The Transportation Acronym Glossary is a list of acronyms and other common transportation-related terms.
Accessibility
The opportunity to reach a given end use within a certain time frame, or without being impeded by physical, social or economic barriers. Enhancing mobility is one way of improving access.
ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
Federal law that requires public facilities (including transportation services) to be accessible to persons with disabilities. ADA also requires the provision of complementary or supplemental paratransit services in areas where fixed route transit service is operated. The definition of eligibility for accessible services includes persons with mental disabilities, temporary disabilities, and the conditions related to substance abuse. The Act is an augmentation to, but does not supersede, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability against otherwise qualified individuals in programs receiving federal assistance.
ADT – Average Daily Traffic
The number of vehicles passing a fixed point in a day, averaged over a number of days.
AMPO – Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations
A national nonprofit membership organization serving the interests of Metropolitan Planning Organizations nationwide.
Arterial
A class of street serving major traffic movement.
AVO – Average Vehicle Occupancy
The ratio of person trips to vehicle trips; often used as a criteria in evaluating the success of trip reduction programs.
AVR – Average Vehicle Ridership
The number of employees scheduled to start work during specified hours divided by the number of vehicles arriving at the site during those same work hours.
Bike Lane
Areas of a road designated for cyclists only. Commonly designated by a painted stripe alongside the vehicle travel lane
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.
BOCC – Board of County Commissioners
BPAC – Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee
An MPO advisory committee composed of citizen, agency and jurisdictional representatives committed to multi-modal planning, improving bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and education and promotion of the benefits of walking and biking.
CAAA – Clean Air Act Amendments
1990 amendments to the federal Clean Air Act which classify non-attainment areas and provide rules dealing with air pollution in such areas, specifically bringing transportation decisions into the context of air quality control.
CAC – Citizens Advisory Committee
Citizen volunteers, representing a spectrum of social, economic and jurisdictional interests, who provide input from a citizen’s perspective to the MPO Board.
CAP – Commuter Assistance Program
Program funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) supporting numerous congestion-reducing programs in order to achieve traffic reduction and air quality goals.
CIA – Community Impact Assessment
A process to evaluate the effects of a transportation action on a community and its quality of life; a way to incorporate community considerations into the planning and development of major transportation projects. From a policy perspective, it is a process for assessing the social and economic impacts of transportation projects as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
CBD – Central Business District
The most intensely commercial sector of a city.
CCC – Chairs Coordinating Committee
Composed of chairpersons from the seven member MPOs (Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota/Manatee Counties and the Transportation Planning Organization representing Polk County) in west central Florida, FDOT Secretaries from District 1 and District 7, Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise and the Regional Planning Councils, the CCC meets quarterly to cooperatively address transportation challenges on a regional, long range basis. www.regionaltransportation.org
COC – Community of Concern
A community who might face additional difficulties in engaging in MPO planning processes or transportation generally. Characteristics of Communities of Concern are outlined in the MPO’s Title VI Nondiscrimination Plan.
CMAQ – Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program
A categorical funding program created under ISTEA, directing funding to projects that contribute to meeting national air quality standards in air quality non-attainment areas.
CMP – Congestion Management Process
A systematic process required under SAFETEALU for all Transportation Management Areas (TMAs) to address congestion management through the metropolitan planning process, providing for effective management and operation based on a cooperatively developed and implemented metropolitan-wide strategy of new and existing transportation facilities eligible for funding under title 23 and chapter 53 of title 49 through travel demand reduction and operational management strategies. Required under 23 CFR 500.109 to monitor and evaluate the performance of the multi-modal transportation ystem, identify causes of congestion, identify and evaluate alternative actions, provide information supporting the implementation of actions, and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of those actions.
Comprehensive Plan
A legal document, adopted by local governments, to guide and coordinate long range growth and development.
Conformity
Process to assess the compliance of any transportation plan, program, or project with air quality control plans. The conformity process is defined by the Clean Air Act.
Coordination
When agencies share responsibilities related to transporting clients: carrying others’ clients, arranging with other agencies to carry clients, or sharing vehicles or vehicle support services including maintenance, etc. Example: a provider whose major activity is transporting elderly clients may make midday schedule space to serve clients of another program.
CTC – Community Transportation Coordinator
Contracted by the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged Commission to provide cost-effective and efficient transportation services to transportation disadvantaged (TD) persons. In Hillsborough County, the Board of County Commissioners has been designated as the CTC who operates door-to-door paratransit services as the “Sunshine Line.”
CTD – Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged
The Florida legislature established the CTD in 1989 to help to ensure the availability of efficient, cost-effective and quality transportation services for persons who due to a physical or mental disability, age or income, are transportation disadvantaged. www.dot.state.fl.us/ctd
Cycle Track
Cyclist-only bike facilities that are separated from, but may run parallel to, a roadway.
CUTR – Center for Urban Transportation Research
A legislatively created research center, located at the University of South Florida (USF), whose purpose is to provide research, training, education, technical assistance and in-depth policy analysis on issues related to urban transportation in Florida. www.cutr.usf.edu
DEO – Department of Economic Opportunity
Assists Florida communities in meeting the challenges of growth, reducing the effects of disasters and investing in community revitalization.
DEP – Department of Environmental Protection
State agency responsible for the implementation of most of Florida’s environmental regulations, including air monitoring and assessment; formerly the Departments of Natural Resources and Environmental Regulation.
DOT – Department of Transportation
Agency responsible for transportation at the local, state, or federal level. For title 23 U.S.C. federal-aid highway actions, this would mean the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA); and for federal-aid transit actions under 49 U.S.C., this would mean the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
DRI – Development of Regional Impact
A large-scale development which is required to undergo an extra-local review process; the appropriate regional planning council coordinates the review; the appropriate local government makes the approval decision, with the Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA) retaining appeal authority.
EIS – Environmental Impact Statement
Report detailing any adverse economic, social, and environmental effects of a proposed transportation project for which federal funding is being sought. Adverse effects could include air, water, or noise pollution; destruction or disruption of natural resources; adverse employment effects; injurious displacement of people or businesses; or disruption of desirable community or regional growth.
EJ – Environmental Justice
Derived from Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, EJ describes the impact of transportation plans or projects on a particular community or population, strives to ensure public involvement of low income and minority groups in decision making to prevent disproportionately high or adverse impacts on these groups, and to assure they receive equal benefits from transportation improvements.
EPA- Environmental Protection Agency
EPA is the federal source agency of air quality control regulations affecting transportation and is responsible for other national environmental issues.
EPC – Environmental Protection Commission
The Board of County Commissioners as designated by state legislation to protect the environment against contaminants of air, water, soil and property, excessive noise and to preserve public health, safety and welfare.
ERH – Emergency Ride Home
Encourages commuters to carpool, use transit, bike or walk to work by guaranteeing them a ride home in case they cannot take the same mode home (e.g., if they need to work late unexpectedly or if an emergency occurs).
ETC – Employee Transportation Coordinator
A person who helps employees at a particular work site use carpooling, vanpooling and other ridesharing programs.
ETDM – Efficient Transportation Decision Making
An integrated approach to transportation decision-making that establishes a systematic approach that integrates land use, social, economic, environmental and transportation considerations; includes active participation from federal, state and local agencies as well as the public; and leads to decisions that provide the highest quality of life and an optimal level of mobility.
ETDM Coordinator
Each district and MPO designates an ETDM Coordinator responsible for full implementation of Florida’s ETDM process, overall interagency and public involvement coordination, and ensuring compliance with operating agreements between FDOT and partner agencies.
FDOT – Florida Department of Transportation
State agency responsible for transportation issues and planning in Florida.
Feasibility Study
Refers to systematic evaluations to better assess the desirability or practicality of further developing a proposed action. Such studies are typically performed during the planning stage, or very early in the preliminary development phase when improvement proposals or design concepts need to be more fully investigated.
FEIS – Final Environmental Impact Statement
A document, required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), prepared for an action that is likely to have significant impact. This document summarizes the major environmental impacts, outlines issues, examines reasonable alternatives, and arrives at a record of decision, identifying the selected alternative for the project.
FHWA – Federal Highway Administration
Division of the U.S. Department of Transportation responsible for administrating federal highway programs under title 23 U.S.C.
FIHS – Florida Intrastate Highway System
A statewide network of limited and controlled access highways whose primary function is for high speed and high volume traffic movements; built and maintained by FDOT.
FLZ – Freight Logistics Zone
A designated grouping of freight activity and transportation infrastructure in an area around an Intermodal Logistics Center.
Final Design
The development of detailed working drawings, specifications, and estimates for transportation projects. Final Design follows the receipt of necessary design and/or environmental approval, and it includes right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, and contract advertisement and award. Typically, drawings are submitted for review at 30%, 60%, and final design.
Fiscal Constraint
A requirement that all plans be financially constrained – balanced expenditures to reasonably expected sources of funding – over the period of the TIP or LRTP.
Fixed Guideway
A system of vehicles that can operate only on its own guideway constructed for that purpose (e.g., rapid rail, light rail). Also includes exclusive right-of-way bus operations and trolley coaches.
Fixed Route
Term applied to transit service that is regularly scheduled and operates over a set route. Usually refers to bus service.
Florida Administrative Weekly
The publication in Florida where proposed rules, workshops, hearings and final rules are advertised for public notice.
FS – Florida Statutes
Documents in which Florida’s laws are found.
FSUTMS – Florida Standard Urban Transportation Modeling Structure
Computer model used in Florida for transportation planning to simulate existing and future travel patterns; developed by FDOT for long-range urban area transportation modeling.
FTA – Federal Transit Administration
Federal entity responsible for transit planning and programs under title 49 U.S.C.
FTC – Florida Transportation Commission
Created by the 1987 Legislature to serve as the oversight board for the Florida Department of Transportation. Independent from FDOT, the Commission’s primary functions are to review major transportation policy initiatives or revisions submitted by the department pursuant to law; recommend major transportation policy to the Governor and Legislature (Commission has recommended policies related to public transit, funding, road jurisdiction, truck weights, and penalties, etc.); serve as an oversight body for the FDOT (Commission assesses performance, monitors financial status, and reviews work program, budget requests and long-range plan); serve as nominating commission in the selection of the Secretary of Transportation (Governor appoints Secretary from among three candidates nominated by the commission).
FTP – Florida Transportation Plan
A statewide, comprehensive transportation plan which establishes long-range goals to be accomplished over a 50 year time frame; developed by Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT); updated every five years
Functional Classification
The process by which streets and highways are grouped into classes, or systems, according to the intended service they provide in serving the flow of trips through a highway network.
FLU – Future Land Use Map
Adopted policy map associated with a local government comprehensive plan that illustrates the allocation of future land use categories, density, and intensity for a specified planning period (e.g., 10 or 20 years).
FY – Fiscal Year
A budget year runs from October 1st through September 30th for the MPO and the federal government.
GIS – Geographic Information Systems
an information system for capturing, storing, analyzing, managing and presenting data that are linked to locations, often used to produce maps to assist in visualizing transportation as well comprehensive land use plans.
HART – Hillsborough Area Regional Transit
Provides directly, or through arrangements with other organizations, the following services:
- Local fixed route and express bus service
- HARTFlex door-to-door van service
- HART HyperLINK last mile service
- 100% Wheelchair/Bike Accessible Buses
- Transportation Accessible Program (TAPS)
- Door-to-door Paratransit service (HARTPlus)
- Travel Planning Assistance
- Travel Training
- Regional fare payments (Flamingo Fares)
- Bikes on Buses bike loading options
- Real time transit information via OneBusAway app
- Employer/Subscription Mini-Bus Service
- Bus Buddy Training
This multi-modal approach is designed to meet the transportation needs of a varied customer base, reduce congestion and improve air quality. Visit www.gohart.org for more information.
HOV – High Occupancy Vehicle
A vehicle carrying two or more people that may travel in lanes designated for high occupancy vehicles as designated.
Highway
Term applies to roads, streets, and parkways, and also includes rights-of-way, bridges, railroad crossings, tunnels, drainage structures, signs, guard rails, and protective structures in connection with highways.
Historic District
A significant concentration, linkage, or continuity of sites, buildings, structures, or objects united historically or aesthetically by plan or physical development.
IMS – Incident Management System
A systematic process required under SAFETEA-LU to provide information on accidents and identify causes and improvements to the transportation system to increase safety for all users.
Intergovernmental Agreement
Legal instrument describing tasks to be accomplished and/or funds to be paid between government agencies.
Intermodal Facilities
A facility that serves as a connection point between two or more transportation modes, typically transit and some other mode of transport.
Interstate System
The system of highways that connects the principal metropolitan areas, cities, and industrial centers of the United States. The Interstate System also connects the U.S. to internationally
significant routes in Mexico and Canada. The routes of the Interstate System are selected jointly by the departments of transportation for each state and the adjoining states, subject to the approval of the U.S. Secretary of Transportation.
ISTEA – Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991
Legislative initiative by the U.S. Congress that restructured funding for transportation programs. ISTEA authorized increased levels of highway and transportation funding and an enlarged role for regional planning commissions and MPOs in funding decisions. The Act also requires comprehensive regional long-range transportation plans extending to the year 2015 and places an increased
emphasis on public participation and transportation alternatives.
ITS – Intelligent Transportation Systems
Use of computer and communications technology to facilitate the flow of information between travelers and system operators to improve mobility and transportation productivity, enhance safety, maximize the use of existing transportation facilities, conserve energy resources and reduce adverse environmental effects.
Jurisdiction
A unit of government which exercises certain powers over a place or facility.
Land Use
Refers to the manner in which portions of land or the structures on them are used – commercial, residential, retail, industrial, etc.
LRC – Livable Roadways Committee
Citizens and agencies focused on enhance of roadways aesthetically and in terms of usability for people (pedestrians and cyclists) – designing roads for people and multi-modal access, not only for cars. The committee strives to create a transportation system that balances design and aesthetics with issues of roadway safety and function for all users.
LOS – Level of Service
A qualitative assessment of a transportation facility’s operating condition, generally described using a scale of A (little congestion) to E/F (severe congestion).
LRTP – Long Range Transportation Plan
A document resulting from a regional or statewide process of collaboration and consensus on a region or state’s transportation system. This document serves as the defining vision for the region or state’s transportation systems and services. In metropolitan areas, the plan indicates all of the transportation improvement scheduled for funding over the next 20 years.
Managed Lanes
Highway facilities or a set of lanes where operational strategies are proactively implemented and managed in response to changing conditions. Strategies can include tolling, lane use restrictions, high occupancy vehicle lanes, and reversible lanes, among others.
MAP 21 – Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act
An outcome-driven program which encourages MPOs and State DOTs to invest resources in projects that will make progress toward achieving the national goals of transportation safety, good infrastructure, reduced congestion, system reliability, economic vitality, and sustainability.
Mobility
The ability to move or be moved from place to place.
Mode
Form of transportation, such as automobile, transit, bicycle and walking. Intermodal refers to the connections between modes.
Model
A mathematical and geometric projection of activity and the interactions in the transportation system in an area. This projection must be able to be evaluated according to a given set of criteria which typically include criteria pertaining to land use, economics, social values, and travel patterns.
MPO – Metropolitan Planning Organization
The organization designated by law with lead responsibility for developing transportation plans and programs for urbanized areas of 50,000 or more in population. MPOs are established by agreement of the Governor and units of general purpose local government which together represent 75 percent of the affected population of an urbanized area. MPOs are directly responsible for making sure federal and state dollars spent on existing and future transportation projects and programs are based on a continuing, cooperative and comprehensive transportation planning process. The Hillsborough MPO is responsible for establishing priorities that meet short-term (5 year) and long-term (20+ year) multi-modal transportation needs for Unincorporated Hillsborough County and the county’s three cities.
MPOAC – MPO Advisory Council
An advisory council (consisting of one member from each MPO) that serves as the principal forum for collective policy discussion in urban areas created by law to assist the MPOs in carrying out the urbanized area transportation planning process.
Multimodal
Refers to the availability of multiple transportation options or modes within a system or corridor.
NAAQS – National Ambient Air Quality Standards
Federal standards that set allowable concentrations and exposure limits for various pollutants.
NEPA – National Environmental Policy Act
Passed in 1969, the federal legislation requiring agencies of the federal government to document the environmental impact of transportation projects. The NEPA process is enforced by regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ).
NHS – National Highway System
A federal transportation program authorized by ISTEA that designates nationally significant Interstate Highways and roads for interstate travel, national defense, intermodal connections, and international commerce. Other eligible activities include bikeways and park-and-ride lots. The NHS is currently being developed as the first component of a larger, intermodal National Transportation System.
NHTSA – National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), under the U.S. Department of Transportation, was established by the Highway Safety Act of 1970, as the successor to the National Highway Safety Bureau, to carry out safety programs under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 and the Highway Safety Act of 1966. NHTSA is responsible for reducing deaths, injuries and economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes. This is accomplished by setting and enforcing safety performance standards for motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment, and through grants to state and local governments to enable them to conduct effective local highway safety programs. NHTSA investigates safety defects in motor vehicles, sets and enforces fuel economy standards, helps states and local communities reduce the threat from drunk drivers, promote the use of safety belts, child safety seats and air bags, investigate odometer fraud, establishes and enforces vehicle anti-theft regulations and provides consumer information on motor vehicle safety topics. NHTSA also conducts research on driver behavior and traffic safety to develop the most efficient and effective means of bringing about safety improvements.
Non-Attainment Areas
Geographic areas that do not meet national ambient air quality standards; ranked by the severity of their problem as marginal, moderate, serious, severe or extreme. In accordance with the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, these areas must take specific emission reduction measures.
Open House
An informal, unstructured Public Meeting or Hearing during which information stations with exhibits convey important project information and MPO/Department and consultant personnel are available to answer the public’s questions.
Operating Entity
The responsible organization for management and operation of a facility (e.g., public, private, quasi-public).
Outreach
Efforts to offer everyone in a community the opportunity to participate and give input in transportation planning.
Ozone
A colorless gas with a sweet odor. Ozone is not a direct emission from transportation sources. It is a secondary pollutant formed when hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) combine in the presence of sunlight. The ozone is associated with smog or haze conditions. Although the ozone in the upper atmosphere protects us from harmful ultraviolet rays, ground level ozone produces an unhealthy environment in which to live.
Paratransit
Alternatively known as special transportation when applied to social services systems. Applies to a variety of smaller, often flexibly scheduled and routed nonprofit-oriented transportation services using low-capacity vehicles, such as vans, to operate within normal urban transit corridors or rural areas. These services usually serve the needs of persons that standard mass transit
services would serve with difficulty, or not at all. Typical patrons are the elderly and persons with disabilities.
PD&E – Project Development and Environment Study
Project development is the phase a proposed project undergoes once it has been through the planning process. PD&E is FDOT’s name for a corridor study to establish conceptual design for a transportation project and to determine its compliance with federal and state environmental laws and regulations. A PD&E Study is a more detailed analysis of a proposed project’s social, economic, and environmental impacts and various project alternatives.
Project
In the context of the ETDM Process, a proposed project is an improvement being considered for inclusion in a Cost-Feasible Long Range Transportation Plan or FIHS Plan. Candidate projects are often referred to as project needs included in a “Needs Assessment” or “Needs Plan.” There are several phases of a project as listed below:
- Planning
- Programming
- Project Development
- Design
- Right of Way Acquisition
- Construction
Public Comment
A statement of fact or opinion, especially a remark that expresses a personal reaction or attitude, received at a public meeting, during a public workshop exercise or via phone, fax, discussion, e-mail, online, comment card or letter.
Public Hearing
A hearing designed to afford the public the fullest opportunity to express support of, opposition to, or comment on a transportation project. Documentation is required.
Public Meeting
An announced meeting conducted by transportation officials designed to facilitate public participation in the decision making process and to assist the public in gaining an informed view of a
proposed project during the Transportation Development Process.
Public Participation
The active and meaningful involvement of the public in the development of transportation plans and improvement programs. ISTEA, and further emphasized in subsequent legislation including SAFETEA-LU, require that state departments of transportation and MPOs proactively seek the meaningful involvement of all interested parties, including those traditionally underserved by the current transportation system.
Reverse Commute
Commuting against the main directions of traffic, often referring to the central city to suburb commute.
ROW – Right of Way
Priority paths for the construction and operation of highways, light and heavy rail, railroads, etc.; (ROW) real property that is used for transportation or utility purposes; (R/W) defines the extent of the corridor that can be used for the road and associated drainage.
RPC – Regional Planning Council
A multipurpose organization composed of representatives of local governments and appointed representatives from the geographic area covered by the council, and designated as the primary organization to address problems and plan solutions that are of greater than local concern or scope; currently 11 regional planning councils exist in Florida.
SAFETEA-LU – Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act A Legacy for Users
Signed in to law on August 10, 2005 by President Bush with guaranteed funding for highways, highway safety, and public transportation totaling $244.1 billion, representing the largest surface transportation investment in our Nation’s history. The two landmark bills that brought surface transportation into the 21st century — ISTEA and TEA-21 — shaped the highway program to meet the Nation’s changing transportation needs. SAFETEA-LU builds on this firm foundation, supplying the funds and refining the programmatic framework for investments needed to maintain and grow our vital transportation infrastructure. Addressing challenges such as improving safety, reducing traffic congestion, improving efficiency in freight movement, increasing intermodal connectivity, and protecting the environment, SAFETEA-LU promotes more efficient and effective Federal surface transportation programs by focusing on transportation issues of national significance, while giving State and local transportation decision makers more flexibility for solving transportation problems in their communities. SAFETEA-LU continues a strong fundamental core formula program emphasis coupled with targeted investment focusing on safety, equity, innovative finance, congestion relief, mobility, productivity, efficiency, environmental stewardship and streamlining.
Significant Impacts
Any number of social, environmental, or economic effects or influences that may result from the implementation of a transportation improvement; classified as direct, secondary, or cumulative which significantly affect the human environment. The FHWA mandates environmental clearance documents based upon the significance of impacts. In most cases, Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) projects involve significant impacts. Both context and intensity as described in 40 CFR 1508.27 are important when determining significance.
SIS – Strategic Intermodal System
Established in 2003 to enhance Florida’s economic competitiveness by focusing limited state resources on transportation facilities critical to economy and quality of life. A transportation system made up of statewide and regionally significant facilities and strategic services, including all modes for moving both people and goods and linkages into a single, integrated transportation network.
Smart Growth
Managing development and change to maximize benefits, minimize negative impacts and maintain a strong community quality of life.
SMSA – Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area
A Census Bureau delineation for major metro areas in the U.S.
Social Equity
The provision of affordable, efficient and accessible transportation services to all people regardless of race, national origin, ethnicity, income, gender, sexual orientation, family status, or disability. A socially equitable transportation system provides all people with convenient access to meaningful jobs, services and recreational opportunities.
SOV – Single Occupancy Vehicle
A vehicle used to get just one person (the driver) to a destination.
Sprawl
Low-density segregated land use, automobile dependent development on the fringe of urban areas. Expanding suburbs surrounding a deteriorating urban core. Sprawl often consumes agricultural lands, forest and other open spaces.
Stakeholder
People who may be affected by a project or have an interest in its outcome, including residents, employees, travelers, businesses, modal entities, organizations, etc.
STIP – State Transportation Improvement Program
A staged, multiyear, statewide, intermodal program that is consistent with the state and metropolitan transportation plans; identifies the priority transportation projects to be done over the next three years; is developed by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and must be approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) at least every two years.
STP – Surface Transportation Program
The STP provides flexible federal funding that may be used by states and localities for projects on any federal-aid highway, including the NHS, bridge projects, transit capital projects, and intracity and intercity bus terminals and facilities. A portion of funds are reserved for rural areas.
Sunshine Line
Door-to-door paratransit and HART bus passes for elderly, low income and person who are disabled or Hillsborough Healthcare clients primarily for trips to non-Medicaid medical appointments and Hillsborough County Aging Services programs. Call 272-7272 for more information.
TAC – Technical Advisory Committee
A standing committee of most MPOs to provide advice on plans or actions of the MPO from planners, engineers and other staff members (not general citizens).
TAZ – Traffic Analysis Zone
The smallest geographical area routinely used for computer travel simulation. Population, employment, number of dwellings, etc. are estimated in each TAZ for existing and future years and for subsequent use in trip generation. (Rule of thumb, maximum of 10,000 Average Daily Traffic from each TAZ.)
TBARTA – Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority
Created by state legislature in 2007, TBARTA’s mission is to improve mobility and expand multimodal transportation options for passengers and freight throughout the seven counties (Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota) in our region. This authority can finance, construct, operate, maintain and manage the transportation system it develops. It can issue bonds against future fares and tolls to get projects moving today and is charged with developing and maintaining a Regional Master Plan. www.tbarta.com
TBARTA Commuter Services
Provides a number of simple and easy-to-use tools to help commuters get where they need to go – all while keeping more cash in their pockets, consuming less fuel, causing less wear and tear on
their vehicles, and creating less pollution in the air. Using TBARTA’s free online ride-matching program, commuters connect with each other to share the ride in several ways: carpool, vanpool, school pool, and bike buddy. Other commuter services programs include riding transit, teleworking, variable work hours, and the Emergency Ride Home Program. Visit www.tampabayrideshare.org or call 800-998-RIDE (7433).
TBRPC – Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council
Established in 1962 as Florida’s first regional planning council, TBRPC is an association of local governments and gubernatorial representatives brought together to coordinate planning for the community’s future and provide an opportunity for sharing solutions among the 43 jurisdictions in the Tampa Bay region. The region’s four counties, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco and Pinellas, are required by law to exercise regional cooperation through membership on the Council. www.tbrpc.org
TBRPM – Tampa Bay Regional Planning Model
See FSUTMS.
TD – Transportation Disadvantaged
Those persons, including children as defined in s. 411.202 F.S., who because of physical or mental disability, income status, or inability to drive due to age or disability are unable to transport themselves or to purchase transportation and have no other form of transportation available. These persons are, therefore, dependent upon others to obtain access to health care, employment, education, shopping, or medically necessary or life-sustaining activities.
TDCB – Transportation Disadvantaged Coordinating Board
Established by the Hillsborough County MPO in 1990, the TDCB is composed of citizen, government and social services representatives who guide and coordinate transportation services with the goal of improving quality of life children who are at high risk; the elderly; those who have physical or mental disabilities; and the economically disadvantaged.
TDLC – Transportation Design for Livable Communities
A more flexible approach to planning and designing highway projects. Once community values have been identified through public involvement and socio-cultural effects evaluation, TDLC provides a way to address or preserve some of those values. FDOT’s policy is to consider the incorporation of TDLC when such features are desired, appropriate and feasible. TDLC strategies include landscaping, roadside amenities, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, lighting approaches, interchange designs, and various traffic calming practices.
TDM – Transportation Demand Management
Strategies to reduce peak period congestion which focus on managing travel demand; includes shifting solo drives to carpools or transit, staggered work hours, telecommuting and other similar concepts.
TDP – Transit Development Plan
A short-term (5 years) plan that identifies the intended development of transit, including equipment purchase, system management and operation.
TDP – Transportation Development Process
According to the Transportation Research Board, “a process involving linking the planning, project development, environmental, design, construction, operations, and maintenance aspects of the overall transportation program” (TRB, 2014)
TDSP – Transportation Disadvantaged Service Plan
A three-year implementation plan, with annual updates developed by the CTC and the planning agency which contains the provisions of service delivery in the coordinated transportation system. The plan shall be reviewed and recommended by the local Coordinating Board.
TEA-21 – Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century
A law enacted in 1998 authorizing federal funding for highway, transit and other surface transportation programs.
TIP – Transportation Improvement Program
A priority list of transportation projects developed by the MPO to be carried out within the five years following its adoption and includes documentation of federal and state funding sources for each project and be consistent with the adopted Long Range Transportation Plan and comprehensive plans.
TMA – Transportation Management Area
A special designation given to all urbanized areas with a population over 200,000 (or other area when requested by the Governor and MPO). These areas must comply with special transportation planning requirements regarding congestion management systems, project selection and certification; requirements identified in 23 CFR 450.300-.336.
TOD – Transit Oriented Development
A mixed use community or neighborhood designed to encourage transit use and pedestrian activity, containing a rich mix of residential, retail, and workplaces in settings designed for pedestrian convenience and transit accessibility.
Transportation Enhancements
Improvements related to a particular transportation project that “enhance” or contribute to an existing or proposed facility. Examples of such activities include provision of facilities for pedestrians or cyclists, landscaping or other scenic beautification projects, historic preservation, control and removal of outdoor advertising, archeological planning and research, and mitigation of water pollution due to highway runoff.
Transportation Facilities
Roads, sidewalks, bike lanes, multi-use trails, buses, light rail, commuter rail, transit stations, bus stops, etc.
UPWP – Unified Planning Work Program
Developed by the MPO to identify all transportation programs and planning activities anticipated within the next two years, including the completion schedule, the responsible agency or jurisdiction, and products to be produced.
U.S. Census
Demographic and population data collected every 10 years for the United States government.
U.S.C. – United States Code
Consolidation of the general and permanent laws of the U.S. The Code does not include regulations by the executive branch, state or local governments.
Visualization Techniques
SAFETEA-LU establishes that MPOs “to the maximum extent practicable, employ visualization techniques to describe plans.” (Source: SAFETEA-LU, Public Law 109-59) The Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) have jointly issued rules for MPOs to follow in order to meet the requirements established in SAFETEALU. The FHWA and FTA define “visualization
techniques” as “methods employed by states and MPOs in the development of transportation plans and programs with the public, elected officials, and other stakeholders in a clear and easily accessible format.” This is intended to “promote improved understanding of existing or proposed transportation plans and programs.” The FHWA and FTA language is intentionally vague in regards to the types of visualizations that are appropriate or expected. As a result, each MPO is allowed the flexibility to meet visualization requirements in a way that most “appropriately illustrates the projects or plans.” Samples of visualization techniques range from photo, PowerPoint or video presentations, brainstorming sketches and visual preference surveys to scale models, renderings, maps, aerials, 3-D imagery and other computer-aided visualization.
VMT – Vehicle Miles Traveled
Key data for highway planning and management, and a common measure of roadway use. Along with other data, VMT are often used in estimating congestion, air quality, and potential gas-tax revenues, and can indicate a general measure of the level of the nation’s economic activity. Often used to track the success of air quality control, energy-saving, and TDM programs with the goal of VMT reduction.