Education

  Rail, Commuter Railroad local and regional passenger train operations between a central city, its suburbs and/or another central city. It may be either locomotive-hauled or self-propelled, and is characterized by multi-trip tickets, specific station-to-station fares, railroad employment practices and usually only one or two stations in the central business district. Also known as "suburban rail".

Rail, Heavy An electric railway with the capacity for a "heavy volume" of traffic and characterized by exclusive rights-of-way, multi-car trains, high speed and rapid acceleration, sophisticated signaling and high platform loading. Also known as "rapid rail," "subway," "elevated (railway)" or "metropolitan railway (metro)".

Rail, High Speed A rail transportation system with exclusive right-of-way which serves densely traveled corridors at speeds of 124 miles per hour (200 km/h) and greater.

Rail, Light An electric railway with a "light volume" traffic capacity compared to heavy rail. Light rail may use shared or exclusive rights-of-way, high or low platform loading and multi-car trains or single cars. Also known as "streetcar," "trolley car" and "tramway".

Rail Modernization Federal funding granted under Section 3(h) of the Federal Transit Act (formerly known as the Urban Mass Transportation Act). These discretionary funds are distributed by a formula and made available to transit systems for improvements on fixed guideway systems that have been in service for at least seven years. Also known as "fixed guideway modernization".

Rapid Rail See "Rail, Heavy".

Rapid Transit Rail or motorbus transit service operating completely separate from all modes of transportation on an exclusive right-of-way.

RAPOC The Research Associates Policy Oversight Committee  

Recission A federal budgetary term that refers to the cancellation, in whole or part, of budget authority previously granted by Congress.

Reverse Commuting Movement in a direction opposite the main flow of traffic, such as from the central city to a suburb during the morning peak period.

Ridesharing A form of transportation, other than public transit, in which more than one person shares the use of the vehicle, such as a van or car, to make a trip. Also known as "carpooling" or "vanpooling".

Ridership The number of rides taken by people using a public transportation system in a given time period.

Rolling Stock The vehicles used in a transit system, including buses and rail cars.

Route Miles The total number of miles included in a fixed route transit system network.

RTC - Regional Transit Connection A one-stop shopping center for the sale of transit tickets, passes and tokens at the Bay Area work sites. In this MTC/RTCC sponsored program, member companies receive tickets on consignment and administer their own ticket sales.

RTCC - Regional Transit Coordinating Council Composed of the general managers of the region's largest transit operators, this committee coordinates routes, schedules, fares and transfers among operator; provides input to MTC on transit policy and funding; and conducts legislative advocacy. MTC's executive director chairs the panel, while MTC staff provide day-to-day support. Formed in 1992 to assume the responsibilities of both the Regional Transit Operator Coordinating Council.

RTIP - Regional Transportation Improvement Program The first stop on the way to the STIP, it lists highway and transit and transit projects for which the region hopes to capture MTC FCR funds. Compiled by MTC every two years from priority lists submitted by local jurisdictions.

RTP - Regional Transportation Plan One of MTC's weightiest documents, literally and figuratively, it is a multimodal blueprint to guide the region's transportation development for a 20-year period. Updated every tow years, it is based on projections of growth and travel demand coupled with real-world financial assumptions. Required by state and federal law.

RTP - Regional Transportation Planning A blueprint to guide the region's transportation development for a 20-year period. Updated every two years, it is based on projections of growth and travel demand coupled with financial projections. Required by state and federal law.

RTPA - Regional Transportation Planning Agency A state designated agency responsible for preparing the RTP and RTIP; administering TDA and other tasks. MTC is the Bay Area's RTPA.

RTTIS - Regional Transit Telephone Information System A computerized transit-trip planning system that will allow Bay Area travelers to arrange multi-operator trips by making just one phone call. Part of JUMP Start and linked to the TravInfo project.

  SCAG - Southern California Association of Governments a six-county planning and coordinating agency that deals with transportation, water quality, housing and land use. Also reviews and comments on applications for a variety of federal and state assistance programs.

SAFE - Service Authority for Freeways and Expressways Made up of the MTC commissioners and staffed by the MTC, this body administers by roadside call boxes and roving tow truck patrols (FSP) that help stranded motorists get SAFEly off the highways.

Section 9The section of the Federal Transit Act (formerly known as the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964), as amended, that authorizes grants to public transportation systems in urbanized areas (population greater than 50,000) for both capital and operating programs based on formulas set out in statute.

Section 13(c) The section of the Federal Transit Act (formerly known as the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964), as amended, related to labor protection that is designed to protect transit employees against a worsening of their position with respect to their employment as a result of grant assistance under the Act.

Section 15 The section of the Federal Transit Act (formerly known as the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964), as amended, that authorizes the U.S. Department of Transportation to gather statistical information about the financing and operations of public transportation systems, based upon a uniform system of accounts and records.

Section 16 The section of the Federal Transit Act (formerly known as the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964), as amended, that declares the national policy to be that elderly persons and persons with disabilities have the same right as other persons to utilize mass transportation facilities and services, and that special efforts shall be made in the planning and design of mass transportation facilities and services so that effective utilization by elderly persons and persons with disabilities is assured.

Section 16(b) The subsection of the Federal Transit Act (formerly known as the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964), as amended, that authorizes grants to nonprofit corporations and associations for the specific purpose of assisting them in providing transportation services meeting the special needs of elderly persons and persons with disabilities for whom mass transportation services are unavailable, insufficient or inappropriate.

Section 18The section of the Federal Transit Act (formerly known as the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964), as amended, that authorizes grants to public transit systems outside urbanized areas, based on formulas set out in statute; the funds go initially to the Governor of each state.

Sequestration A federal budgetary term that refers to the permanent cancellation of budget authority.

Shuttle A public or private vehicle that travels back and forth over a particular route, especially a short route or one that provides connections between transportation systems, employment centers, etc.

Sightseeing Bus See "Bus, Sightseeing".

SIP - State Implementation Plan Metropolitan areas prepare local and regional areas prepare local and regional SIPs showing steps they plan to take to meet federal air quality standards (outlined in the CAA).

SIP - State Implementation Plan Here's a case where one term refers to two different - albiet related - documents. Metropolitan areas prepare regional SIPs showing steps they plan to take to meet federal air quality standards (outlined in the Clean Air Act). Several SIPs make up the statewide plan for cleaning up the air, also known as a SIP.

Small Bus See "Bus, Small".

SOV - Single-Occupant Vehicle Epihet hurled by frustrated transportation planners.

SRTP - Short-Range Transit Plan A nine-year comprehensive plan required of all transit operators by federal and regional transportation funding agencies.

STA - State Transit Assistance Provides funding for mass transit operations and capital projects. About half of the revenues transferred to the TP&D Account go to this pot.

Standard-Size Bus See "Bus, Standard-Size".

STIP - State Transportation Improvement Program What the CTC ends up with after combining and whittling down all the RTIPs. Covering a seven-year span and updated every two years, the STIP determines if and when capacity-enhancing transportation projects will be funded by the state.

STP - Surface Transportation Program One of the key capital programs in ISTEA. In the works of the STPP , it provides flexibility in expenditure of "road" funds for transit modes, as well as for pedestrian and bicycle facilities.

STP - Surface Transportation Program Once of the key funding programs in ISTEA. STP monies are "flexible," meaning they can be spent on mass transit, pedestrian and bicycle facilities as well as on roads and highways.

STPP - Surface Transportation Policy Project A diverse coalition representing transportation, planning, architectural, energy, environmental and historic preservation interests whose goal is to develop a national transportation policy that, in its words, "better serves the environmental, social and economic interests of the nation." A key player in the crafting of ISTEA.

Streetcar See "Rail, Light".

Subscription Bus See "Bus, Subscription".

Suburban Rail See "Rail, Commuter".

Subway See "Rail, Heavy".

Supplemental Appropriation An act appropriating funds in addition to those in an annual appropriation act because the need for funds is too urgent to be postponed until enactment of the next regular appropriation act.

  TCI - Transit Capital Improvement State program fed by the TP&D Account and the State Highway Account that funds transit capital projects. TCI funds require a 50 percent local match.

TCM - Transportation Control Measure Strategy to reduce driving or smooth traffic flows in order to cut auto emissions.

TCM - Transportation Control Measure A strategy to reduce driving or smooth traffic flows in order to cut auto emissions and resulting air pollution. Required by the Clean Air Act, TCMs for the Bay Area are jointly developed by MTC and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. Examples of TCMs include roving tow truck patrols to clear stalls and accidents from congested roadways, new or increased transit service, or a program to promote carpools and vanpools.

TDA - Transportation Development Act State law enacted in 1971. TDA funds generated from a tax of one-quarter of one percent on all retail sales in each county; used for transit, paratransit, bicycle and pedestrian purposes, they are collected by the state and allocated by the MTC to projects and programs within the county of origin. In non-urban areas, TDA funds may be used for streets and roads in certain circumstances.

TDM - Transportation Demand Management TDM - Low-cost ways to reduce demand by automobiles on the transportation system, such as programs to promote telecommuting, flextime and ridesharing.

TEA - Transportation Enhancement Activities An ISTEA created funding category. Ten percent of STP monies must be set aside for projects that enhance the compatibility of transportation facilities with their surroundings. Examples of TEA projects include bicycle and pedestrian paths, restoration of rail depots or other historic transportation facilities, acquisition of scenic or open space lands next to travel corridors, and murals or other public art projects.

TIC - Transportation Information Center See TravInfo.

TIP - Transportation Improvement Program This is primarily a spending plan for federal funding expected to flow to the region from all sources for transportation projects of all types. MTC prepares the three volume TIP annually with the cooperation of local governments, transit operators and Caltrans. Depending on the funding source it covers a three- to seven-year period.

TMA - (1) Transportation Management Association A voluntary group set up by employers or other entities to reduce vehicle trips within certain areas.(2) transportation management area A region subject to certain planning requirements under ISTEA. Any urbanized area with a population of more than 200,000 automatically is a TMA.

TMP - Transportation Management Plan When it comes to widening a freeway, traffic usually gets a whole lot worse before it gets any better, which is why the feds require a TMP showing how traffic flows will be smoothed or diverted during construction. A TMP might call for installing ramp meters or upgrading parallel roads; boosting public transit service; aggressively marketing carpooling vanpooling; and mounting a public information campaign.

TOC - Traffic Operations Center The place from which the TOS is run.

TOS - Traffic Operations System This is a benevolent Big Brother, watching you in order to give you a hand. In the Bay Area, Caltrans and the CHP will monitor traffic flows by means of detectors embedded in pavement and closed-circuit television cameras, quickly dispatching tow trucks and other assistance. CMSs and HAR will alert drivers to trouble ahead, while ramp metering will control traffic flows. By the year 2000, all 500 miles of Bay Area's freeways should be TOS-equipped. An application of ATIS and ATMS technologies, and a JUMP Start.

TOS - Traffic Operations System In the Bay Area, Caltrans and the CHP will monitor traffic flows by means of detectors embedded in pavement and closed-circuit television cameras, quickly dispatching tow trucks and other assistance. Message signs and broadcasts will alert drivers and transit riders to conditions ahead, while ramp metering will control traffic flows. All these devices together comprise the TOS.

TP&D Account - Transportation Planning and Development Account A state transit trust fund that is the funding source for the STA program and the largest funding source for TCI.

Trackless Trolley See "Bus, Trolley".

Tramway See "Rail, Light".

Transfer Center A fixed location where passengers interchange from one route or vehicle to another.

Transit See "Public Transportation".

Transit 2000 An industry effort undertaken in the late 1980s and early 1990s to develop public policies allowing transit to achieve its greatest potential for the rest for the 20th century and beyond; recommendations included turning transit systems into managers of mobility, broadening transit's definition to include ridesharing and other high occupancy vehicle programs, enhancing local decision-making authority, increasing federal funding and raising the federal gasoline tax.

Transit Bus See "Bus, Transit".

Transit Pass A tax-free employee commute benefit in which an employer subsidizes up to $60 per month for an employee's transit fares or vanpool charges. This benefit also applies to military and government employees.

Transit System An organization (public or private) providing local or regional multi-occupancy-vehicle passenger service. Organizations that provide service under contract to another agency are generally not counted as separate systems.

TransLink MTC's prototype for a universal ticket valid on all transit modes, from BART to buses to ferries. The BART style, stored-valued ticket will soon be tested in Alameda and Contra Costa counties as part of JUMP Start.

TravInfo - Bay Area Intermodal Traveler Information System The theory here is that the more you know, the better decisions you can make about your daily travel patters. Spearheaded by MTC, this ATIS project will employ state-of-the-art technology to disseminate detailed, timely information on transit schedule adherence and roadway congestion -- possibly even parking availability. Travelers will be able to access data from the TravInfo nerve center (TIC) from home or at work as well as en route. A JUMP Start project implemented by a partnership of public agencies and private firms; expected to become fully operational by the mid-1990s.

TRO - trip reduction ordinance This regulation is to limit the number of SOV users in order to stanch polluting emissions. Aimed at employers, TROs have been enacted by local governments in response to CMP requirements, which vary from county to county. Now the BAAQMD has passed an Employer-based Trip Reduction Rule that should result in cities and counties adopting more stringent and more uniform TROs.

Trolley Bus See "Bus, Trolley".

Trolley Car See "Rail, Light".

Trolley Coach See "Bus, Trolley".

Trust Funds Funds collected and used by the federal government for carrying out specific purposes and programs according to terms of a trust agreement or statute, such as the Social Security and highway trust funds. Trust funds are administered by the government in a fiduciary capacity and are not available for the general purposes of the government. See "Dedicated Funding Source".

TSM - Transportation Systems Management Low-cost improvements to make the transportation system work more efficiently, such as traffic signal coordination.

TV SAP channel - Television Second Audio Program (IVHS term) It's an auxiliary audio channel available to television stations for alternative language broadcasts and now beginning to be used to send traffic information to commuters both at home and in their cars. One avenue for delivering TravInfo data.

Transport Workers Union One of the major labor unions in the transit industry; membership is limited to operators, mechanics and other non-supervisory employees of the transit industry.

  UTU - United Transportation Union One of the major labor unions in the transit industry; membership is limited to operators, mechanics and other non-supervisory employees of the transit industry.

UMTA - Urban Mass Transportation Administration See "Federal Transit Administration (FTA)".

UZA - Urbanized AreaAn U.S. Bureau of Census-designated area of 50,000 or more inhabitants consisting of a central city or two adjacent cities plus surrounding densely settled territory, but excluding the rural portion of cities.

U.S. DOT - United States Department of Transportation The federal cabinet-level agency with responsibility for highways, mass transit, aviation and ports; headed by the secretary of transportation. The DOT includes the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration, among others. There are also state DOTs (known as Caltrans in California).

VanSee "(Bus), Van".

Vanpool An arrangement in which a group of passengers share the use and cost of a van in traveling to and from pre-arranged destinations together.

Variable Cost A cost that varies in relation to the level of operational activity.

VFV - Variable Fuel Vehicle, aka Flexible Vehicle While the BAAQMD exhorts us to make "clear choices for clean air," "more choices for clean air" could be the motto for this kind of vehicle, which can run on gasoline along with less polluting alternative fuels, such as CNG.

VMT - vehicle miles traveled This term helps pin down the numbers. Reducing VMT can help ease traffic congestion and improve air quality.

VMT - Vehicle Miles Traveled The more cars there are on the road at the same time in the same area, he worse congestion will be. This term helps pin down the numbers. Reducing VMT can help ease traffic congestion and improve air quality.

  Zone FaresA system of fares where a transit system's service area is divided into zones within which specified rates or fares apply.