Glossary
of Transit Terminology
American Public Transit Association
12/ 9/ 2002
|
| Abstract |
This latest edition of
APTA's Glossary of Transit Terminology updates the previous
glossary that was produced in 1984, and provides significant
cross-references. This edition also gives definitions for
more recent transit-related terms like National Transportation
System (NTS) and Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency
Act of 1991 (ISTEA). Finally, this glossary has been expanded
to meet the specific needs of transit system board members,
new employees in the industry, and citizens involved in transit
activities.
Other contributors:
|
| Accessibility |
The extent to which facilities are barrier free
and useable by persons with disabilities, including wheelchair
users. |
| Advanced Design Bus |
See "Bus,
Advanced Design." |
| Advanced Public Transportation Systems (APTS) |
Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems (IVHS) technology that
is designed to improve transit services through advanced vehicle
operations, communications, customer service and market development. |
| 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 (ATU) |
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. |
| American Public Transportation Association (APTA) |
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. |
| Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) |
A civil rights law passed by Congress in 1990 which makes
it illegal to discriminate against people with disabilities
in employment, services provided by state and local governments,
public and private transportation, public accommodations and
telecommunications. |
| 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. |
| 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." |
| 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." |
| Auto Restricted Zone (ARZ) |
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. |
| Automatic Fare Collection System (AFC) |
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. |
| Automatic Vehicle Location System (AVLS) |
Technology that tracks the current location of fleet vehicles
to assist in dispatching, maintaining schedules, answering
specific customer inquiries, etc. |
| 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. |
| Binding Arbitration |
Arbitration with a final and binding award, which is often
enforceable in the courts. |
| 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 Resolution |
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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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"). |
| Central Business District (CBD) |
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. |
| Charter Bus |
See "Bus, Charter." |
| Circulator Bus |
See "Bus, Circulator." |
| Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAAA) |
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. |
| 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." |
| Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) |
An alternative fuel; compressed natural gas stored under
high pressure. CNG vapor is lighter than air. |
| 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 prog rams
meet the provisions of a State Implementation Plan. |
| Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) |
Federal funds available for either transit or highway projects
which contribute significantly to reducing automobile emissions
which cause air pollution. |
| 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. |
| Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA) |
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. |
| Crosstown |
Non-radial bus or rail service which does not enter the
Central Business District (CBD). |
| 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. |
| 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." |
| Department of Transportation (DOT) |
The cabinet level Department of the federal government that
is responsible for administration of federal transportation
programs including public transportation, highways,
railroads, air transportation, shipping and the Coast Guard.
Each state also has a department of transportation. |
| Dial-a-Ride |
See "Demand Responsive." |
| Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) |
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 (SBA)
under Section 8 (a) of the Small Business Act. |
| 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. |
| Double Deck Bus |
See "Bus, Double Deck." |
| Downtime |
A period during which a vehicle is inoperative because of
repairs or maintenance. |
| Downtown People Mover (DPM) |
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. |
| Earmark |
A federal budgetary term that refers to the specific designation
by Congress that part of a more general lump-sum appropriation
be used for a particular project; the earmark can be designated
as a minimum and/or maximum dollar amount. |
| Elevated (Railway) |
See "Rail, Heavy." |
| 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). |
| Equity, Federal Transit Funding |
A ratio of appropriated dollars between Sections 9 and
18 (formula funds) to Section 3 (discretionary
funds). |
| Ethanol |
An alternative fuel; a liquid alcohol fuel with vapor heavier
than air; produced from agricultural products such as corn,
grain and sugar cane. |
| Exclusive Right-of-Way |
A highway or other facility that can only be used by buses
or other transit vehicles. |
| Executive Order 12372 |
A presidential directive that furnishes guidance to federal
agencies for cooperation with state and local governments
in the evaluation, review and coordination of federal assistance
programs and projects. |
| Express Bus |
See "Bus, Express." |
| Fare Box Recovery Ratio |
Measure of the proportion of operating expenses covered
by passenger fares; found by dividing fare box revenue
by total operating expenses for each mode and/or systemwide. |
| Fare Box Revenue |
Value of cash, tickets, tokens and pass receipts given by
passengers as payment for rides; excludes charter revenue. |
| Fare Elasticity |
The extent to which ridership responds to fare increases
or decreases. |
| Fare Structure |
The system set up to determine how much is to be paid by
various passengers using a transit vehicle at any given time. |
| Federal Transit Administration (FTA) |
Formerly known as the Urban Mass Transportation Administration
(UMTA); FTA is the agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation
which administers the federal program of financial assistance
to public transit. |
| Feeder Bus |
See "Bus, Feeder." |
| Ferryboat |
A boat providing fixed-route service across a body
of water. |
| Fiscal Year (FY) |
The yearly accounting period for the federal government
which begins October 1 and ends on the following September
30. The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year in
which it ends (e.g., FY 94 is from October 1, 1993 to September
30, 1994). |
| Fixed Cost |
An indirect cost that remains relatively constant, irrespective
of the level of operational activity. |
| Fixed Guideway Modernization |
See "Rail Modernization." |
| Fixed Guideway System |
A system of vehicles that can operate only on its own guideway
constructed for that purpose (e.g., rapid rail, light rail).
Federal usage in funding legislation also includes exclusive
right-of-way bus operations, trolley coaches and ferryboats
as "fixed guideway" transit. |
| Fixed Route |
Service provided on a repetitive, fixed-schedule basis along
a specific route with vehicles stopping to pick up and deliver
passengers to specific locations; each fixed-route trip serves
the same origins and destinations, unlike demand responsive
and taxicabs. |
| Flexible Funds |
Those federal funds which can be used for highway, transit
or other transportation projects, as decided by regional Metropolitan
Planning Organizations (MPOs) and state governments. Examples
of such funds are the Surface Transportation Program (STP)
and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ)
fund. |
| Formula Funds |
Funds distributed or apportioned to qualifying recipients
on the basis of formulas described in law; e.g., funds in
the Section 18 program for Small Urban and Rural Transit
Assistance, which are distributed to each state based on the
state's percentage of national rural population. See also
"Section 9." |
| Fringe Parking |
An area for parking usually located outside the Central
Business District (CBD) and most often used by suburban
residents who work or shop downtown. |
| Grievance Arbitration |
The process of resolving a labor dispute involving the application
or interpretation of a collective bargaining agreement,
by asking an impartial third party to make a decision after
both labor and management have presented their cases. |
| Headway |
Time interval between vehicles moving in the same direction
on a particular route. |
| Heavy Rail |
See "Rail, Heavy." |
| High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) |
Vehicles that can carry two or more persons. Examples of
high occupancy vehicles are a bus, vanpool and
carpool. These vehicles sometimes have exclusive traffic
lanes called "HOV lanes," "busways," "transitways"
or "commuter lanes." |
| High Speed Rail |
See "Rail, High Speed." |
| Highway Trust Fund |
The federal trust fund established by the Highway Revenue
Act of 1956; this fund has two accounts -- the Highway Account
and the Mass Transit Account. Trust fund revenues are
derived from federal highway-user taxes and fees such as motor
fuel taxes; trust fund uses and expenditures are determined
by law. |
| Inclined Plane |
A railway operating over exclusive right-of-way on steep
grades with unpowered vehicles propelled by moving cables
attached to the vehicles and powered by engines or motors
at a central location not on board the vehicle. |
| Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems (IVHS) |
Automated systems of highway transportation designed to
improve traffic monitoring and management. IVHS includes:
Advanced Public Transportation Systems (APTS), Automatic
Vehicle Location System (AVLS) and "smart vehicles" which
assist drivers with planning, perception, analysis and decision-making.
See also "Intelligent Vehicle Highway Society of Am erica
(IVHS America)." |
| Intercity Bus |
See "Bus, Intercity." |
| Interest Arbitration |
The process of arriving at the terms of a new collective
bargaining agreement, by asking an impartial third party to
make rulings after both labor and management have presented
their cases. |
| Intermodal |
Those issues or activities which involve or affect more
than one mode of transportation, including transportation
connections, choices, cooperation and coordination of various
modes. Also known as "multimodal." |
| Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) |
The 1991 law that reauthorized the federal surface transportation
program for six years. ISTEA heralded a new era in surface
transportation because of the emphasis on "intermodalism,"
the unprecedented increases in authorized spending for transit,
the ability to use some highway funds for transit (and vice
versa) and the increased reliance on regional planning agencies
to weigh transportation options and make decisions utilizing
public participation. |
| Jitney |
Privately-owned, small or medium-sized vehicle usually operated
on a fixed route but not on a fixed schedule. |
| Joint Development |
Ventures undertaken by the public and private sectors for
development of land around transit stations or stops. |
| Kiss and Ride |
A place where commuters are driven and dropped off at a
station to board a public transportation vehicle. |
| Layover Time |
Time built into a schedule between arrival at the end of
a route and the departure for the return trip, used for the
recovery of delays and preparation for the return trip. |
| Level Playing Field |
A balanced approach to federal funding proportions for highway
projects and transit projects; may also refer to employee
transportation benefits so that the monthly, tax-free value
of a transit pass is equal to that of a parking space;
generally, any situation in which transit and highways receive
equal treatment in federal funding and other federal procedures. |
| Light Rail |
See "Rail, Light." |
| Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) |
An alternative fuel; a natural gas cooled to below its boiling
point of -260 degrees Fahrenheit so that it becomes a liquid;
stored in a vacuum bottle-type container at very low temperatures
and under moderate pressure. LNG vapor is lighter than air. |
| Load Factor |
The ratio of passengers actually carried versus the total
passenger capacity of a vehicle. |
| Magnetic Levitation (Mag-Lev) |
A rail transportation system with exclusive right-of-way
which is propelled along a fixed guideway system by
the attraction or repulsion of magnets on the rails and under
the rail cars. |
| Managers of Mobility |
Transit systems which expand their role to include services
and approaches beyond traditional public transportation
to include ridesharing, high occupancy vehicle
programs, public education on transit's benefits and integration
of land use, air quality and transportation decisions; the
phrase was developed as part of the industry's Transit
2000 policy effort undertaken in the la te 1980s and early
1990s. |
| Mass Transit |
See "Public Transportation." |
| Mass Transit Account |
The federal account, established by the Surface Transportation
Assistance Act of 1982, into which a designated portion of
the federal Highway Trust Fund revenue from motor fuel
taxes is placed (1.5 cents in 1994). This account is used
for federal mass transportation assistance. |
| Mass Transportation |
See "Public Transportation." |
| Mean Distance Between Failures (MDBF) |
The average distance in miles that a transit vehicle travels
before failure of a vital component forces removal of that
vehicle from service. |
| Mediation |
Efforts by an impartial third party to encourage agreement
between a labor union and management by counseling each side
and facilitating negotiations. Also known as "conciliation." |
| Medium-Size Bus |
See "Bus, Medium-Size." |
| Methanol |
An alternative fuel; a liquid alcohol fuel with vapor heavier
than air; primarily produced from natural gas. |
| Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) |
The organization designated by local elected officials as
being responsible for carrying out the urban transportation
and other planning processes for an area. |
| Metropolitan Railway (Metro) |
See "Rail, Heavy." |
| Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) |
A business owned and operated by one or more individuals
who are defined as minorities under U.S. Department of Transportation
regulations. See also "disadvantaged business enterprise." |
| Modal Split |
A term which describes how many people use alternative forms
of transportation. Frequently used to describe the percentage
of people using private automobiles as opposed to the percentage
using public transportation. |
| Model |
An analytical tool (often mathematical) used by transportation
planners to assist in making forecasts of land use, economic
activity, travel activity and their effects on the quality
of resources such as land, air and water. |
| Monorail |
An electric railway in which a rail car or train of cars
is suspended from or straddles a guideway formed by a single
beam or rail. Most monorails are either heavy rail
or automated guideway systems. |
| National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) |
A comprehensive federal law requiring analysis of the environmental
impacts of federal actions such as the approval of grants;
also requiring preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) for every major federal action significantly affecting
the quality of the human environment. |
| National Highway System (NHS) |
A proposed transportation system consisting of approximately
155,000 miles of highway in order to provide an interconnected
system of principal arterial routes serving major population
centers, major transportation facilities, major travel destinations,
interstate and interregional travel and meeting national defense
requirements. The NHS, defined in the Intermodal Surface
Transportation Effic iency Act (ISTEA), is one component
of the National Transportation System (NTS). |
| National Transportation System (NTS) |
An intermodal system consisting of all forms of transportation
in a unified, interconnected manner to reduce energy consumption
and air pollution while promoting economic development and
supporting the Nation's preeminent position in international
commerce. The NTS includes the National Highway System
(NHS), public transportation and access to ports
and airports. |
| New Look Bus |
See "Bus, New Look." |
| New Start |
Federal funding granted under Section 3(i) of the Federal
Transit Act (formerly known as the Urban Mass Transportation
Act). These discretionary funds are made available
for construction of a new fixed guideway system or
extension of any existing fixed guideway system, based on
cost-effectiveness, alternatives analysis results and the
degree of local financial commitment. |
| Nonattainment Area |
Any geographic region of the United States that the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated as not
attaining the federal air quality standards for one or more
air pollutants, such as ozone and carbon monoxide. |
| Obligation |
A federal budgetary term that refers to a binding agreement
that will result in an outlay; an agreement by the
federal government to pay for goods or services immediately
or at some future time when the goods or services are delivered.
Also known as a "commitment." |
| Obligation Limitation |
A federal budgetary term that refers to a limit placed in
appropriations bills on the amount of federal assistance
that may be obligated during a specified time period. It does
not affect the scheduled apportionment or allocation
of funds; it just controls the rate at which these funds may
be used. |
| Off-Peak Period |
Non-rush periods of the day when travel activity is generally
lower and less transit service is scheduled. Also called "base
period." |
| Operating Assistance |
Financial assistance for transit operating expenses
(not capital costs); such aid may originate with federal,
local or state governments. |
| Operating Deficit |
The sum of all operating expenses minus operating
revenues. |
| Operating Expense |
Monies paid in salaries, wages, materials, supplies and
equipment in order to maintain equipment and buildings, operate
vehicles, rent equipment and facilities and settle claims. |
| Operating Revenue |
Receipts derived from or for the operation of transit service,
including fare box revenue, revenue from advertising,
interest and charter bus service and operating assistance
from governments. |
| Outlay |
A federal budgetary term that refers to a payment made to
meet an obligation; the point at which an actual payment
of money is made. |
| Paratransit |
Comparable transportation service required by the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 for individuals with
disabilities who are unable to use fixed-route transportation
systems. |
| Park and Ride Lot |
Designated parking areas for automobile drivers who then
board transit vehicles from these locations. |
| Particulate Trap |
A filter which removes a portion of the particulates (solids,
soot, etc.) from a vehicle's exhaust stream and generally
includes a regenerative unit and associated control system
to burn the collected solids. |
| 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. |
| Passenger Transport (PT) |
The weekly newspaper of the transit industry that is published
by the American Public Transit Association (APTA). |
| Peak Period |
Morning and afternoon time periods when transit riding is
heaviest. |
| Peak/Base Ratio |
The number of vehicles operated in passenger service during
the peak period divided by the number operated during
the base period. |
| Propane |
An alternative fuel; a liquid petroleum gas (LPG) which
is stored under moderate pressure and with vapor heavier than
air; produced as a by-product of natural gas and oil production. |
| Public Transit System |
An organization that provides transportation services owned,
operated, or subsidized by any municipality, county, regional
authority, state, or other governmental agency, including
those operated or managed by a private management firm under
contract to the government agency owner. |
| Public Transportation |
Transportation by bus, rail, or other conveyance, either
publicly or privately owned, which provides to the public
general or special service on a regular and continuing basis.
Also known as "mass transportation," "mass transit" and "transit." |
| 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. |
| Rescission |
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. |
| Section 3 |
The section of the Federal Transit Act (formerly known as
the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964), as amended, that
authorizes discretionary funds for capital public transportation
projects. |
| Section 9 |
The 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 inappro priate. |
| Section 18 |
The 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." |
| Small Bus |
See "Bus, Small." |
| Standard-Size Bus |
See "Bus, Standard-Size." |
| State Implementation Plan (SIP) |
A state plan mandated by the Clean Air Act Amendments
of 1990 (CAAA) that contains procedures to monitor, control,
maintain and enforce compliance with national standards for
air quality. |
| 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. |
| 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 aut
hority, 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. |
| Transport Workers Union (TWU) |
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. |
| 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. |
| 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." |
| United Transportation Union (UTU) |
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. |
| Urban Mass Transportation Administration (UMTA) |
See "Federal Transit Administration (FTA)." |
| Urbanized Area (UZA) |
An 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. |
| Van |
See "(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. |
| Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) |
A business owned and operated by one or more women. |
| Zone Fares |
A system of fares where a transit system's service area
is divided into zones within which specified rates or fares
apply. |
