Section IV. How to Find More Information
6. Transportation Terms Explained
Accessible: A transportation vehicle or program is accessible if it can be used by persons with disabilities through the provision of ramps, lifts, and other special equipment or planning.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): A federal Act that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. With certain statutory exceptions, public and private entities providing fixed-route or demand-responsive transportation services must acquire accessible vehicles or provide equivalent service to individuals with disabilities. In addition, public entities must provide complementary paratransit service for individuals who cannot use fixed-route service.
Average Daily Traffic (ADT): An estimate of the 24-hour volume of traffic that passes a point on an "average" day. Depending on the location, ADT can be assumed to be a two-way volume. Annual ADT volumes or AADT can theoretically be calculated using the average daily traffic and factoring in weekday and seasonal characteristics.
Bikeway: There are three types of bicycle facilities.
- Bike Path or Bike Trail (Class I Bikeway)- Provides a completely separated right-of-way designated for the exclusive use of bicycles and pedestrians with cross-flows by motorists minimized. Paths may be shared with pedestrians.
- Bike Lane(Class II Bikeway)- Provides a designated right-of-way for use by bicycles, but with vehicle parking and cross-flows by pedestrians and motorists permitted. Normally, Bike Lanes are striped on roadways.
- Bike Route (Class III Bikeway)- Highlights direct or scenic routes for bicyclists using signs or permanent markings. Routes may be shared with pedestrians or motorists.
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans): State agency which builds and maintains state highways and administers transportation programs within the state.
California Transportation Commission (CTC): A nine-member board appointed by the governor and confirmed by the legislature that sets state spending priorities for highways and transit, reviews Regional Transportation Plans (RTPs) and Regional Transportation Improvement Programs (RTIPs) and allocates funds to some transportation projects from these programs.
Community Traffic Safety Coalition: A coalition of local agencies and individuals that promotes bicycle and pedestrian safety, particularly for school children. Operated by the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency.
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ): A federal funding program established specifically for projects and programs that will contribute to the attainment of a national ambient air quality standard.
Consolidated Transportation Services Agency (CTSA): Agency responsible for coordinating specialized transportation services. In Santa Cruz County, the CTSA is Lift Line, a division of Community Bridges, Inc.
Corridor: A major transportation route which can consist of one or more highways, arterial streets, transit lines, rail lines and/or bikeways.
Discretionary Funds: Federal, state and local funds which can be used for a variety of purposes as determined by local needs and priorities. Sometimes also referred to as "flexible funds."
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA): The federal agency responsible for the approval of transportation projects that affect the federal highway system. Administratively, FHWA is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Federal Transit Administration (FTA): The federal department of public transportation (formerly Urban Mass Transit Administration), also part of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Freeway Service Patrol (FSP): Roving tow truck service to help clear incidents on state highways during peak commute periods.
High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes: A lane on a multi-lane highway designated for use, primarily in the peak periods, only by vehicles with more than one (or sometimes more than two) occupants. Sometimes called diamond or carpool lanes.
Intelligent Transportation System (ITS): Applications of information technology to enhance transportation system management, e.g., real-time information about traffic incidents, routing alternatives and/or the guidance of vehicles through remotely controlled equipment.
Interagency Technical Advisory Committee: A Regional Transportation Commission committee consisting of planning and public works staff from local jurisdictions, employer, education and related agency representatives who review and make recommendations about projects and funding.
Local Jurisdictions: The four cities (Capitola, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley and Watsonville) and the County of Santa Cruz, each of which has its own elected decision-makers, planning and public works departments, and control over land-use decisions within its boundaries.
Local Streets: Streets that provide direct access to adjacent residential areas, on which through traffic is generally discouraged.
Maintenance: On-going activities needed to maintain the safety or integrity of a facility.
Modal Split: The proportion of total travel in each transportation mode.
Mode: Method of travel, e.g., private automobile, bicycle, transit, airplane, etc.
Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail (MBSST): A recreation, transportation and interpretive pathway that links existing and new trail segments into a continuous coastal trail around the Monterey Bay.
Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District (MBUAPCD): Regional agency responsible for implementing and enforcing state and federal air quality regulation in Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties.
Multi-modal: Using or addressing more than one transportation mode.
Paratransit: Term used to describe transit systems which operate on flexible routes and/ or provide demand-responsive service. Generally vans, small buses, or taxis are used to provide this service, which is most frequently provided for elderly and disabled passengers unable to use fixed route transit.
Proposition 116: Bond measure passed by voters in June 1990 providing $1.9 billion in rail funds in addition to funding for paratransit vehicles, bicycle facilities, and ferries. A total of $11 million is earmarked for Santa Cruz County.
Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP): A flexible federal funding program initially established by ISTEA to fund mass transit, highway, and local streets and roads projects.
Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP): The state mandated seven-year capital improvement program for transportation projects using state or federal funds. Required to be adopted prior to December 1 of odd numbered years. The RTIP for Santa Cruz County is adopted by the RTC. The RTIP is submitted to the California Transportation Commission for inclusion in the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and to AMBAG for inclusion in the Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP).
Regional Transportation Plan (RTP): The state mandated long-range plan that acts as a blueprint to guide transportation development. Developed by regional transportation planning agencies every few years, it is based on projections of growth and travel demand coupled with financial projections. The SCCRTC prepares and adopts the RTP for Santa Cruz County. The RTP must be consistent with local general plans and vice versa.
Paratransit: Term used to describe transit systems which operate on flexible routes and/or provide demand-responsive service. Generally vans, small buses, or taxis are used to provide this service, which is most frequently provided for elderly and disabled passengers unable to use fixed-route transit.
Regional Transportation Planning Agency (RTPA): RTPAs are designated by the State of California to provide regional transportation planning and make funding decisions, including preparation of the Regional Transportation Plan and the Regional Transportation Improvement Program. The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission is the designated RTPA for Santa Cruz County.
Rideshare: A catch all term used to describe a wide variety of alternatives to driving alone, including carpooling, vanpooling, taking the bus, bicycling, walking and telecommuting.
Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (SCMTD): The public transit operator for Santa Cruz County. Also known as Santa Cruz Metro.
Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC): Transportation policy, planning and funding body designated as the Regional Transportation Planning Agency (RTPA), Local Transportation Commission (LTC), Rail/Trail Authority and Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies (SAFE) for Santa Cruz County.
Self-Help Counties: A term used to describe counties that have taken the initiative to supplement available state and federal funds by enacting local voter-approved funding mechanisms -- such as half-cent sales taxes -- to pay for transportation improvements.
Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies (SAFE): As the designated SAFE for Santa Cruz County, the RTC owns and manages the call box system on local state highways and other motorist aid programs. Funded with a $1-per-year addition to the vehicle registration fee.
Specialized Transportation: Often used synonymously with "paratransit," refers to vehicle and programs operated primarily for the elderly and persons living with disabilities. Service is generally provided door to-door in vans or automobiles on a semi-fixed route or demand- responsive basis.
State Highway Operation and Protection Plan (SHOPP): State plan to maintain the operational integrity and safety of the state highway system. It includes primarily rehabilitation, safety, and operational improvement projects.
State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP): The four-year statewide Capital Improvement Program adopted biennially by the California Transportation Commission, which combines the RTIPs from around the state and the Interregional Transportation Improvement Program (ITIP).
Telecommute: Working from a location other than the normal worksite, usually from home, and often with the assistance of telecommunications equipment.
Traffic Operations System: A system of highway communications equipment to monitor traffic conditions and relay traveler information in real time.
Transportation Demand Management (TDM): Strategies concerned with altering or reducing demand for transportation facilities and services.
Transportation Disabled: People who cannot use public transportation easily or at all because of physical, emotional, or mental limitations. This group includes many senior citizens.
Transportation Management Association (TMA): A proactive voluntary association of employers, business owners, developers, building owners, local government representatives, and others who work together to effect policies and establish programs and services to address local transportation problems.
Transportation System Management (TSM): A transportation planning approach encompassing a variety of primarily low cost methods to improve the efficiency of the existing transportation network either from the supply side (improving system operation) or the demand side (altering demand for transportation facilities and services).
Vanpool: A group of seven to fifteen people traveling together to work or school in a van at set times. Many vans are leased from companies which include insurance, emergency services and maintenance in the monthly rental fees.
Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT): The term used for the total number of miles traveled by all motor vehicles within a specified region during a particular time period, normally a typical day.
Vehicle Occupancy Rate: Also known as Average Vehicle Occupancy or Ridership; the number of persons per vehicle on a given road at a given time without distinguishing trip purpose.