Transportation Glossary

The following is a listing of transportation-related terminology and phraseology developed by CCMPO.
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Term	Acronym	Definition
Calcium Carbonate	CaCO3	Gravel, dirt, or recycled asphalt roads have an increased durability when treated with Calcium Carbonate. Usually applied in a liquid or flaked solid form, it penetrates and coats the road aggregate mixture (i.e. various sized particles such as gravel or sand), binding it together to retain road density, compaction, and moisture level. This increases the roadway resistance to wear, reduces dust generation and erosion of the road surface.
Calcium Chloride	CaCl2	Calcium Chloride (CaCl2) is an extremely effective de-icing agent, which melts snow or ice at temperatures as low as -22°F. Although it lowers the freezing point of water further than traditional road salt (NaCl), it is more expensive and requires special handling. Calcium Chloride has also been associated with the needle browning of pine trees.
Calibration		The process of developing the model parameters using observed transportation data (e.g. traffic counts). Model calibration optimizes the agreement between observed data and the model’s predicted data.
Campus Area Transit System	CATS	The University of Vermont’s fare-free shuttle system serving the University community—faculty, staff, students, and visitors. This system links all on-campus destinations and provides evening service to adjoining neighborhoods. Ridership during the school year averages 4,000 to 5,000 per day.
Campus Area Transportation Management Association	CATMA	Organization formed by several institutions in Burlington’s 'Hill Institutions' to jointly address localized transportation, commuter, and parking issues.
Capacity		A transportation facility's (road, railway, etc.) ability to accommodate a moving stream of people or vehicles in a given time period.
Capital Improvement Program	CIP	A multi-year plan, which identifies equipment, infrastructure, property improvements, or other tangible purchases, as well as their schedule and financing strategies.
Capture Rate		The percentage of vehicles which pass a Park & Ride facility, which could be influenced to use it.
Carbon Monoxide	CO	A colorless, tasteless gas produced primarily by inefficient combustion of organic fuels in transportation and industrial activities. Overly high levels of CO reduces oxygen in the bloodstream, preventing normal respiration. CO emissions are regulated by the Agency of Natural Resources.
Carshare		An alternative to standard car ownership, "Carsharing" offers a means to potentially reduce costs and pollution by renting automobiles on a short-term basis (often by the hour) for the occasional user, utilizing a decentralized parking system called "pods" (often established along transit routes). Carsharing organizations (CSO's) further administer membership bases, vehicle reservation systems, maintenance, and other administrative functions.
Catch Basin		A catch basin is designed to trap debris so that it will not enter the stormwater drainage system. They are often buried drainage structures that are often placed at regular intervals along the edge of the roadway. Proper placement of catch basins can reduce roadside hazards associated with deep drainage ditches near cross culverts. Catch basins should be deep enough to allow for the collection of gravel and debris and should be inspected and cleaned regularly to prevent collected debris from being washed into connecting culverts or water bodies. Catch basin covers should be selected based on ability to pass debris and not pose a safety hazard to vehicles, bicycles or pedestrians.
Catchment Area		An area of increased influence for use of a site, facility, market, or corridor.
Categorical Exclusion	CE	Federal and State regulations (see; NEPA) require environmental reviews to be performed before expenditure of public funds can be approved for "major projects." If a project does not meet the definition of "major project" then it may be eligible for what is called a Categorical Exclusion (CE). A CE is the absolute lowest level of environmental review possible for projects. For Vermont transportation projects, VTrans (The State DOT) is responsible for such designation.
Census Transportation Planning Package	CTPP	CTPP is a demographic dataset intended for transportation planners, which is taken from decennial census. From 1970 to 2000, the CTPP and its predecessor (the UTPP) used data from the decennial census long form (i.e. a component questionaire of the census form sent to 1 in 6 households in Vermont). The CTPP is therefore a sample dataset of the total population. CTPP 2000 has three parts; Part 1. Residence end data summarizing worker and household characteristics, Part 2. Place of work data summarizing worker characteristics, Part 3. Journey-To-Work commuter flow data (which commuties workers live and work within).
Centerline		The middle of a right-of-way, not considering direction or number of lanes.
Central Business District	CBD	Often the geographic center or 'downtown' secton of a city, town, or village, typifying a concentration of commercial, government, residential, and mixed-use buildings or development
Channelization		Separation of conflicting traffic movements into defined paths of travel to facilitate the safe and orderly movement of vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles.
Chicane		A traffic-calming measure employing fixed objects (usually curbs, earth, fencing, etc.), which deliberately project into the travel lane or a road or shared-use path creating a curvature pattern in the line of travel.
Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization	CCMPO	The State’s only MPO. Established under federal law and responsible for transportation planning and programming within its jurisdiction.
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission	CCRPC	Land use planning agency for Chittenden County, Vermont
Chittenden County Transportation Authority	CCTA	Operator of Chittenden County’s regional bus system and rideshare services. Chartered in 1973 by the Vermont General Assembly, CCTA serves the communities of Burlington, Essex, South Burlington, Shelburne, Williston, Winooski and a portion of Colchester. There are also express route service to Montpelier, Middlebury, and St. Albans.
Chittenden Traffic Alert	CTA	A countywide and regularly updated listing of construction projects and special activities affecting transportation facilities throughout the region. Each Friday between April and November the CCMPO publishes “Construction This Week” in the Burlington Free Press to alert the traveling public to roadway work.
Class of Railroad		Originally defined by the Interstate Commerce Commission (which was disbanded in the mid-1990's), Class of Railroad generally refers to a railroad company's size in terms of its average annual operating revenue. Specific figures (in 2001 dollars), outlining 'Classes' 1-3 are: Class 1 = railroads with an operating income above $256m (many miles of track, serving many states with a fleet of locomotives sometimes in the thousands), Class 2 = railroads with an operating income of $40m - $256m (regional railroad serving a few states with perhaps 30-200 locomotives), Class 3 = railroads with an operating income of $20m or less (typically operates only in one state, has only a handful of locomotives, usually operating less than 200 miles of track).
Class of Road		Vermont State classification of roads based on level of traffic and percent of the state-aid apportionment for town highways. For example, apportionment a town's Class 2 roads is determined by the town's percentage of all Class 2 town highway mileage in the entire state (see: VSA Title 17, Chapter 3, § 306 Appropriation). The scheme may be expressed as: Class 1 = 6% of state annual highway appropriation, Class 2 = 54% of state annual highway appropriation, Class 3 = 50% of state annual highway appropriation, Class 4 = 0% of state annual highway appropriation. Local selectpersons determine which highways are class 4 town highways. State = State highways are those highways maintained exclusively by the Agency of Transportation.
Class of Track		A Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) track designation, establishing maximum authorized speed for passenger and freight trains, whilst placing requirements on the track maintenance criteria, vehicle standards, and train control signal systems. The maximum speed, outlined in Track Classes 1-9 (freight speed/passenger speed) are: Class 1 = 10/15mph, Class 2 = 25/30mph, Class 3 = 40/60mph, Class 4 = 60/80mph, Class 5 = 80/90mph, Class 6 = 110/110mph, Class 7 = 125/125mph, Class 8 = 160/160mph, Class 9 = 200/200mph.
Class of Vehicle		An FHWA vehicle classification scheme distinguishing 14 categories, depending on whether the vehicle carries passengers or commodities.
Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990	CAAA	Federal legislation that sets allowable levels, known as NAAQS, for various pollutants. Where these standards are not attained, officials must take specified actions within a mandatory time frame or face sanctions such as loss of federal highway funds.
Cold Start		The starting of an engine which is significantly below normal operating temperature, of significance in understanding vehicle emissions since the rate and composition of emissions vary with engine temperature. Often the most polluting time of car operation.
Collector Street or Highway		A street or highway that provides for traffic movement between major streets (major corridors or arterials) and local streets. A collector is a road intended to collect traffic from local streets and land-access roads. The term -Collector Highway- does not include a city street or local service road or a country road designed for local service and constructed under the supervision of local government.
Commercial Drivers' License	CDL	A CDL is required for those operating any type of vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight of 26,001 lbs. or greater (such as; tractor trailers, buses, and tow trucks).
Commercial Vehicle Operations	CVO	An Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) application for advanced technologies in commercial vehicle operations, including; Satelite Navigation & Real-time monitoring, Load-Tracking Systems, International Border Crossing Clearance, Commercial Vehicle Electronic Clearance or Screening, Automated Roadside Safety Inspection, Automated fuel & mileage reporting, Hazardous Material Planning and Incident Response, et al.
Commodity Flow Survey	CFS	Primary source of national and state-level data on domestic freight shipments by American establishments in mining, manufacturing, wholesale, auxiliaries, and selected retail industries.
Commuter Rail		Generally applies to multi-car, high-speed rail transport utilizing exclusive, frequently at-grade, rights-of-way with service between urban areas or between outlying suburbs and the urban core. Usually involves greater distances and fewer stops than those normally found with light and heavy rail transit within urban areas.
Commuter Shed		Usually refering to a catchment area for a Park & Ride facility, or the origin and destination patterns of commuters along travel corridors or routes.
Complete Streets		Coined in 2003 by bicycle and pedestrian advocates, "Complete Streets Design Techniques" are employed to enable safe access for all users. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities must be able to safely move along and across a "Complete Street".
Compressed Natural Gas	CNG	Fuel for natural gas powered vehicles (primarily buses). Natural gas is comprised mostly of methane that is compressed (about 2,400 lbs. per square inch) and stored in high-pressure design containers.
Conformity		The requirement that the state or metropolitan transportation plan, programs, and projects are consistent with the purpose of the State Implementation Plan (SIP). The CAAA does not permit federal approvals of funding of any project that does not meet this test.
Congestion		A condition which hinders movement on a transportation facility at optimal legal speeds. Frequently characterized by unstable traffic flows.
Congestion Management Process	CMP	Formerly known as a Congestion Management System (CMS), CMP is a federally-mandated program within Metropolitan Planning Organizations to address and manage congestion.
Congestion Management System	CMS	A systematic process for managing congestion and enhancing mobility through alternative transportation strategies and timely information to the traveling public.
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality	CMAQ	A program authorized by the 1991 ISTEA provided billions of dollars in funding for surface transportation and other projects that contribute to air quality improvements and reduce traffic congestion. The CMAQ program has been improved and reauthorized in all subsequent federal transportation re-authorization bills.
Congestion Pricing		Charging users of a transportation network during peak periods of traffic, in order to reduce traffic congestion and pollution.
Consumer Price Index	CPI	Calculated monthly by the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by consumers for a representative basket of goods and services. The CPI is used for a number of purposes, such as; An economic indicator of the effectiveness of economic policy, A method to adjust dollar values for economic inflation or deflation, et al.
Container-on-Flatcar	COFC	A shipping container capable of transport upon a rail flat car or truck flat bed trailer. Same as TOFC.
Containerization		The practice of using International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Containers as a unit in transport of freight. Containers are strong enough for repeated use, can carry goods on truck, rail, seabourne, and airborne modes, and are outfitted with devices for efficient modal shift. Standard containers come in five general sizes; 20 ft., 40 ft., 45 ft., 48 ft., and 53 ft. Capacity is often expressed in twenty-foot equivalent units (see TEU).
Context-Sensitive Solutions	CSS	The process of CSS seeks to preserve aesthetics, historical context, and environmental resources in areas of proposed development, while maintaining efficiency and safety of the transportation system. It is a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach, involving a variety of stakeholders to develop facilities and infrastructure in harmony with their current physical setting.
Continuous Traffic Counters	CTC	Operated by VTrans, CTCs are permanently deployed traffic counters, which are capable of collecting traffic data for an entire year or longer.
Continuous Welded Rail	CWR	Superior to traditional "jointed track", where rails are bolted together, CWR provides superior strength for higher speed locomotives and requires less maintenance.
Contraflow Lane		Otherwise known as a "reversible lane", it is utilised for buses where the direction of travel is opposite to the flow of traffic in the other lanes. Contraflow lanes are also employed for maintenance purposes, or in cases of emergency evacuation where both sides of an interstate highway are used for outbound traffic.
Coordination		Comparisons of transportation-planning materials on one agency with those of other agencies and subsequent adjustment of these materials to reduce omissions, duplications, and conflict.
Corduroy Road		In the context of Ancient Roads, a "Corduroy" road is a road built using tree logs as a sub-base where logs or poles layed crosswise. Such roads were common to moisture prone locations.
Corner Sight Distance	CSD	The minimum distance a driver can see across an intersection corner in tandem with the length of time it takes the driver to safely traverse the intersection (past potential crossing vehicles) on to the roadway, and accelerating up to traffic flow speed.
Corporate Average Fuel Economy	CAFE	Automobile manufacturer vehicle fleet fuel economy standards. More specifically, CAFE is the sales weighted average fuel economy, expressed in miles per gallon (mpg), of a manufacturer’s fleet of passenger cars or light trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 8,500 lbs. or less, manufactured for sale in the United States, for any given model year. Fuel economy is defined as the average mileage traveled by an automobile per gallon of gasoline (or equivalent amount of other fuel) consumed as measured in accordance with the testing and evaluation protocol set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The “Energy Policy Conservation Act,” enacted into law by Congress in 1975, added Title V, “Improving Automotive Efficiency,” to the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act and established CAFE standards for passenger cars and light trucks. The Act was passed in response to the 1973-74 Arab oil embargo. The near-term goal was to double new car fuel economy by model year 1985.
Corridor		A geographic area that is defined by major highway and rail facilities, and major flows of travel. Transportation corridors are identified for the purpose of analyzing the patterns and flows of traffic between origins and destinations.
Crossdock		Operations in a warehouse not relating to storage, where freight is shifted from different trucks to consolidate loads for immediate shipping.
Crown		A roadway crown is the high point located at the centerline of the road with a uniform slope of surface toward each shoulder. The purpose of the crown is to create a natural means of drainage for stormwater to flow off of the roadway surface. A properly shaped crown facilitates this flow in uniform, thin sheets, thus preventing scour and washout of the roadway surface or seepage into the subbase. A paved road generally has a cross slope of 2% (or 1/4" decline per foot from crown to shoulder). An unpaved road generally has a cross slope of 4% - 6% (or 1/2" - 3/4" decline per foot from crown to shoulder).
Culvert		Often constructed out of steel, concrete, plastic, or PVC, a culvert is conduit infrastructure used to channel water underneath and away from a road or railway embankment.
Cumulative Impacts		The impact on the environment which results from the incremental impact of an action (such as a transportation project) when added to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions.
Cutaway Buses		Transit vehicles constructed with a Bus-body attached to a small-to-medium sized truck or van chassis. The vehicles are generally less than 30 ft. long (although some may measure up to 35 ft. long), typically weigh less than 30,000 lbs. (Gross Vehicle Weight), and are designed to accommodate anywhere from 16 to 28 passengers. A cutaway vehicle is smaller than a conventional bus while providing more space, particularly for wheelchairs, compared to other small-to-medium sized vehicle options. With regard to the public transit market, cutaway buses are critical components of paratransit service across the United States. Additionally, private sector transportation also represents a large market for cutaway buses.

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