Overview
This annual event provides peer-to-peer learning for regional transportation planners, state DOT representatives, and their partners. The conference will provide training and networking opportunities on a variety of rural and small metropolitan transportation topics.
AICP CM credits are available for each training session and mobile workshop. Since 2007, every training session and mobile workshop at this annual event has been approved for CM credit.
Choose "Agenda and Presentations" to the left for links to each sessions' presentations, videos of some sessions, and a printable version of the final conference program.
For information or presentations from last year’s conference (August 24 – 26, 2011 in Washington, DC), click here.
To view PDF files, download Adobe Reader.
Questions?: Contact Carrie Kissel at (202) 624-8829 or ckissel@nado.org
Registration
Registration for this event started on February 17, 2012 and is currently Closed.
Fee Schedule:
- Early Bird Registration Rate (before March 26 ): $250.00
- Regular Registration Rate (after March 26 ): $300.00
- Student Rate: $150.00 (must not be employed full-time in transportation, planning, or related fields and must be able to demonstrate enrollment in full-time study if requested)
Conference Registration Includes:
- Admission to the 2012 National Rural Transportation Conference
- Registration for one mobile workshop on Thursday, April 26 (and optional additional registration for mobile workshop on Friday, April 27)
- Attendance at training and networking sessions
- AICP CM credits may be available
Registration for this event is available to anyone. To register as a student, must be enrolled in full-time study and not be employed full-time in transportation, planning, or related field. Must also be able to demonstrate proof of enrollment if requested. Students interested in a reduced registration rate can contact ckissel@nado.org for information on helping with the conference.
Agenda & Presentations
Wednesday, April 25th
Walk through the process of connecting a vision to measures to gauge progress in transportation plan implementation. Learn how this exercise may position your region to address potential future policy on performance-based planning.
View the PresentationEfforts at engaging the public and partner agencies can be dynamic with engaged stakeholders. Learn about tools and techniques for collaborating with agencies and engaging a variety of segments of the public in a meaningful way, which can be used to develop or update a participation plan for your region.
View the PresentationDeputy Administrator Gregory G. Nadeau has focused significant attention delivering projects, including spearheading Every Day Counts. Starting in 2003, he served as the Maine Department of Transportation's (MaineDOT) Deputy Commissioner for Policy, Planning, and Communications, where he oversaw development of an integrated approach to transportation system planning and the publication of Connecting Maine, the statewide multimodal long-range transportation plan. At MaineDOT, he approached transportation planning on a systems basis, minimizing impact on communities and the environment through integrated regional and community-based planning.
View the PresentationLearn how small metro and rural regions are conducting efforts to understand freight flows in their region and how transportation relates to their regions' economies.
View the Presentation
Getting and keeping partners at the table to plan for and conduct coordinated transportation is not a simple matter. Hear about examples in two states that are improving mobility for residents.
View the PresentationAll attendees are encouraged to attend this plenary session, as it will include important transportation program updates and the opportunity to hear updates from and have discussion with federal agency staff.
View the PresentationThursday, April 26th
Through a series of several short presentations, learn about interesting and effective work that rural and small metropolitan planning organizations are conducting to advance transportation, identify issues, solve problems, and coordinate with partners to meet local needs.
View the PresentationThis session will promote understanding of safety culture and the roles that RPOs and small MPOs can take on to develop local safety plans and incorporate safety into ongoing work.
View the Presentation
Learn about two statewide initiatives to use web-based tools to map and communicate priorities, as well as to share data and improve geographic analysis across levels of government.
View the PresentationHear a case study of a state DOT and regional partnership to identify performance areas in long-range planning and streamline the project identification and ranking process using criteria tied to desired outcomes.
View the PresentationImprove transit routes and service information using practices presented in this session on transportation applications of GPS and GIS information.
View the PresentationIn late August 2011, Hurricane Irene wreaked devastation on Vermont and other states, including major impacts to the state's transportation network. Two plenary speakers will explore separate sides of the issue, the state and regional public sector response and recovery roles, as well as a private sector perspective on transportation system use, reliability, and response to the disruption caused by storm damage.
View the Presentation- Vermont’s National Scenic Byways Program Tour
- Church Street Marketplace Walking Tour
- Magic Hat Brewing Company Tour
- Heritage Aviation, Burlington International Airport U.S. Customs Tour
- Vermont Rail Systems Hub & Transload Tour
Friday, April 27th
Through this facilitated discussion session, learn from your peers about their challenges and successes in regional transportation planning practice related to a variety of topics.
Hear an in-depth update on the status and outlook for reauthorization of the federal surface transportation programs, including an overview of Congressional action to date, factors affecting reauthorization, an outlook for passage, and significant policy issues for RPOs, small MPOs, and their state and local partners.
~ AICP CM credits are available for the training sessions and mobile workshops. ~
Travel & Venue
Hilton Burlington Hotel
60 Battery Street
Burlington, VT 05401
(800) 445-8667
Room Rate: $129/$159
Room block deadline: March 26
The room block at the Hilton is full. For the overflow room block at the hotel next door, please contact:
Courtyard by Marriott Burlington Harbor Hotel
25 Cherry Street
Burlington, VT 05401
1.800.321.2211
Ask for: NADO Overflow Room block
Sponsors
Special thanks to our 2012 conference sponsors:
- Appalachian Regional Commission
- Association of MPOs
- Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (VT)
- Development District Association of Appalachia
- ESRI
- Federal Highway Administration
- Federal Transit Administration
- Mid-East Commission (NC)
- National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) and NADO’s RPO America
- Northwest Regional Planning Commission (VT)
- Resource Systems Group
- Stantec
- Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission (VT)
- University of Vermont’s Transportation Research Center
- Vermont Association of Planning and Development Agencies
- Vermont Agency of Transportation
Additional exhibitor and sponsor opportunities are available. Click here for the Exhibitor and Sponsor Brochure (PDF), or contact us to discuss program ads or other marketing opportunities.


