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Abbreviations
- Bus rapid transit (BRT):
-
An integrated bus-oriented public transport service composed of six basic elements: higher-quality, more styled buses; a well-designed service plan, including route structure is faster and more frequent transit service than typically experienced with regular route local bus service; upgraded, appealing passenger stations; roadway infrastructure that gives BRT priority in mixed traffic or separated from other traffic entirely to help ensure faster travel times; intelligent transportation technologies, not only for traffic priority as mentioned above but also for real-time passenger information and vehicle tracking to ensure more ambitious service schedule; and clear, distinct branding and marketing [1].
- Bus rapid transit vehicle:
-
A bus used in BRT service, typically with advanced features such as aerodynamic styling, hybrid electric drive or other advanced propulsion, and real-time tracking systems, similar to what are now used in rail transit systems.
- Buy America:
-
Provisions of federal transit law that govern purchases of goods with federal surface transportation assistance grants. Certain aspects of this policy date back to protectionist sentiments of the 1930s. In 1978, Congress stipulated that for purchases of rolling stock, these would be considered to be US made if they were assembled with at least 60% of components and materials by value supplied by US sources. The rules have been subsequently refined and subject to controversy several times since [3].
- Capital assistance/expenditures:
-
Government subsidies for expenses related to the purchase of equipment and facilities, such as stations, buses, and trains; maintenance facilities; and support systems. Such equipment typically means property that has a useful life of more than 1 year. Capital expenses do not include operating expenses that are eligible to use capital funds.
- Commuter rail service:
-
Regional-distance, usually locomotive-hauled passenger train service often sharing tracks with freight railroads. Chicago’s Metra service is an example.
- Federal Transit Administration:
-
A sub-cabinet-level government agency of the US Department of Transportation that administers a variety of grant programs that help fund bus and rail transit projects in US cities, Puerto Rico, and the US territories, as well as rural areas and federal lands.
- Fixed-route bus service:
-
Traditional form of transit bus service, typically with frequent stops along a defined route. The bus services of the Chicago Transit Authority are an example.
- Light rail transit (LRT):
-
A form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than metro (also known as heavy rail) systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional streetcar systems. These rail systems are typically electrically powered, usually by overhead catenary. They ideally operate their own rights-of-way separated from other traffic but if necessary can also operate in mixed traffic on city streets [2].
- Modal split:
-
Term of art in public transportation for market share. That is, the percentage of journeys taken with the various forms of public transportation, as compared with walking, bicycling, or the private automobile.
- Operating assistance/expenditures:
-
Government subsidies for expenses associated with the operation of the transit agency and its passenger services, including vehicle operations (e.g., bus, train, “dial-a-ride,” and vanpool services), vehicle and facility maintenance, and general administration (e.g., marketing, top management, insurance, and finance). Operating expenses also include salaries, wages, and benefits as well as outsourced services under contract.
- Privatization:
-
In its strictest definition, it is the return of publicly owned and operated public transport services to the private sector. However, in the USA, it is also defined as the contracting of publicly owned services to private companies, private participation in the capitalization or ownership of these publicly owned services, or the franchising of these services to private firms.
- Public transport service:
-
Bus and rail services operated either by public or private organizations on a scheduled or on-demand basis. These services are distinct from charters, which are hired for groups such as tours.
- Public–private partnerships/models:
-
Synonymous with most definitions of privatization except the complete return of transit services to private ownership and operation with minimal oversight.
- Purchased transportation services:
-
Bus and train service provided by others through a contract; also called contract service.
- Rolling stock:
-
Industry term for buses and trains and other vehicles used in public transport service.
- Transit-oriented development:
-
Land use patterns such as higher densities around BRT and rail stations that also contribute to greater transit usage on these systems.
- Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century:
-
Also known as TEA 21, the landmark surface transportation assistance law passed in 1998 that ended operating assistance for agencies that served urbanized regions with fewer than 200,000 residents. It also for the first time guaranteed a stream of funding for capital assistance over the 6-year period in which the law was effective, which helped public transportation agencies better manage and plan their capital expenditures.
- Travel time savings:
-
Industry term for the average estimated savings per trip on new transit systems as compared with the average travel time from a commute taken by an automobile or by the previous bus network serving the route.
- Urban Mass Transportation Act:
-
The 1964 federal law that began the federal government’s involvement in the oversight and financial assistance of regional, state, and local public transport services.
- Vehicle maintenance:
-
Activities associated with bus, railcar, and support vehicle (e.g., fueling and repair trucks) maintenance (repairs and routine replacement of parts) and servicing (cleaning, fueling, etc.), also including inspection and oversight of these activities. In addition, vehicle maintenance includes repairs due to vandalism and accidents.
- Vehicle operations:
-
Those activities associated with providing scheduled and on-demand passenger services, such as vehicle dispatching and scheduling, driver and technician training, ticketing and fare collection management, and system security.
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Henke, C. (2013). Bus Rapid Transit and Light Rail Transit Systems : State of Discussion. In: Ehsani, M., Wang, FY., Brosch, G.L. (eds) Transportation Technologies for Sustainability. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5844-9_666
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