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Alternative Potential solutions to a transportation problem. Alternative may consist of different configurations, alignments, type of access control or transportation modes and strategies.
Alternatives Analysis (AA) A process required by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to prioritize and decide on the most appropriate transit projects within a region.
Arterial Road A major roadway within a city. Generally, arterial roads are large, high capacity roads providing connectivity between collector roads and limited access freeway roads.
Austin Area in Motion (AIM) Capital Metro implemented this initiative in 1999 to develop community-based solutions to the Austin area’s transportation challenges. Capital Metro gathered citizen opinions on transit options via market research, focus groups, questionnaires, neighborhood and public meetings, a telephone hotline, and the Internet.
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) BRT is a high speed bus system operated within an exclusive right-of-way. BRT incorporates exclusive transitways, modern stations, on-board fare collection, high-tech vehicles and frequent service. BRT systems can be built incrementally and designed for vehicles – rather than people – transfer from local bus routes to the high speed lines.
Capacity Maximum number of riders that a transit line or system can carry, measured in riders per hour past a designated point in one direction.
Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) The Capital Area Council of Governments, formerly known as the Capital Area Planning Council (CAPCO), was organized in 1970 to serve local governments in its ten-county region, known as State Planning Region 12. CAPCOG is the catalyst for regional planning and implementation through effective utilization of resources resulting in enhanced quality of life and economic prosperity for citizens.
Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) CAMPO is the regional transportation planning organization responsible for working with transportation providers in Williamson, Travis and Hays counties to ensure that the metropolitan area's planning process is cooperative, continuing and comprehensive.
Capital Costs The one-time expenses incurred to design and build a transit system. Such costs are usually calculated as the aggregate of numerous line items covering fixed facilities, line construction, vehicles, support systems, right-of-way acquisition, project personnel (administration, engineering and construction management), and contingencies.
Central Business District (CBD) That portion of a municipality in which the dominant land use is for intense business activity. This district is characterized by large numbers of pedestrians, commercial vehicle loadings of goods and people, a heavy demand for parking space, and high parking turnover.
Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority expeditiously provides innovative regional solutions to congestion problems while enhancing the economic vitality and quality of life in the Central Texas Region.
Congestion A condition that occurs when user demand on a transportation system (i.e., roadway or transit route) exceeds the capacity of the system during any period of the day, but usually occurs during the peak commuter periods of 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM .
Corridor A long, generally slender land area with an existing or planned transportation facility at the center. The general purpose of a corridor is to define a study area for future transportation planning improvements.
Environmental Assessment (EA) An environmental analysis prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to determine whether a federal action would significantly affect the environment and thus require the preparation of a more detailed Environmental Impact Statement.
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) A detailed analysis of the environmental impacts of proposed land development and transportation projects. An EIS is prepared for projects seeking federal funds. The environmental process and technical analysis must follow guidelines specified under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). A draft EIS (DEIS) is circulated to the public and agencies for comment. Once public comments are received, a FEIS is prepared, which contains response to public comments and commits to mitigate adverse impacts.
Environmental Justice A federal policy that provides equitable outreach benefits to minorities and low-income populations and that any adverse environmental effects are not disproportionate to these historically underserved groups.
Envision Central Texas A regional visioning effort started in 2001 with a mission to assist in the public development and implementation of a regional vision addressing the growth of Central Texas , with an emphasis on land use, transportation and the environment.
Feasible Feasible means capable of being accomplished in a successful manner within a reasonable period of time, taking into account economic, environmental, social, and technological factors.
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) The federal agency responsible for approval of public transportation projects. The FTA also helps cities and communities nationwide to provide improved mobility to their citizens. Through its grant programs, FTA provides financial and planning assistance to help plan, build, & operate rail, bus and paratransit systems. The agency also assists in the development of local & regional traffic reduction.
Fixed Guideway A fixed facility for the operation of transit vehicles, with a vehicle guidance system such as rails or beams.
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) The federal agency responsible for approval of public transportation projects. The FTA also helps cities and communities nationwide to provide improved mobility to their citizens. Through its grant programs, FTA provides financial and planning assistance to help plan, build, & operate rail, bus and paratransit systems. The agency also assists in the development of local & regional traffic reduction.
Land Use Planning The process of determining the location, density and mix of land uses such as residential, commercial, industrial, open space/parks and other land uses. The regulatory tool used to enforce activities/development within a certain land use designation is zoning.
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) An act passed by Congress to regulate the negative effects construction and transportation projects may impose on the natural environment. Federal legislation requires consideration of environmental consequences of a project before the project can begin. If a study indicates that there would be adverse environmental consequences from a proposed project, “mitigating” measures must be built into the project to lessen the environmental damage, or provide an alternative that would be less damaging to the environment. NEPA applies to any major federal, state, county, city, or industrial projects that require a Federal permit or receive funding from a Federal agency.
Public Transportation As defined in the Federal Transit Act, transportation by bus, rail, or other conveyance, either publicly or privately owned, providing to the public general or special service (but not including school buses, charter or sightseeing service) on a regular and continuing basis. Public transportation is also synonymous with the terms mass transportation and transit.
Purpose and Need Statement A project purpose is a broad statement of the overall objective to be achieved by a proposed action. Need is more detailed explanation of the specific transportation problems that exist or are expected to occur in the future.
Record of Decision (ROD) Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), a public document that reflects the agency's final decision on a FEIS. The ROD provides the rationale behind that decision, and commitments to monitoring and mitigation.
Right-of-Way The strip of land owned by or under direct control of a transportation system, occupied by or intended for a transportation facility. Right-of-way is granted by deed dor easement for construction and maintenance of the designated use, which may include highways, streets, canals, ditches or other public uses.
Scoping Determining the range of proposed actions, alternatives, and impacts to be discussed in an EIS. The required scoping process provides agencies and the public opportunity to comment. Scoping is used to encourage cooperation and early resolutions of potential conflicts, to improve decisions, and to reduce paperwork and delay.
Transit Center A primary station in a multi-destination transit system where passengers may conveniently transfer among trunk lines and local feeder routes.
Transit Corridor A broad geographic band that follows a general directional flow connecting major origins and destinations of trips and that may contain a number of streets, highways, and transit route alignments.
Transportation Corridor A combination of principal transportation routes involving a linear network of one or more highways of four or more lanes, rail lines, or other primary and secondary access facilities which support a development corridor.
Transportation System Management (TSM) T echnologies to apply surveillance and control strategies to improve traffic flow on roadways.
Zoning To mark off land area within a City into zones for the purpose of controlling land use and density, e.g. single family residential, multi-family residential, commercial, and industrial, etc. The state grants authority to cities to regulate land use through zoning. The intent of City's zoning ordinance and map is to: promote the public health, safety, order, convenience, prosperity, and general welfare; conserve and protect the value of property, and encourage appropriate use of land; lessen congestion in the streets; Prevent the overcrowding of land; Avoid undue concentration of populations; and Facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewage disposal, schools, parks, and other public requirements.
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