This training was sponsored by NJ Transit, in collaboration with the NJ Council on Special Transportation, and was recorded on 9/11/20 by Michael Noel of Noel Training & Consulting LLC.

This training was originally developed by National RTAP as a self-paced course or classroom training, and has now been adapted to offer an online e-learning version. 

The course provides training to transit drivers and staff on properly responding to incidents, accidents, problem passengers, acts of nature and other emergencies. The three units are: Preparedness, Hazards and Threats, and Emergency Procedures. 

• The learner component includes the Learner’s Guide, available in an e-learning format with the content, videos, and quizzes included.  It can also be downloaded or ordered as a hard-copy.

• The instructor component includes the Instructor's Guide as a PDF or hard-copy, explaining how to deliver the training; a PowerPoint; and a recorded webinar with an overview of the training. 

• There are also sample pre-trip inspection forms available for download.

Reasonable Suspicion Training for Supervisors

This is an online version of National RTAP’s 2 the Point Training series for transit driver/operators. Like the hard-copy 2 the Point cards, this training is meant to be an interim refresher and was designed to be flexible.

Topics covered in the 2 the Point Training series include:

• ADA and Sensitivity
• Bloodborne Pathogens
• Customer Service
• Defensive Driving
• Distracted Driving
• Drugs and Alcohol
• Emergency Management
• Passenger Safety
• Transporting Non-Ambulatory Passengers

Problem Passengers: Managing Difficult Passengers & Situations portrays many of the challenging situations front-line rural transit staff may face, such as angry passengers, fare refusals, passengers under the influence, sexual advances, weapons on the vehicle, offensive odors, passengers with dementia, and more. The training explains appropriate driver responses for each situation. 

This course also covers customer management and behavior modification techniques, as well as ways drivers can present themselves to set a positive tone and maintain authority to help prevent situations from escalating.

Problem Passengers was updated in June 2018. Both the booklet and accompanying video were updated and an eLearning version was developed. The course now contains content on illegal drugs and service animals. The video can be viewed as 13 clips or as one 28 minute video. There is also a new narrated Facilitator’s PowerPoint to help prepare instructors to deliver the course. 

The eLearning version contains six lessons and a final exam.  The videos are within the modules and each module ends with exercises or a quiz.  The eLearning course should take 1.5-2 hours to complete.  You must complete all modules before you can take the exam. To pass the exam you must answer 70% of the questions correctly, but you have unlimited attempts.  You must complete all modules and pass the exam to download your Certificate of Completion.

To order free hard-copies of the booklet and DVD, visit the National RTAP Resource Library or email info@nationalrtap.org.

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We wish to thank and acknowledge the contributions of the following in the development of this updated training course:

• National RTAP Review Board 2017-2018
• Transit agencies for providing locations for the video:  Via Mobility Services, Boulder, Colorado and Chickasaw Nation Transportation Services Program, Ada, Oklahoma

In addition, information was drawn from the following resources:

• Federal Transit Administration
• Transportation Safety Institute
• Robbie Sarles, RLS & Associates, Inc.

This updated training and its related products were created by a team of consultants, in collaboration with National RTAP staff, including:

•  Product Development:  Zipline Performance Group
• Video / DVD Production:  MedCenterNetwork, Aurora, Colorado and Grapevine Media, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Subject Matter Experts:  Gary Hegland, GTH Transit Advisory Kary Hughes, South West Transit Association (SWTA)

 

DO NOT USE INTERNET EXPLORER (IE)  BROWSER FOR THIS COURSE!

This course has two modules. The first is untimed and provides an overview of the course navigation, information about the FTA substance abuse program and general awareness education about the dangers of alcohol misuse on the individual’s health, work, and personal life, as well as signs and symptoms of an alcohol problem. 

The second module on prohibited drugs will be timed, and includes five sections. The module MUST take a minimum of ONE HOUR to complete to receive credit for the course. Your knowledge will be tested after each of the prohibited drug discussions with a series of questions. Your knowledge will not be tested after the alcohol section. You will only be tested following each of the 5 prohibited drug sections. DO NOT RUSH. Take your time to ensure your understanding. The average time to complete the program is 90 minutes.

The course includes audio and closed captioning.  Please check your volume level prior to starting the course and select closed captioning on the first slide to see the text. 

We recommend using the following browsers: 

• Windows -  Google Chrome (latest versions)
• Mac - Apple Safari or Mozilla Firefox (latest versions)

DO NOT USE INTERNET EXPLORER (IE)  BROWSER FOR THIS COURSE!

• IE will not send a completion message to the system and will result in a not complete status.

This training module was originally developed by Oregon DOT in partnership with RLS & Associates, Inc for the transittrains.com website. National RTAP adapted the course for widespread use.
                                                                                                                                              

In 2015 FTA published detailed guidance in the form of a Circular to transit agencies on how to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The ADA Circular represents a major milestone in assistance to the transit community. It thoroughly explains ADA requirements for public transit, providing real-life situations as examples of good practices to ensure accessible services for riders. The document does not amend or supersede the DOT ADA regulations; rather, it offers explanatory scenarios and sample templates.

For additional ADA training materials provided by the FTA, including recorded webinars and presentation slides, go to: https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/civil-rights-ada/ada-training.

These videos and training materials are provided by the manufacturers as a convenience and for informational purposes only. These videos do not constitute an endorsement or approval by National RTAP of any of the products, services, or opinions in the video or the supplier.

START Online offers basic safety training for new transit drivers or refresher training for more experienced drivers. The course enhances and reinforces learning through interactive exercises, scenarios, games, and quizzes, and tests learning in a final exam.

The content is broken up into three sections and there is a brief introduction module:

• Section 1: Vehicle Safety - will show you procedures for the important pre-trip inspection, en-route, and post-trip vehicle inspections.
• Section 2: Driver/Operator Safety - will teach you the basics of safe vehicle operation, including fitness for duty, defensive driving, good safety habits, coping with adverse driving conditions, and more.
• Section 3: Passenger Safety - covers procedures for safely picking up and dropping off ambulatory and non-ambulatory passengers, securing mobility devices such as scooters and wheelchairs, handling difficult passengers, security awareness, vehicle evacuation, and emergency situations, as well as skills for interacting with passengers.

The total estimated duration is six hours, though it will depend on each learner. Although completing the modules in order is recommended, learners can jump around as needed. There are certificates of completion for each section and one for completing the entire course.

START Online can be used for self-paced training, as refresher training, or in conjunction with the instructor-led version of START as a hybrid training. The latter option is useful for agencies with limited time for in-person training, enabling them to focus on the hands-on content.

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START Online was developed from National RTAP's Safety Training and Rural Transit, through a partnership with the Center for Transportation eLearning (CTEL). The online course was produced by Zipline Performance Group and the content was updated in 2015 by Nusura, Inc.

NOTE: START Online was previously hosted by CTEL. If you took the course on CTEL's learning management system (LMS) and have questions about your grades or certificate, contact Gary Hegland at ghegland@i29.net.

                

This new National RTAP online training is mainly targeted for vehicle maintenance staff, supervisors, and vehicle maintenance contractors, but would be beneficial for any agency with a transit facility.  The seven online modules (including one for managers) cover all aspects of emergency management at a maintenance facility.  

There is also an optional, flexible Instructor-Led Training (ILT) component.  The ILT is designed to complement, not replace, the online course, and is meant for learners to apply what they learned in the online modules to their specific facility.  See the Top Shops Instructor Led Training course in the LMS for the ILT materials. 

This is the Instructor Led Training (ILT) component of National RTAP’s new Top Shops: Emergency Management in Vehicle Maintenance Facilities online course.  This in-person ILT should be held once the learners have completed the online modules. 

The ILT is designed to be flexible and is an opportunity for learners to apply what they learned in the online modules to their specific facility.  To learn more, read the Top Shops ILT Instructors Guide.

Workshops, Training Sessions and Conference Presentations

SURCOM develops and provides various training sessions for small urban and rural transit operators, local and regional transit associations, and state Departments of Transportation.

This video provides an introduction to the Title VI Program, and describes FTA's Title VI requirements for a grantee's programs, policies, and activities.

Find additional videos and training resources on the FTA's website here: https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/civil-rights-ada/title-vi-training.

Download these resources to learn more about the National RTAP eLearning LMS and to help you get started:

• Team Admin Getting Started Guide
• Bulk Import Template
• eLearning Technical Brief

This is an Accord Learning Management System (LMS) general training for new learners and administrators.

For more specific instructions and information on the National RTAP eLearning LMS, go to the Resources tab above.

Workshops, Training Sessions and Conference Presentations

SURCOM develops and provides various training sessions for small urban and rural transit operators, local and regional transit associations, and state Departments of Transportation. Programs are delivered on-site, and can be tailored to accommodate any learning environment. Select individual topics (1 - 3 hour) or bundle topics to create a full day of custom instruction specifically for your organization. For example, if your group would like to create a 1-day Leadership Workshop, bundle together topics such as Strategic Planning, Ethics in the Workplace and Working with Local Governments. Most sessions can be customized towards supervisory, front-line or general transit audiences.