- Home
- Government
- Departments
- Transportation
- HPMPO
- FAQs
- Glossary of Transportation Planning Terminology
Glossary of Transportation Planning Terminology
3-C Planning - Comprehensive, Cooperative and Continuous transportation planning process.
Aggregate Demand Model - A model obtained by combining travel observations for individuals into geographic zones.
Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) - Data used to represent the amount of traffic occurring on roads. AADT is collected annually for various segments of roadway by the road authority.
Access - Refers to the ability to reach or connect to a roadway.
Access Management - Techniques of transportation infrastructure management intended to: reduce congestion and accident rates, lessen need for highway widening, conserve energy, and reduce pollution. Examples include; limiting entrance and exit of traffic on highways, use of medians and turn lanes, placement and timing of signals, as well as implementation of supportive
local by-laws and policies.
Accessibility
Arterial - A major street or highway. It is a general term, which includes expressways, major and minor arterial streets' and provincial highways having regional continuity. It is a road intended to move a relatively large volume of traffic at medium to high speeds.
Attainment Area - An area with air quality that meets or exceeds the U. S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) health standards as stated in the Clean Air Act. Non-attainment areas are areas considered not to have met these standards for designated pollutants. An area may be an attainment area for one pollutant and a non-attainment area for others.
Attraction - The pull of attracting power of a zone normally measured as a fraction of employment activity. For non-home based trips, attractions in a zone can be considered synonymous with trip destinations in that zone.
Authorization - The level of funding designated by Congress for specific legislation.
Auto Occupancy - The average number of people in a vehicle for a particular trip purpose. Used to convert person trips to vehicle trips.
Average Daily Traffic (ADT) - The average number of vehicles passing a specified point during a 24-hour period.
Base Fleet - The average number of transit revenue vehicles in scheduled operation during the non-peak hours of the average weekday operation.
Base Volume - The traffic existing on the network in the base year.
Block Number Areas (BNA) - Small statistical subdivisions of a country. They are used for grouping and numbering blocks in all countries and statistically equivalent entities without census tracts.
Bottleneck - The point of minimum capacity along a highway segment.
Bus - A self-propelled rubber tired vehicle designed to carry a substantial number of passengers, commonly operated on streets and highways.
Bus Trip - A bus trip is defined as a one way trip by a bus while in revenue service, starting at one end of a route and ending at another end of a route. A round trip is counted as two separate bus trips.
Capacity - The volume of vehicles the road was designed to carry in a unit of time, such as an hour; can also be applied to transit or bicycle/pedestrian paths.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) - A colorless, odor-less, tasteless gas formed in large part by incomplete combustion of fuel. Human activities (i.e., transportation or industrial processes) are largely the source for CO contamination.
Carpool - Any vehicle (usually a car) or arrangement in which two or more occupants, including the driver, share the use or cost, in traveling between fixed points on a regular basis (also referred to as ride sharing).
Census Block - A unit of spatial aggregation used by the U. S Bureau of the Census in reporting decennial census data, corresponding roughly to its colloquial meaning.
Census Block Groups - Block Groups are combinations of census blocks within census tracts and block numbered areas.
Census Tracts - Small areas with generally stable boundaries, defined within counties and statistically equivalent entities, usually in metropolitan areas and other highly populated counties. They are designed to be relatively homogeneous with respect to population characteristics, economic status, and living conditions.
Census Transportation Planning Package (CTPP) - A special tabulation of transportation related data for transportation analysis zones and larger areas. It includes data by place of residence, by place of work, and from a cross tabulation of place of residence by place of work for use in studying commuting patterns.
Central Business District (CBD) - An area of intense commercial development in the center of the City.
Centroid - An assumed point in a zone that represents the origin or destination of all trips to and from the zone.
Centroid Connector - Attached the centroid to the highway network: as such, it is a representation of all local streets in that zone.
Code of Federal Regulations - The Code of Federal Regulations is a set of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the Executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government. The Code is divided into 50 titles that represent broad areas subject to Federal regulation.
Collector - A street or highway that provides for traffic movement between major streets and local street. It is a road intended to collect traffic from local streets and land-access roads.
Community - A physical or cultural grouping of stakeholders with common interests created by shared proximity or use. Community can be defined at various levels within a larger context (e.g., neighborhood, city, or region).
Commute Alternatives - Carpooling, van pooling, transit, bicycling, walking, and telecommuting. Also includes any alternative work-hours program.
Commute - A repetitive home-to-work or work-to-home trip.
Commuter - Person who travels regularly between home and work or school.
Commuter Rail - The portion of main-line railroad transportation operations which encompass passenger train service for local short-distance travel between a central city and adjacent suburbs.
Comprehensive Planning - A planning process that requires inclusion of land use, transportation, water and sewer, education, health and other elements.
Conformity - Process to assess the compliance of any transportation plan, program or project with air quality implementation plans. The conformity process is defined by the Clean Air Act.
Congestion - "Recurrent" congestion is defined as a condition lasting for 15 minutes or longer where travel demand exceeds design capacity. That typically means freeway speeds were 50 km/h or less during peak commute periods on a typical incident-free weekday. "Non-recurrent" congestion is defined as backups caused by special circumstances, such as accidents, stalled vehicles, sporting events, etc. The consequences of congestion are longer and less predictable travel times.
Congestion Management System (CMS) - A systematic process that provides information on transportation system performance to decision makers for selecting and implementing cost-effective strategies to manage new and existing facilities so that traffic congestion is alleviated and the mobility of persons and goods is enhanced.
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) - The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program directs funds toward transportation projects in Clean Air non-attainment areas for ozone and carbon monoxide. These projects will contribute to meeting the attainment of the NAAQS.
Cordon Line - An imaginary line enclosing a study area, along with external interviews are conducted, or along which travel counts are made.
Corridor - A geographic area that is defined by major roads and rail facilities, and major flows of travel. Transportation corridors are identified for the purpose of analyzing the patterns and flows of traffic between origins and destinations.
Cross Classification - Procedure used for determining trip productions by relating trip making to various household characteristics such as income, auto availability, or household size.
Daily Vehicle Miles Traveled (DVMT) - The total number of miles driven per day in a specified area by all vehicle types.
Deadhead Miles: Miles a transit vehicle travels without passengers or cargo on board.
Demand Management - A set of strategies that promote increased efficiency of the transportation system by influencing individual travel behavior.
Demand Response System (DMS) - Passenger trips are generated by calls from passenger to the transit dispatcher who on demand responds by dispatching a vehicle to provide a trip. Not a fixed route system.
Design Hourly Volume (DHV) - Total traffic in both directions generally representing the highest hour of volume of the future year chosen for design purposes.
Destinations - The zone in which a trip terminates.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) - Disabled Business Enterprise, Women’s Business Enterprise, and Minority Business Enterprise - all known as DBE’s and is a consideration for Federal funds guidelines of implementation.
Discrimination - Refers to any intentional or unintentional act, or any failure to act, which has the effect of excluding or denying a person from participation in benefits, or has otherwise subjected a person to unequal treatment under any program or activity because of race, color or national origin.
Divided Highway - A multi-lane facility with a positive barrier median, or a median that is 4 feet or wider.
Donor State Bonus - States that contribute more to the Highway Trust Fund than any receive back in Federal-aid highway programs. These states receive a predetermined amount based on a comparison of a projection of all payments into the Highway Trust Fund.
Aggregate Demand Model - A model obtained by combining travel observations for individuals into geographic zones.
Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) - Data used to represent the amount of traffic occurring on roads. AADT is collected annually for various segments of roadway by the road authority.
Access - Refers to the ability to reach or connect to a roadway.
Access Management - Techniques of transportation infrastructure management intended to: reduce congestion and accident rates, lessen need for highway widening, conserve energy, and reduce pollution. Examples include; limiting entrance and exit of traffic on highways, use of medians and turn lanes, placement and timing of signals, as well as implementation of supportive
local by-laws and policies.
Accessibility
- The extent to which facilities are barrier free and usable by disabled persons, including wheelchair users.
- A measure of the ability or ease of all people to travel among various origins and destinations.
- Ability to reach a destination or use a facility or service without being impeded by physical or other barriers due to auditory, visual, mobility, or cognitive disabilities.
Arterial - A major street or highway. It is a general term, which includes expressways, major and minor arterial streets' and provincial highways having regional continuity. It is a road intended to move a relatively large volume of traffic at medium to high speeds.
Attainment Area - An area with air quality that meets or exceeds the U. S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) health standards as stated in the Clean Air Act. Non-attainment areas are areas considered not to have met these standards for designated pollutants. An area may be an attainment area for one pollutant and a non-attainment area for others.
Attraction - The pull of attracting power of a zone normally measured as a fraction of employment activity. For non-home based trips, attractions in a zone can be considered synonymous with trip destinations in that zone.
Authorization - The level of funding designated by Congress for specific legislation.
Auto Occupancy - The average number of people in a vehicle for a particular trip purpose. Used to convert person trips to vehicle trips.
Average Daily Traffic (ADT) - The average number of vehicles passing a specified point during a 24-hour period.
Base Fleet - The average number of transit revenue vehicles in scheduled operation during the non-peak hours of the average weekday operation.
Base Volume - The traffic existing on the network in the base year.
Block Number Areas (BNA) - Small statistical subdivisions of a country. They are used for grouping and numbering blocks in all countries and statistically equivalent entities without census tracts.
Bottleneck - The point of minimum capacity along a highway segment.
Bus - A self-propelled rubber tired vehicle designed to carry a substantial number of passengers, commonly operated on streets and highways.
Bus Trip - A bus trip is defined as a one way trip by a bus while in revenue service, starting at one end of a route and ending at another end of a route. A round trip is counted as two separate bus trips.
Capacity - The volume of vehicles the road was designed to carry in a unit of time, such as an hour; can also be applied to transit or bicycle/pedestrian paths.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) - A colorless, odor-less, tasteless gas formed in large part by incomplete combustion of fuel. Human activities (i.e., transportation or industrial processes) are largely the source for CO contamination.
Carpool - Any vehicle (usually a car) or arrangement in which two or more occupants, including the driver, share the use or cost, in traveling between fixed points on a regular basis (also referred to as ride sharing).
Census Block - A unit of spatial aggregation used by the U. S Bureau of the Census in reporting decennial census data, corresponding roughly to its colloquial meaning.
Census Block Groups - Block Groups are combinations of census blocks within census tracts and block numbered areas.
Census Tracts - Small areas with generally stable boundaries, defined within counties and statistically equivalent entities, usually in metropolitan areas and other highly populated counties. They are designed to be relatively homogeneous with respect to population characteristics, economic status, and living conditions.
Census Transportation Planning Package (CTPP) - A special tabulation of transportation related data for transportation analysis zones and larger areas. It includes data by place of residence, by place of work, and from a cross tabulation of place of residence by place of work for use in studying commuting patterns.
Central Business District (CBD) - An area of intense commercial development in the center of the City.
Centroid - An assumed point in a zone that represents the origin or destination of all trips to and from the zone.
Centroid Connector - Attached the centroid to the highway network: as such, it is a representation of all local streets in that zone.
Code of Federal Regulations - The Code of Federal Regulations is a set of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the Executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government. The Code is divided into 50 titles that represent broad areas subject to Federal regulation.
Collector - A street or highway that provides for traffic movement between major streets and local street. It is a road intended to collect traffic from local streets and land-access roads.
Community - A physical or cultural grouping of stakeholders with common interests created by shared proximity or use. Community can be defined at various levels within a larger context (e.g., neighborhood, city, or region).
Commute Alternatives - Carpooling, van pooling, transit, bicycling, walking, and telecommuting. Also includes any alternative work-hours program.
Commute - A repetitive home-to-work or work-to-home trip.
Commuter - Person who travels regularly between home and work or school.
Commuter Rail - The portion of main-line railroad transportation operations which encompass passenger train service for local short-distance travel between a central city and adjacent suburbs.
Comprehensive Planning - A planning process that requires inclusion of land use, transportation, water and sewer, education, health and other elements.
Conformity - Process to assess the compliance of any transportation plan, program or project with air quality implementation plans. The conformity process is defined by the Clean Air Act.
Congestion - "Recurrent" congestion is defined as a condition lasting for 15 minutes or longer where travel demand exceeds design capacity. That typically means freeway speeds were 50 km/h or less during peak commute periods on a typical incident-free weekday. "Non-recurrent" congestion is defined as backups caused by special circumstances, such as accidents, stalled vehicles, sporting events, etc. The consequences of congestion are longer and less predictable travel times.
Congestion Management System (CMS) - A systematic process that provides information on transportation system performance to decision makers for selecting and implementing cost-effective strategies to manage new and existing facilities so that traffic congestion is alleviated and the mobility of persons and goods is enhanced.
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) - The Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program directs funds toward transportation projects in Clean Air non-attainment areas for ozone and carbon monoxide. These projects will contribute to meeting the attainment of the NAAQS.
Cordon Line - An imaginary line enclosing a study area, along with external interviews are conducted, or along which travel counts are made.
Corridor - A geographic area that is defined by major roads and rail facilities, and major flows of travel. Transportation corridors are identified for the purpose of analyzing the patterns and flows of traffic between origins and destinations.
Cross Classification - Procedure used for determining trip productions by relating trip making to various household characteristics such as income, auto availability, or household size.
Daily Vehicle Miles Traveled (DVMT) - The total number of miles driven per day in a specified area by all vehicle types.
Deadhead Miles: Miles a transit vehicle travels without passengers or cargo on board.
Demand Management - A set of strategies that promote increased efficiency of the transportation system by influencing individual travel behavior.
Demand Response System (DMS) - Passenger trips are generated by calls from passenger to the transit dispatcher who on demand responds by dispatching a vehicle to provide a trip. Not a fixed route system.
Design Hourly Volume (DHV) - Total traffic in both directions generally representing the highest hour of volume of the future year chosen for design purposes.
Destinations - The zone in which a trip terminates.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) - Disabled Business Enterprise, Women’s Business Enterprise, and Minority Business Enterprise - all known as DBE’s and is a consideration for Federal funds guidelines of implementation.
Discrimination - Refers to any intentional or unintentional act, or any failure to act, which has the effect of excluding or denying a person from participation in benefits, or has otherwise subjected a person to unequal treatment under any program or activity because of race, color or national origin.
Divided Highway - A multi-lane facility with a positive barrier median, or a median that is 4 feet or wider.
Donor State Bonus - States that contribute more to the Highway Trust Fund than any receive back in Federal-aid highway programs. These states receive a predetermined amount based on a comparison of a projection of all payments into the Highway Trust Fund.
Emissions Budget - The part of the State Implementation Plan (SIP) that identifies the allowable emissions levels, mandated by the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), for certain pollutants emitted from mobile, stationary, and area sources. The emissions levels are used for meeting emission reduction milestones, attainment, or maintenance demonstrations.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - The Federal regulatory agency responsible for administering and enforcement of Federal environmental laws including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and others.
Exclusive Lane - A preferential lane separated from the general-purpose lanes, used for high occupancy vehicles.
Expressway - A divided highway for through traffic with partial access control and including grade separations at all or most major intersections.
External Trip - A trip with one end inside a study area and the other end outside the study area.
Fare Recovery - The cash collected in fares on bus trips. Transfers, token, passes, and other non-currency forms of payment should not be counted as fare-box revenue.
Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) - A twelve-month period for which records are kept, from October 1st to September 30th.
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) - The FHWA is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, and is responsible for administering all federal-aid public transportation funds and programs.
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) - The Federal Transit Administration, formerly known as the Urban Mass Transportation Administration (UMTA), is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation and is responsible for administering all federal-aid public transportation funds and programs.
Fixed Route Service - A system in which vehicles follow a pre described route and schedule.
Forecasting - The process of determining the future values of land use, socioeconomic, and trip making variables within the study area.
Freeway - A multi-lane divided highway without traffic signals and with limited opportunities for access and egress.
Functional Classification - Classification of urban and rural roadways by function. Roadways at the top to the hierarchy serve intercity and other long-distance movement. Roadways at the bottom provide access to land.
Geographic Information System (GIS) - a computerized data management system used to capture, store, manage, retrieve, analyze, and display spatial information. Data captured and used in a GIS commonly are represented on paper or other hard-copy maps.
Grant - An agreement between the Federal Government and a State or local government whereby the Federal Government provides funds or aid in kind to carry out specified programs.
Greenway - A corridor of undeveloped land, usually in an urban area, which is set aside or used for conservation and/or recreation. Greenways can also serve as pedestrian and bicycle facilities for recreation and transportation. In this region, the term is often used to mean a Shared Use Path, rather than the more complete definition of greenway.
HCM (Highway Capacity Manual) - published by the Transportation Research Board (TRB), the HCM outlines fundamental information and computational techniques on the quality of service and capacity of highway facilities.
Headway - The scheduled time interval between any two revenue vehicles operating in the same direction on a route. Headways may be LOAD driven, that is, developed on the basis of demand and loading standards or, POLICY based, i.e., dictated by policy decisions such as service every 30 minutes during the peak periods and every 60 minutes during the base period.
Heavy Rail (HR) - Electric rail transit system with exclusive right-of-way and high volume passengers. Called subways, elevated (or “els”) and metros.
High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) - A motor vehicle carrying two or more persons, including the driver, depending on local regulations.
Highway - Any road, street, parkway, or freeway/expressway that included right-of-way, bridges, railroad-highway crossings, tunnels, drainage structures, signs, guardrails, and protective structures in connection with highways.
Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) -The system used by the FHWA to provide information to Congress, the States, and the public on the extent and physical condition of the nation’s highway system, it’s use, performance, and needs.
Home-based Work Trip Attractions - Home-based work trip attractions describes the trips made by commuters from their homes to their place of work.
Human Environment - The surroundings in which people conduct their lives, including built and natural environments, as well as cultural resources.
Impacts - The effects of a transportation project, including (a) direct (primary) effects; (b) indirect (secondary) effects; and (c) cumulative effects.
Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) - A system that uses modern electronic, communication and control technologies to provide travelers with better information on traffic condition, provide vehicles with safety equipment and improve the transportation infrastructure. Also includes technologies that identify, monitor, or control vehicles.
Intelligent Vehicle Highway System (IVHS) - Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems are technological innovations developing or applying electronics, communications and information processing technologies to improve the efficiency and safety of surface transportation systems. Such technology may include systems that alert authorities to emergency situations, on-board
navigation systems for vehicles, electronic collection of tolls and transit fares, traffic management centers that can adjust speed limits, traffic signals and road access and electronic monitoring of vehicles.
Intermodal - The term "mode" is used to refer to and distinguish from each other the various forms of transportation, such as automobile, transit, ship, bicycle and walking. Intermodal refers specifically to the connections between modes.
Intermodal Facility - A transportation element that accommodates and interconnects different modes of transportation.
Intermodal Planning - Planning that reflects a focus on connectivity between modes as a means of facilitating linked trip making.
Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) - Signed into law on December 18, 1991, it provided authorizations of highways, highway safety, and mass transportation for a six-year period. The purpose of the act is to develop a National Intermodal Transportation System that is economically efficient, environmentally sound, provides the foundation for the Nation to compete in the global economy, and will move people and goods in an efficient manner. Replaced in 1998 by TEA-21.
Intermodal System - A transportation network for moving people and goods using various combinations of transportation modes.
Interstate - Although a part of the National Highway System, the Interstate System will retain its separate identity and will receive Interstate construction, Interstate substitute highway projects, Interstate substitute transit projects, and Interstate Maintenance Program.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - The Federal regulatory agency responsible for administering and enforcement of Federal environmental laws including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and others.
Exclusive Lane - A preferential lane separated from the general-purpose lanes, used for high occupancy vehicles.
Expressway - A divided highway for through traffic with partial access control and including grade separations at all or most major intersections.
External Trip - A trip with one end inside a study area and the other end outside the study area.
Fare Recovery - The cash collected in fares on bus trips. Transfers, token, passes, and other non-currency forms of payment should not be counted as fare-box revenue.
Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) - A twelve-month period for which records are kept, from October 1st to September 30th.
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) - The FHWA is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, and is responsible for administering all federal-aid public transportation funds and programs.
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) - The Federal Transit Administration, formerly known as the Urban Mass Transportation Administration (UMTA), is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation and is responsible for administering all federal-aid public transportation funds and programs.
Fixed Route Service - A system in which vehicles follow a pre described route and schedule.
Forecasting - The process of determining the future values of land use, socioeconomic, and trip making variables within the study area.
Freeway - A multi-lane divided highway without traffic signals and with limited opportunities for access and egress.
Functional Classification - Classification of urban and rural roadways by function. Roadways at the top to the hierarchy serve intercity and other long-distance movement. Roadways at the bottom provide access to land.
Geographic Information System (GIS) - a computerized data management system used to capture, store, manage, retrieve, analyze, and display spatial information. Data captured and used in a GIS commonly are represented on paper or other hard-copy maps.
Grant - An agreement between the Federal Government and a State or local government whereby the Federal Government provides funds or aid in kind to carry out specified programs.
Greenway - A corridor of undeveloped land, usually in an urban area, which is set aside or used for conservation and/or recreation. Greenways can also serve as pedestrian and bicycle facilities for recreation and transportation. In this region, the term is often used to mean a Shared Use Path, rather than the more complete definition of greenway.
HCM (Highway Capacity Manual) - published by the Transportation Research Board (TRB), the HCM outlines fundamental information and computational techniques on the quality of service and capacity of highway facilities.
Headway - The scheduled time interval between any two revenue vehicles operating in the same direction on a route. Headways may be LOAD driven, that is, developed on the basis of demand and loading standards or, POLICY based, i.e., dictated by policy decisions such as service every 30 minutes during the peak periods and every 60 minutes during the base period.
Heavy Rail (HR) - Electric rail transit system with exclusive right-of-way and high volume passengers. Called subways, elevated (or “els”) and metros.
High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) - A motor vehicle carrying two or more persons, including the driver, depending on local regulations.
Highway - Any road, street, parkway, or freeway/expressway that included right-of-way, bridges, railroad-highway crossings, tunnels, drainage structures, signs, guardrails, and protective structures in connection with highways.
Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) -The system used by the FHWA to provide information to Congress, the States, and the public on the extent and physical condition of the nation’s highway system, it’s use, performance, and needs.
Home-based Work Trip Attractions - Home-based work trip attractions describes the trips made by commuters from their homes to their place of work.
Human Environment - The surroundings in which people conduct their lives, including built and natural environments, as well as cultural resources.
Impacts - The effects of a transportation project, including (a) direct (primary) effects; (b) indirect (secondary) effects; and (c) cumulative effects.
Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) - A system that uses modern electronic, communication and control technologies to provide travelers with better information on traffic condition, provide vehicles with safety equipment and improve the transportation infrastructure. Also includes technologies that identify, monitor, or control vehicles.
Intelligent Vehicle Highway System (IVHS) - Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems are technological innovations developing or applying electronics, communications and information processing technologies to improve the efficiency and safety of surface transportation systems. Such technology may include systems that alert authorities to emergency situations, on-board
navigation systems for vehicles, electronic collection of tolls and transit fares, traffic management centers that can adjust speed limits, traffic signals and road access and electronic monitoring of vehicles.
Intermodal - The term "mode" is used to refer to and distinguish from each other the various forms of transportation, such as automobile, transit, ship, bicycle and walking. Intermodal refers specifically to the connections between modes.
Intermodal Facility - A transportation element that accommodates and interconnects different modes of transportation.
Intermodal Planning - Planning that reflects a focus on connectivity between modes as a means of facilitating linked trip making.
Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) - Signed into law on December 18, 1991, it provided authorizations of highways, highway safety, and mass transportation for a six-year period. The purpose of the act is to develop a National Intermodal Transportation System that is economically efficient, environmentally sound, provides the foundation for the Nation to compete in the global economy, and will move people and goods in an efficient manner. Replaced in 1998 by TEA-21.
Intermodal System - A transportation network for moving people and goods using various combinations of transportation modes.
Interstate - Although a part of the National Highway System, the Interstate System will retain its separate identity and will receive Interstate construction, Interstate substitute highway projects, Interstate substitute transit projects, and Interstate Maintenance Program.
Land Use - The purpose for which land or the structures on the land are being utilized; for example: commercial, residential, retail.
Lead Planning Agency (LPA) - Official recipient of Section 104 (PL) funds designated under Title 23 of the United States Code as designated by the Governor.
Level of Service (LOS) - This is a qualitative or quantitative measure used to characterize the operating conditions of a transportation service, as perceived by its users. Most commonly applied to traffic operations, where designations go from A (best) to F (worst). Summarizes transportation operating conditions. It is usually used to describe a section of road or an
intersection as experienced by drivers, but can also be applied for users of other modes of transportation. A system of indicating delay at signalized intersections, which is graded on a letter scale from A to F, generally outlined by the HCM as: A <= 10 sec, B = 10-20 sec, C = 20-35 sec, D = 35-55 sec, E = 55-80 sec, F > 80sec.
Life Cycle Analysis - Procedures for evaluating the economic worth of one or more projects or investments by discounting future costs over the life of the project or investment.
Light Rail (LR) - Electric rail transit system with "light" volume of traffic capacity, as compared to heavy rail. May be on exclusive or shared right-of-way. Includes streetcars and trolleys.
Link - In traffic assignment, a section of the highway network defined by a node at each end.
Livable Community - A neighborhood, community or region with compact, multidimensional land use patterns that ensure a mix of uses, minimize the impact of cars, and promote walking, bicycling and transit access to employment, education, recreation, entertainment, shopping and services.
Local Roads - Provide access to private property or low volume public facilities.
Local Service - A type of operation that involves frequent stops and consequent low speeds, the purpose of which is to deliver and pick up transit passengers as close to their destinations or origins as possible. Transit service involving many stops and low operating speeds with the purpose of picking up or delivering passengers as closely as possible to origins and destinations.
Local Share - Non-federal funds provided by a grantee to secure a federal transit grant.
Long Range Objectives - A long-term (20-25 years) general end that is achievable and marks progress toward a goal.
Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) - Federally mandated 20-25 year transportation plan which provides guidance in the development of an efficient, multimodal transportation system. The plan should identify transportation facilities that will function as an integrated system, giving emphasis to facilities that serve important national and regional transportation functions, and includes a financial plan that demonstrates how the plan can be implemented.
Long Term - In transportation planning, refers to a time span of, generally, 20 years. The transportation plans for metropolitan areas and for States should include projections for land use, population and employment for the 20-year period.
Maintenance Area - Any geographical region of the United States that the USEPA has designated as a maintenance area for transportation related pollutant(s) for which a national ambient air quality standard exists.
Management Systems - Each State must develop, establish, and implement six management systems: Highway Pavement, Bridge, Highway Safety, Traffic Congestion, Public Transportation Facilities and Equipment, and Intermodal Transportation Facilities and Systems. The State can finance the management systems with NHS, STP, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality apportioned bridge and planning funds.
Mass Transportation - The provision of general or special transportation service, either publicly or privately, to the public on a regular and continuing basis in an urban area. Does not include school bus, charter or sightseeing service.
Measures of Effectiveness (MOE) - Parameters describing the quality of service provided to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Speed, delay, passenger loadings, and transit vehicle travel time could be examples. Qualitative rankings such as Level of Service and On-Time Performance would be based on these measures.
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) - The organization designated by law with lead responsibility for developing transportation plans and programs for urbanized areas with populations of 50,000 or more. MPOs are established by agreement of the Governor and units of general purpose local government which together represent 75 percent of the affected population of an affected area.
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) - Defined by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as a county with at least 50,000 inhabitants.
Mobile Source - Mobile sources include motor vehicles, aircraft, seagoing vessels, and other transportation modes. The mobile source related pollutants are carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and small particulate matter (PM10).
Mobility - Refers to the ability to travel along a highway facility.
Mode - Any one of the following means of moving people or goods: aviation, bicycle, highway, paratransit, pedestrian, pipeline, rail (commuter, intercity passenger and freight), transit, space and water. A way people or goods get from one place to another, such as using cars and trucks, freight and passenger trains, walking, bicycling, and riding buses.
Mode Split - Mode split is the percentage of trips taken by each of the possible modes of travel (auto, transit, bicycle, walking). Mode split does not refer to the number of trips, but rather to the proportion of people that use each of the various modes of transportation. It also describes the process of allocating the proportion of people using modes. Frequently used to describe the percentage of people using private automobiles as opposed to the percentage using public transportation.
Multimodal - Refers to the availability of multiple transportation options, especially within a system or corridor. A multi-modal approach to transportation planning focuses on the most efficient way of getting people or goods from place to place, be it by truck, train, bicycle, automobile, airplane, bus, foot, or even a computer modem.
Multimodal Planning - Planning that reflects consideration of more than one mode to serve transportation needs in a given area.
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) - Federal standards that set allowable concentrations and exposure limits for various pollutants. The EPA developed the standards in response to a requirement of the CAA.
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) - The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
National Highway System (NHS) - The national transportation system designated by Congress that includes the Interstate Highway System and other nationally significant roads for interstate and interregional travel, national defense, intermodal connection, and international commerce.
Natural Environment - The surroundings not made by humans within which the transportation system operates. This includes both physical and ecological aspects, including traditional cultural resources.
Network - A system of links describing a transportation system for analysis.
Node - A numbered point on a link representing an intersection or a zone centroid.
Non-attainment Area - A geographical region of the United States that the EPA has designated as not meeting the air quality standards.
Non-Motorized Travel - Travel accomplished by cycling or walking.
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) - The State agency that monitors and funds the transportation needs of both highway and transit within the state.
Lead Planning Agency (LPA) - Official recipient of Section 104 (PL) funds designated under Title 23 of the United States Code as designated by the Governor.
Level of Service (LOS) - This is a qualitative or quantitative measure used to characterize the operating conditions of a transportation service, as perceived by its users. Most commonly applied to traffic operations, where designations go from A (best) to F (worst). Summarizes transportation operating conditions. It is usually used to describe a section of road or an
intersection as experienced by drivers, but can also be applied for users of other modes of transportation. A system of indicating delay at signalized intersections, which is graded on a letter scale from A to F, generally outlined by the HCM as: A <= 10 sec, B = 10-20 sec, C = 20-35 sec, D = 35-55 sec, E = 55-80 sec, F > 80sec.
Life Cycle Analysis - Procedures for evaluating the economic worth of one or more projects or investments by discounting future costs over the life of the project or investment.
Light Rail (LR) - Electric rail transit system with "light" volume of traffic capacity, as compared to heavy rail. May be on exclusive or shared right-of-way. Includes streetcars and trolleys.
Link - In traffic assignment, a section of the highway network defined by a node at each end.
Livable Community - A neighborhood, community or region with compact, multidimensional land use patterns that ensure a mix of uses, minimize the impact of cars, and promote walking, bicycling and transit access to employment, education, recreation, entertainment, shopping and services.
Local Roads - Provide access to private property or low volume public facilities.
Local Service - A type of operation that involves frequent stops and consequent low speeds, the purpose of which is to deliver and pick up transit passengers as close to their destinations or origins as possible. Transit service involving many stops and low operating speeds with the purpose of picking up or delivering passengers as closely as possible to origins and destinations.
Local Share - Non-federal funds provided by a grantee to secure a federal transit grant.
Long Range Objectives - A long-term (20-25 years) general end that is achievable and marks progress toward a goal.
Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) - Federally mandated 20-25 year transportation plan which provides guidance in the development of an efficient, multimodal transportation system. The plan should identify transportation facilities that will function as an integrated system, giving emphasis to facilities that serve important national and regional transportation functions, and includes a financial plan that demonstrates how the plan can be implemented.
Long Term - In transportation planning, refers to a time span of, generally, 20 years. The transportation plans for metropolitan areas and for States should include projections for land use, population and employment for the 20-year period.
Maintenance Area - Any geographical region of the United States that the USEPA has designated as a maintenance area for transportation related pollutant(s) for which a national ambient air quality standard exists.
Management Systems - Each State must develop, establish, and implement six management systems: Highway Pavement, Bridge, Highway Safety, Traffic Congestion, Public Transportation Facilities and Equipment, and Intermodal Transportation Facilities and Systems. The State can finance the management systems with NHS, STP, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality apportioned bridge and planning funds.
Mass Transportation - The provision of general or special transportation service, either publicly or privately, to the public on a regular and continuing basis in an urban area. Does not include school bus, charter or sightseeing service.
Measures of Effectiveness (MOE) - Parameters describing the quality of service provided to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Speed, delay, passenger loadings, and transit vehicle travel time could be examples. Qualitative rankings such as Level of Service and On-Time Performance would be based on these measures.
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) - The organization designated by law with lead responsibility for developing transportation plans and programs for urbanized areas with populations of 50,000 or more. MPOs are established by agreement of the Governor and units of general purpose local government which together represent 75 percent of the affected population of an affected area.
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) - Defined by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as a county with at least 50,000 inhabitants.
Mobile Source - Mobile sources include motor vehicles, aircraft, seagoing vessels, and other transportation modes. The mobile source related pollutants are carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and small particulate matter (PM10).
Mobility - Refers to the ability to travel along a highway facility.
Mode - Any one of the following means of moving people or goods: aviation, bicycle, highway, paratransit, pedestrian, pipeline, rail (commuter, intercity passenger and freight), transit, space and water. A way people or goods get from one place to another, such as using cars and trucks, freight and passenger trains, walking, bicycling, and riding buses.
Mode Split - Mode split is the percentage of trips taken by each of the possible modes of travel (auto, transit, bicycle, walking). Mode split does not refer to the number of trips, but rather to the proportion of people that use each of the various modes of transportation. It also describes the process of allocating the proportion of people using modes. Frequently used to describe the percentage of people using private automobiles as opposed to the percentage using public transportation.
Multimodal - Refers to the availability of multiple transportation options, especially within a system or corridor. A multi-modal approach to transportation planning focuses on the most efficient way of getting people or goods from place to place, be it by truck, train, bicycle, automobile, airplane, bus, foot, or even a computer modem.
Multimodal Planning - Planning that reflects consideration of more than one mode to serve transportation needs in a given area.
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) - Federal standards that set allowable concentrations and exposure limits for various pollutants. The EPA developed the standards in response to a requirement of the CAA.
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) - The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
National Highway System (NHS) - The national transportation system designated by Congress that includes the Interstate Highway System and other nationally significant roads for interstate and interregional travel, national defense, intermodal connection, and international commerce.
Natural Environment - The surroundings not made by humans within which the transportation system operates. This includes both physical and ecological aspects, including traditional cultural resources.
Network - A system of links describing a transportation system for analysis.
Node - A numbered point on a link representing an intersection or a zone centroid.
Non-attainment Area - A geographical region of the United States that the EPA has designated as not meeting the air quality standards.
Non-Motorized Travel - Travel accomplished by cycling or walking.
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) - The State agency that monitors and funds the transportation needs of both highway and transit within the state.
Operating Expense - The total of all operating costs incurred during the reporting period.
Operating Subsidy - Revenue received through federal, state and local cash grants or reimbursements to fulfill operating expense obligations not covered by fares or other revenues generated by the transit system.
Origin - For transportation purposes, it is the location of the beginning of a trip or the zone in which the trip begins.
Ozone (O3) - A colorless gas with a sweet odor. Ozone is not a direct emission from transportation sources. It is a secondary pollutant formed when VOCs and NOx combine in the presence of sunlight. Ozone is associated with smog or haze conditions. Although the ozone in the upper atmosphere protects us from harmful ultraviolet rays, ground-level ozone produces an unhealthy environment in which to live. Ozone is created by human and natural sources.
Paratransit Vehicle - Any form of rubber tired high-occupancy vehicle, such as taxi, van and so forth, that is available for hire to the public. They generally do not operate on a fixed schedule and are smaller than conventional transit vehicles.
Particulate Matter (p.m.) - Any material that exists as solid or liquid in the atmosphere. Particulate matter may be in the form of fly ash, soot, dust, fog, fumes, etc.
Passenger Miles - The sum of the distance ridden by each passenger.
Peak Direction - The direction of higher demand during a peak commuting period.
Peak Hour - That one-hour period during which the maximum amount of travel occurs. Generally, there is a morning peak and an afternoon peak and traffic assignments may be made for each period, if desired.
Pedestrian - One who walks or journeys on foot; a walker.
Planning Work Program (PWP) - A document which describes urban transportation and transportation related activities to be undertaken in an area during a period of time. The PWP is prepared by the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).
Preliminary Engineering (PE) - First phase of project construction, defines scope and project design.
Preservation - Actions taken to protect existing natural and human environments, investments and mobility options.
Public Meeting/Consultation - a formal or informal event designed for a specific issue or community group where information is presented and input from community residents is received.
Quality of Life - This classification includes work which is designed to enhance the environment associated with, or impacted by, transportation improvements. Program categories within this classification include transportation enhancements, noise walls, landscape, air quality, signs, wetland mitigation, and rest areas.
Rapid Transit - Rail or bus transit service operating completely separate from all modes.
Revenue - All operating funds associated with the provision of transit service. Includes fares, charter, school bus revenue; auxiliary and non-transportation revenues.
Revenue Vehicle Hours - The sum of the number of hours each vehicle is scheduled to be in revenue services during the calendar year reporting period.
Right-of-Way (ROW) - The right of one vehicle or pedestrian to proceed in a lawful manner in preference to another vehicle or pedestrian. A general term denoting land, property or interest therein, usually in a strip, acquired for or devoted to transportation purposes.
Roadway - A general term denoting a public way intended for vehicular use.
Shared Use Path - A bike way physically separated from motorized vehicular traffic by an open space or barrier and either within the roadway right-of-way or within an independent right-of-way. Shared use paths may also be used by pedestrians, skaters, wheelchair users, joggers and other non-motorized users.
Short Range Objective - A short-term (5-10 years), specific, measurable, intermediate end that is achievable and marks progress toward a goal.
Shoulder - The portion of the roadway contiguous with the traveled way for accommodation of stopped vehicles, for emergency use and for lateral support of sub-base, base and surface courses. In rural areas, this portion may also be used for bicycle and pedestrian travel.
Sidewalk - The portion of the street or highway right-of-way designated for preferential or exclusive use of pedestrians.
Signed Shared Roadway (Signed Bike Route) - A shared roadway that has been designated by signing as a preferred route for bicycle use.
Single-Occupant Vehicle (SOV) - A vehicle containing only the driver and no other passengers.
Specialized Transportation - Operates a door-through-door paratransit service to individuals who are unable to use conventional modes of transportation due to disability.
Stakeholders - Individuals and groups with an interest in the outcomes of policy decisions and actions.
State Fiscal Year (SFY) - A twelve-month period for which records are kept, from July 1st to June 30th.
State Implementation Plan (SIP) - A plan mandated by the CAA that contains procedures to monitor, control, maintain, and enforce compliance with the NAAQS.
State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) - North Carolina's multi-year program of transportation projects that is comprised of all the MPO's Transportation Improvement Programs.
Sustainability - Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability to meet the needs of the future.
Thoroughfare - Part of the roadway system serving as the principal network for through traffic flow. The routes connect areas of principal traffic generation and important rural highways entering the city.
Transit - Generally refers to urban passenger transportation service, local in scope, provided to the public along established routes with fixed or variable schedules at published fares.
Transportation Control Measures (TCMs) - Actions to adjust traffic patterns or reduce vehicle use to reduce air pollutant emissions. These may include HOV lanes, provision of bicycle facilities, ride sharing, telecommuting, etc. Such actions may be included in a SIP if needed to demonstrate attainment of the NAAQS.
Transportation Demand Forecasting Model - A demand-forecasting model is a tool for representing and analyzing the major ways people get around. Usually this tool is a software package, which incorporates a road network, land use data, and a mathematical formula to distribute and route trips. The model is calibrated to existing traffic counts. Then it can be used
to forecast traffic and test the effect of changes in the road network.
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) - Legislative initiative by the U.S. Congress that funds transportation programs for fiscal years 1998-2003. TEA-21 authorizes increased levels of highway and transportation funding and continues ISTEA planning and funding provisions with minor modifications.
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) - Also known as a transportation program, a TIP is a program of transportation projects drawn from or consistent with the transportation plan and developed pursuant to Title 23, U.S.C. (United States Code) and the Federal Transit Act.
Transportation Management Association (TMA) - Transportation Management Associations are groups of businesses, which develop transportation demand management (TDM) measures in order to reduce the need for commuter parking. Measures may include carpool matching services, transit subsidies, shuttle vans, etc. By working as a group, TDM measures are more effective.
Transportation Planning - A collaborative process of examining demographic characteristics and travel patterns for a given area. This process shows how these characteristics will change over a given period of time, and evaluates alternatives for the transportation system of the area and the most expeditious use of funding. Long-range planning is typically done over a period of twenty years; short-range programming of specific projects usually covers a period of three to five years.
Transportation System Management - Techniques for increasing the efficiency, safety, capacity, or level of service of a transportation facility without increasing its size. Examples include, but are not limited to, traffic signal improvements, traffic control devices including installing medians and parking removal, channelization, access management, ramp metering, and
restriping for high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. TSM is a combination of low-cost strategies that use a total approach to transportation system management. The goal is to shift emphasis from expanding capacity to making better use of existing transportation systems.
Travel Demand Management (TDM) - TDM is a combination of strategies or actions whose goal is to encourage travelers to use alternatives to driving alone. TDM strategies may be developed for a single work site, specific corridor, or area.
Travel Time - The time it takes to travel door-to-door.
United State Department of Transportation (USDOT) - The principal direct Federal funding agency for transportation facilities and programs. Includes the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and others.
Urbanized Area - Area that contains a city with a population of 50,000 or more plus incorporated surrounding areas meeting set size and density criteria.
Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) - The sum of distances traveled by all motor vehicles in a specified region.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - VOCs come from vehicle exhaust, paint thinners, solvents, and other petroleum-based products. A number of exhaust VOCs are also toxic, with the potential to cause cancer.
Volume - The number of vehicles that actually pass through a given kilometer of road in a unit of time such as a day; can also be applied to transit or bicycle/pedestrian paths.
Operating Subsidy - Revenue received through federal, state and local cash grants or reimbursements to fulfill operating expense obligations not covered by fares or other revenues generated by the transit system.
Origin - For transportation purposes, it is the location of the beginning of a trip or the zone in which the trip begins.
Ozone (O3) - A colorless gas with a sweet odor. Ozone is not a direct emission from transportation sources. It is a secondary pollutant formed when VOCs and NOx combine in the presence of sunlight. Ozone is associated with smog or haze conditions. Although the ozone in the upper atmosphere protects us from harmful ultraviolet rays, ground-level ozone produces an unhealthy environment in which to live. Ozone is created by human and natural sources.
Paratransit Vehicle - Any form of rubber tired high-occupancy vehicle, such as taxi, van and so forth, that is available for hire to the public. They generally do not operate on a fixed schedule and are smaller than conventional transit vehicles.
Particulate Matter (p.m.) - Any material that exists as solid or liquid in the atmosphere. Particulate matter may be in the form of fly ash, soot, dust, fog, fumes, etc.
Passenger Miles - The sum of the distance ridden by each passenger.
Peak Direction - The direction of higher demand during a peak commuting period.
Peak Hour - That one-hour period during which the maximum amount of travel occurs. Generally, there is a morning peak and an afternoon peak and traffic assignments may be made for each period, if desired.
Pedestrian - One who walks or journeys on foot; a walker.
Planning Work Program (PWP) - A document which describes urban transportation and transportation related activities to be undertaken in an area during a period of time. The PWP is prepared by the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).
Preliminary Engineering (PE) - First phase of project construction, defines scope and project design.
Preservation - Actions taken to protect existing natural and human environments, investments and mobility options.
Public Meeting/Consultation - a formal or informal event designed for a specific issue or community group where information is presented and input from community residents is received.
Quality of Life - This classification includes work which is designed to enhance the environment associated with, or impacted by, transportation improvements. Program categories within this classification include transportation enhancements, noise walls, landscape, air quality, signs, wetland mitigation, and rest areas.
Rapid Transit - Rail or bus transit service operating completely separate from all modes.
Revenue - All operating funds associated with the provision of transit service. Includes fares, charter, school bus revenue; auxiliary and non-transportation revenues.
Revenue Vehicle Hours - The sum of the number of hours each vehicle is scheduled to be in revenue services during the calendar year reporting period.
Right-of-Way (ROW) - The right of one vehicle or pedestrian to proceed in a lawful manner in preference to another vehicle or pedestrian. A general term denoting land, property or interest therein, usually in a strip, acquired for or devoted to transportation purposes.
Roadway - A general term denoting a public way intended for vehicular use.
Shared Use Path - A bike way physically separated from motorized vehicular traffic by an open space or barrier and either within the roadway right-of-way or within an independent right-of-way. Shared use paths may also be used by pedestrians, skaters, wheelchair users, joggers and other non-motorized users.
Short Range Objective - A short-term (5-10 years), specific, measurable, intermediate end that is achievable and marks progress toward a goal.
Shoulder - The portion of the roadway contiguous with the traveled way for accommodation of stopped vehicles, for emergency use and for lateral support of sub-base, base and surface courses. In rural areas, this portion may also be used for bicycle and pedestrian travel.
Sidewalk - The portion of the street or highway right-of-way designated for preferential or exclusive use of pedestrians.
Signed Shared Roadway (Signed Bike Route) - A shared roadway that has been designated by signing as a preferred route for bicycle use.
Single-Occupant Vehicle (SOV) - A vehicle containing only the driver and no other passengers.
Specialized Transportation - Operates a door-through-door paratransit service to individuals who are unable to use conventional modes of transportation due to disability.
Stakeholders - Individuals and groups with an interest in the outcomes of policy decisions and actions.
State Fiscal Year (SFY) - A twelve-month period for which records are kept, from July 1st to June 30th.
State Implementation Plan (SIP) - A plan mandated by the CAA that contains procedures to monitor, control, maintain, and enforce compliance with the NAAQS.
State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) - North Carolina's multi-year program of transportation projects that is comprised of all the MPO's Transportation Improvement Programs.
Sustainability - Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability to meet the needs of the future.
Thoroughfare - Part of the roadway system serving as the principal network for through traffic flow. The routes connect areas of principal traffic generation and important rural highways entering the city.
Transit - Generally refers to urban passenger transportation service, local in scope, provided to the public along established routes with fixed or variable schedules at published fares.
Transportation Control Measures (TCMs) - Actions to adjust traffic patterns or reduce vehicle use to reduce air pollutant emissions. These may include HOV lanes, provision of bicycle facilities, ride sharing, telecommuting, etc. Such actions may be included in a SIP if needed to demonstrate attainment of the NAAQS.
Transportation Demand Forecasting Model - A demand-forecasting model is a tool for representing and analyzing the major ways people get around. Usually this tool is a software package, which incorporates a road network, land use data, and a mathematical formula to distribute and route trips. The model is calibrated to existing traffic counts. Then it can be used
to forecast traffic and test the effect of changes in the road network.
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) - Legislative initiative by the U.S. Congress that funds transportation programs for fiscal years 1998-2003. TEA-21 authorizes increased levels of highway and transportation funding and continues ISTEA planning and funding provisions with minor modifications.
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) - Also known as a transportation program, a TIP is a program of transportation projects drawn from or consistent with the transportation plan and developed pursuant to Title 23, U.S.C. (United States Code) and the Federal Transit Act.
Transportation Management Association (TMA) - Transportation Management Associations are groups of businesses, which develop transportation demand management (TDM) measures in order to reduce the need for commuter parking. Measures may include carpool matching services, transit subsidies, shuttle vans, etc. By working as a group, TDM measures are more effective.
Transportation Planning - A collaborative process of examining demographic characteristics and travel patterns for a given area. This process shows how these characteristics will change over a given period of time, and evaluates alternatives for the transportation system of the area and the most expeditious use of funding. Long-range planning is typically done over a period of twenty years; short-range programming of specific projects usually covers a period of three to five years.
Transportation System Management - Techniques for increasing the efficiency, safety, capacity, or level of service of a transportation facility without increasing its size. Examples include, but are not limited to, traffic signal improvements, traffic control devices including installing medians and parking removal, channelization, access management, ramp metering, and
restriping for high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. TSM is a combination of low-cost strategies that use a total approach to transportation system management. The goal is to shift emphasis from expanding capacity to making better use of existing transportation systems.
Travel Demand Management (TDM) - TDM is a combination of strategies or actions whose goal is to encourage travelers to use alternatives to driving alone. TDM strategies may be developed for a single work site, specific corridor, or area.
Travel Time - The time it takes to travel door-to-door.
United State Department of Transportation (USDOT) - The principal direct Federal funding agency for transportation facilities and programs. Includes the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and others.
Urbanized Area - Area that contains a city with a population of 50,000 or more plus incorporated surrounding areas meeting set size and density criteria.
Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) - The sum of distances traveled by all motor vehicles in a specified region.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - VOCs come from vehicle exhaust, paint thinners, solvents, and other petroleum-based products. A number of exhaust VOCs are also toxic, with the potential to cause cancer.
Volume - The number of vehicles that actually pass through a given kilometer of road in a unit of time such as a day; can also be applied to transit or bicycle/pedestrian paths.