2026 FPTA/FDOT/CUTR PDW & Transit Safety and Operations Summit: Full Schedule

8:00am EDT

Comprehensive Guidance on FMCSA USDOT Numbers for Florida Vehicles

Tuesday June 9, 2026 8:00am - 9:45am EDT

Please join us for this important training, presented by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), that will guide you through the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requirements of obtaining, maintaining, and displaying US Department of Transportation (USDOT) numbers on applicable vehicles. The presenter will explain all relevant Federal laws and State Statutes that support the use of USDOT numbers on applicable vehicles. Pertinent resources will also be provided.

Speakers

Charles Smalley

Tuesday June 9, 2026 8:00am - 9:45am EDT
Salons A - C

Training

10:00am EDT

Navigating the ADA Toolkit for Transit Services

Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:00am - 11:45am EDT

Salons F & G

Join Enjoli Dixon for a session on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and how it applies to public transportation services. This session will cover key regulations, standards, and service type requirements, including fixed route bus, demand response, and ADA complementary paratransit services. Learn about vehicle and facility accessibility, accommodating riders with mobility devices, and ensuring effective customer service for all riders, including those with service animals. We will also dive into important topics like rider information, outreach, emergency management, funding considerations, and new developments in the field. Also, sample policy templates for various service types, along with a template for the ADA paratransit eligibility appeal process, will be provided to help you maintain compliance and provide high-quality services to all riders.

Speakers

Enjoli Dixon

National RTAP

Enjoli Dixon is the Founder of Mobilitique Consulting, where she provides transportation planning, training, technical assistance, grant writing, outreach, and capacity-building services focused on urban, rural, tribal, and mobility management initiatives. She also serves as an Advisor... Read More →

Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:00am - 11:45am EDT
Salons F & G

Training

8:00am EDT

Leveraging AI Tools in Grant Writing

Wednesday June 10, 2026 8:00am - 9:45am EDT

Cypress Room

As funding opportunities grow more competitive, artificial intelligence (AI) tools are emerging as valuable supports for rural and small urban transit agencies in developing grant applications. Enjoli Dixon will present on how AI can help professionals streamline the grant writing process, from drafting and organizing narratives to identifying funding sources and improving overall efficiency. Participants will receive hands-on experience using ChatGPT and Gemini (please note that National RTAP does not recommend or endorse any specific product) to assist with Section 5311 and Section 5310 grant applications, with examples drawn from work conducted through the DOT grants and Community Rides. The session will emphasize practical, accessible applications of AI for all skill levels, offering insights for both experienced grant writers and those new to the process.

Speakers

Enjoli Dixon

National RTAP

Wednesday June 10, 2026 8:00am - 9:45am EDT
Cypress Room

Training

10:00am EDT

Agency-Level Oversight Under Rule 14-90 and the FDOT State Management Plan

Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:00am - 11:45am EDT

Salons A - C

This session is not about FDOT monitoring you — it is your responsibility to monitor those operating under your authority. Effective oversight is the foundation of a compliant, accountable, and high-performing transit system. This session explores the critical role of oversight in ensuring adherence to federal and state regulations, contractual requirements, and performance standards. Participants will examine how oversight mechanisms, such as monitoring, audits, performance reviews, reporting protocols, and corrective action plans can work together to safeguard public funds and ensure service delivery aligns with statutory and programmatic expectations.

Speakers

Dean Kirkland-McMillan

Compliance and Oversight Manager, University of South Florida

Mrs. “Dean” Kirkland-McMillan, Compliance and Oversight Manager
Dean 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... Read More →

Laurie Zeruto

Program Oversight Supervisor, CUTR

Laurie has worked in the transit industry for 25 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 →

Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:00am - 11:45am EDT
Salons A - C

Training

10:00am EDT

Implementing NIST CSF 2.0: A Practical Guide

Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:00am - 11:45am EDT

Cypress Room

This session provides a real-world, non-technical overview of implementing the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0 within smaller-sized organizations. Participants will explore the primary differences between versions 1.0 and 2.0, with a specific focus on the Govern function and how it cuts across all other framework functions to manage organizational risk. The course breaks down the six core functions—Govern, Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover—to show how they can be operationalized in everyday practical terms. Attendees will learn to use framework profiles and maturity tiers to assess their current security posture and identify critical gaps.

Speakers

Bhuvan Unhelkar

USF Muma College of Business

Bhuvan Unhelkar is a Professor of information technology in the School of Information Systems, Muma College of Business in Sarasota-Manatee campus. His research focuses on big data strategies/AI, Agile processes and their application in practice. He teaches IT and Project Management... Read More →

Wednesday June 10, 2026 10:00am - 11:45am EDT
Cypress Room

Training

1:15pm EDT

All-Hazards Preparedness for Florida Transit Providers

Wednesday June 10, 2026 1:15pm - 3:00pm EDT

Salons A - C

With transit technology advancing rapidly, it can become difficult for transit agencies to navigate the ever-evolving, complex landscape. Transit agencies can harness technology to streamline operations, enhance service delivery, and improve rider experience. This session will provide practical guidance on evaluating, selecting, and implementing transit technologies, exploring both internal operations technology and customer-facing technology applications. We will discuss common needs and challenges, as well as strategies for all agency sizes and technology experience. The session will include a roundtable discussion and peer-to-peer agency exchange, offering participants an opportunity to share lessons learned and ask questions.

Speakers

Paul Goyette

Project Manager, CUTR

Paul Goyette served as the Deputy Director for Lee County Transit in Fort Myers, Florida for several years. With over 25 years of public transportation experience, Paul conveyed a cohesive leadership style to the employees at Lee Tran to support a cross-functional and efficient transit... Read More →

Gennaro Saliceto

Transportation Safety and Security Specialist, Center for Urban Transportation Research

Gennaro Saliceto is a Transportation Safety and Security Specialist and member of Transit Safety and Workforce Development at the Center for Urban Transportation Research at USF. He collaborates on FDOT funded programs to provide training and technical assistance to Florida agencies... Read More →

Wednesday June 10, 2026 1:15pm - 3:00pm EDT
Salons A - C

Training