Printer Friendly Version

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

AA - Alternative Analysis

An analysis of the engineering and financial feasibility of alternatives under consideration for a rail extension or other major transit construction project; required before federal monies can be allocated to a project.

AASHTO - American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

An interest group based in Washington, D.C., whose membership is fairly obvious from the name. Involved in research, advocacy and technical assistance.

ABAG - Association of Bay Area Governments

A voluntary association of counties and cities (otherwise known as a COG) that is the land-use planning agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. Also provides demographic, financial, administrative, training and conference services to local governments and businesses. A member sits on MTC.

Accessibility

The extent to which facilities are barrier free and useable by persons with disabilities, including wheelchair users.

ADA - Americans With Disabilities Act

Federal civil rights legislation for disabled persons passed in 1990; calls on public transit systems to make their services more fully accessible as well as to underwrite a parallel network of paratransit service.

Advanced Design Bus

See "Bus, Advanced Design".

Aerial Tramway

An electric system of aerial cables with suspended unpowered passenger vehicles. The vehicles are propelled by separate cables attached to the vehicle suspension system and powered by engines or motors at a central location not on board the vehicle.

Alternative Fuels

Low-polluting fuels which are used to propel a vehicle instead of high-sulfur diesel or gasoline. Examples include methanol, ethanol, propane or compressed natural gas, liquid natural gas, low-sulfur or "clean" diesel and electricity.

Amalgamated Transit Union

A major labor union representing workers in the transit industry; membership is limited to operators, mechanics and other non-supervisory employees of the transit industry.

AMBAG - Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments

the MPO for the Santa Cruz and Monterey-Salinas UZAs.

APTA - American Public Transit Association

The national, nonprofit trade association representing the public transit industry. APTA members include more than 400 public transit systems, as well as state and local departments of transportation and planning agencies, manufacturers and suppliers of transit equipment, consultants, contractors and universities.

Annual Element

Those transportation improvement projects, contained in an area's Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), that are proposed for implementation in the current year. The annual element is submitted to the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) as part of the required planning process.

Apportionment

A federal budgetary term that refers to a statutorily prescribed division or assignment of funds. It is based on prescribed formulas in the law and consists of dividing authorized obligation authority for a specific program among transit systems.

Appropriation

A federal budgetary term that refers to an act of Congress that permits federal agencies to incur obligations and make payments out of the Treasury for specified purposes. An appropriation act is the most common means of providing budget authority, but in some cases the authorization legislation itself provides the budget authority.

APTS - advanced public transportation systems

See IVHS.

ARB - Air Resources Board, aka CARB

The state agency responsible for adopting state air quality standards, establishing emission standards for new cars sold in the state, and overseeing activities of regional and local air pollution control agencies.

Arbitration

A method of settling disputes where labor and management present their case to an impartial third party, called an arbitrator, who has the responsibility of deciding the case.

Arterial Street

A major thoroughfare, used primarily for through traffic rather than for access to adjacent land, that is characterized by high vehicular capacity and continuity of movement.

Articulated Bus

See "Bus, Articulated".

ATC - Automated Toll Collection, aka Electronic Toll Collection (IVHS term)

now even law-abiding commuters will be able to zoom past the toll takers. Sensors at toll booths will pick up billing information from devices installed in cars, allowing motorists to drive through without stopping; the amount of the toll is automatically deducted from a prepaid account or billed to the vehicle's owner. An application of AVI technology.

ATIS - Advanced Traveler Information Systems (IVHS terms)

No more fumbling with the map, no more dreading unknown traffic hazards that lurk ahead of you -- these innovations provide travelers with information to help in trip planning and changing course en route to bypass congestion, e.g., broadcast traffic reports, in-car computerized maps and highway CMSs. Also can include automated transit trip planning and automated rideshare matching.

ATMS - Advanced Traffic Management Systems (IVHS term)

A high-tech version of the old-fashion traffic cop, ATMS uses a variety of means to more efficiently manage traffic. It can include roadside sensors, ramp metering, HOV lanes and synchronized traffic signals that respond to traffic flows.

Authorization

Basic, substantive legislation which establishes or continues the legal operation of a federal program or agency, either indefinitely or for a specific period of time, or which sanctions a particular type of obligation or expenditure within a program. An authorization may set appropriation limits. See "Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991".

ARZ - Auto Restricted Zone

An area in which normal automobile traffic is prohibited or limited to certain times, and vehicular traffic is restricted to public transit, emergency vehicles, taxicabs and, in some cases, delivery of goods.

Automated Guideway

An electric railway operating without vehicle operators or other crew on board the vehicle.

AFC - Automatic Fare Collection System

A system of controls and equipment that automatically admits passengers on insertion of the correct fare in coins, tokens, tickets or farecards; it may include special equipment for transporting and counting revenues.

AVLS - Automatic Vehicle Location System

Technology that tracks the current location of fleet vehicles to assist in dispatching, maintaining schedules, answering specific customer inquiries, etc.

AVCS - Advanced Vehicle Control Systems (IVHS term)

New techniques to ease stresses and strains of driving are evolving, possibly leading to the day when you may be able to sit back and leave your car in charge. AVCS spans the gamut from ordinary cruise control to "smart cruise control" that helps maintain safe following distance to, researchers hope, "platooning" -- the ability to electronically link and guide a dense pack of cars moving in formation at high speed.

AVI - Automated Vehicle Identification (IVHS term)

You won't even be asked to flash your driver's license when this system is in place. It combines an in-car device as well as a roadside receiver that will identify for vehicles for purposes of automated toll collection, stolen vehicle recovery, etc.

AVL - Automated Vehicle Location System (IVHS term)

This computerized system can tell you the answer: It employs satellites and other technologies to track vehicles in a fleet, assisting with dispatching and other applications. Currently used by truckers and courier services, it could be used in the future by transit systems to provide real-time schedule information for patrons, and will help the CHP monitor FSP tow trucks.

AVO - Average Vehicle Occupancy

The number of people traveling by private passenger vehicles divided by the number of vehicles used. The AVO during commute hours for the Bay Area in 1990 was 1.097.

AVR - Average Vehicle Rideship

The ratio of all people traveling by any mode, including cars, buses, trains and bicycles (or telecommuting), in a given area during a given time period to the number of cars on the road. A key measure of the efficiency and effectiveness of a transportation network - the higher the AVR, the better you're doing in terms of energy consumption and air pollution.

BAAQMD - Bay Area Air Quality Management District

Aka the Air District, since the acronym seems to take longer to say than the full name. Polices industry to keep air pollution in check and implements certain TCMs. The Air District prepares the CAP with input from ABAG and MTC.

BAAQMD - Bay Area Air Quality Management District

(Also known as the Air District, since the acronym seems to take longer to say than the full name.) Regulates industry and employers to keep air pollution in check and sponsors programs to clean the air. The Air District works with MTC and the Association of Bay Area Governments on issues that affect transportation, land use and air quality.

Bargaining Agent

A labor union designated by an appropriate government agency or recognized by the employer as the exclusive representative of all employees in the bargaining unit for purposes of collective bargaining.

Base Period

The period between the morning and evening peak periods when transit service is generally scheduled on a constant interval. Also known as "off-peak period".

Base Fare

The price charged to one adult for one transit ride; excludes transfer charges, zone charges, express service charges, peak period surcharges and reduced fares.

BATDP - Bay Area Telecommuting Demonstration Project

(Pronounced "bat dip.") An experiment in reducing VMT by setting up telecommuting centers that could serve as alternative work sites for commuters using the Interstate 680/Interstate 580 Corridor.Cosponsored by MTC, Pacific Bell, the 680/580 Corridor Transportation Association, Caltrans and federal funding agencies. Part of JUMP Start.

BCDC - Bay Conservation and Development Commission

A state established agency with jurisdiction over filling and dredging of San Francisco Bay and limited jurisdiction over development within 100 feet of the Bay' a representative sites on MTC.

Binding Arbitration

Arbitration with a final and binding award, which is often enforceable in the courts.

Blueprint Legislation

A statewide funding package developed by the California Legislature in 1989 and approved by voters in 1990. The legislation, also known as Proposition 111, raised state gas and diesel taxes by 9 cents per gallon to pay for numerous transportation projects, and added requirements for countrylevel Congestion Management Programs. The Blueprint Legislation also included three $1 billion bond measures for rail projects. Only one of the three rail bond measures won voter approval (Proposition 108, in 1990).

BTV - Bus Ticket Validator

Being tested in the TransLink demonstration project, it is a machine for use on buses that can read a BART-style, stored-value ticket.

Budget Authority

A federal budgetary term that refers to legal authority given by Congress to federal agencies to make funds available for obligation or expenditure.

Budget Resoulution

A federal budgetary term that refers to a concurrent resolution passed by both Houses of Congress, but not requiring the signature of the President, setting forth the congressional budget for each of five fiscal years. The budget resolution sets forth various budget total and functional allocations, and may include reconciliation instructions to designated House or Senate committees.

Bus (Motorbus)

A rubber-tired, self-propelled, manually-steered vehicle with fuel supply carried on board the vehicle. Types include advanced design, articulated, charter, circulator, double deck, express, feeder, intercity, medium-size, new look, sightseeing, small, standard-size, subscription, suburban, transit and van.

Bus, Advanced Design

A bus introduced in 1977 that incorporates new styling and design features compared to previous buses.

Bus, Articulated

A bus usually 55 feet or more in length with two connected passenger compartments that bend at the connecting point when the bus turns a corner.

Bus, Charter

A bus transporting a group of persons who, pursuant to a common purpose, and under a single contract at a fixed price, have acquired the exclusive use of a bus to travel together under an itinerary.

Bus, Circulator

A bus serving an area confined to a specific locale, such as a downtown area or suburban neighborhood with connections to major traffic corridors.

Bus, Double Deck

A bus with two separate passenger compartments, one above the other.

Bus, Express

A bus that operates a portion of the route without stops or with a limited number of stops.

Bus, Feeder

A bus service that picks up and delivers passengers to a rail rapid transit station or express bus stop or terminal.

Bus, Intercity

A bus with front doors only, high-backed seats, separate luggage compartments, and usually with restroom facilities for use in high-speed long-distance service.

Bus, Medium-Size

A bus from 29 to 34 feet in length.

Bus, New Look

A bus with the predominant styling and mechanical equipment common to buses manufactured between 1959 and 1978.

Bus, Sightseeing

A bus adapted for sightseeing use, usually with expanded window areas.

Bus, Small

A bus 28 feet or less in length.

Bus, Standard-Size

A bus from 35 to 41 feet in length.

Bus, Subscription

A commuter bus express service operated for a guaranteed number of patrons from a given area on a prepaid, reserved-seat basis.

Bus, Suburban

A bus with front doors only, normally with high-backed seats, and without luggage compartments or restroom facilities for use in longer-distance service with relatively few stops.

Bus, Transit

A bus with front and center doors, normally with a rear-mounted engine, low-back seating, and without luggage compartments or restroom facilities for use in frequent-stop service.

Bus, Trolley

An electric, rubber-tired transit vehicle, manually steered, propelled by a motor drawing current through overhead wires from a central power source not on board the vehicle. Also known as "trolley coach" or "trackless trolley".

(Bus), Van

A 20-foot long or shorter vehicle, usually with an automotive-type engine and limited seating normally entered directly through side or rear doors rather than from a central aisle, used for demand response, vanpool, and lightly patronized motorbus service.

Bus Discretionary Capital

Federal funding granted under Section 3 of the Federal Transit Act (formerly known as the Urban Mass Transportation Act). These discretionary funds are used for bus-related construction projects or to replace, rehabilitate or purchase buses.

Bus Lane

A street or highway lane intended primarily for buses, either all day or during specified periods, but sometimes also used by carpools meeting requirements set out in traffic laws.

Bus Shelter

A building or other structure constructed near a bus stop, to provide seating and protection from the weather for the convenience of waiting passengers.

Bus Stop

A place where passengers can board or alight from the bus, usually identified by a sign.

Busway

Exclusive freeway lane for buses and carpools.

CAA - Clean Air Act, aka FCAA

Federal legislation that sets national air quality standards; requires each state with areas that have not met federal air quality standards to prepare a SIP. The sweeping 1990 amendments to the CAA, sometimes refereed to as CAAA, established new air quality requirements for the development of metropolitan transportation plans and programs.

CAAA - Clean Air Act Ammendments of 1990

The comprehensive federal legislation which establishes criteria for attaining and maintaining the federal standards for allowable concentrations and exposure limits for various air pollutants; the act also provides emission standards for specific vehicles and fuels.

Cable Car

An electric railway operating in mixed street traffic with unpowered, individually-controlled transit vehicles propelled by moving cables located below the street surface and powered by engines or motors at a central location not on board the vehicle.

Caltrans

The state agency that operates California's highway and intercity rail systems.

CAP - (Bay Area) Clean Air Plan

A regional plan adopted by the BAAQMD in response to the CCAA to meet state standards for ozone and carbon monoxide pollution (which in the case of the ozone standard is more stringent than the federal standard). Includes TCMs to reduce vehicle emissions as well as controls on stationary sources of pollution like factories.

Capital Assistance

Financial assistance for transit capital expenses (not operating costs); such aid may originate with federal, local or state governments.

Capital Costs

Costs of long-term assets of a public transit system such as property, buildings, vehicles, etc.

Capital revenues

Monies dedicated for new projects to cover one-time costs, such as construction of roads, transit lines and facilities or purchase of buses and rail cars.

CARB - California Air Resources Board

See ARB.

Carpool

An arrangement where two or more people share the use and cost of privately owned automobiles in traveling to and from pre-arranged destinations together.

Catenary

An overhead contact wire system which supplies power from a central power source to an electric vehicle (such as a trolley bus; see "Bus, Trolley".

CBD - Central Business District

The downtown retail trade and commercial area of a city or an area of very high land valuation, traffic flow, and concentration of retail business offices, theaters, hotels and services.

CCAA - California Clean Air Act of 1988

Why we do a CAP.

CDV - credit/debit vendor

Machines that will accept credit cards or automated teller machine (ATM) cards in payment for TransLink universal tickets and other high-value transit tickets.

CEQA - California Environmental Quality Act of 1970

See EIR.

Charter Bus

See "Bus, Charter".

CHP - California Highway Patrol

CHP - California Highway Patrol

State law enforcement agency responsible for highway safety, among other things.

CIP - capital improvement program

Twenty-year investment program to enhance performance of the MTS that is part of the RTP.

Circulator Bus

See "Bus, Circulator".

CMA - Congestion Management Agency

A countrywide organization responsible for preparing and implementing the county's CMP. The CMA can be a new or existing public agency designated by a county's cities and board of supervisors. CMAs came into existence as a result of state legislation and voters' approval of Prop. 111 in 1990.

CMAQ - Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program

A pot of money contained in ISTEA for projects and activities that reduce congestion and improve air quality in regions not yet attaining federal air quality standards.

CMP - Congestion Management Program

What a CMA is responsible for. Required of every county in California with an urbanized area of at least 50,000 people. Updated biennially, a CMP sets performance standards for roadways and public transit, and shows how local jurisdictions will attempt to meet those standards through TDM strategies (including a TRO) and a seven-year capital improvement programs. A CMP is necessary in order to qualify for certain funds made available through the state gas tax increase authorized in 1990. CMPs must be consistent with the RTP.

CMP - Congestion Management Program

Required of every county in California with a population of 50,000 or more (including all Bay Area counties) in order to qualify for certain state and federal funds, CMPs are prepared by Congestion Management Agencies (see entry under "CMA," above). CMPs, updated biennially, set performance standards for roads and public transit, and show how local jurisdictions will attempt to meet those standards.

CMS - (1) congestion management systems

CMS - Much like biblical scholars, transportation experts are poring through ISTEA, trying to read between the lines for clues to the intent behind this clause. Some argue that the CMS requirements are the very essence of ISTEA, for the first time providing a framework and a mechanism for a holistic approach to planning. The ISTEA regulations forthcoming from the feds should have the last word on this one. (2) changeable message sign - See TOS.

CNG - Compressed Natural Gas

A clean-burning alternative fuel for vehicles.

COG - Council of Governments

A voluntary organization of local governments that strives for comprehensive, regional planning. If you are in fog over the duties of your local COG, let it be known that a COG can also be an MPO, an RTPA or a CMA. Or any combination of the four.

COLA - Cost-of-Living Allowance

An increase or decrease in employees' wages or salaries made on the basis of changes in agreed-upon economic indices, usually the Consumer Price Index.

Collective Bargaining

Negotiations between labor union representatives and employers to reach agreement on a contract describing such matters as wages, hours and working conditions.

Commitment

See "Obligation".

Commuter

A person who travels regularly between home and work or school.

Commuter Rail

See "Rail, Commuter".

Compulsory Arbitration

Arbitration that is required by law.

Conciliation

See "Mediation".

Conformity

The ongoing process that ensures the planning for highway and transit systems, as a whole and over the long term, is consistent with the state air quality plans for attaining and maintaining health-based air quality standards; conformity is determined by metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT), and is based on whether transportation plans and programs meet the provisions of a State Implementation Plan.

Conformity

A process in which transportation plans and spending programs are reviewed to ensure that they are consistent with federal clean air requirements; transportation projects collectively must not worsen air quality.

Contract Authority

A federal budgetary term that refers to a form of budget authority permitting obligations to be incurred in advance of appropriations. Advance obligations, however, have been limited by the appropriations committees with obligation limitations.

Contraflow Lane

Reserved lane for buses on which the direction of bus traffic is opposite to the flow of traffic on the other lanes.

Corridor

A broad geographical band that follows a general directional flow connecting major sources of trips that may contain a number of streets, highways and transit route alignments.

Crosstown

Non-radial bus or rail service which does not enter the Central Business District (CBD).

CTC - California Transportation Commission

A state-level version of MTC that sets state spending priorities for highways and transit and allocates funding. Members are appointed by the governor.

CTP - California Transportation Plan

A requirement of ISTEA for the state to prepare as a long-range, policy-oriented plan for all transportation modes; scheduled for adoption in December of 1993.

CVO - Commercial Vehicle Operations

See IVHS.

DBE - Disadvantaged Business Enterprise

A business owned and operated by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Socially and economically disadvantaged individuals include African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Asian Pacific Americans or Asian Indian Americans and any other minorities or individuals found to be disadvantaged by the Small Business Administration under Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act.

Deadhead

The movement of a transit vehicle without passengers aboard; often to and from a garage or to and from one route to another.

Dedicated Funding Source

A source of monies which by law is available for use only to support a specific purpose, and cannot be diverted to other uses.

DEIR/DEIS

See EIR/EIS.

Demand Responsive

Non-fixed-route service utilizing vans or buses with passengers boarding and alighting at pre-arranged times at any location within the system's service area. Also called "Dial-a-Ride".

Dial-a-Ride

See "Demand Responsive".

Discretionary Spending

A federal budgetary terms that refers to any funds whose distribution in not automatic. Discretionary spending encompasses programs controlled by annual appropriations bills and is subject to the constraints imposed by the discretionary spending limits set in the balanced budget law.

DOT - Department of Transportation

At the federal level, a cabinet agency with responsibility for highways, mass transit, aviation and ports; headed by the secretary of transportation. The DOT includes the FHWA , the FTA and the FAA, among others. There are also state DOTs. (California's is referred to as Caltrans).

Double Deck Bus

See "Bus, Double Deck".

Downtime

A period during which a vehicle is inoperative because of repairs or maintenance.

DPM - Downtown People Mover

A type of automated guideway transit vehicle operating on a loop or shuttle route within the Central Business District (CBD) of a city.

Dwell Time

The scheduled time a vehicle or train is allowed to discharge and take on passengers at a stop, including opening and closing doors.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z