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TRANSPORTATION DEFINITIONS
Accessibility The extent to which facilities are barrier free and useable by persons with disabilities, including wheelchair users.
Accessible Vehicle Public transportation revenue vehicles that do not restrict access, are useable and provide allocated space and/or priority seating for people who use wheelchairs. (FTA)
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.
APC Automatic Passenger Counter, a system whereby the passengers are counted automatically as they board and deboard.
Arterial Street A major thoroughfare, used primarily for through traffic rather than for access to abutting land, that is characterized by high vehicular capacity and continuity of movement.
Articulated Bus An extra-long (54 to 60 ft.) motor bus with the rear body section connected to the main body by a joint mechanism that allows the vehicle to bend when in operation for sharp turns and curves and yet have a continuous interior.
Base service Refers to the number of buses that remain in service on a line for the entire day. This does not include buses that only operate during school and commute hour service. Base service is determined by the frequency of buses that must run from the beginning to the end of a line to adequately service riders during off-peak periods (mid-day and evenings).
Boarding Getting on a transit vehicle
Bikeway: A facility designed to accommodate bicycle travel for recreational or commuting purposes. Bikeways are not necessarily separated facilities; they may be designed and operated to be shared with other travel modes.
Block The schedule operated by a single bus from pull-out to pull-in.
Bus Priority System
A system of traffic controls in which buses are given special treatment over other forms of transportation.
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Refers to a new concept that seeks to achieve a high quality transit service like light rail but at a lower cost using buses. BRT vehicles are generally low-floor, high capacity, low- emission buses, with exclusive rights-of-way, rapid fare collection, and infrastructure development.
Bus Stop An authorized location for a bus to stop on a route. Marked with a sign and may include a shelter, bench, or trash can.
Busway Exclusive freeway lane for buses and carpools.
Carpool Shared use of a car, in particular for commuting to work to save costs and in the interest of environmental benefits.
Commuter Rail Commuter rail is a transit mode that is a multiple car electric or diesel propelled train. It is typically used for local, longer-distance travel between a central city and adjacent suburbs, and can operate alongside existing freight or passenger rail lines or in exclusive rights of way.
Community Bus Service Lighter load routes designed to serve smaller areas or areas where arterial routes can't serve well.
Day Pass A single day pass purchased from a bus operator.
Deadhead Operation Refers to non-revenue time when a bus is not carrying passengers, usually a trip from, to, or between lines or garages. Usually this refers to the trip between the home division garage to the point where the bus enters or leaves its route.
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) A comprehensive study of likely environmental impacts resulting from major federally- assisted projects; statements are required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Fare The money that is collected to pay for your ride.
Intermodal Those issues or activities that involve or affect more than one mode of transportation, including transportation connections, choices, cooperation and coordination of various modes. Also known as "multimodal."
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS): The application of advanced technologies to improve the efficiency and safety of transportation systems.
Kiss and Ride A place where commuters are driven and dropped off at a station to board a public transportation vehicle.
Light Rail Local rail rapid-transit system using large, single passenger cars, railroad-type signals, and, usually, private rights-of-way.
Limited Stop Routes Routes that stop less frequently than normal routes to achieve faster trip time.
LOS (Level of Service) Refers to a measure of congestion that compares actual or projected traffic volume with the maximum capacity of the intersection or road in question. LOS is rated from A (free-flowing traffic) to F (gridlock).
Low-Floor Vehicle Refers to a bus that does not have steps. Building a bus floor at one level between the front to rear doors allows passengers to enter and exit more quickly. The addition of steps usually adds boarding and alighting time, especially for passengers with limited mobility.
Managed Lanes High-occupancy toll (hot) lanes-facilities that employ pricing and vehicle eligibility to maintain free-flow conditions and provide high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) preference.
Mass Transportation Agency An agency authorized to transport people by bus, rail, or other conveyance, either publicly, or privately owned, and which provides to the public, general or special service on a regular and continuing scheduled or unscheduled basis.
Maximum Load Point Refers to a point on a bus route where the maximum numbers of passengers are on the bus.
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) An areawide agency charged with the coordination of the urban transportation planning process; the regionwide recipient of Federal funds for transportation planning purposes.
Minibus A small bus vehicle, typically capable of carrying 20 passengers, or less, most often used for making short trips. Minibuses are often used for demand-responsive transportation and buspools.
Mode A particular form or method of travel distinguished by vehicle type, operation technology and right-of-way separation from other traffic.
Multimodal Refers to the availability of multiple transportation options, especially within a system or corridor. A multimodal approach to transportation planning focuses on the most efficient way of getting people or goods from place to place by means other than privately owned vehicles; by bus, trolley, light rail, streetcar, cable car, and / or ferry systems.
Non-Capital Costs The costs of administration, operation, maintenance, and marketing, exclusive of equipment and facility costs.
Off-Peak Period Non-rush periods of the day when travel activity is generally lower and less transit service may or may not be scheduled."
Operating Cost Recurring costs in transportation systems that include wages, salaries, taxes, insurance, and supplies, but not capital depreciation of interest payments.
Operator An employee of a transit system who spends his/her workday in the operation of a vehicle, e.g., bus driver, rapid transit train motorman, conductor, etc.
Park-n-Ride Lot Designated parking areas for automobile drivers who then board transit vehicles from these locations.
Passenger Miles The total number of miles traveled by passengers on transit vehicles; determined by multiplying the number of unlinked passenger trips times the average length of their trips.
Paratransit In accordance with the ADA, paratransit service is provided for the purpose of delivering transportation services to individuals who, because of functional disability (physical, cognitive, or other), cannot access or use the public transportation system. Comparable transportation service required by the American Disabilities Act for individuals with disabilities who are unable to use fixed route transportation systems.
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.
Smart Card A stored value, prepaid card for electronic fare payment and ticketing.
Standing Load A load of passengers with people standing because all the seats are occupied.
System Map Map of all the routes operated by the transit agency; some include connecting service provided by other agencies.
Transfer A passenger’s change from one transit unit (vehicle or train) or mode to another transit unit or mode.
Transit Oriented Development (TOD) An initiative to build transit ridership, while discouraging sprawl, improving air quality and helping to coordinate a new type of community for residents. TODs are compact, mixed-use developments situated at or around transit stops. Sometimes referred to as Transit Oriented Communities, or Transit Villages.
Transit Pass A prepaid farecard or ticket, valid for riding during a specified period.
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.
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) A program of intermodal transportation projects, to be implemented over several years, growing out of the planning process and designed to improve transportation in a community. This program is required as a condition of a locality receiving federal transit and highway grants.
Van Pool A vanpool is a group of seven to fifteen people who live more than twenty miles from work and commute together on a regular basis in a van. Some vanpools are company sponsored, while others are rented from vendors or owned by the drivers.
