September 2024

MDOT Launches ‘Advancing Rural Mobility’ Trip Planner to Enhance Transportation Access in Rural Areas

Fast Facts:

• The Advancing Rural Mobility pilot project has launched a new online trip planning tool for four rural public transit agencies and their riders.
• The project is funded through a United States Department of Transportation SMART grant.
• Participating public transit agencies include Benzie Bus, Cadillac/Wexford Transit Authority, Charlevoix County Transit, and Roscommon County Transportation Authority.

The Advancing Rural Mobility project’s trip planner tool aims to enhance transportation access and efficiencies in rural areas. To meet the unique needs of Michigan’s rural communities, the trip planner utilizes partner transit agencies’ service data to display possible trip-planning options. Transit riders will benefit from increased awareness of available transportation options, helping improve access to essential services, reduce isolation, and ultimately foster greater connectivity and quality of life.

Utilizing Canva, Feb. 19, 2025, 11 a.m. – noon

You don’t have to be a graphic designer or hire someone if your agency needs to create a brochure, presentation, infographic or catchy social media post. Canva is a free-to-use online graphic design tool that can be used to create professional graphics. Gina Huhn, manager of OPT’s Program Administration Section, and Lance Schoonover, lead transportation coordinator at I-Ride, Isabella County Transportation Commission, will show you how to use Canva and give you inspiration for ways to utilize it. 

SMART Summit 2024

USDOT Holds Second SMART Grantee Summit 

On July 10th and 11th, 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) held its second SMART Grantee Summit for the Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants program. The Summit was held at the Volpe Center in Cambridge, MA with over 220 participants in attendance, including USDOT leadership and 83 SMART grant recipients from 39 states.