Glossary

AB

Vehicle Type: Articulated Buses

Accident Repairs of Buildings, Grounds and Equipment (128)

Repairing all damage to buildings, grounds and equipment resulting from collisions with stationary or moving objects, floods and accidentally ignited fires, etc.

F-30

Accident Repairs of Revenue Vehicles (062)

Repairing all damage to revenue vehicles resulting from incidents (e.g., collisions with stationary or moving objects, floods and accidentally ignited fires, etc.).

F-30, R-20

Accident Reporting Time (2.03)

The time allowed an operator to complete and file the forms necessary to report an accident.

F-50

Accounting System

An accounting system consists of the business papers, records, and reports plus the procedures that are used in recording transactions and reporting their effects. An example of an accounting system is the Uniform System of Accounts (USOA).

Declarations

Accrual Accounting

A method of financial accounting where revenues are recorded when earned; the revenue does not have to be received in the same reporting period. Similarly, expenditures are recorded as soon as they result in liabilities for benefits received; the payment of the expenditure does not have to be made in the same reporting period.

Introduction
F-10, F-20
F-30
Declarations

Active Vehicles

The vehicles available to operate in revenue service, including:

• Spares
• Vehicles temporarily out of service for routine maintenance and minor repairs.

Internet Reporting
A-30

Active Vehicles in Fleet

The vehicles in the year-end fleet that are available to operate in revenue service, including:

• Spares
• Vehicles temporarily out of service for routine maintenance and minor repairs.

A-30

Actual Passenger Car Hours

The hours that passenger cars travel while in revenue service (actual passenger car revenue hours) plus deadhead hours. Actual passenger car hours include:

• Layover / recovery time

But exclude:

• Hours for charter services
• Operator training, and
• Vehicle maintenance testing.

S-10

Actual Passenger Car Miles

The miles that passenger cars travel while in revenue service (actual passenger car revenue miles) plus deadhead miles. Actual passenger car miles exclude:

• Hours for charter services
• Operator training, and
• Vehicle maintenance testing.

S-10

Actual Passenger Car Revenue Hours

The hours that passenger cars travel while in revenue service. Passenger car revenue hours include:

• Layover / recovery time

But exclude:

• Deadhead
• Operator training
• Vehicle maintenance tests, and
• Charter services.

S-10

Actual Passenger Car Revenue Miles

The miles that passenger cars travel while in revenue service. Passenger car revenue miles exclude:

• Deadhead
• Operator training
• Vehicle maintenance tests, and
• Charter services.

S-10

Actual Person Count

Full and part time employees of the transit agency, permanent or temporary, who hold approved and filled positions at the end of the fiscal year.

R-10

Actual Service

The total service operated during each time period. Actual service excludes:

• Missed trips, and
• Service interruptions (e.g., strikes, emergency shutdowns).

Actual service is measured by vehicles in service, in miles and hours.

S-10

Actual Train Hours

The hours that trains travel while in revenue service (actual train revenue hours) plus deadhead hours. Actual train hours include:

• Layover / recovery time

But exclude:

• Hours for charter services
• Operator training, and
• Vehicle maintenance testing.

S-10

Actual Train Miles

The miles that trains travel while in revenue service (actual train revenue miles) plus deadhead miles. Actual train miles exclude:

• Miles for charter services
• Operator training, and
• Vehicle maintenance testing.

S-10

Actual Train Revenue Hours

The hours that trains travel while in revenue service. Train revenue hours include:

• Layover / recovery time

But exclude:

• Deadhead
• Training operators prior to revenue service
• Vehicle maintenance tests, and
• Charter services.

S-10

Actual Train Revenue Miles

The miles that trains travel while in revenue service. Train revenue miles exclude:

• Deadhead
• Training operators prior to revenue service
• Vehicle maintenance vehicle tests, and
• Charter services.

S-10

Actual Vehicle Hours

The hours that vehicles travel while in revenue service (actual vehicle revenue hours (VRH)) plus deadhead hours. Actual vehicle hours exclude:

• Hours for charter service
• School bus service
• Operator training, and
• Vehicle maintenance testing.

Internet Reporting
S-10

Actual Vehicle Miles

The miles that vehicles travel while in revenue service (actual vehicle revenue miles (VRM)) plus deadhead miles. Actual vehicle miles exclude:

• Miles for charter services
• School bus service
• Operator training, and
• Vehicle maintenance testing.

Internet Reporting
S-10

Actual Vehicle Revenue Hours (VRH)

The hours that vehicles travel while in revenue service. Vehicle revenue hours (VRH) include:

• Layover / recovery time

But exclude:

• Deadhead
• Operator training
• Maintenance testing, as well as
• School bus and charter services.

Internet Reporting
S-10

Actual Vehicle Revenue Miles (VRM)

The miles that vehicles travel while in revenue service. Vehicle revenue miles (VRM) include:

• Layover / recovery time

But exclude:

• Deadhead
• Operator training and maintenance testing, as well as
• School bus and charter services.

Internet Reporting
S-10, FFA-10

ADA

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

Administrative Buildings

Facilities and offices which house the executive management and supporting activities for overall transit operations such as accounting, finance, engineering, legal, safety, security, customer services, scheduling and planning (see General Administration (160) function). They include separate buildings for customer information or ticket sales, which are owned by the transit agency and which are not part of passenger stations.

F-20

Advertising Revenues

The revenue earned from displaying advertising materials on transit agency vehicles and property. The amounts should be net of any fees paid to advertising agencies, which place the advertisement with the transit agency.

F-10

Aerial Tramway (TR)

A transit mode that is an electric system of aerial cables with suspended powerless passenger vehicles. The vehicles are propelled by separate cables attached to the vehicle suspension system and powered by engines or motors at a central location not on-board the vehicle.

B-10

Aerial Tramway (TR) Line Miles

The distance from terminal to terminal following the path of the tramway towers.

A-20

Aerial Tramways (TR)

Vehicle Type: Unpowered passenger vehicles suspended from a system of aerial cables and propelled by separate cables attached to the vehicle suspension system. Engines or motors at a central location, not on-board the vehicle, power the cable system.

A-30

AG

Automated Guideway Transit

AG

Vehicle Type: Automated Guideway Vehicles

Alaska Railroad (AR)

In recognition of the special Federal relationship with the Alaska railroad (AR), a segment of the passenger service portion of the Alaska railroad (AR) is considered to be eligible for certain FTA funding under the Fixed Guideway Modernization program. The service encompasses only those lines operating within the Anchorage, Alaska, urbanized area (UZA) where passenger service is provided and only includes car miles for passenger cars; car miles for freight cars are specifically excluded.

B-10

AM Peak Period

The period in the morning when additional services are provided to handle higher passenger volumes. The period begins when normal scheduled headways are reduced and ends when headways return to normal.

S-10

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)

The legislation defining the responsibilities of and requirements for transportation providers to make transportation accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Introduction
B-10, F-30
F-40, A-10
A-30, S-10

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) Accessible Stations

Public transportation passenger facilities, which provide ready access, and do not have physical barriers that prohibit and / or restrict access by individuals with disabilities, including individuals who use wheelchairs. Refer to 49 CFR Part 37, Appendix.

A-10

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) Accessible Vehicles with Lifts

Public transportation revenue vehicles, which do not restrict access, are usable, and provide allocated space and / or priority seating for individuals who use wheelchairs, and which are accessible using lifts. Refer to 49 CFR Part 38.

A-30

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) Accessible Vehicles with Ramps / Low Floor

Public transportation revenue vehicles, which do not restrict access, are usable, and provide allocated space and / or priority seating for individuals who use wheelchairs, and which are accessible using ramps. Refer to 49 CFR Part 38.

A-30

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) Related Unlinked Passenger Trips (UPT)

The number of passengers who board public transportation vehicles for complementary paratransit services (demand response (DR)) associated or attributed to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) compliance requirements. The number of Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) unlinked passenger trips (UPT) should be less than or equal to the total number of unlinked passenger trips. These trips are reported only for demand response (DR) mode.

S-10

Amortization of Intangibles (513.13)

The amortization of the intangible costs of the transit agency including organization costs, franchises, patents, goodwill and other intangible assets.

F-40

AO

Vehicle Type: Automobiles

APC

Automatic Passenger Counter

AR

Alaska Railroad

Articulated Buses (AB)

Vehicle Type: Extra long (54 ft. to 60 ft.) buses (MB) with two connected passenger compartments. The rear body section is connected to the main body by a joint mechanism that allows the vehicles to bend when in operation for sharp turns and curves and yet have a continuous interior.

A-30

At Grade, Exclusive Right-of-Way (ROW)

Railway right-of-way (ROW) from which all other traffic, mixed and cross, is excluded. Median strip right-of-way (ROW) is included provided all crossings of the right-of-way (ROW) pass over or under the median.

A-20

At Grade, Mixed and Cross Traffic

Railway right-of-way (ROW) over which other traffic moving in the same direction or the cross directions may pass. City street right-of-way (ROW) is included.

A-20

At Grade, with Cross Traffic

Railway right-of-way (ROW) over which no other traffic may pass, except to cross at grade level crossings. A median strip right-of-way (ROW) with grade level crossings at intersecting streets is included.

A-20

Atypical Day

A day on which the transit agency either:

• Does not operate its normal, regular schedule, or
• Provides extra service to meet demands for special events such as conventions, parades, or public celebrations, or
• Operates significantly reduced service because of unusually bad weather (e.g., snow storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes) or major public disruptions (e.g., terrorism).

S-10

Automated Guideway (AG) Transit

A transit mode that is an electric railway (single or multi-car trains) of guided transit vehicles operating without vehicle operators or other crew on-board the vehicle. Service may be on a fixed schedule or in response to a passenger activated call button. Automated guideway (AG) transit includes:

• Personal rapid transit
• Group rapid transit, and
• People mover systems.

B-10

Automated Guideway Vehicles (AG)

Vehicle Type: Guided transit passenger vehicles operating under a fully automated system (no crew on transit units).

A-30

Automatic Passenger Counter (APC)

An automated means of counting boarding and alighting passengers (e.g., treadle mats or infrared beams placed by the door) (www.its.dot.gov).

S-10

Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL)

Position determination via an automatic technology or combination of technologies, such as Global Positioning System (triangulation of satellite signals), Signposts (beacons at known locations transmit signals picked up by vehicle), Ground-Based Radio (triangulation of radio tower signals), or Dead-Reckoning (vehicle's odometer and compass used to measure new position from previous known position), and typically includes real-time reporting of that location to a dispatcher (www.its.dot.gov).

Automobiles (AO)

Vehicle Type: Passenger cars, up to and including station wagons in size.

A-30

Automotive Vehicle Ferriage

Revenues earned from transporting vehicles in ferryboat transit service.

F-10

Auxiliary Transportation Revenues

The revenue earned from operations closely associated with transportation operations. Auxiliary transportation revenues include:

• Concessions — station and vehicle concessions
• Advertising revenues
• Other — including ID card fees (seniors, persons with disabilities, employees), fare evasion and park-and-ride lot fines, and automotive vehicle ferriage.

F-10

Average Lifetime Mileage per Active Vehicle

The total miles accumulated on all active vehicles since date of manufacture divided by the number of active vehicles.

A-30

Average Monthly Fixed Guideway Directional Route Miles

The monthly average number of fixed guideway directional route miles (FG DRM) over which service was operated. For each segment, sum the directional route miles (DRM) for each month that the mode was operated during the year and divide by 12 months.

Introduction
S-10, S-20

Average Saturday

A typical, representative Saturday in the operation of the transit system, weighted to reflect seasonal variations in service.

S-10

Average Sunday

A typical, representative Sunday in the operation of the transit system, weighted to reflect seasonal variations in service.

S-10

Average Trip Length

The average distance ridden for an unlinked passenger trip (UPT) by time period (weekday, Saturday, Sunday) computed as passenger miles (PM) divided by unlinked passenger trips (UPT).

S-10

Average Weekday

A typical, representative weekday in the operation of the transit system, weighted to reflect seasonal variations in service.

S-10

Average Weekday Unlinked Passenger Trips

The number of passengers who board public transportation vehicles on an average, typical weekday during a month.

AVL

Automatic Vehicle Location

Bond Issuance Costs

The fee for service that the transit agency pays an investment banking firm to handle the bond issue and other related fees that the transit agency may incur related to the bond issue such as accounting, legal, and printing costs.

F-10

Bonds

Financing mechanism used to raise funds. Bonds are secured debt offered through a legal entity (usually a state or local government) that guarantees two rights to the purchaser:

1. The right to receive a fixed interest payment (e.g, 10%), often semiannually, on the par value of the bond (e.g., $10,000), and
2. The right to be paid the par value of the bond (e.g., $10,000) at a definite future date when the bond matures (e.g., 20 years after issuance).

F-10

Bridge, Tunnel and Highway Toll

A tax or fee paid for the liberty or privilege of using a bridge, tunnel or highway.

F-10, F-30

Brokerage System

An association of transportation providers managed by broker or agent who makes transportation arrangements for a specific clientele such as the elderly and persons with disabilities. The transportation providers in a brokerage system are typically social service agencies and taxicab operators. The broker may be the transit agency directly or the transit agency may contract with an individual or firm to operate the brokerage system.

B-30

BU

Vehicle Type: Buses

Bus (MB)

A transit mode comprised of rubber-tired passenger vehicles operating on fixed routes and schedules over roadways. Vehicles are powered by:

• Diesel
• Gasoline
• Battery, or
• Alternative fuel engines contained within the vehicle.

B-10

Buses (BU)

Vehicle Type: Rubber-tired passenger vehicles powered by diesel, gasoline, battery or alternative fuel engines contained within the vehicle. Vehicles in this category do not include articulated, double-decked, or school buses.

A-30

Buyer

The NTD reporter contracting with a seller under a purchased transportation agreement to provide transit services. The contractor may be a public transit agency or a private company.

Introduction
B-30, F-10
F-20, F-30
A-10, A-20
A-30, S-10
FFA-10
Declarations

Cable Car (CC)

A transit mode that is an electric railway with individually controlled transit vehicles attached to a moving cable located below the street surface and powered by engines or motors at a central location, not on-board the vehicle.

B-10

Cable Cars (CC)

Vehicle Type: Streetcar type of passenger vehicles operating by means of an attachment to a moving cable located below the street surface and powered by engines or motors at a central location not on-board the vehicles.

A-30

Capital

Projects related to the purchase of equipment. Equipment means an article of non-expendable tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost which equals the lesser of:

• The capitalization level established by the government unit for financial statement purposes, or
• $5,000.

Capital expenses do not include operating expenses (OE) that are eligible to use capital funds.

FFA-10

Capital Assistance

Financial funding to help cover the costs of equipment necessary to support transit services. Equipment is tangible property having a useful life of more than one year, e.g., vehicles, buildings, passenger stations and fixed guideway (FG) facilities. See capital expenses for requirements.

F-10, FFA-10

Capital Expenses

The expenses related to the purchase of equipment. Equipment means an article of non-expendable tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost which equals the lesser of:

• The capitalization level established by the government unit for financial statement purposes, or
• $5,000.

Capital expenses do not include operating expenses (OE) that are eligible to use capital funds.

Introduction
B-10, F-10
F-20, FFA-10

Capital Labor

The employees engaged in the purchase of equipment. Equipment means an article of non-expendable tangible personal property having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost which equals the lesser of:

• The capitalization level established by the government unit for financial statement purposes, or
• $5,000.

R-10

Capital Maintenance Expenses

Expenses classified as operating expenses under the Uniform System of Accounts (USOA) that are eligible for capital funds under FTA formula programs, e.g., preventive maintenance costs.

F-30

Casualty and Liability Costs (506)

The cost elements covering protection of the transit agency from loss through insurance programs, compensation of others for their losses due to acts for which the transit agency is liable, and recognition of the cost of a miscellaneous category of corporate losses.

F-30

CC

Cable Car

CC

Vehicle Type: Cable Cars

CEO

Chief Executive Officer

Charter Service

A vehicle hired for exclusive use that does not operate over a regular route, on a regular schedule and is not available to the general public.

Introduction
F-50, S-10

Charter Service Hours

The total hours operated by revenue vehicles while in charter service. Charter service hours include:

• Hours operated while carrying passengers for hire, plus
• Associated deadhead hours.

S-10

Charter Service Revenues

The revenue earned from operating vehicles under charter contracts.       

F-10

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

The principal executive in charge of and responsible for the transit agency.

Introduction
Internet Reporting
B-20, S-10
Declarations

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Certification

A letter signed by the chief executive officer (CEO) of a transit agency certifying the accuracy of the data submitted to the NTD.

Introduction
Internet Reporting
S-10
Declarations

CMAQ

Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program

Communication Systems

Systems for exchanging information including two-way radio systems for communications between dispatchers and vehicle operators, cab signaling and train control equipment in rail systems, automatic vehicle locator systems, automated dispatching systems, vehicle guidance systems, telephones, facsimile machines and public address systems.

F-20

Commuter Rail (CR)

A transit mode that is an electric or diesel propelled railway for urban passenger train service consisting of local short distance travel operating between a central city and adjacent suburbs. Service must be operated on a regular basis by or under contract with a transit operator for the purpose of transporting passengers within urbanized areas (UZAs), or between urbanized areas and outlying areas.

Such rail service, using either locomotive hauled or self-propelled railroad passenger cars, is generally characterized by:

• Multi-trip tickets
• Specific station to station fares
• Railroad employment practices, and
• Usually only one or two stations in the central business district.

It does not include:

• Heavy rail (HR) rapid transit, or
• Light rail (LR) / streetcar transit service.

Intercity rail service is excluded, except for that portion of such service that is operated by or under contract with a public transit agency for predominantly commuter services. Predominantly commuter services means that for any given trip segment (i.e., distance between any two stations), more than 50 percent of the average daily ridership commutes on the train each day. A commuter is a person that travels back and forth during the same day primarily within an urbanized area (UZA). Only the predominantly commuter service portion of an intercity route is eligible for inclusion when determining commuter rail (CR) route miles.

B-10

Commuter Rail (CR) Locomotives (RL)

Vehicle Type: Commuter rail (CR) vehicles used to pull or push commuter rail (CR) passenger coaches. Locomotives do not carry passengers themselves.

A-30

Commuter Rail (CR) Passenger Coaches (RP)

Vehicle Type: Commuter rail (CR) passenger vehicles not independently propelled and requiring one or more locomotives for propulsion.

A-30

Commuter Rail (CR) Self-propelled Passenger Cars (RS)

Vehicle Type: Commuter rail (CR) passenger vehicles not requiring a separate locomotive for propulsion.

A-30

Complementary Paratransit Services

Transportation service required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for individuals with disabilities who are unable to use fixed route transportation systems. This service must be comparable to the level of service provided to individuals without disabilities who use the fixed route system and meet the requirements specified in Sections 37.123-137.133 of Transportation Services for Individuals with Disabilities (Part 37), Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49, Volume 1. The complementary services must be origin-to-destination service (demand response (DR)) or on-call demand response (DR) service to an accessible fixed route where such service enables the individual to use the fixed route bus (MB) system for his or her trip.

Introduction
B-10, F-30
F-40, S-10

Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ)

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funds transferred from the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) to FTA for transit projects. This program is to help improve air quality and to manage traffic congestion. Transferred funds may be used for capital expansion and improvements that increase ridership, travel demand management strategies, shared ride services, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

Introduction
F-10

Contributed Services

The receipt of services (not cash) from another entity where such services benefit transit operations and the transit agency is under no obligation to pay for the services.

F-10

Controlled Access Right-of-Way (ROW)

Lanes restricted for at least a portion of the day for use by transit vehicles and other high occupancy vehicles (HOV). Use of controlled access lanes may also be permitted for vehicles preparing to turn. The restriction must be sufficiently enforced so that 95 percent of the vehicles using the lanes during the restricted period are authorized to use them.

A-20, S-10
FFA-10
Declarations

Cooperative Agreement

An agreement where one or more public transit agencies or governmental units contribute to, or are assessed for, the value of public transit services provided by another public transit agency. There is usually a written memorandum of understanding or mutual agreement on the calculation and payment for the services. Generally, the service is part of the public transit agency’s directly operated (DO) service.

Introduction
B-30

CR

Commuter Rail

Customer Services (162)

Component activities include:

• Providing supervision and clerical support for public information and customer relations activities
• Selling and arranging for the provision of charter services
• Providing route information in passenger stations and at other points along the transit way
• Providing telephone information service
• Handling customer complaints
• Administering a lost and found operation.

F-30

Data Processing (170)

Component activities include:

• Providing supervision, training and clerical support for data processing activities
• Entering and verifying input data
• Operating data processing equipment (e.g., computers and more conventional devices)
• Designing data processing application
• Programming and testing data processing applications
• Controlling and distributing output data
• Maintaining data processing equipment.

F-30

Data Waiver

Relief from reporting a specific data item.

Introduction
Internet Reporting

Days not Operated due to Officially Declared Emergencies

The number of days that service did not operate due to emergencies, such as:

• Floods
• Snowstorms, or
• Tornadoes.

A person in authority (usually the mayor, county head or governor) must officially declare an emergency.

S-10

Days not Operated due to Strikes

The number of days that service did not operate due to transit labor strikes.

S-10

Days Schedule Operated

The number of days that service was actually operated according to the schedule of service. For non-scheduled services such as demand response (DR) and vanpool (VP), days schedule operated refers to the days when service normally was operated.

S-10

DB

Vehicle Type: Double Decker Buses

Deadhead (Miles and Hours)

The miles and hours that a vehicle travels when out of revenue service. Deadhead includes:

• Leaving or returning to the garage or yard facility
• Changing routes
• When there is no expectation of carrying revenue passengers.

However, deadhead does not include:

• Charter service
• School bus service
• Operator training
• Maintenance training.

Internet Reporting
F-10, S-10
R-20

Declarations

Three documents stating the validity of the data being reported to the NTD / FTA:

• Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Certification
• Independent Auditor Statement for Financial Data (IAS —  FD), and
• Independent Auditor Statement for Federal Funding Allocation Data (IAS — FFA).

Introduction
Internet Reporting
Declarations

Degraded HOV Facility

An HOV is considered degraded if vehicles operating on it are failing to maintain a minimum average operating speed 90% of the time over a consecutive 180-day period during morning and/or evening weekday peak hours (minimum average operating speed is defined as 45 mph in a 50-mh zone, or 10 mph below limit when limit is less than 50 mph). A State may make mileage requirements more restrictive than specified in SAFETEA-LU when managing use by low emission and energy-efficient vehicles.

F-10, S-20
FFA-10
Declarations

Demand Response (DR)

A transit mode comprised of passenger cars, vans or small buses operating in response to calls from passengers or their agents to the transit operator, who then dispatches a vehicle to pick up the passengers and transport them to their destinations. A demand response (DR) operation is characterized by the following:

1. The vehicles do not operate over a fixed route or on a fixed schedule except, perhaps, on a temporary basis to satisfy a special need, and
2. Typically, the vehicle may be dispatched to pick up several passengers at different pick-up points before taking them to their respective destinations and may even be interrupted en route to these destinations to pick up other passengers.

The following types of operations fall under the above definitions provided they are not on a scheduled fixed route basis:

• Many origins — many destinations
• Many origins — one destination
• One origin — many destinations, and
• One origin — one destination.

B-10

Depreciation (513)

The charges that reflect the loss in service value of the transit agency’s assets. Depreciated items have a high initial cost and a useful life of more than one accounting period. In order to account for the reduction in value (usefulness) of this type of asset, a portion of the cost is expensed each year of the asset’s life. Depreciation and amortization include the depreciation of the physical facilities such as:

• Guideways
• Tracks and roadbeds
• Elevated structures
• Passenger stations and parking facilities
• Revenue vehicles
• Operating stations
• Facilities (including buildings, equipment and furnishings) for power generation and distribution
• Revenue vehicle movement control
• Data processing
• Revenue collection and processing
• Other general administration.

F-40

Direct Cost

An object class cost (e.g., labor, services, materials and supplies) that is incurred exclusively for a particular function, mode and type of service (TOS). For example, an operator whose time is spent solely in driving a bus (MB) (vehicle operations — MB/DO) or a mechanic who works only on directly operated (DO) buses (MB) (vehicle maintenance — MB/DO).

F-30

Directional Route Miles (DRM)

The mileage in each direction over which public transportation vehicles travel while in revenue service. Directional route miles (DRM) are:

• A measure of the route path over a facility or roadway, not the service carried on the facility; e.g., number of routes, vehicles, or vehicle revenue miles.
• Computed with regard to direction of service, but without regard to the number of traffic lanes or rail tracks existing in the right-of-way (ROW).

Directional route miles (DRM) do not include staging or storage areas at the beginning or end of a route.

A-20, S-10
S-20, FFA-10
Declarations

Directly Generated Funds

Any funds where revenues are generated by or donated directly to the transit agency, including:

• Passenger fare revenues
• Advertising revenues
• Donations
• Bond proceeds
• Taxes imposed by the transit agency.

F-10

Directly Levied Tax

The tax revenues to transit agencies that are organized as independent political subdivisions with their own taxation authority.

F-10

Directly Operated (DO)

Transportation service provided directly by a transit agency, using their employees to supply the necessary labor to operate the revenue vehicles. This includes instances where an agency’s employees provide purchased transportation (PT) services to the agency through a contractual agreement.

Introduction
B-10, F-10
F-20, A-10
R-10, R-20
R-30, FFA-10
Declarations

DO

Directly Operated

Double Decker Buses (DB)

Vehicle Type: High capacity buses having two levels of seating, one over the other, connected by one or more stairways. Total bus height is usually 13 to 14.5 feet, and typical passenger seating capacity ranges from 40 to 80 people.

A-30

DR

Demand Response

DRM

Directional Route Miles

Elevated on Fill

Rail transit way above surface level on fill. Transition segments above surface level on fill are included.

A-20

Elevated on Structure

Rail transit way above surface level on structures. Transition segments above surface level on structures are included.

A-20

Elevator

A compartment that usually moves up and down vertically to transfer passengers from one level of a station or parking facility to another. Elevators may move horizontally, such as from a station to an adjacent parking garage, but such movement is normally done by non-elevator means such as a pedestrian bridge or a moving sidewalk. Does not include non-passenger elevators used only for freight or by transit staff.

A-10

Emergency Contingency Vehicles

Revenue vehicles placed in an inactive contingency fleet for energy or other local emergencies after the revenue vehicles have reached the end of their normal minimum useful life. The vehicles must be properly stored and maintained, and FTA must approve the Emergency Contingency Plan. Substantial changes to the plan (10% change in fleet) require re-approval by FTA.

Introduction
B-10, A-30
S-10

Employee Work Hours

Employee labor hours, not including fringe benefit hours such as:

• Sick leave
• Holidays, and
• Vacations.

Work hours include:

• Only labor hours for employees of the transit agency
• Both full time and part time
• Permanent and temporary.

R-10

Employees

Individuals who are compensated by the transit agency and whose expense is reported in object class 501 labor.

F-30, F-50
R-10, R-20

Escalator

A moving stairway that moves up and down at an angle to transfer passengers from one level of a station or parking facility to another. Does not include non-passenger escalators used only for freight or by transit staff.

A-10

Exclusive Right-of-Way (ROW)

Roadway or other right-of-way (ROW) reserved at all times for transit use and / or other high occupancy vehicles (HOV). The restriction must be sufficiently enforced so that 95 percent of vehicles using the right-of-way (ROW) are authorized to use it.

A-20, S-10
FFA-10
Declarations

Expansion (fleet)

The acquisition of revenue vehicles for expansion of transit service.

F-20

Expense Transfers (510)

Accounts used for reporting adjustments and reclassifications of expenses previously recorded.

F-30

Failure to Report

Submitting a late report, incomplete report or no report.

Introduction

FARE

Uniform Financial Accounting and Reporting Elements

Fare Revenue Collection Equipment

Any equipment used in collecting passenger fares including turnstiles, fare boxes (drop), automated fare boxes and related software, money changers and fare dispensing machines (tickets, tokens, passes).

F-20

FASB

Financial Accounting Standards Board

FB

Ferryboat

FB

Vehicle Type: Ferryboats

Federal Government Funds

Financial assistance obtained from the Federal government to assist with paying the costs of providing transit services.

F-10

Ferryboat (FB)

A transit mode comprised of vessels carrying passengers and / or vehicles over a body of water that are generally steam or diesel powered.

Intercity ferryboat (FB) service is excluded, except for that portion of such service that is operated by or under contract with a public transit agency for predominantly commuter services. Predominantly commuter service means that for any given trip segment (i.e., distance between any two piers), more than 50 percent of the average daily ridership commutes on the ferryboat each day. A commuter is a person that travels back and forth during the same day primarily within an urbanized area (UZA). Only the predominantly commuter service portion of an intercity route is eligible for inclusion when determining ferryboat (FB) route mi