Glossary
The Urban Mobility Glossary comprises 234 definitions of frequently used terms organised in alphabetical order. To access the Glossary, click on a blue highlighted letter below:
Urban Mobility Glossary: A
Access
The ability of people to get to essential facilities (eg schools, hospitals, shopping and leisure/sport facilities, etc) when necessary by convenient and economical means.
Accessibility
The measure of how easy it is to reach a destination. One meaning of accessibility specifically focuses on people with disabilities and their ability and right of access to facilities and services.
Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) - US
Pedestrian signals with audible and/or vibrotactile information (such as directly audible or transmitted tones, speech messages, Talking Signs, and vibrating surfaces). They are intended make real-time pedestrian signal information accessible to pedestrians who are hearing or visual-impaired.
Active Mobility
Active mobility is a generic term to identify any form of human-powered transportation such as walking, cycling, skating, kick scooters, etc.
Active Traffic Management (ATM) - UK
A scheme for improving traffic flow and reducing congestion on motorways in England. It makes use of automatic systems and human intervention to manage traffic flow and ensure the safety of road users.
Active Transportation (Active Travel)
Human-powered mobility, such as biking and walking.
Adaptive Signal Control Technology (ASCT)
Addresses traffic variability by continuously monitoring traffic conditions, evaluating performance and updating signal timing to promote smooth traffic flow and equitably distribute green time to each intersection approach.
Ambient Air Quality
The quality of the surrounding air measured in terms of presence of ozone, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxide, and carbon monoxide based on national standards.
Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT)
A measure of total volume of vehicle traffic on a segment of road for a year divided by 365 days to produce an average.
Area Licensing Scheme (ALS)
A demand management strategy aimed to reduce auto travel within city centres. The Singapore Area Licensing Scheme, introduced in 1975, required motorists to purchase a license (and display it) to enter the central area. It was the first pricing scheme to be successfully implemented in the world. It was replaced by the current Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system in 1998.
Articulated Bus
A high passenger carrying capacity bus (60 - 75 passengers) with two passenger-carrying sections in which the rear body section is flexibly but permanently connected to the front section in a manner that allows the vehicle to bend without having an interior barrier to passenger movement between sections of the vehicle (see also "Bi-Articulated Bus", "Tandem Bus" and "Bendy Bus").
At Grade Crossing
A crossing or intersection of highways, railroad tracks, other guideways, or pedestrian walks, or combinations of these at the same level or grade.
Auto-free Zones - US
Areas of a city or town in which automobile traffic is prohibited (see also "Car-free Zones and "Pedestrianised Zones".
Automated Guideway Transit (AGT)
A fully automated, grade-separated transit system in which rubber-tired vehicles are guided, usually by horizontally running guide wheels, on a guideway.
Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL)
A means for determining the geographic location of a vehicle and transmitting this information to a point where it can be used for managing vehicle fleets (service vehicles, emergency vehicles, construction equipment and public transport vehicles such as buses and trains).
Autonomous Rail Transit (ART)
Autonomous, trackless tram or light rail system that can operate on streets and does not require rails.
Autonomous Vehicle (AV)
Vehicle which does not require a driver – or at least assists the driver depending on the level of automation.
Automatic Plate Number Recognition (APNR)
APNR has important applications in traffic surveillance, toll collection, parking lot management, no stopping/parking zone, etc.
Automated Vehicle Location (AVL)
Means for automatically determining and transmitting the geographic location of a vehicle to support vehicle tracking.
Average Daily Traffic (ADT)
The total volume of traffic, combining both directions, using a road in a single 24-hour period.
Urban Mobility Glossary: B
Beltway - US
A circumferential highway found around or within many cities designed to allow through traffic to avoid the city centre (see also "Ring Road" or "Orbital Motorway").
Bendy Bus - UK
A high passenger carrying capacity bus (60 - 75 passengers) with two passenger-carrying sections in which the rear body section is flexibly but permanently connected to the front section in a manner that allows the vehicle to bend without having an interior barrier to passenger movement between sections of the vehicle (see also "Tandem Bus", "Articulated Bus" and "Bi-Articulated Bus").
Bi-Articulated Bus
A high passenger carrying capacity bus (140 - 270 passengers) with three passenger-carrying sections flexibly but permanently connected to each other in a manner that allows the vehicle to bend without having an interior barrier to passenger movement between sections of the vehicle (see also "Articulated Bus").
Bicycle Boulevard - US
A roadway that motorists may use, but that prioritises bicycle traffic through the use of various treatments.
Bike-as-a-Service (BaaS)
Bike as a Service or Bicycle as a Service extends the Anything as a Service (XaaS) approach to offer bicycles with maintenance and insurance as a full service package. Compared to bike sharing in the BaaS model users keep their bikes for a longer time as if it were their own bikes. Just in case they need maintenance, the BaaS company either fixes the issue instantly or changes it to a similar bike while fixing the first one.
Bike Sharing
Bike Sharing operators offer access to bicycles on a ride basis, provided and maintained by a fleet operator. Common types of bike sharing schemes are station-based, free-floating GPS tracked bikes or hybrid systems using both concepts.
Bikeway
A facility designed to accommodate bicycle travel for recreational or commuting purposes. Bikeways are not necessarily separated facilities; they may be designed and operated to be shared with other travel modes.
Bollards
Rigid posts that can be arranged in a line to close a road or path to vehicles above a certain width. Bollards can be mounted near enough to each other that they block ordinary cars, for instance, but wide enough to permit special-purpose vehicles through. Bollards can be used to enclose car-free zones: removable bollards allow access for service and emergency vehicles.
Box Junction
A road traffic control measure designed to prevent congestion and gridlock at junctions. The surface of the junction is typically marked with a criss-cross grid of diagonal painted lines (or only two lines crossing each other in the box), and vehicles may not enter the area so marked unless their exit from the junction is clear (or, if turning, to await a gap in the oncoming traffic flow).
Brownfield Development
The redevelopment of previously developed areas.
Bus Lane
A lane designed to give priority to buses and save journey time in places where roads are congested with other traffic.
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
A bus-based mass transit system that delivers fast, comfortable, and cost-effective urban mobility through the provision of busways and bus priority measures along with rapid boarding and alighting and excellence in customer service,
Busway
A bus only, exclusive right-of-way (at-grade or grade-separated). Dedicated bus lanes that operate separately from all other traffic modes.
Urban Mobility Glossary: C
Car-free Zones - UK
Areas of a city or town in which automobile traffic is prohibited (see also "Auto-free Zones and "Pedestrianised Zones".
Carpooling
The shared use of a car, especially for commuting to work, often by people who each have a car but travel together to save cost and to promote other socio-environmental benefits. In some locations, there are special facilities intended to encourage carpooling such as designated pick-up points and high-occupancy vehicle lanes that only allow cars with multiple riders at certain times of the day.
Carriageway
A series of lanes (or part of a road) in which vehicles travel
Carsharing
A type of car-rental where people rent cars for short time periods, often by the hour with self-service reservation, pickup, and return.
Central Reservation
The area that separates opposing lanes of traffic (see also "Median").
Channelisation
The separation and direction of vehicle and pedestrian movements at an intersection into defined paths through the use of roadway features (such as traffic islands) and signs (see also "Intersection Channelisation").
Chicane
A traffic calming device comprising a sequence of tight serpentine curves (usually an S-shape curve) along a street designed to reduce car speed.
Citizens
Citizens are individual members of the public and unaffiliated participants in the participation process. This includes citizens of the town or city as well as the citizens of neighbouring authorities that live within the ‘functional area’.
Clear Zone - UK
A defined urban area which exploits new technologies and operational approaches to improve quality of life and support economic growth, whilst minimising the adverse impacts of its transport systems. A Clear Zone seeks to provide a liveable, accessible and lively urban centre where traffic congestion, pollution, noise, stress and other negative impacts of mobility are eliminated or limited, through the implementation of a package of transport related measures using innovative technologies.
Cloverleaf Interchange
Four-leg interchanges with loop ramps to accommodate left turn movements. A full cloverleaf has loops in all quadrants.
Collector Lane - US
A freeway or expressway lane used for slower moving traffic and has more access to exits/off ramps.
Co-Creation
Co-creation shares power between citizens, stakeholders and the planning authority. Citizens and stakeholders become active, creative players of the planning process, while the planning authority is taking a facilitating role.
Commuter Rail
Conventional rail passenger service within a metropolitan area. Service primarily is in the morning (home-to-work) and afternoon (work-to-home) travel periods.
Complete Streets
An approach to street design that requires streets to be planned, designed, and maintained to enable safe and comfortable access for users of all ages and abilities regardless of their mode of transportation. Complete streets allow for safe travel by those walking, cycling, driving automobiles, and riding public transportation.
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
A clean burning alternative fuel for vehicles.
Congestion Charge - UK
A demand management strategy aimed to reduce auto travel into congested urban areas. The London congestion charge is a fee for some motorists travelling within those parts of London designated as the Congestion Charge Zone. It aims to discourage the use of private cars, reduce congestion, and raise funds for investment in public transport.
Connectivity
The density of connections in road and other networks, or more specifically, the directness of the link from one point to another along the network. At higher levels of connectivity, travel distances are shorter and route options more numerous, allowing more direct travel between destinations.
Consultation
Consultation is the act or process of formally requesting input and discussing a subject with a person or organisation.
Contraflow Lane
A lane designed to allow certain vehicles (such as buses, bicycles or HOVs) to travel in the opposite direction of motor vehicle traffic on a one-way street and thereby save time and/or travel distance (see also “Counterflow Lane”).
Cordon Pricing
Tolls charged for entering a particular area (a “cordon”), such as a central business district.
Countdown Signal
A pedestrian signal with an added display that shows the countdown of the remaining available crossing time.
Counterflow Lane
A lane designed to allow certain vehicles (such as buses, bicycles or HOVs) to travel in the opposite direction of motor vehicle traffic on a one-way street and thereby save time and/or travel distance (see also “Contraflow Lane”).
Coupon Parking
A form of parking payment, similar to “Pay and Display” without the use of machines. The motorist purchases a booklet of coupons in advance from the authorities instead (see also “Pay and Display”).
Crossroads
A road junction where two or more roads either meet or cross at grade.
Crosswalk - US
A pedestrian crossing.
Curb - US
The edge where a raised pavement/sidewalk/footpath, road median, or road shoulder meets an unraised street or other roadway (see also “Kerb”).
Curb Cut - US
A ramp leading smoothly down from a sidewalk to a street, rather than abruptly ending with a curb (see also “Dropped Kerb” and “Pram Ramp”).
Curb Extension - US
A horizontal intrusion of the curb into the roadway resulting in a narrower section of roadway.
Urban Mobility Glossary: D
Demand-Responsive Transport (DRT)
A form of transport where vehicles adjust their routes and/or times based on a customer’s demand rather than using a fixed route and timetable. DRT systems allow door-to-door transport. DRT is commonly used for on-demand Shared Shuttle Services.
Depressed Curb - US
A section of concrete curb in which the height of the vertical face has been reduced to allow passage while maintaining positive guidance and drainage control (sse also "Drop Curb").
Directional Closure -US
A curb extension or vertical barrier extending to approximately the centerline of a roadway, effectively obstructing (prohibiting) one direction of traffic.
Divided Highway - US
A road in which the two directions of traffic are separated by a central barrier or strip of land, known as a "Central Reservation" or "Median" (see also "Dual Carriageway").
Dropped Kerb - UK
A ramp leading smoothly down from a pavement (footpath) to a street, rather than abruptly ending with a kerb (see also "Curb Cut" and "Pram Ramp").
Dual Carriageway - UK
A road in which the two directions of traffic are separated by a central barrier or strip of land, known as a "Central Reservation" or "Median" (see also "Divided Highway").
Dynamic Ride Sharing
Ride Sharing offered in real time and on-demand usually via smart phone apps in contrast to pre-booked rides.
Dynamic tolling
Roadway tolls, applied using traditional tolling infrastructure or newer, asset-light solutions, that can vary based on a number of factors, such as time of day, road congestion, vehicle size, vehicle occupancy, income, and more. Generally used to influence driver behavior and maintain a specific vehicle throughput on the roadways.
Urban Mobility Glossary: E
Electric Vehicle (EV)
A vehicle that uses one or more electric motors or traction motors for propulsion.
Electronic Message Signs
These signs provide advance warning to drivers of emergencies, incidents and road management. They are aimed at improving safety and minimising the impact of congestion (see also "Variable Message Signs").
Electronic Road Pricing (ERP)
A demand management strategy aimed to reduce auto travel in selected areas and along certain routes within congested periods. Introduced in Singapore in 1998, the system is based on a pay-as-you-use principle and motorists are automatically charged during peak hours. A device known as an In-vehicle Unit (IU) is placed on the lower right corner of the front windscreen within sight of the driver, in which a stored-value card, the CashCard, is inserted for payment of the road usage charges. It is mandatory for all Singaporean vehicles to be fitted with an IU if they wish to use the priced roads.
Emergency Smog Schemes
In some cities, when high pollution is expected, or after a certain number of days of high pollution, there are restrictions on vehicle usage, often combined with restrictions on solid fuel burning (eg wood or coal fires).
Express Lane
A freeway or expressway lane used for faster moving traffic and has less access to exits/off ramps.
Express Toll Lane (ETL)
A type of road pricing system where motorists may pay a toll to gain access to lanes that are separated from the mainstream traffic. Typically, these tolls will increase as traffic density within the tolled lanes also increases. This pricing scheme limits the traffic demand within the lanes, ultimately resulting in lanes that can travel freely despite the congestion in the mainstream travel lanes.
Expressway - US
A divided highway for high-speed traffic with at least partial control of access.
Urban Mobility Glossary: F
Facilitator
A person who plans, guides and manages a participation event and supports participants to discuss, interact and make decisions. The facilitator remains neutral and does not take sides.
Feeder Systems
Shuttle or Taxi services for the last mile between a bus or train station and a passenger’s origin or final destination. Feeder systems “feed” Mass Rapid Transit systems and so complement Public Transport and avoid competition with it and will likely not cause additional traffic.
Fire Lane - US
The area next to a curb, reserved for firefighting equipment, ambulances, or other emergency vehicles.
Flyover - UK
A bridge, road, railway or similar structure that crosses over another road or railway (see also "Overpass").
Footpath - UK
A path for pedestrians situated alongside a road.
Freeway - US
A limited access road designed for safer high-speed operation of motor vehicles through the elimination of at-grade intersections. Freeways are usually divided with at least two lanes in each direction. Because traffic never crosses at-grade, there are generally no traffic lights or stop signs.
Freight Quality Partnership (FQP)
A Freight Quality Partnership (FQP) is composed of members the freight industry, local government, local businesses, the local community, environmental groups and others with an interest in freight that come together to deal with matters of freight access and deliveries in a particular location such as routing, load sharing and town centre access.
Functional Urban Area
The Functional Urban Area refers to the geographical area that should be covered by a Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan or Strategy. It is determined based on travel-to-work patterns of people travelling to and from the city from the surrounding area.
Urban Mobility Glossary: G
Gender Equality
Gender equality, also known as sexual equality or equality of the sexes, is the state of equal ease of access to resources and opportunities regardless of gender, including economic participation and decision-making; and the state of valuing different behaviors, aspirations and needs equally, regardless of gender.
Grade Separated
Paths, special lanes, freeways, transit and rail lines that are completely separated from regular roadways and so are not delayed by cross-streets or roadway congestion.
Greenhouse Gas (GHG)
Any of the atmospheric gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation produced by solar warming of the Earth's surface. Include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride.
Gridlock - US
A term describing an inability to move on a transport network. The term originates from a situation possible in a grid network where intersections are blocked, prohibiting vehicles from moving through the intersection or backing up to an upstream intersection (see also "Traffic Congestion").
Urban Mobility Glossary: H
Headways
Time interval between transit vehicles traveling the same direction on the same route; i.e., 15-minute or 2-hour headways indicates service every 15 minutes or every 2 hours.
Heavy Rail
A rail transit system generally separated from streets, usually in subway tunnels or on an elevated structure. Heavy rail systems generally rely on an electrified third rail for power and have the highest speeds of urban transit systems.
High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) - US
A passenger vehicle carrying more than a specified number of passengers.
Home Zone - UK
A term used in the United Kingdom for a residential street or group of streets that are designed using principles similar to those of living streets, primarily to meet the interests of the local community, whether on foot, cycling, or in a car, enabling the street to operate primarily as a space for social use.
High Occupancy Toll (HOT) - US
A toll enacted on single-occupant vehicles who wish to use lanes or entire roads designated for the use of high-occupancy vehicles (HOVs, also known as carpools).
High Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lane - US
A HOV lane that can be used by lower occupancy vehicles, such as solo drivers, in return for toll payments, which could vary by time-of-day or level of congestion.
High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV)
A passenger vehicle carrying more than a specified minimum number of passengers. HOVs include carpools, vanpools, and buses. HOV requirements are often indicated as 3+ (three or more passengers required) or 4+ (four or more passengers required).
High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane - US
A lane reserved for vehicles with a driver and one or more passengers. These lanes are also known as "Carpool Lanes", "Commuter Lanes, "Diamond Lanes" and "Transit Lanes".
Hybrid Vehicles
Vehicles using multiple energy sources for propulsion. Common combinations are muscle power and battery-powered electric drives are Pedelecs or electric drives in combination with combustion engines for hybrid cars.
Urban Mobility Glossary: I
Induced Demand
The phenomenon in which investment in road expansion to reduce congestion ends up producing the opposite effect. This happens because the more roads there are, the more attractive the car becomes and the more people choose to drive, thus creating more congestion.
Infill Development
The construction on any under- or undeveloped land within an urbanised area, including redevelopment of previously developed areas (brownfield development).
Intelligent transportation Systems (ITS)
A combination of Information Technology and telecommunications systems used in the development of car navigation systems, traffic signal control systems, container management systems, variable message signs, speed cameras, monitoring systems (such as security CCTV systems). Also included are applications that integrate live data and feedback from a number of other sources (such as parking guidance and information systems, weather information, bridge de-icing systems, and the like).
Interchange
A grade separated intersection or junction that enables traffic to change from one road to another without crossing a stream of traffic.
Intermodal
The connections between modes of transport.
Internet of Mobility (IoM)
The idea of connecting all mobility-related services and assets using the Internet with a unified protocol
Intersection
A road junction where two or more roads either meet or cross at grade (see also "Crossroads").
Intersection Channelisation
Raised islands located in an intersection, used to obstruct specific traffic movements and physically direct traffic through an intersection (see also "Channelisation").
Urban Mobility Glossary: J
Junction
A location where traffic can change between different routes, directions, or sometimes modes, of travel.
Urban Mobility Glossary: K
Kerb - UK
The edge where a raised pavement/sidewalk/footpath, road median, or road shoulder meets a street or other roadway (see also "Curb").
Urban Mobility Glossary: L
Level of Service (LOS)
Used in transportation planning, LOS is a general term that describes the operating conditions a driver, transit users, bicyclist, or pedestrian will experience while traveling on a particular street, highway or transit vehicle. Usually, LOS A is considered the best condition while LOS F is considered the worst condition. For highways, LOS A is characterized by free-flow conditions where there are little impediments to traffic flow. LOS F represents a breakdown in traffic flow, characterized by stop and go traffic. LOS is determined on roadways by the average speed and density of vehicles. As a public transit term, LOS is determined by the convenience, comfort, safety and utility of a system. The frequency and reliability of service is as important as the number of riders on a transit route.
Light Rail Transit (LRT)
A rail based public transport system with a 'light volume' traffic capacity compared to heavy rail. Light rail may use shared or exclusive rights-of-way, high or low platform loading and multi-car trains or single cars.
Limited Traffic Zone (LTZ)
A Limited Traffic Zone is a type of restricted traffic area found in many historic European city centres where non-residents and unauthorized vehicles are prohibited from driving at certain times.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
A cleaner burning liquid fuel derived from a natural gas that is cooled to below its boiling point so it becomes a liquid.
Living Street
A street in which the needs of car drivers are secondary to the needs of users of the street as a whole; traffic calming principles are integrated into their design.
Low Emission Vehicle (LEV)
A vehicle using alternative fuel sources which emit little or no tailpipe exhaust, e.g., electric, hybrid electric, and fuel cell
Low Emission Zone (LEZ)
A Low Emission Zones (LEZ) is an area where the most polluting vehicles are regulated. Usually this means that vehicles with higher emissions cannot enter the area. In some low emission zones the more polluting vehicles have to pay more if they enter the low emission zone.
Urban Mobility Glossary: M
Markings
Traffic control devices, such as pavement markings, object markings or delineators, used to channelize traffic into proper lane position on the roadway. They may either supplement regulatory and warning signs or independently warn or regulate traffic.
Mass Transit
A common carrier service provided for transporting passengers on established routes, with fixed schedules, published rates of fares. Includes buses and rail.
Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)
A rail based public transport system that transports large numbers of people at high frequency through the provision of multiple sets of high-capacity vehicles, high speeds, exclusive right-of-way infrastructure, efficient fare collection systems, and fast boarding and alighting techniques.
Median
The area that separates opposing lanes of traffic (see also "Central Reservation").
Micro Transit / Micromobility
Micromobility refers to a range of small, lightweight vehicles operating at speeds typically below 25 km/h (15 mph) and driven by users personally (unlike rickshaws). Micromobility devices include bicycles, e-bikes, electric scooters, electric skateboards, shared bicycle fleets, and electric pedal assisted (pedelec) bicycles.
Mobility
The ability to move or be moved from place to place.
Mobility as a Service (MaaS)
A system in which a wide range of mobility options are provided to customers as a service, i.e. tailored to their needs. The different modes of transport are often integrated, curated, managed and billed by a Mobility Service Provider. The underlying idea is to replace individual car ownership with a superior mobility service, which serves the user’s mobility needs better and at lower costs. MaaS could also be considered a mobility marketplace. Also see Mobility on Demand (MoD).
Mobility Hub
Dedicated locations for switching modes of transport are often referred to as mobility or transport hubs or stations. Sea ports, airports and train and subway stations often serve as hubs. Hubs can enhance the travel experience by providing a smooth transition between multiple modes of transport, complemented by aspects of safety, information, convenience and more.
Mobility Management (MM)
A demand-oriented approach to passenger and freight transport that involves building partnerships and using a set of "tools" to support and encourage a change of attitude and behaviour among transport users towards using sustainable modes of transport. Mobility Management requires information, organisation, co-ordination and effective marketing and promotion.
Mobility on Demand (MoD)
Concept by which mobility can be obtained when the need arises through a service that does not require a reservation in advance. In North America MoD is often used synonymously with MaaS, which is the more common term in Europe.
Mobility Service Provider (MSP)
Public or private companies that offer mobility services. Not all MSPs are also Transportation Service Providers (TSPs) but are instead only brokers and offer a platform for TSPs. The two terms are often used synonymously.
Modal Share
The percentage of travellers using a particular type of transportation. For example, if 60% of all travellers use cars to get from A to B, while 30% use the train and 10% use the bus, then the public transport (bus and train) modal share would be 40%, while the motor vehicle (car and bus) modal share would be 70% (see also "Modal Split").
Modal Split
The proportion of total journeys (trips) carried out by various modes of transport. Modal split can also be defined as the share of different modes of transport, including non-motorized modes and pedestrian trips, within overall transport demand (see also "Modal Share").
Mode
A particular form of travel (i.e., walking, bicycling, travelling by bus, travelling by car-pool, travelling by train, etc.).
Mode Choice
Selection of a mode of transport.
Mode Shift
The shift of people using one mode of travel to another (i.e., single-occupancy vehicles to public transport or vice versa).
Modelling
Modelling is a mathematical representation of mobility demand and resulting trips, based upon economic, municipal, household and mobility data and projections, and using formalised behaviour hypotheses and assumptions. Mobility models are used to analyse and forecast the mobility situation and to predict the outcomes of mobility strategies. This can include the identification of potential congestion “hotspots” within the mobility system.
Motorway - UK
A high capacity road designed to carry fast motor traffic safely. In the United Kingdom they are predominantly dual-carriageway roads, with two, three or four lanes in each direction (usually three), and all have grade-separated access, comparable with North American Freeways and Expressways.
Multilateral Development Bank (MDB)
A Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) is an international financial institution chartered by two or more countries to provide financial and technical support to developing countries to help them strengthen economic management and reduce poverty.
Multimodal
The availability of transportation options within a system or corridor.
Urban Mobility Glossary: N
New Urbanism
An approach to designing cities, towns, and neighborhoods. The goal is to reduce traffic and eliminate sprawl. Residents of New Urbanist neighborhoods can walk to shops, businesses, theaters, schools, parks, and other important services. Buildings and recreational areas are arranged to foster a sense of community closeness.
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
Any of several oxides of nitrogen formed by the action of nitric acid on oxidizable materials; present in car exhausts.
Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO)
Non-Governmental Organisations are generally defined as nonprofit entities independent of governmental influence (although they may receive government funding) operating on an international level. NGO activities include, but are not limited to, environmental, social, advocacy and human rights work. They can work to promote social or political change on a broad scale or very locally. NGOs play a critical part in developing society, improving communities, and promoting citizen participation.
Non-Motorised Transport (NMT)
Any form of transportation that provides personal or goods mobility by methods other than by fuel powered engines (including electric power). This would include walking, trips by bicycles and tricycles, human porterage, handcarts and wheelbarrows; animal drawn carts and other human powered vehicles.
Non-Motorised Vehicles (NMV)
Any form of vehicle that provides mobility by methods other than by fuel-powered engines (including electric power). This would include bicycles and tricycles, other human powered vehicles and animal drawn vehicles (such as carts).
Urban Mobility Glossary: O
Off-Peak Period
The time of day when the lowest concentration of travels are using a transportation facility. These times are generally before 6 a.m., mid-day, and after evening commute hours.
Off-Street Parking
A parking facility, parking lot or garage that is provided outside of the roadway right-of-way and is not considered a part of the roadway.
On-Street Parking
Parking that is provided adjacent to the traveled way of a roadway within the roadway right-of-way; it is considered a part of the roadway.
Orbital Motorway - UK
A circumferential highway found around or within many cities designed to allow through traffic to avoid the city centre (see also "Ring Road" or "Beltway").
Overpass - US
A bridge, road, railway or similar structure that crosses over another road or railway (see also "Flyover").
Ozone (O3)
A colorless gas with a sweet odor. Ozone is not a direct emission from transportation sources. It is a secondary pollutant formed when Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx ) combine in the presence of sunlight. Ozone is associated with smog or haze conditions. Although the ozone in the upper atmosphere protects us from harmful ultraviolet rays, ground-level ozone produces an unhealthy environment in which to live. Ozone is created by human and natural sources.
Urban Mobility Glossary: P
Paratransit
An alternative mode of flexible passenger transportation that does not follow fixed routes or schedules.
Park and Ride
Public transport stations that allow commuters and other people wishing to travel into city centres to leave their personal vehicles in a car park and transfer to a bus, rail system (rapid transit, light rail or commuter rail) or carpool for the rest of their trip. The vehicle is stored in the car park during the day and retrieved when the commuter returns. Park and rides are generally located in the suburbs of metropolitan areas or on the outer edges of large cities.
Participation
Also sometimes referred to as involvement or engagement, participation refers to the involvement of citizens and stakeholders in the Urban Mobility Planning process.
Parts Per Million (ppm)
A measure of air pollutant concentrations.
Pavement - UK
A path for pedestrians that is situated alongside a road.
Pavement - US
The hard surface of a road or street.
Pavement Markings - US
Traffic devices in the form of line markings, symbols, arrows, raised reflective markers, etc. that are on the roadway pavement to channelize the traffic and to warn motorists.
Pay and Display
A system used for regulating parking in urban areas or in car parks. It relies on a customer pre-paying for parking time by purchasing a ticket from a machine and displaying the ticket on the dashboard, or windscreen or passenger window of the vehicle (see also "Coupon Parking").
Peak Hour
The 60-minute period in which the largest volume of travel is experienced.
Peak Periods
The hours during which the greatest traffic volumes or highest transit use occur.
Pedelec
A bicycle where the rider’s pedaling is assisted by an electric motor.
Pedestrian Crossing
A pedestrian crossing (or crosswalk in American English) is a place designated for pedestrians to cross a road, street or avenue.
Pedestrian-Oriented Design (POD)
Pedestrian Oriented Design (POD) provides clear, comfortable pedestrian access through interconnected, traffic-calmed streets along with compact and mixed-use spatial development. This is achieved by promoting pedestrian oriented buildings, amenities, landscaping, walkways, and activities that support liveable neighbourhoods, promote crime prevention along with personal and community safety.
Pedestrian Ramp
A part of an accessible route that has a running slope which is between 5% and 8.3% inclusive in the direction of pedestrian travel.
Pedestrian Zones
Areas of a city or town where automobile traffic is prohibited (see also "Auto-free Zones and "Car-free Zones".
Peer-to-peer (P2P) Ride Sharing
This term is usually referred to Ride Sharing between private people not earning money with transportation but who are willing to share private rides.
People with Reduced Mobility
People with reduced mobility include those with physical disabilities (e.g. those who have trouble walking or require a wheelchair or walker to get around) who require physically accessible services, those with sensory disabilities (e.g. blind, visually impaired, deaf or hard of hearing) who require sensorially accessible services, cognitively impaired people (e.g. those with developmental delays, difficulties with information processing and memory impairments) who require in-transit signs, info boards, audio announcements not hindered by background noise, and accessible ticketing machines.
Person-Trip
A trip made by one person from one origin to one destination.
Personal Mobility Device (PMD)
Small vehicles such as bicycles, unicycles, monowheels / self-balancing unicylces, hoverboards, as well as electric skate boards and kick scooters belong to this classification.
Personal Rapid Transit (PRT)
PRT is a system of small automated cars guided on a fixed guideway. It is also referred to as Podcars and often considered as a type of demand-responsive public transport. Compared to mass transit systems the smaller cars allow a higher frequency and so lower waiting times as well es lighter structures.
Placemaking
Placemaking is a multi-faceted approach to the planning, design and management of public spaces. The collaborative and evolutionary process by which urban environments can be shaped to maximise shared value. Placemaking capitalizes on a local community’s assets, inspiration, and potential, with the intention of creating public spaces that promote people’s health, happiness, and well-being.
PM10
Particles with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 10 micrometers.
PM2.5
Particles with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to a nominal 2.5 micrometers.
Pram Ramp - AUS
A ramp leading smoothly down from a footpath to a street, rather than abruptly ending with a kerb (see also "Curb Cut" and "Pram Ramp").
Public/Private Partnership (PPP)
A public/private partnership is a government service or private business venture funded and operated through a partnership of government and one or more private sector companies. A PPP involves a contract between a public sector authority and a private party, in which the private party provides a public service or project and assumes substantial financial, technical and operational risk in the project.
Public Transport (PT)
Public Transport (also known as collective transport, public transportation, public transit) is an organized system of shared transport for use by the general public, usually operated by Public Transport Operators (PTO), mainly using mass transit modes of transport operated on scheduled routes, and usually subsidized and regulated by municipalities via Public Transport Authorities (PTA).
Public Transport Access Level (PTAL)
Public Transport Access Level is a measure of access to the public transport network in London. For any given point in London, PTALs combine walk times from a chosen point to the network (stations and bus stops, for example) together with service frequency data at these locations. This provides an overall access index which can be allocated to nine accessibility levels.
Urban Mobility Glossary: Q
Quiet Lanes - UK
Minor rural roads that are appropriate for shared use by walkers, cyclists, horse riders and motorised users. They should have low traffic flows travelling at low speeds.
Urban Mobility Glossary: R
Rail Transit
Public transportation services provided on a fixed rail line, e.g., light rail.
Raised Crosswalk - US
A traffic calming device comprising a crosswalk (or pedestrian crossing) that is raised above the roadway pavement (similar to a speed hump), to an elevation that matches the adjacent sidewalk (thereby providing ease of access and priority for pedestrians crossing the road).
Radial Network
A public transit route service pattern in which most routes converge into and diverge from a central transfer point or hub, like the spokes of a wheel.
Ramp Metering
Electronic traffic control devices located at freeway access points to meter the entry of vehicles onto the freeway. The goal is to help optimize the movement of persons and vehicles.
Rapid Transit
Rail or bus transit service operating completely separate from all modes of transportation on an exclusive right-of-way. Often operates as an express service with a minimal number of stops.
Reverse Commute
Travel in the direction opposite to the main flow of peak period commute traffic.
Reversible Lane
A lane in which traffic may travel in either direction depending on the time of day. Typically, it improves traffic flow by providing extra capacity during rush hours, by having overhead traffic lights and lighted street signs notify drivers which lanes are open or closed to driving or turning (see also "Counterflow Lane", "Tidal Flow Lane", or Contraflow Lane".
Ride Hailing
Taxi-like on-demand chauffeured rides. This term is usually used for rides with companies like Uber or Didi although it could also be applied for any Taxi ride or Demand-Responsive Transport (DRT) ride.
Ride Pooling
This term usually describes a driver service dedicated for the dynamic pooling of multiple passenger requests on a joint route. These services often use mini vans with up to 8 passenger seats. Ridepooling services combine ride hailing with ride sharing and commonly range somewhere between ride hailing and bus services – both from a capacity and price point.
Ride Sharing
Shared use of a vehicle by multiple passengers.
Ridership
The number of transit users, usually reported as a yearly total or as the average for a normal workday.
Right-of-Way (ROW)
The area of property owned by a public or private entity used for transportation purposes.
Ring Road - UK
A circumferential highway found around or within many cities designed to allow through traffic to avoid the city centre (see also "Beltway" or "Orbital Motorway").
Road Pricing
A term used to cover all the various charges applied for the use of roads. The term includes fuel taxes, licence fees, tolls, and congestion charges, including those that may vary by time of day, by the specific road, or by specific type of vehicle being used.
Roundabout - UK
A raised island located in the centre of an intersection, which requires vehicles to travel around the island in order to go through the intersection (see also "Traffic Circle").
Rumble Strip
A road safety feature designed to alert drivers by causing a tactile vibration and audible rumbling. Most unexpected stop (such as a pedestrian crossing), rumble strips may also be set horizontally across the road in groups, as a traffic calming method to slow drivers down.
Urban Mobility Glossary: S
Scenario Planning
A decision-making tool to help identify the projects that are prioritized in an Urban Mobility Strategy or Plan. Scenario planning allows a community to evaluate the likely outcomes of a number of scenarios to explore possible benefits and costs of alternative futures.
Shared Mobility
This term refers to using shared transport resources such as shared bikes, cars or electric scooters
Sidewalk - US
A path for pedestrians, situated alongside a road.
Signal Preemption
A system used for emergency and public transit vehicles to change signal phasing from red to green allowing for more rapid access.
Signalized Intersection
An intersection where traffic movement is controlled by traffic signals.
Slip Road - UK
A short section of road that allows vehicles to enter or exit a motorway.
Smart Growth
An approach to urban planning and transportation that concentrates growth in the centre of a city to avoid urban sprawl; and advocates compact, transit-oriented, walkable, bicycle-friendly land use, including neighbourhood schools, streets that work for everyone, mixed-use development with a range of housing choices.
Social Inclusion
Social inclusion is the process by which efforts are made to ensure equal opportunities so that everyone, regardless of their background, can achieve their full potential in life. Such efforts include policies and actions that promote equal access to (public) services as well as enable citizen’s participation in the decision-making processes that affect their lives.
Speed Bump - US
A traffic calming tool designed to slow traffic or reduce through traffic comprising a bump in a roadway 3 to 4 inches (7 to 10 cm) high, 12 to 14 feet (3.7 to 4.25 m) in length and spanning the width of the road (see also "Speed Hump")
Speed Cushion
A traffic calming device designed as several small speed humps installed across the width of the road with spaces between them. They are generally installed in a series across a roadway resembling a split speed hump. The design of speed cushions forces cars to slow down as they ride with one or both wheels on the humps. However, the wider axle of emergency vehicles (such as fire engines and ambulances) allows them to straddle the cushions without slowing down or increasing response times. Speed cushions are rapidly growing in popularity due to their ability to slow cars without affecting emergency vehicles.
Speed Hump - UK
A traffic calming tool designed to slow traffic or reduce through traffic comprising a bump in a roadway 3 to 4 inches (7 to 10 cm) high and less than 1 foot (30 cm) in length (see also "Speed Bump")
Speed Table
A traffic calming device designed as a long speed hump with a flat section in the middle. The long, flat design allows cars to pass without slowing as significantly as with speed humps or cushions.
Sprawl
Dispersed, low-density, single-use, automobile dependent land use patterns
Stakeholder
A stakeholder is an individual, group or organisation that is affected by a proposed plan or project or that can affect the proposal and its implementation. This includes the general public, public authorities, businesses and research institutions.
Streetcar - US
A rail based vehicle, lighter than a train, designed for the transport of passengers (and/or, very occasionally, freight) within, close to, or between towns and/or cities, primarily on streets (see also "Light Rail Transit", "Tram", or "Trolley").
Street Vendor
A Street Vendor is a person who offers goods for sale to the public at large without having a permanent built-up structure from which to sell. Street vendors may be stationary in the sense that they occupy space on the pavements or other public/private spaces or, they may be mobile in the sense that move from place to place by carrying their wares on push carts or in baskets on their heads.
Sustainability
Sustainability is defined as balancing economic, environmental and equity interests. Sustainability creates and maintains the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations.
Sustainable Urban Logistic Plan (SULP)
A Sustainable Urban Logistic Plan (SULP) is a strategic plan designed to satisfy freight mobility needs of people and business in cities and their surroundings, in order to achieve a better quality of environment and of life.
Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP)
A Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan is a strategic plan designed to satisfy the mobility needs of people and businesses in cities and their surroundings for a better quality of life. It builds on existing planning practices and takes due consideration of integration, participation, and evaluation principles.
Urban Mobility Glossary: T
Tactical Urbanism
Tactical Urbanism (also known as DIY Urbanism, Planning-by-Doing, Pop-Up Placemaking, Urban Acupuncture, or Urban Prototyping) refers to a citizen-led approach to neighborhood building using short-term, low-cost, and scalable interventions to catalyze long-term change. Tactical Urbanism projects share a common goal of using low-cost materials to experiment with and gather input on potential street design changes. They are typically short term (lasting a few days) or medium term (lasting a few weeks or months) as a way to initiate and facilitate long-term changes. They encourage residents, non-profits, local businesses, and government agencies to work together to address problems related to user experience.
Tandem Bus - US
A high passenger carrying capacity bus (60 - 75 passengers) with two passenger-carrying sections in which the rear body section is flexibly but permanently connected to the front section in a manner that allows the vehicle to bend without having an interior barrier to passenger movement between sections of the vehicle (see also "Articulated Bus", "Bi-Articulated Bus" and "Bendy Bus").
Taxi
Motor vehicle licensed to transport passengers in return for payment of a fare. Taxis are often considered as part of Public Transport and therefore highly regulated.
Traffic Analysis Zone (TAZ)
A small geographic area containing socioeconomic data for use in a transportation model. TAZ data are usually based on decennial census results.
Traffic Calming
A set of strategies which aim to slow down or reduce traffic, thereby improving safety for pedestrians and bicyclists as well as improving the environment for residents.
Traffic Circle - US
A raised island located in the centre of an intersection, which requires vehicles to travel around the island in order to go through the intersection (see also "Roundabout").
Traffic Congestion
Occurs when transport demand exceeds transport supply in a specific section of the transport system. Under such circumstances, each vehicle impairs the mobility of others (see also "Gridlock")
Traffic Management
The process of adjusting or adapting the use of an existing road system to meet specified objectives without resorting to substantial new road construction.
Traffic Signals
Traffic control devices used to direct conflicting movements of vehicles and/ or pedestrians by assigning the right-of-way to various movements at different times.
Traffic Signal Priority
Transit Signal Priority (TSP) adjusts the timing of a traffic signal’s red and green cycles to reduce the amount of time a transit vehicle spends waiting at a red light. TSP works by making minor modifications to the traffic signal cycle (or phasing). It can either extend green times so an approaching transit vehicle can get through the intersection without stopping or shorten red times so a stopped vehicle can get moving again. TSP helps provide faster and more reliable transit service and is appropriate for any street-running transit vehicles, including buses and light rail vehicles, especially on corridors with dedicated transit lanes.
Tram - UK
A rail based vehicle, lighter than a train, designed for the transport of passengers (and/or, very occasionally, freight) within, close to, or between towns and/or cities, primarily on streets (see also "Light Rail Transit", "Trolley", or "Streetcar").
Transit - US
Generally refers to passenger service provided to the general public along established routes with fixed or variable schedules at published fares (see also “Public Transit”, “Mass Transit”, “Public Transportation”, “Urban Transit” and “Paratransit”).
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)
A mixed-use residential or commercial area designed to maximize access to public transport, and often incorporates features to encourage transit ridership.
Transportation Demand Management (TDM)
The application of plans and policies to change or reduce demand for car use by encouraging the behavioural change of household choices of travel. It is sometimes also referred to as "Travel Demand Management".
Transportation Network Company (TNC)
Connects paying passengers via websites and mobile apps with drivers who provide transportation in (often noncommercial) vehicles.
Transportation System Management (TSM)
Short-term, low-cost strategies promoted in concert to improve the overall efficiency and productivity of the existing transportation system. TSM strategies attempt to increase the operating capacity of transportation facilities.
Travel Time Index (TTI) - US
The ratio of the travel time during the peak period to the time required to make the same trip at free-flow speeds. A value of 1.3, for example, indicates a 20-minute free-flow trip requires 26 minutes during the peak period.
Trip Generator
A place that generates a demand for frequent travel is called a trip generator. Trip generators may be origins or destinations. For example, a high-density residential area generates a need for all kinds of trips outside of the residential area into commercial areas; a medical center generates trips for medical purposes; and a downtown area may generate trips for retail, recreational, or personal business purposes.
Trolley - US
A rail based vehicle, lighter than a train, designed for the transport of passengers (and/or, very occasionally, freight) within, close to, or between towns and/or cities, primarily on streets (see also “Light Rail Transit”, “Tram”, or “Streetcar”).
Urban Mobility Glossary: U
Underpass
A bridge, road, railway or similar structure that crosses under another road or railway.
Urban Logistics Profile
An Urban Logistics Profile is a concept introduced by Rosário Macário in 2008 that divides urban zones into several homogeneous groups, judged from several criteria including city area features, product characteristics, and agents / deliveries profiles.
Universal Design
Systems designed to accommodate a wide range of users, including people with disabilities and other special needs.
Urban Traffic Management and Control (UTMC) - UK
A framework to allow the different applications used within modern traffic management systems to communicate and share information with each other. Thereby a more robust and intelligent system can be used to meet current and future management requirements.
Urban Vehicle Access Regulations (UVARs)
Urban Vehicle Access Regulations (UVARs) regulate under what conditions certain vehicles are allowed to access certain parts of a city. UVARs help cities optimise urban space and use of the transport network. They can help reduce emissions and noise, improve accessibility, encourage more sustainable transport choices, making cities healthier more liveable and deliver a better quality of life for all members of society.
Urban Mobility Glossary: V
Vanpool
A prearranged ridesharing service in which a number of people travel together on a regular basis in a van. Vanpools may be publicly operated, employer operated, individually owned or leased.
Variable Message Signs
These signs provide advance warning to drivers of emergencies, incidents and road management. They are aimed at improving safety and minimising the impact of congestion (see also "Electronic Message Signs").
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.
Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G)
Uni- or bi-directional energy exchange between electric vehicle batteries and the power grid. V2G is essential for the sustainable energy transition as the vehicle batteries could store renewable energy when there is a surplus. In case of bi-directional connections vehicles could also provide energy to the grid when there is a power shortage from renewable energy sources. So V2G helps to stabilize the power grid.
Volume to Capacity Ratio (V/C Ratio)
The volume of traffic divided by the capacity of a transportation facility. Traffic volume is defined as the number of vehicles passing (or projected to pass) a point or section of roadway in a given time interval. Capacity is defined as the maximum number of vehicles that reasonably can be expected to traverse that point or section of roadway during the same time period under prevailing roadway, traffic, and control conditions.
Urban Mobility Glossary: W
Walkability
A measure of how friendly an area is to walking. Walkability has many health, environmental, and economic benefits. Factors influencing walkability include the presence or absence and quality of footpaths, sidewalks or other pedestrian rights-of-way, traffic and road conditions, land use patterns, building accessibility, and safety, among others.
Woonerf
A Dutch word which means "street for living". A common space shared by pedestrians, bicyclists, and low-speed motor vehicles. They usually comprise streets raised to the same grade as curbs and sidewalks, and vehicles are slowed by placing trees, planters, parking areas, and other obstacles in the street. Motorists are treated as intruders and must travel at walking speed. A woonerf identification sign is usually placed at each street entrance.
Urban Mobility Glossary: Z
Zebra Crossing
A pedestrian crossing marked by alternating dark and light stripes, which typically gives extra rights of way to pedestrians.
Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV)
A Zero-Emission Vehicle is a vehicle that does not emit exhaust gas or other pollutants from the onboard source of power.
Zero-Emission Zone (ZEZ)
A Zero-Emission Zone (ZEZ) is an area where only zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), pedestrians, and cyclists are granted unrestricted access. Other vehicles are either prohibited from entering or permitted to enter upon payment of a fee.