The Florida Transit Maintenance Consortium (FTMC) will address methods to collect and evaluate key performance indicators to make effective vehicle maintenance-related decisions. The presenters in this session will share agency practices and changes being implemented to delivery transit service in Miami.
As transit agencies explore the implementation of technology to increase ridership and enhance passenger convenience, one aspect at the forefront of this transformation is mobile fare payment systems. This workshop will provide a comprehensive overview of the key considerations, challenges, and best practices for implementing mobile fare payment solutions in transit agencies. By the end of this session, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the implementation of mobile fare payment solutions and contribute to the economic impact of their transit systems.
Launched in 2022 by the Florida Department of Transportation, TILE is a dynamic year-long leadership development program for leaders at all levels. Participants engage in shared learning, innovation, and skill enhancement throughout the program, gaining invaluable insights into partner agencies' operations. Take advantage of our special presentation featuring the class of 2025 showcasing their final projects. But that's not all! Dive deeper into how you can become a part of future cohorts and unlock this program's incredible benefits.
President & CEO, Senior Resource Association/GoLine Indian River Transit
Karen B. Rose Deigl is the President and CEO of the Senior Resource Association, a position she has held since 2006. The Senior Resource Association is a non-profit organization providing home and community-based services benefiting older and disabled adults in Indian River County... Read More →
Stephanie Lewis, M.Ed., is currently a Workforce Development Project Manager and Instructional Designer at the Center for Urban Transportation Research at the University of South Florida. She has a wide range of skills in online and instructor led course development, webinar coordination... Read More →
This interactive workshop session will give participants the opportunity to explore real-world drug and alcohol testing scenarios and to learn the proper way to apply FTA and USDOT testing regulations. Discussion will include scenarios in each of the 6 FTA testing circumstances: pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return to duty, and follow up.
Join us for an insightful session, where we explore the future of employer engagement and recognition in the realm of transportation benefit programs. This session will highlight how organizations can gain national acclaim for their innovative transportation programs, enhancing their brand and setting themselves apart. Our expert speakers include commuter assistance programs’ (CAP) Program Managers from across Florida, who will share their unique insights and vision on how recognizing organizations with comprehensive transportation benefits not only accelerates the adoption of transportation strategies but also provides a prime opportunity for employers to shine on a national stage. Discover how your agency can leverage recognition to attract top talent and gain valuable media exposure.
This session will provide updates and important information on the Transportation Disadvantaged program. It will also offer a valuable opportunity for discussion on topics such as grant management, invoicing, reporting, and other key issues relevant to Community Transportation Coordinators (CTCs). Join CTD staff for an engaging and interactive conversation.
Active Assailant – Are you and your employees physically and mentally prepared if you happened to encounter an active assailant? This facilitated discussion will walk you through options to consider if you happen to encounter an active assailant. Vehicle Weapons – Vehicles are increasingly being used as weapons in attacks with hostile intent. This includes vehicle ramming and vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs).
Building on the successful 2024 Apprenticeship Academy hosted by CUTR in partnership with FDOT and facilitated by the Transit Workforce Center (TWC), this session will provide a primer on apprenticeship and mentorship programs while showcasing the progress and initiatives of three Florida transit agencies. Attendees will learn how to start effective mentorship and apprenticeship programs for frontline transit occupations and how TWC provides assistance throughout that process. TWC staff and presenters from Florida transit agencies will share compelling examples of the benefits that these programs offer for the workforce and the significant impacts they can have on key performance indicators, including recruitment, retention, and absenteeism.
This session of the Florida Association of Paratransit Technicians (FAPT) will address high school and technical college transit technician programs and the career and recruitment opportunities that are available. Spheros will also present air conditioning maintenance tips and information as agencies prepare for the hot summer months ahead.
This workshop addresses the rising interest in Artificial Intelligence (AI) within transit operations, sparked by inquiries about its practical implementation and impact on staff. We will delve into the real-world application of AI in transit, moving beyond theoretical concepts to explore concrete examples and address key questions. This workshop will foster a collaborative environment for sharing knowledge and exploring the future of AI in transportation. Session title and description were generated using AI.
This session will provide updates related to the federal drug and alcohol testing regulations, 49 CFR Parts 655 and 40. The presenter will share the latest information from the FTA Annual Drug & Alcohol Program National Conference, to include oral fluid testing as a new drug testing method, policy revision requirements, and testing program best practices. The session will conclude with the 2024 analysis of Florida transit agency drug and alcohol testing data.
Evaluation is essential to ensuring that programs are achieving their intended outcomes. This session will address how workforce planning and development programs are evaluated for effectiveness. Participants will explore current recruitment and retention programs, learn about different evaluation methods, and gain insight into the outcomes of these evaluations, including notable practices and common challenges. Through interactive discussions, attendees will also have the opportunity to share and learn how their peers track the success of their workforce planning and development programs.
In this session, participants will explore best practices for identifying and implementing different types of transit services tailored to different markets in a service area (transit service toolbox). The discussion will also cover effective communication strategies for informing the public and governing boards. Topics will include information about transit services, methods for measuring service performance and success, and approaches to enhancing internal agency teamwork and communication for better management of new transit services.
Do you provide human trafficking training? Do you have a policy/procedure in place to compliment the training and inform employees how to recognize and prevent human trafficking? This session will be a discussion format for transit agencies to share what they are doing, what is working, what has missed the intended mark, and what has exceeded expectations. Discussions will not only include training and reporting protocols, but we will also discuss implementation challenges and successes, community partnerships, law enforcement coordination, use of technology, funding sources, impact measures, and more. You will leave this session with additional resources to assist you, and your agency, in the fight against human trafficking.
This session will cover an overview of wheelchair securement including products, training materials, best practices, industry standards, and wheelchair securement technology. The session will also include a hands-on portion with a vehicle demonstration of wheelchair securement.
In today's rapidly evolving world, our capacity to adapt and succeed relies on the flexibility of our mindset. Mindset is a key factor in our personal and professional growth. This session aims to provide valuable insights and actionable tools to cultivate a mindset that fosters growth. By understanding and actively shaping our mental frameworks, we can unlock hidden potential and navigate challenges with greater resilience. Ultimately, a growth mindset empowers us to embrace learning and transform obstacles into opportunities for development.
The shared mobility service model offers an effective and efficient solution to one of the transit industry’s long-standing challenges: meeting demand amid limited resources. As more transit agencies explore options such as microtransit or partnerships with transportation network companies (TNCs), they will need the most current, objective, and innovative data and information. If you want to learn about best practices, lessons learned, and the latest developments in shared-use mobility in Florida, this interactive session is a must!
This session will feature a roundtable format to discuss a variety of challenges and successes encountered by small and rural transit agencies. During this session, a presentation will examine the strategic use of sponsored social media advertising to gather feedback on potential expanded transit services in rural Jackson County. Attendees will gain insights into campaign design, as well as targeting and engagement metrics. A comparison of engagement levels with urban communities in Florida will highlight the unique challenges and opportunities of rural outreach. TRIPS staff will be available to answer questions about vehicles. Attendees are encouraged to bring their questions and issues to share with the moderator, presenters, and their peers.
Stephanie Lewis, M.Ed., is currently a Workforce Development Project Manager and Instructional Designer at the Center for Urban Transportation Research at the University of South Florida. She has a wide range of skills in online and instructor led course development, webinar coordination... Read More →
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Public Transit Office has developed the Transit Boardings Estimation Simulation Tool (TBEST) as a multi-faceted GIS-based modeling, planning, and analysis software toolset which integrates socio-economic, land use, and transit network data into a unique platform for scenario-based transit ridership estimation and analysis. Public transportation agencies utilize TBEST to support a variety of planning applications including 10-year strategic Transit Development Plans (TDPs), FTA-required Title VI analysis and reporting, socio-economic market analysis, transit network accessibility, Mobility on Demand analysis, grant applications, and many additional service and strategic planning workflows. This session will review the recent improvements within the TBEST 5.0 release and provide guidance on TBEST 5.0 implementation and utilization.
Join us for an interactive session focused on fostering a healthier, more balanced workplace in the transit industry. From managing daily stress to achieving work-life harmony, we’ll explore practical strategies to support employee well-being. Participants will engage in guided stretching and breathing exercises, gain actionable tips for reducing workplace stress, and learn about successful initiatives we’ve implemented, such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), "Snack & Learns," monthly massages, and our "Unwind Your Mind" week featuring expert speakers, yoga, and mindfulness activities. Walk away with fresh ideas to enhance well-being in your organization and create a more supportive work environment for your employees.
Transit automation technologies have the potential to improve safety, reduce operating costs, and increase convenience of the transit service. An increasing number of transit providers nationwide continue testing and demonstrating passenger vehicles with high levels of automation. Yet, these technologies still face challenges with ensuring adequate safety in all operating conditions, achieving public acceptance, overcoming legal and regulatory obstacles, and other issues. Transportation professionals continue debating when transit automation technologies will see widespread market adoption and what impact they will have on transportation costs, workforce development, urban planning, and overall travel behavior. This session will cover the latest developments in automated transit in Florida, including the review of the best practices and lessons learned from recent deployments, as well as the discussion of the existing challenges and obstacles to practical AV implementation in transit service.
In this session, participants will learn about current updates on the Transit Development Plan (TDP), including, but not limited to, information on the current Rule, highlights of the 2025 TDP submittals, future TDP submittals, new handbook highlights, upcoming workshops, and open discussion on the most pressing issues related to the TDP.
With the September 15th reporting deadline fast approaching, we invite CTCs to join us for an informative session where we will review the requirements for the Annual Operating Report. We’ll walk through the data collection system and provide guidance on what information should be included. You are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to share your thoughts, ask questions, and gain the clarifications you need.
If you’ve got questions, we’ve got answers! But only regarding compliance reviews – we can’t solve all the world's problems…but when it comes to compliance, we’ve got resources for you. Join us for this Q&A session and get answers to all your burning questions.
Compliance and Oversight Manager, University of South Florida
Mrs. “Dean” Kirkland-McMillan, Compliance and Oversight ManagerDean has been involved in public transportation for over 35 years Dean has held many positions in the transit industry including Bus Operator, Operations Manager, Executive Director, Safety Security Director, and Revenue... Read More →
Laurie has worked in the transit industry for 22 years. Earning her Masters in Social Work from Florida State University, Laurie’s career in transportation began at the Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged. In 2018 Laurie joined the CUTR Compliance Oversight and Technical... Read More →
This interactive workshop provides a comprehensive guide to transit agency preparedness for major storm events. We will review key emergency management functions as they pertain to transit, analyze case studies from recent storms, and explore strategies for effective pre-storm planning, real-time response, and post-storm recovery. Participants will learn how to accurately document activities, maintain seamless communication with FDOT districts, and access essential resources, including fuel and support, to ensure operational continuity and community assistance.
This session will equip transit professionals with the essential skills and knowledge to develop and maintain robust agency policies that meet the requirements of Rule 14-90, Florida Administrative Code. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the critical role documentation plays in the transit industry. A focus will be on the development and implementation of effective agency policies. Attendees are encouraged to bring in a policy for review and feedback.
