic Roundtables are scheduled throughout the conference to provide the opportunity to connect and share with others on specific topics. They are informal but facilitated to provide the opportunity for a lively dialogue exchange among peers and partners.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008; 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
FTA Administrator's Award for Outstanding Rural Transit System: The awards luncheon on Tuesday will feature FTA Administrator James Simpson awarding outstanding rural transit systems. At each national rural conference since 1984, the Federal Transit Administration has presented an award for outstanding public service to several rural transit systems recognizing their accomplishments. Click here to download nomination procedures.
Pre-Conference Training: Cost Allocation for Rural Transit Agencies.
Presented by Rich Garrity, RLS & Associates. This course is designed to teach transit managers and planners a service-based methodology for allocation transit costs to various services provided by the organization. Designed for individuals with little or no accounting background, this “hands-on” course will (1) Describe the six different issues facing transit systems that are all classified as “cost allocation” issues; (2) Distinguish between financial-based and service-based cost allocation issues; (3) Build a services based cost allocation model, step-by-step, based on actual system financial data; and (4) Explain the various scenarios where a cost allocation model could be applied.
Participants will receive both classroom training and conduct several sequential exercises leading to the development of a cost allocation model. Attendees should bring a 10-key calculator in order to complete the class exercises.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008; 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Town Hall Meeting:
Rural Transit Achievements: Assessing the Outcomes of Increased SAFETEA-LU Funding for Rural Passenger Services
SAFETEA-LU provided significant new funding for the FTA Section 5311 program, plus new formula funds for JARC, New Freedom, Indian Tribal Transportation, Transit in the Parks, and requires new planning and consultation requirements by state DOTs. FTA, Congress and even OMB are rightfully beginning to ask what has been achieved with the new money and planning/consultation requirements; however, NTD and other data are not yet able to respond to these questions. This town hall meeting will provide the opportunity for you to tell your stories on how the changes in SAFETEA-LU has impacted your program and the service you delivered. The meeting also will provide the opportunity to provide recommendations on how the programs can be improved to encourage more efficiencies in service delivery.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008, 11:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
FTA State Programs Meeting
The Federal Transit Administration’s Mini State Program Meeting will focus on implementation of State managed programs: Elderly and Individuals with Disabilities Program (Section 5310), Non-urbanized Area Formula Program and Tribal Program (Section 5311), Job Access and Reverse Commute Program (Section 5316), and New Freedom Program (Section 5317). The meeting will be an opportunity for peer exchange regarding implementation strategies for program features such as public transit-human service coordination plans and tribal transit. A box lunch will be served for those attending the FTA State Programs Meeting.
Tentative Agenda (11:00 - 3:00 p.m.)
Welcome/Introductions
Charter Rule
Discussion of Grant Management Guidance (Circular 5010)
Formula Programs Implementation Reporting: NTD, JARC/ New Freedom
National RTAP Safety and Security Rural transit role in emergency preparedness
FY 2009 State Programs Meeting
Tuesday, October 21, 2008, 6:00 p.m. -
Special Evening at the Durham
A special evening at the Durham Western Heritage Museum. Dinner and entertainment. If you plan to bring a guest to this event, you will be able to purchase additional tickets with your conference registration or when you pick up your registration.
About the Conference Logo: What's the Story Behind the Omaha 'Retro' Buses?
The 18th National Conference on Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation is being hosted by the Nebraska Association of Transportation Providers in Omaha, Nebraska, home of Omaha Metropolitan Area Transit (MAT), a member of NATP. MAT unveiled the first of its 1950’s era “retro” bus in July 2002, rebuilt in honor of the agency’s 30th anniversary.
The “Retros,” as they’re called, are GM buses built originally in the period from 1948-1955 refurbished with volunteer labor from MAT’s maintenance staff and paid for by donations. The refurbished buses retained their original appearance inside and out, but were modernized by the staff with enunciator systems, GPS tracking units, automated fare boxes and wheelchair lifts. The buses are used in MAT’s downtown circulator service including service to the Old Market area, a nostalgic addition to the downtown area. Visit Omaha in October and check out MAT’s fleet of “RETROs.”
