Transportation Glossary

The following is a listing of transportation-related terminology and phraseology developed by CCMPO.
Click here to view a list of Acronyms only...

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Term	Acronym	Definition
Backhaul		Describing the return trip of a transportation vehicle (rail, truck, or container). Backhaul often refers to a lower revenue-generating leg of a shipment haul, because the vehicle is either empty or partially loaded.
Ballast		Crushed angular stone used to distribute the heavy loads of moving locomotives and their freight, facilitate drainage, and reduce vegetation growth along a railroad bed.
Basic Freeway Section		The area of freeway between interchanges or weaving areas. Where the term "Freeway" refers to a divided highway with full access control and 2 or more lanes in each direction for the exclusive purpose of moving traffic, consisting of 1. "Basic Freeway Sections", 2. "Weaving Areas", and 3. "Ramp Junctions". A Basic Freeway Section serves no access function and is separated from on and off ramps. It is often called a "Pipeline" or "Main Pipeline".
Better Backroads Program		A program of the USDA, the Better Backroads Program has been in existence since 1997, focusing on correction of road-related erosion problems for towns. Promotion of the program is handled via technical and financial assistance.
Bill of Lading		Same as 'Waybill'.
Blue Ribbon Commission on Innovative Finance	BRC	Initiated with a workshop at the University of Vermont campus in June 2007, the charge of the Commission on Innovative Finance is to provide a set of recommendations regarding viable innovative finance strategies to advance the regions' transportation needs, including all modes (especially public transportation)as well as the necessary connections with our land use, economic, environmental and quality of life needs. The Commission has since drafted recommendations to be phased into policy over time.
Bollard		A wooden or metallic post installed at the entrance of a bikepath or pedestrian way intended to restrict motor vehicle access.
Bottleneck		A metaphorical expression indicating a narrowing or reduction of roadway capacity due to; construction, maintenance, congestion, accidents, infrastructure (e.g. bridges, tunnels, reduced lanes, etc.).
Breakbulk		Non-containerized freight, or the process of breaking down cargo from a shipping container
Bridge Program		Federal funding program for rehabilitation and reconstruction of bridges.
Buildout Analysis		A form of analysis predicting the total amount of development that could possibly occur in a given area under existing or proposed legal constraints (e.g. zoning ordinance) and environmental constraints (e.g. wetlands, floodplains, steep slopes, etc.).
Bureau of Transportation Statistics	BTS	The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) was established by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991. BTS administers federal transportation data collection, analysis, and reporting resources.
Burlington International Airport	BIA	Burlington International Airport is the preeminent Airport in the State of Vermont, located in South Burlington and owned by the City of Burlington.
Bus Rapid Transit	BRT	Fixed-route bus system operating on its own exclusive "Right of Way".
Byways		America's Byways is a registered umbrella term used to promote a collection of distinct and diverse roads, designated by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation as a National Scenic Byway. Further, there are also state-designated Byways in Vermont, which may or may not have national designation.

OTHER TRANSPORT TERMINOLOGY REFERENCES: