Conference Tentative Agenda

*This is a tentative agenda. Please note that some sessions and speakers might be subject to change. Posted 1-20-10

Download PDF preliminary agenda
Download PDF conference program

Roadeo • June 4-6
Conference and Trade Expo • June 7-9

Hilton Wilmington Riverside
Wilmington, North Carolina

NC Public Transportation Conference and EXPO

The 2010 NCPTA/NCDOT-PTD Roadeo competition brings the best public transit drivers from across North Carolina to test their skills and abilities in the areas of driving, wheelchair boarding and securement, pre-trip inspection and a written safety test. Participants will compete in three divisions – Bus, Van Cut-Away and Van. Training, practice and preliminary activities begin on Saturday, June 5, for all Roadeo participants. Competition will be held on Sunday, June 6.

The roadeo will conclude with an awards luncheon at the Wilmington International Airport where all drivers and judges will be honored and the top winners in the categories will be crowned.

Saturday, June 5

7:00 – 5:00 pm Driver Practice, Judges and Volunteers • Wilmington Airport

Sunday, June 6

7:00 – 8:00 am Breakfast for Drivers, Judges and Volunteers • Wilmington Airport

8:00 – 1:00 pm NCPTA/NCDOT Roadeo • Wilmington Airport

1:30 – 2:00 pm Golf Registration • Magnolia Greens Golf Club

2:00 – 6:00 pm Golf Tournament • Magnolia Greens Golf Club

5:00 – 9:00 pm Pre-Conference Registration for Exhibitors and Participants • Lobby Area, Hilton

5:00 – 9:00 pm Exhibitor Set-Up • Grand Ballroom, Lower Level

5:00 – 9:00 pm Bus Display • Outside Hilton

8:30 – 11:00 pm Poolside Reception • Hilton Poolside
Sponsored by Ilderton and Q’straint

Monday, June 7

7:15 – 8:15 am Breakfast Buffet • Cape Fear Lobby

7:30 – 1:00 pm Conference Registration • Lobby Area, Hilton

8:15 – 8:45 am Opening Remarks • Grand Ballroom, lower level

8:45 – 10:00 am Opening Session • Grand Ballroom

10:00 – 11:30 am Targeted Training Workshops

Financial Management for Transit Systems (Part I) • Cape Fear Balllroom, Salon A

It is critical that transit professionals understand how operating decisions impact their financial picture, and the true costs of operating the system so decisions are made with the most accurate information possible. Today’s transit systems are often required to report how their money was spent, what revenues were realized and the financial status of the organization. This course covers accounting fundamentals, revenue management, contracting, local match, cost allocations, budgeting, audits and developing 3 – 5 year management plans.
Moderator
Roger King, Regional Coordinated Area Transportation System (RCATS)
Speaker
Carol Wright, Small Urban & Rural Transit Center - Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute

Accident/Incident Investigation (Part I) • Cape Fear Balllroom, Salon B
Sponsored by Veolia

Behind almost any accident is a choice, decision or a pattern of behavior by people that lead to that event. Accidents don’t “just happen” – people cause them. Even minor accidents can be an indicator of things to come if left uncorrected. Accidents can be costly events, emotionally, physically, psychologically and financially. Finding the facts of what happened before, during and after the event are key to managing your response, both for this as well as future events.

This class will provide you with the understanding of what to look for at the scene of an accident, who to talk to, what questions to ask (as well as what not to say). We’ll review tools needed to document evidence, collect information, as well as what to do with that information once it is collected. Each attendee will receive educational materials to take away, including checklists and other tools for use on site and back in the office. Two lucky people will even win a complete accident investigation kit to bring back to their system!
Moderator
L.J. Weslowski, Veolia Transportation, Concord Kannapolis Area Transit
Speaker
Thomas Teal, Veolia Transportation, Concord Kannapolis Area Transit
Ebbe Jensen, Veolia Transportation, Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority

11:30 – 12:45 pm Lunch • Grand Ballroom

1:00 – 3:00 pm Training Workshops Continued

Financial Management for Transit Systems (Part II) • Cape Fear Balllroom, Salon A

Accident/Incident Investigation (Part II) • Cape Fear Balllroom, Salon B
Sponsored by Veolia

Special Session

1:00 – 3:00 pm Q & A with the Federal Transit Administration with Mike Baltes, FTA and Miriam Perry, NCDOT • Carolina
This session is for administrators and managers of systems in communities with population of 50,000 and above. The informal session will allow managers of direct recipient systems to ask questions and share ideas. Topics will include recent notice of funding information, reauthorization, operating assistance and ARRA.
Speakers
Mike Baltes, Federal Transit Administration
Miriam Perry, NCDOT

5:30 – 6:30pm Vendor Reception • Grand Ballroom

Tuesday, June 8

7:30 – 8:15 am Continental Breakfast Buffet • Grand Ballroom

8:30 – 9:45 am Concurrent Sessions

NCDOT’s Complete Street Initiative • Cape Fear Ballroom, Salon A

Did you know that North Carolina is one of the first states in the nation with a Complete Streets Policy? NC’s policy is aligned with the USDOT Secretary’s vision for Livable Communities. Find out how the policy enables NCDOT to collaborate with local areas by incorporating multimodal alternatives in transportation planning and how it considers the needs of all users to improve safety and mobility, provide enhanced access to all modes and improve quality of life.
Moderator
John Tallmadge, Triangle Transit
Speakers
Jay Bennett, NC Department of Transportation
Mike Kozlosky, Wilmington MPO

NCDOT’s Complete Street Initiative • Cape Fear Ballroom, Salon B

The Job Access/Reverse Commute and New Freedom programs have increased the availability of grant funding for local governments and transit organizations. Many questions arise when applying for federal dollars and these opportunities for funding come at a time when agencies do not have the resources to engage professional grant writers and must rely on staff. Designed for public
professionals, the session will explore the grant writing process including universal terminology and address best practices in grant writing. An emphasis on project planning and clearly communicated ideas.
Moderator
Randy Bass, Cabarrus County Transportation
Speakers
Kelly O’Brien, UNC School of Government - NC Civic Education Consortium
JoAnn Hutchinson, United We Ride Ambassador, FTA Region IV

2010 Emissions and Beyond • Carolina

The 2010 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Exhaust Emission Regulations for On-Road Diesel Engines will have an operating cost impact on the new buses that transit agencies may purchase. The past EPA legislation required engine modifications to keep attaining reduced exhaust emissions. Some of the modifications include Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) in 2002, Advanced Exhaust
in 2007 and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) in 2010. Currently, Cummins Engine’s are the only available engines available for use in Heavy Duty transit applications. Mike Turner and Charlie Townsend of Cummins Atlantic will be giving a presentation on SCR and what it means to you.
Moderator
Carl Rokos, Chapel Hill Transit
Speakers
Mike Turner, Cummins Atlantic
Charlie Townsend, Cummins Carolina’s

Vehicle Emergency Evacuation Scenarios • Dudley

Is your organization and community prepared for an event that requires emergency evacuation of passengers? Learn how emergency management and fire officials in Stanly County created scenarios for SCUSA Transportation where drivers participated in hands on exercises of passenger evacuation in the event of an emergency (i.e. accident, vehicle fire). Drivers were placed in
emergency scenarios and had to demonstrate what they would do and how they would do it – from providing first aid to assisting non-ambulatory passengers out of the vehicle by whatever means available. Once a particular exercise was complete, the group was critiqued and participants had the chance to ask questions and make comments. Some participants were surprised at their own
reactions to certain circumstances. This session will highlight some of those reactions and show pictures from the exercise.
Moderator
Carol Long, Onslow United Transit System
Speaker
Gwen Hinson, SCUSA Transportation – Stanly County

10:00 – 11:15 am General Session • Grand Ballroom
Modern Preventive Maintenance Elements: From the Toolbox to Front Line Management

Is your preventive maintenance program generic? Is it on schedule? Does it fit manufacturers’ suggested requirements? These are just a few of the questions you need to ask yourself when evaluating your fleet’s maintenance program. This session will provide you with the necessary check-list to make sure your fleet’s preventative maintenance program is successful.

Moderator
Steve Spade, Chapel Hill Transit
Speaker
Halsey King, Halsey King Associates

11:30 – 1:00 pm Annual Awards Luncheon • Cape Fear Ballroom

1:15 – 2:15 pm General Session • Grand Ballroom
Ethics: What Everyone Should Know

In North Carolina there are ethics statutes relating to local government. Are you aware how this affects you and how you conduct business? This session will cover laws and principles that govern conflicts of interest and ethical standards of conduct at the local government level.

Moderator
Dennis Williams, Alamance County Transportation Authority
Speaker
A. Fleming Bell, II, Professor of Public Law & Government, UNC School of Government

2:15 – 2:30 pm Break • Cape Fear Lobby

2:30 – 3:45 pm Concurrent Sessions

“Greening” Your System. In the office. On the road. In the shop. • Cape Fear Ballroom, Salon A

Going Green has become a real part of today’s business landscape. Public transit has always been “green” from the perspective of moving a large number of people with less pollution. However, daily business practices themselves in transit have not necessarily been as environmentally friendly. The panel will show you that there are many different ways that you can take steps in your operations to make your system more environmentally-friendly. We’ll look at ways to save your system money and improve your service in key areas of bus and facility maintenance and operations. Whether you come from a small rural or a large urban system, you’ll learn that not only are some green practices and products cost neutral, some will even save you money and/or do a better job than what you are doing or using now!
Moderator
L.J. Weslowski, Veolia Transportation – Concord Kannapolis Area Transit
Speaker
Craig Bilderback, Veolia Transportation, North America
Tom Lincoln, Azure Dynamics Corporation
Jeff Geffert, State Industrial Chemical

Transportation Planning and Partnerships • Cape Fear Ballroom, Salon B

The Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) is a multi-modal long range transportation plan that is developed through a collaborative effort between municipalities, counties, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO), Rural Planning Organizations (RPOs) and NCDOT. It forms a strong connection between an area’s transportation plan, locally adopted land development plans and community vision. Dan will go through the CTP process. In 2000, the State of North Carolina recognized the need for transportation planning in rural North Carolina areas not within an MPO by enabling the development of Rural Planning Organizations (RPO). Hanna will discuss the RPO process and how public transportation providers are involved in the Piedmont Triad RPO. Roger will share how participation with the RPO benefits him as a regional public transportation provider.
Moderator
Debbie Collins, NCSU Institute for Transportation Research and Education
Presenters
Dan Thomas, NCDOT – Transportation Planning Branch
Hanna Cockburn, Piedmont Triad RPO
Roger King, Transportation Director - RCATS

Managing Mobility with Transit ITS Technology • Carolina

The Paducah Area Transit System in Paducah, KY, is one of three local agencies across the country to be awarded a USDOT demonstration grant to commence a creative customer focused Travel Management Coordination Center (TMCC) for their region. Attend this session and learn how the Purchase Area Region of Western KY’s transportation partners designed a regional TMCC
utilizing Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) to meet customer mobility needs.
Moderator
Todd Allen, RouteMatch Software
Speaker
Kim Adair, Paducah Area Transit System, Paducah, KY

Employee Development: Preparing Employees for Success • Dudley

Come learn about Triangle Transit’s program that is geared towards operators that wish to move into supervision. Staff from Triangle Transit will share their personal experiences and how this helps prepare employees for future promotions and how it recognizes and rewards the best performers.
Moderator
Kim Angel, Macon County
Speakers
Laurie Barrett, Triangle Transit
Vanessa Battle, Triangle Transit
Tammy Romain, Triangle Transit

4:00 – 5:00 pm Maintenance Q & A with Halsey King • Grand Ballroom

Need more tools in your toolbox? Halsey will be conducting a
Q & A session to follow up with individual needs and questions
that you might have regarding maintenance issues.

4:00 – 5:00 pm Technology User Sessions

RouteMatch Software Users Group Meeting • Cape Fear, Salon A
Trip Maker Software Users Group Meeting • Cape Fear, Salon B
Trapeze Software Users Group Meeting • Carolina
CTS Software Users Group Meeting • Dudley

5:45 – 9:00 pm Dinner Cruise and Reception on the Henrietta

Wednesday, June 9

7:30 - 8:30 am Breakfast Buffet • Grand Ballroom

8:45 – 9:30 am NCPTA Annual Meeting • Grand Ballroom
Announcement of New Board of Directors

9:45 – 11:00 am General Session • Grand Ballroom
NCDOT Update

Informative updates on the latest activities at NCDOT. Topics include: Funding, 2009 Operating Statistics, Trends, NCDOT Project Prioritization Process.

Moderator
Dennis Williams, Alamance County Transportation Authority
Speaker
A. Fleming Bell, II, Professor of Public Law & Government, UNC School of Government

11:00 – 11:30 am Closing and Final Remarks • Grand Ballroom

In North Carolina there are ethics statutes relating to local government. Are you aware how this affects you and how you conduct business? This session will cover laws and principles that govern conflicts of interest and ethical standards of conduct at the local government level.

Introduction of Speaker
Randy Bass, Cabarrus County Transportation System
Speaker
Erika Bogan, Ms. Wheelchair America

Ms. Wheelchair America 2010, Erika Bogan, makes it her priority to be an advocate for people living with
disabilities across our nation, and to educate both able bodied and disabled about the accomplishments
and abilities of all people. Erika is a single mother of three beautiful girls, works full-time as a certified
mastectomy fitter and office manager of a home health supply & DME company, in her hometown
of Concord, NC. She enjoys surfing, sky diving, handcycling and playing basketball. She also works
as a spokesmodel for Colours Wheelchair in Corona, CA and is one of the first American models for
LegaWear Fashions in Sweden. Erika is proud to be the co-founder of a non-profit organization that
links people with disabilities to the disability industry called, Making ABLE. She is also the co-founder of
www.erikaslist.org and Director of Development for Not-me.org. Erika’s list is the “Craig’s List” of the
disability community.

Closing
Keith McCoy, Transylvania County
Dennis Williams, Alamance County Transportation Authority
Grand Prize Giveaway (Must be Present to Win)

Special Session
11:45 – 2:30 pm Special Grants Working Session • Grand Ballroom

What to bring:
1. Your local transportation plans.
2. Identify a project that is a prioritized need.
3. Bring your budget!
Stakeholders are welcome! We have left money on the table for the last time! Why haven’t you applied for 5310, 5316, 5317 funding?

When There is the Next Call for Projects, How to be Prepared
Today, staff from the NCDOT and representatives of other systems that have successfully applied for funding and leveraged local dollars will be here to answer specific questions and to discuss
issues relating to 5310, 5316 and 5317 application process.
Topics include:

• How you can leverage local funds into local match
• Creating meaningful projects
• Definitions of new and expanded service
• Doubling your purchase power

11:45 – Noon