Glossary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O
P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 - The Act prohibits private employers, state and local governments, employment agencies and labor unions from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities in job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions and privileges of employment.
Allocation - A method for dividing federal funds among states based on merit or formula. States also allocate funds to local governments, MPOs, and COGs.
Apportionment - The distribution of funds according to a formula written in legislation.
Appropriations Act - An action of a legislative body that makes funds available for expenditure. Appropriation acts are usually for one fiscal year only, although they can be for shorter terms.
Arterial - Major roads designed to provide mobility across a larger distance than collector roads. Arterial roads usually have more lanes, lighted traffic signals, and fewer access points such as driveways. Arterial roads are usually built by the state or federal government, although on occasion a county or municipal road will be expanded to become an arterial.
Authorization Act - Basic legislation that establishes or continues federal programs or agencies. The current transportation authorization act is named the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: a Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), which will remain in effect through 2009.
Collector - Minor roads that provide access to homes and other buildings. The design emphasis of collector roads is accessibility, not mobility. Collector roads are generally built, owned, and operated by county or municipal governments.
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) - The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires all federal agencies to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for any proposed project that could significantly affect the environment. The EIS process requires public input the federal agency’s decision-making process.
Federal-Aid Highway Program (FAHP) - An umbrella term for most federal programs that provide highway funding to state, regional, and local governments. The term refers to all programs laid out in Titles I and II of SAFETEA-LU.
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) - The Federal agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation responsible for administering the Federal-aid Highway Program, among other programs. FHWA is the largest of the nine "modal administrations." FHWA Home page
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) - The Federal agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation responsible for administering and monitoring all programs relating to public transit, including: bus, paratransit, light rail/trolleycars, ferries, and heavy rail. FTA Home page
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)- The Federal agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation responsible for administering and regulating heavy rail travel. Freight and passenger rail are both covered by FRA. FRA Home page
Fiscal Year - The accounting period for the federal budget. The federal fiscal year begins on October 1. The fiscal year is designated by the calendar year in which it ends.
Highway Trust Fund (HTF) - An account established by law to hold funds collected from Federal highway-user fees, such as the gasoline tax. These funds may only be used for highway and transit-related purposes.
ISTEA - The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act. Passed in 1991, ISTEA was the first comprehensive highway and mass transit authorization bill. Worth $155 billion over six years, its programs have been re-authorized twice—by TEA-21 in 1998 and SAFETEA-LU in 2005.
Interstate Highway System - A system of limited access highways that connect all major cities in the lower 48 states. Built with funds supplied by the Federal government beginning in 1956.
Intelligent Transportation Systems - Any one or a combination of 16 recognized technologies that improve traffic flow, system efficiency, or safety.
Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) - A dual-purpose transit program that supports the development of programs that help low-income and welfare recipients to places of employment. JARC also develops programs that help urban residents reach jobs located in the suburbs.
Limited Access Highway - A grade-separated highway (above or below local streets) with a limited number of points (such as an on-ramp) where vehicles can join the traffic flow. All Interstates are Limited Access Highways.
Metropolitan Planning Funds (PL Funds) - Authorized by Section 1007 of SAFETEA-LU, PL funds are used by MPOs to fund staff activities, including drafting transportation plans. Under SAFETEA-LU, PL Funds amount to a takedown of 1.25% of the MPO’s federal allocation.
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) - A regional agency formed by cities and counties within a Metropolitan Planning Area (MPA) of 50,000 people or more. The MPO plans for and implements federal transportation investment alongside other duties required by law. Elected officials sit on the MPO board, and day-to-day tasks are completed by an Executive Director and other professional staff.
Metropolitan Transportation Plan - The official transportation plan for the MPO. This long-rage plan usually looks 20 years into the future. It is developed by MPO staff and adopted by the policy board. The MTP is required by 23 U.S.C. 134, 23 U.S.C. 135 and 49 U.S.C. 5303.
Multimodal - A term used to describe a transportation system that utilizes more than one type of transportation system. Types of transportation include bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure, automobiles, public transit, etc. A multimodal system integrates these various types of transportation into a seamless system.
National Environmental Policy Act - Established a national environmental policy requiring that any project using federal funding or requiring federal approval, including transportation projects, examine the effects of proposed and alternative choices on the environment before a federal decision is made. Established in 1969 and amended several dozen times since.
Paratransit - Transportation services reserved for the elderly, infirm, and disabled. Most frequently, paratransit takes the form of jitney vans that transport 2-5 passengers from door to door.
SAFETEA-LU - The second, and most recent, transportation re-authorization legislation. Enacted into law in July of 2005, the bill authorizes $284 billion of federal funding through 2009.
State Transportation Improvement Program - A staged, multi-year, statewide, intermodal program of transportation projects, consistent with the statewide transportation plan and planning processes as well as metropolitan plans and TIPs.
TEA-21 - The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. The first re-authorization of the ISTEA transportation legislation. The bill passed in 1998, authorizing $217 billion over six years.
Transportation Demand Management (TDM) - A term used to describe a coordinated set of policies that seek to provide a sustainable, efficient transportation system. Most TDM policies focus on reducing single-occupant automobile use or reducing the financial burden of transportation spending on working families. See the Victoria Transportation Policy Institute for more information. http://www.vtpi.org/tdm/
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) - A three-year work program of projects in an MPO’s region. The TIP prioritizes projects based upon the 20-year Metropolitan Transportation Plan. Federal and state funds are allocated to the projects that appear in the TIP.
Transportation Management Areas (TMAs) - An urban area with more than 200,000 residents. Designation as a TMA requires the area’s MPO perform more rigorous planning activities, such as a [traffic] Congestion Management System plan. Certified TMAs are eligible for additional funds from the Surface Transportation Program (STP) designated for large urban areas.
Unified Planning Work Program - The management plan for the metropolitan planning program. The UPWP’s purpose is to coordinate the planning activities of all participants in the planning process, including municipalities, counties, and MPOs.
United We Ride - A federal interagency program that supports states, local governments, and MPOs to provide human transportation services to disadvantaged persons such as the elderly, disabled, or those with very low incomes. Examples of assistance include dial-a-ride paratransit, transit passes, taxi vouchers, and shut-in caretaker support.
Urbanized Area (UZA) - Dense areas of human settlement as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. UZAs must have a central core with 1000 persons per square mile. The surrounding area with more than 500 persons per square mile is also included in the UZA.
ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act
COG - Council of Governments
EIS - Environmental Impact Statement
FHWA - Federal Highway Administration
FTA - Federal Transit Administration
GIS - Geographic Information System
HOV - High Occupancy Vehicle
MPO - Metropolitan Planning Organization
MTP - Metropolitan Transportation Plan
NEPA - National Environmental Policy Act
RMA - Regional Mobility Authority
STIP - State Transportation Improvement Program
TDM - Transportation Demand Management
TIP - Transportation Improvement Program
TMA - Transportation Management Area
UZA - Urbanized Area
UPWP - Unified Planning Work Program
USDOT - United States Department of Transportation
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