How Transportation Agencies Assess the Value of Added Capacity Highway Projects Versus Other Modal Projects and Strategies (2018)

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56 The following terms and definitions are used throughout this synthesis: • Added highway capacity projects—physical expansions (primarily additional lanes) or additions (new facilities) to the highway network inclusive of the bridges that carry the roadways. • Allocation—the intentional distribution of resources based on a factor or combination of factors such as mode, work or investment type (e.g., maintenance, preservation, operations, expansion), and geography. • Assessment/evaluation—are used interchangeably and are the review and consideration of positive and negative effects of an alternative (e.g., policy, strategy, project, and program) either quantitatively or qualitatively irrespective of perceived thoroughness or comprehensiveness. • Commuter rail—public transportation service operating diesel- or electric-powered trains between a central city and adjacent and outlying suburbs with more limited stops compared to local public transportation service (rail or bus). • Corridor/subarea plans and studies—corridor, district, and neighborhood plans and studies, including those consistent with title 23 § 450.212 and§ 450.318 of the Code of Federal Regulations. • Design concepts—descriptions of the type of facility such as a freeway, grade-separated inter- change, and right-of-way rail transit, for major improvements regardless of mode. • Design scopes—design concepts with additional detail on specific elements such as the number of lanes or tracks to be constructed or added, length of project, signalization, safety, access control (including approximate number and location of interchanges), and preferential treatment for high-occupancy vehicles for major improvements regardless of mode. • Heavy rail—high-speed, rapid acceleration public transportation service operating diesel- or electric-powered trains capable of carrying high volumes that is always separated from other traffic (including subway, elevated, and rapid rail/transit). • Light rail—public transportation service operating electric-powered shorter trains on fixed guideway that is often separated from other traffic (including streetcar and trolleys). • Long-range statewide plans and metropolitan transportation plans—the federally required prod- ucts and their contents per title 23 § 450.216 and § 450.324 of the Code of Federal Regulations, respectively. • Other modal projects and strategies—public transportation (local, commuter, and intercity) regardless of mode (bus or rail); safety; operations and management; ferry boats; inland waterway transport; freight rail; bicycle lanes; pedestrian walkways; multiuse trails; and aviation. • Policies and strategies—provide direction for more detailed planning and project development activities such as managing assets, promoting multimodal options, and enhancing mobility and access for freight in designated corridors and districts regardless of mode. Glossary

Glossary 57 • Prioritization—the ranking of alternatives by any means (i.e., subjectively or objectively) for the purpose of establishing an order that may serve as the basis for programming of funds for implementation or additional planning. • Statewide Transportation Improvement Programs (STIPs) and metropolitan Transportation Improvement Programs (TIPs)—the federally required products and their contents per title 23 § 450.218 and § 450.326 of the Code of Federal Regulations.