Frequently Asked Questions

The Howard Frankland Bridge (I-275/SR 93) PD&E and Regional Corridor Evaluation Study will provide many opportunities for the public to comment on the proposed improvements, including public meetings, small group meetings, and this project website (archived.fdotd7studies.com/hfbs). Project information and documents will be uploaded to the project website for review when they become available.

Glossary of Terms

AA – Alternatives Analysis
A detailed study of alternative transportation improvements to address specific issues in a corridor. All feasible alternatives are analyzed, resulting in the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) selected for implementation.

AADT – Average Annual Daily Traffic
The total volume of traffic on a highway segment for one year, divided by the number of days in the year.

AASHTO – American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act
Federal legislation outlining specific rights of persons with disabilities, and providing that publicly funded mass transit agencies provide complementary paratransit service within the fixed-route service area to those persons unable to use fixed-route service because of a disability.

APTA – American Public Transportation Association www.apta.com
An international organization that represents members of the transit industry with the vision of advancing public transportation. APTA works to ensure that public transportation is available and accessible to all communities across the country.

ARRA – American Recovery and Reinvestment Act www.recovery.gov
Making supplemental appropriations for job preservation and creation, infrastructure investment, energy efficiency and science, assistance to the unemployed, and State and local fiscal stabilization for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes.

ARRF – Aggregated Rail Ridership Forecast (model) http://www.fsutmsonline.net
Model consists of Census Transportation Planning Products (CTPP) 2000 data, Geographic Information System (GIS) information, programs, control files and spreadsheet used for estimating the ridership potential for a new rail system. The ARRF is sponsored by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and developed by AECOM.

ATMS – Advanced Traffic Management System
An Intelligent Transportation System process that employs a variety of detectors, cameras, and communication systems to monitor traffic, optimize signal timings on major arterials, and control the flow of traffic.

BACS – Bay Area Commuter Services www.tampabayrideshare.org
Began as a private; non-profit founded by the FDOT for the purpose of promoting transportation options to the single-occupant vehicle in the Tampa Bay Area and surrounding counties. BACS merged with TBARTA on April 30, 2010 to unite in their efforts to improve regional transportation mobility.

BALD – Bay Area Legislative Delegation
Made up of the Senators and Representatives of the Tampa Bay area. The BALD represents 25 percent of Florida’s Legislature.

BEBR – Bureau of Economic and Business Research www.bebr.ufl.ed
A research center out of the University of Florida that works to collect, analyze and generate economic/demographic data for Florida. That information is used for public policy and business decision making.

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.

BOCC – Board of County Commissioners
Each of the Counties within the State of Florida is comprised of a County Commission made up of elected commissioners. Those commissioners form a BOCC within each county. The county commissions within the TBARTA region include Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota.

BRT – Bus Rapid Transit
Enhanced bus system that seeks to achieve a high quality transit service like light rail, at a lower cost using buses. BRT vehicles are generally low-floor, high capacity, low-emission buses, with rapid fare collection and infrastructure development. BRT runs in exclusive rights-of-way where possible.

CAC – Citizens Advisory Committee

Capital Costs
The cost to build a system to a commercially operable status, including acquisition of right-of-way, materials, vehicles, and construction labor.

CBD – Central Business District

CCC – Chairs Coordinating Committee www.regionaltransportation.org
A regional coordinating committee that oversees transportation planning activities in the West Central Florida Region. Responsible for coordinating the Cost Affordable Regional LRTP, Regional Congestion Management System, Air Quality Management Planning Process, Regional Multi-Use Trails Element, Major Investment Studies Coordination, Regional Data Sharing and Mapping, and Regional Public Involvement Program amongst its six member agency. The Committee is comprised of the chairpersons of the Hernando MPO, Hillsborough MPO, Pasco MPO, Pinellas MPO, Polk TPO, Sarasota-Manatee MPO, and Citrus County (for purposes of voting on only Transportation Regional Incentive Program (TRIP) issues).

CCR – Comments and Coordination Report
A Comments and Coordination Report will be composed upon close of the formal public comment period. The report will include the steps taken to engage the public, comments received pertaining to the project during the formal comment period, and responses to the comments received.

CIP – Capital Improvements Program
A five/six year schedule of capital improvements adopted by local governments and transportation agencies.

CIT – Community Investment Tax

CMAQ – Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality
A program under SAFETEA-LU which provides funding for projects that contribute to the attainment of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Eligible projects include intersection improvements, transit projects, and Transportation Management Organizations/Initiatives.

CMP – Congestion Management Process
A systematic process designed to emphasize effective management of existing transportation facilities through the use of travel demand and operational strategies.

CMS – Concurrency Management System
The process local governments use to ensure that level of service standards on public services and facilities are adopted and maintained. In addition, CMS’ require that public services and facilities necessary to accommodate the impact of development projects are in place prior to their approval.

Commuter Rail
Transit mode that is multiple-car electric or diesel propelled train. It is typically used for local, longer-distance travel between a central city and adjacent suburbs, and can operate alongside existing freight, passenger rail lines or in exclusive rights of way.

CSX www.csx.com
CSX provides rail-based transportation services (operating locomotives, trains and freight cars) ranging across 23 states, and based in Jacksonville, Florida.

CTC – Community Transportation Coordinator
Transportation entity responsible for ensuring that coordinated transportation services are provided to the transportation disadvantaged population in the designated service area.

CUTR – Center for Urban Transportation Research at the University of South Florida

DBE – Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program
A U.S. Department of Transportation Program that helps small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, including minorities and women, to participate in contracting opportunities for federally funded capital improvement projects.

DCA – Department of Community Affairs www.dca.state.fl.us
Agency of the State of Florida that assists communities in land planning and community development. The DCA manages new growth within the context of growth management laws, and assists in community revitalization efforts.

DOPA – Designated Official Planning Agency
Agency designated by the state Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged to provide planning services to the local transportation disadvantaged service area.

DRI – Regional Development of Regional Impact www.dca.state.fl.us
“…any development which, because of its character, magnitude, or location would have a substantial effect upon the health, safety, or welfare of citizens of more than one county.” (380.06, F.S.)

EA – Environmental Assessment
Process of estimating and evaluating significant, positive or negative, short-term and long-term effects of a program or project on the quality of its location's environment. It also includes identifying ways to minimize, mitigate, or eliminate these effects and/or compensate for their impact.

EIS – Environmental Impact Statement
A comprehensive study of likely environmental impacts resulting from major federally-assisted projects. These statements are required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

E-Newsletter
A newsletter distributed electronically (i.e. via e-mail)

EOC – Emergency Operations Center
The physical location where an organization comes together during an emergency to coordinate response and recovery actions and resources.

EPA – Environmental Protection Agency

ETDM – Efficient Transportation Decision Making
A State of Florida initiative pursuant to the “Streamlining” provisions contained within the Transportation Equity Act for the 21stCentury (TEA-21) that creates provisions for early and full participation in determining the socio-cultural and environmental impacts of a project.

FAC – Florida Administrative Code
A compilation of the rules and regulations of state agencies that have been filed with the Department of State pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 120, F.S.

Facebook
A social networking website. TBARTA has its own Facebook page.

FDACS – Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

FDEP – Florida Department of Environmental Protection

FDOT – Florida Department of Transportation www.dot.state.fl.us
The agency granted the legislative authority to develop and maintain state transportation facilities and services.

FDEC – Florida Economic Development Council

FFGA – Full Funding Grant Agreement
The designated means for providing New Starts funds to projects with a Federal share of $25 million or more. An FFGA establishes the terms and conditions for Federal financial participation in a new starts project; defines the project; sets the maximum amount of Federal New Starts funding for a project; covers the period of time for completion of the project; and facilitates efficient management of the project in accordance with applicable Federal statutes, regulations, and policy.

FHWA – Federal Highway Administration www.fhwa.dot.gov
The federal agency that develops regulations, policies and guidelines to achieve safety, access, economic development, and other goals of FHWA programs through construction and improvement of the nation’s transportation infrastructure and highway system.

FIHS – Florida Intrastate Highway System
Develops and maintains the network of highways which make up the intrastate system. It was created in 1990 and is composed of interconnected and limited-and controlled-access roadways.

Fixed Guideway Technology
Transit vehicles that operate on fixed guideways or rail

Fixed Route
Service provided on a repetitive, fixed-schedule basis along a specific route with vehicles stopping to pick up and deliver passengers to specific locations; each fixed-route trip serves the same origins and destinations, unlike demand responsive and taxicabs.

Florida Turnpike Enterprise www.floridasturnkpike.com
Operates as a private entity from the FDOT; improving road systems and operating toll roads and bridges for FDOT.

Focus Group
A research method gathering a small group of stakeholders to measure the qualitative effects of material, messages or ideas on members of a target audience.

FPTA – Florida Public Transportation Association

FRA – Federal Railroad Administration www.fra.dot.gov
Created in 1966 by the Department of Transportation Act with the purpose of enforcing rail safety regulations, administering railroad assistance programs, research and development for railroad safety and transportation policy, rehabilitation of Northeast Corridor rail passenger service, and consolidate government support of rail transportation activities.

FRE – Florida Rail Enterprise www.floridahighspeedrail.org
Created on December 16, 2009 to plan, construct, maintain, repair, operate and promote a high-speed rail system in Florida.

FTA – Federal Transit Administration www.fta.dot.gov
The federal agency (within the U.S. DOT) that develops policy on public transit issues and allocates capital and operating funds to assist transit agencies in developing new transit systems and improving, maintaining, and operating existing systems.

FTC – Florida Transportation Commission www.ftc.state.fl.us
Created in 1987 under Section 20.23, F.S., as a citizen’s oversight board of the FDOT, while operating independently of FDOT. Functions of the FTC include: review of major transportation policy initiatives or revisions by the Department, recommend major transportation policy to the Governor and Legislature, serve as an oversight body to the FDOT, serve as an oversight body for transportation authorities created under Chapters 343 and 348 F.S., and serve as nominating Commission in the selection of the Secretary of Transportation.

FTE – Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise

FTP- Florida Transportation Plan www.2060ftp.org
A long-range plan creating a policy framework for federal and state transportation fund expenditures. The FTP identifies the goals, objectives, and strategies to address the long-term needs of the state transportation system and to guide the expenditure of federal, state, and local transportation funds. The FTP is updated every five years by FDOT, with an update currently underway. Although the horizon year is typically 20 years into the future, the FDOT has elected to use 2060 as the horizon year for this update.

FY – Fiscal Year
A budget year or financial year for accounting and financial statements.

Gas Tax
A sales tax imposed on the sale of fuel, often dedicated to transportation and/or the construction of roads.

Gateway Area – Pinellas County
According to the Pinellas County Planning Department, the Gateway Area of Pinellas County is defined as an area of almost 12,700 acres east of U.S. Highway 19, bounded on the north by Long Branch Creek, on the east by Tampa Bay and to the south by Gandy Blvd. Within these “triangular” boundaries today lies portions of four jurisdictions – the unincorporated County, the City of Largo, the City of Pinellas Park and the City of St. Petersburg. (Gateway to the Future Report, April 2005, Pinellas County Planning Dept.)

GIS – Geographic Information System www.gis.com
Software used to capture, analyze, and display geographical data.

GPS – Global Positioning System

HART – Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority www.gohart.org
Provides public transportation in Hillsborough County. Services include buses, trolleys, vanpools, park-and-ride, and more. The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) is currently completing an Alternative Analysis (AA) for two corridors of light rail. HART is a member of the TBARTA TMC.

Heavy Rail
Transit service using rail cars with motive capability, driven by electric power usually drawn from a third rail, configured for passenger traffic and usually operated on exclusive rights-of-way. Utilizes generally longer trains and consists of longer station spacing than Light Rail.

HOT – High Occupancy Toll
A road pricing alternative that gives motorists in single-occupant vehicles access to high-occupancy vehicle lanes (or "HOV lanes"). Tolls are collected either by manned toll booths, automatic number plate recognition, or electronic toll collection systems. Typically, these tolls increase as traffic density and congestion within the tolled lanes increases, a policy known as congestion pricing. The goal of this pricing scheme is to minimize traffic congestion within the lanes.

HOV – High Occupancy Vehicle
Refers to high occupancy vehicle lanes (carpool lanes), which are reserved for people who share a ride in carpools, vanpools, and/or buses, or who drive a motorcycle. These lanes are marked with a diamond symbol and HOV sign. In some areas, individual drivers may use the lanes by paying a toll (also called High Occupancy Toll [HOT] lanes)

HSR – High Speed Rail www.floridahighspeedrail.org
Passenger rail transportation offering very high speeds of more than 168 mph, operating on dedicated rail lines (from freight and other passenger rail) without grade crossings, in a confined barrier-protected corridor.

Intermodal
Those services or activities that involve or affect more than one mode of transportation, including transportation connections, choices, cooperation, and coordination of various modes, also known as “multimodal”.

IT – Information Technology
Software applications and computer hardware.

ITN – Independent Transportation Network
A financially self-sufficient transportation program, for the provision of transportation services for elderly citizens who can no longer safely drive their own automobiles.

ITS – Intelligent Transportation System www.its.dot.gov/index.htm
The application of information technologies, particularly GIS, to improve the efficiency and safety of transportation systems.

JCAC – Joint Citizens Advisory Committee
Hillsborough, Pasco, Hernando, Sarasota-Manatee, Polk and Pinellas County CAC representatives who meet to discuss and review transportation issues of regional significance.

JPA – Joint Participation Agreement
A joint agreement between an agency and FDOT, establishing a transportation project and responsibilities of the project specifying scope, budget, funding source and any necessary legal provisions.

LPA – Locally Preferred Alternative
The selected physical design concept and scope for a major corridor transit investment. The LPA will also generally describe the proposed location of stations, the operating plans for the transit service (hours of operation, how often vehicles run, etc.), and any design options to be further evaluated during the next phases, Preliminary Engineering and Final Design. The term specifically refers to an alternative chosen during the AA process.

LOS – Level of Services
Refers to a measure of congestion that compares actual or projected traffic volume with the maximum capacity of the intersection or road in question. LOS is rated from A (free-flowing traffic) to F (gridlock).

LRT – Light Rail Transit
A short-distance form of transit that operates on steel rails and customarily obtains its power from overhead electrical wires. LRT may operate in single or multiple cars on separate rights-of-way in mixed traffic.

LRTP – Long Range Transportation Plan
A collective effort to address the development of a community-wide transportation system. The Plan proposes a balanced transportation system, taking into account considerations such as personal mobility, growth management, regional economic development, neighborhood preservation, environmental concerns, and citizen participation. The goals are consistent with the policies established by local agencies and jurisdictions. The Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is responsible for implementing the LRTP in coordination with the state and transit operators. The LRTP must receive Federal certification every three years and is on a four-year cycle of updating.

LUWG – Land Use Working Group www.tbarta.com/content/about/luwg
The LUWG is the primary forum for coordination between the TBARTA Master Plan and local land use planning concerns such as existing land use patterns, long-range land use plans, growth projections, and local community goals. The LUWG advises the Master Plan technical team about land use planning issues, specifically relating to existing land use patterns, long-range land use plans, and growth projections. Various land use planning agencies, environmental groups, the development community and transportation agencies have been invited to convene technical experts to participate in this group.

Managed Lanes
High occupancy toll lane facilities that employ pricing and vehicle eligibility to maintain free-flow conditions and provide HOV preference.

Mass Transportation Agency
An agency authorized to transport people by bus, rail, or other convenience, either publicly, or privately owned, and which provides to the public, general, or special service on a regular and continuing scheduled or unscheduled basis.

MBE – Minority Business Enterprise

MCAT – Manatee County Area Transit

Media Relations
How an organization develops a relationship with the news media; how it communicates with and provides information to members of the news media. Media relations for Study purposes will be managed by TBARTA and FDOT, with the Study team providing information and assistance as it relates to the Study to these organizations’ public relations professionals.

Mode
A particular form or method of travel distinguished by vehicle type, operation technology and right-of-way separation from other traffic.

MOU – Memorandum of Understanding
A document of agreement between two or more entities. Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) can have the binding power of a contract, depending on wording. (Also: MOA- Memorandum of Agreement)

MPO – Metropolitan Planning Organization www.pinellascounty.org/MPO
An area-wide agency charged with the coordination of the urban transportation planning process; the regionwide recipient of Federal funds for transportation planning purposes. Membership includes elected and appointed officials representing local jurisdictions and transportation agencies. There are five MPOs in the TBARTA region (Hernando MPO, Hillsborough MPO, Pasco MPO, Pinellas MPO, and Sarasota-Manatee MPO). Citrus County does not currently have an MPO, but anticipates creating one based upon the 2010 Census results.

MPOAC – Metropolitan Planning Organization Advisory Council
A statewide organization created by the Florida Legislature to augment the role of the individual MPOs in the cooperative transportation planning process. The MPOAC assists MPOs in carrying out the urbanized area transportation planning process by serving as the principal forum for collective policy decisions.

MRP – Market Reference Point

MSTU – Municipal Service Taxing Unit
A tax assessed on benefiting properties, typically for capital improvement projects such as paving, drainage, and water and sewer projects.

MTC – Marion Transit Center (Tampa, FL)

Multimodal
Refers to the availability of multiple transportation options, especially within a system or corridor. A multimodal approach to transportation planning focuses on the most efficient way of getting people or goods from place to place by means other than privately owned vehicles; by bus, trolley, light rail, streetcar, cable car, and/or ferry systems.

NAAQS – National Ambient Air Quality Standards
Minimum air quality standards established by the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990.

NEPA – National Environmental Policy Act www.epa.gov/compliance/nepa/
Legislation that requires federal agencies to integrate environmental values into their decision-making process by considering the environmental impacts of their proposed actions, and reasonable alternatives to those actions.

New Starts www.fta.dot.gov/planning/planning_environment_5221.html
The Federal government’s primary financial resource for supporting locally-planned, implemented, and operated transit “guideway” capital investments.

NEXTEA – National Economic Crossroads Transportation Efficiency Act

Non-Capital Costs
The costs of administration, operation, maintenance, and marketing; exclusive of equipment and facility costs.

NTD – National Transit Database

O&D – Origin and Destination

O&M – Operating and Maintenance

Online Workshop
Gathering issues and concerns of project stakeholders by conducting a workshop using interactive Internet technology (i.e. web site, Skype, etc.)

Operating Costs
Recurring costs in transportation systems that include wages, salaries, taxes, insurance, and supplies, but not capital depreciation of interest payments.

OPPAGA – Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

OTAC – Operations Technical Advisory Committee
An advisory committee to the TBARTA Board created for the purpose discussing preliminary considerations for operating a regional transit network, and to discuss efforts that may arise for transit operations across jurisdictions. The Committee was comprised of a TBARTA Board member, two transit agency directors, and two County Administrators.

OTTED – Office of Trade and Economic Development www.flgov.com/otted_home
Assists the Florida State Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Legislature in creating policies and strategies for the development of economic opportunities within the state.

Paratransit
In accordance with ADA, paratransit service is provided for the purpose of delivering transportation services to individuals who, because of functional disability (physical, cognitive, or other), cannot access or use the public transportation system.

Park-and-Ride Lot
Designated parking areas for automobile drivers who then board transit vehicles from these locations.

PCTS – Polk County Transit Services

PD&E – Project Development and Environment
Process developed to ensure that the design of transportation projects appropriately reflects and incorporates the unique engineering and community characteristics of the area. Ensures that projects receiving federal aid follow the policies and procedures outlined in NEPA.

Peak Hours
The hour of the day in which the maximum demand for transportation service is experienced (refers to private automobiles and transit vehicles)

PEEP – Public Education and Engagement Program
Organized public outreach and education program within TBARTA.

PIE – St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport

PIP – Public Involvement Plan
A guideline for public involvement activities to be conducted by the Study team. The PIP contains the goals and tactics for actively engaging the public in the Study transportation planning process.

PPP – Public Private Partnership (also known as P3s)
“…refer(s) to contractual agreements formed between a public agency and private sector entity that allow for greater private sector participation in the delivery of transportation projects.” (FHWA)

PSA – Public Service Announcement
Announcement or advertisement to the community, intended to impart awareness on specific issues.

PSAP – Pedestrian Safety Action Plan
A plan developed by community stakeholders that is intended to improve pedestrian safety in the community.

PSTA – Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority www.psta.net
Provides travel alternatives to residents and visitors alike within Pinellas County. Services include bus and paratransit. PSTA is a member of the TBARTA TMC.

PTA – Polk Transit Authority

PTAC – Pedestrian Safety Advisory Committee
Pinellas MPO appointed committee comprised of representatives of state and local governments and the National Safety Council as well as private citizens. The PTAC assists the MPO in its efforts to serve the needs of pedestrians in Pinellas County.

Public Transportation
Passenger transportation service, operating on established schedules along designated routes or lines with specific stops; designed to move large numbers of people; providing general or special services (bus, light rail, rapid transit, etc.)

RA – Regional Anchor

Regional Transit Corridor Evaluation
An evaluation of various transit options in a given corridor. This evaluation is not a formal Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Alternatives Analysis (AA); however, the study should follow the guidelines for FTA New Starts and Small Starts guidelines as closely as possible as to not preclude the use of the data and findings from being transferred and used in a formal Alternatives Analysis.

REMI – Regional Economic Models Incorporated www.remi.com
Economic forecasting model providing an evaluation of complete economic effects of transportation improvements.

RFP – Request for Proposal
An issue for request of invitations of suppliers through a bidding or proposal submittal, as part of the beginning of a procurement process.

RFQ – Request for Qualifications
An invitation for entities to submit qualifications for a proposal.

ROD – Record of Decision
The formal decision document, which is recorded for the public.

ROW – Right-of-Way
Publicly owned land that may be used for transportation purposes.

RPC – Regional Planning Council

RSAC – Rail Stakeholder Advisory Committee
Committee convened to create consensus recommendations to inform and guide the development of a rail system.

RTA – Regional Transportation Analysis
State-sponsored traffic demand modeling program used to forecast traffic volumes and to simulate future travel conditions for personal and commercial vehicles and public transit in FDOT District Seven.

RTSA – Rural Transit Service Area

SAFETEA-LU – Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users
Federal legislation passed July 29, 2005 and signed by the President August 10, 2005 that includes new and revised program guidance and regulations with planning requirements related to public participation, publication, and environmental considerations.

SCAT – Sarasota County Area Transit

SIP – State Implementation Plan
A federally approved State Plan that documents emission control strategies for criteria pollutants (such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, lead, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide), which are applicable in air quality nonattainment and attainment/maintenance areas to protect the air quality in the airshed. State Implementation Plans can be extensive, containing state regulations or other enforceable documents and supporting information such as emission inventories, monitoring networks, and modeling demonstrations.

SIS – Strategic Intermodal System
A statewide network of high-priority transportation facilities, including the state’s largest and most significant commercial service airports, spaceport, deepwater seaports, freight rail terminals, passenger rail and intercity bus terminals, rail corridors, waterways and highways.

SRQ – Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

SRTNA – Strategic Regional Transit Needs Assessment

Stakeholders
People who have a stake in the proposed transit corridor. Stakeholders include but are not limited to homeowners, business owners, community leaders, members of local civic and professional associations, city and county agencies and governments, those who work in the affected area, public transportation users, and ethnic, minority and low income groups.

STEPS – School Transportation and Enhanced Pedestrian Safety Committee

STP – Surface Transportation Program
One of the key federal funding programs in SAFETEA-LU. It provides flexibility in expenditure of "road" funds for non-motorized and transit modes and for a category of activities known as transportation enhancements. It also broadens the definition of eligible transportation activities to include pedestrian and bicycle facilities and enhancement of community and environmental quality with ten categories of activities. The STP provides flexible funding that may be used by states and localities for projects on any Federal-aid highway, including the National Highway System, bridge projects on any public road, transit capital projects, and intra-city and intercity bus terminals and facilities.

STSC – School Transportation Safety Committee
The School Transportation Safety Committee was established by the Pinellas MPO in 1998. The STSC is made up of representatives of the School Board, Board of County Commissioners and local municipalities. The STSC was formed to consider transportation and safety matters that involve both the School Board and local jurisdictions.

SWFWMD – Southwest Florida Water Management District www.swfwmd.state.fl.us
A regional government agency that oversees water resources in Southwest Florida.

TAC – Technical Advisory Committee
TACs may be, but are not legislatively mandated to be, established by the TBARTA Board for special activities. For MPOs, TACs include representatives such as local and state planners, engineers, air quality officials, and transit operators who provide technical input regarding transportation plans and programs and make recommendations to the MPO. For PSTA, a committee that helps PSTA improve transit services and programs by advising PSTA’s transit staff, Executive Director, and Board of Directors.

TAZ – Traffic Analysis Zone
A traffic analysis zone is a special area delineated by state and/or metropolitan planning organizations for compiling and tabulating traffic-related land use and socioeconomic data- used as planning assumptions to forecast travel demand. Traffic analysis zones are also used as the origin and/or destination for trip making. A TAZ usually consists of one or more Census blocks, block groups, or Census tracts.

TBARTA – Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority www.tbarta.com
Created by the Florida State Legislature in 2007 to develop and implement a Regional Transportation Master Plan for the seven-county West Central Florida region consisting of Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties. The agency consists of the Governing Board made of elected officials and Gubernatorial Appointees, CAC, TMC, and LUWG.

TBEST – Transit Boardings Estimation and Simulation Tool www.fsutmonline.net
A method of forecasting ridership for TDPs to support planning with the capability of simulating travel demand; adopted but FDOT. Noteworthy features include: Distinction between Direct and Transfer Boardings, Time-of-Day-Based Analysis, Walk Access to Transit, Network Connectivity and Accessibility, Competing and Complementary System Effects, GIS-based Software Tool, Performance Measures, and Sensitivity to Host of Planning Factors.

TBP – Tampa Bay Partnership www.tampabay.org
A regional organization that markets the region nationally/internationally, to conduct regional research and to coordinate efforts to influence business and government issues that impact economic growth and development.

TBRPC – Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council www.tbrpc.org
A council made up of elected officials and gubernatorial appointees with the mission to coordinate planning for the Region (including Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, and Pinellas Counties).

TBRPM – Tampa Bay Regional Planning Model
Model developed to forecast the effectiveness of a transportation system specifically for the five counties in FDOT District Seven to determine trip percentages and trip assignments; used for determining future travel patterns.

TBRTM – Tampa Bay Regional Transit Model
Model developed to forecast transit ridership for the TBARTA region, designed specifically to meet the FTA requirements for New Starts AA studies, as well as concerns about the region’s current models.

TCAP – Tri County Access Plan
The locally coordinated public transit human service transportation plan for the urban area which includes Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties. Projects selected for JARC and New Freedom funding must be derived from this plan.

TCC – Technical Coordinating Committee
Over 30 member committee representing local governments, the School Board, PSTA and the Pinellas County Department of Environmental Management that assists the Pinellas MPO by reviewing transportation plans and programs and making recommendations based on their technical adequacy.

TCEA – Transportation Concurrency Exception Areas
An area where new development projects are exempt from transportation concurrency requirements despite a deteriorating level of service on roadways, in order to promote urban infill and redevelopment. Transportation concurrency is a growth management strategy intended to ensure that transportation facilities and services are available “concurrent” with (at the same time as) the impacts of development.

TD – Transportation Disadvantaged
Those persons who, because of physical or mental disability, income status, or age are unable to transport themselves or to purchase transportation and are, therefore, dependent on others to obtain access to health care, employment, education, shopping, social activities, or other life-sustaining activities. These persons also include children who are handicapped or high risk or at risk as defined in Ch. 411, F.S.

TDM – Transportation Demand Management
A general term describing strategies for efficient use of transportation resources.

TDP – Transit Development Plan
A strategic 10-year implementation plan for transit agencies that assesses existing service, reviews demographics and travel characteristics, summarizes local transit policies, determines service and facility needs, and identifies the 10-year financial plan.

THEA – Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority

THE BUS – The Hernando Express Bus

TIF – Tax Increment Financing
Allows cities to create special districts and to make public improvements within those districts that will generate private-sector development. During the development period, the tax base is frozen at the predevelopment level. Property taxes continue to be paid, but taxes derived from increases in assessed values (the tax increment) resulting from new development either go into a special fund created to retire bonds issued to originate the development, or leverage future growth in the district.

TIF – Transportation Impact Fee
Charges assessed by local governments on new development projects that attempt to recover the cost incurred to provide transportation facilities required to serve the new development.

TIF – Transportation Investment Fund
A fund containing dollars collected from gasoline tax for transportation purposes.

TIP – Transportation Improvement Program
The primary 5-year plan of state and federal revenues anticipated to be allocated to the urban area as well as major transportation projects of all types. Developed by the MPO, it identifies and prioritizes projects that generally come from the LRTP. Improvements to services and facilities identified in the TIP include roadways, aviation, bicycle and port facilities.

TMA – Transportation Management Area
Geographic area subject to special requirements under SAFETEA-LU. An urbanized area with a population of over 200,000 is automatically a TMA, which subjects it to additional planning requirements, but also entitles it to funds earmarked for large urbanized areas under the Surface Transportation Program.

TMC – Transit Management Committee www.tbarta.com/content/about/tmc
A TBARTA committee comprised of the executive directors or general managers of each of the existing transit providers in the region.

TMI – Transportation Management Initiative
Organization formed to encourage and coordinate the participation of local businesses in transportation demand management activities. These agencies are also known as transportation management organizations (TMO).

TMO – Transportation Management Organization

TMOCG – Transportation Management Organization Coordination Group

TOD – Transit Oriented Development
Development of commercial space, housing, services, and job opportunities close to public transportation, thereby reducing dependence on automobiles, discouraging sprawl, improving air quality, and helping to coordinate a new type of community for residents. TODs are typically designed to include a mix of land uses within a quarter-mile walking distance of a transit stop or core commercial area.

TPA – Tampa International Airport www.tampaairport.com/
The international airport located in Tampa, Florida.

TPO – Transportation Planning Organization
The Polk County planning organization that develops transportation plans and programs within a specific organization (similar to MPO).

Transit System
An organization (public or private), providing a local or regional multi-occupancy-vehicle passenger service. Organizations that provide service under contract to another agency are generally not counted as separate systems.

TRIP – Transportation Regional Incentive Program
Created by the 2005 Legislature in order to improve regionally significant transportation facility in “regional transportation areas”.

TRT – Technical Review Team

TSM – Transportation System Management
Defined by the FTA as the best that can be done for mobility without constructing a new transit guideway. An acceptable TSM alternative emphasizes transportation system upgrades such as intersection improvements, minor road widening, traffic engineering actions, bus route restructuring, shortened bus headways, expanded use of articulated buses, reserved bus lanes, contra-flow lanes for buses and HOV lanes on freeways, special bus ramps on freeways, expanded park/ride facilities, express and limited-stop service, signalization improvements, and timed-transfer operations

TTF – Transportation Task Force www.pinellascounty.org/ttf/
A task force assigned with providing recommendations on county transportation needs. Pinellas County developed a TTF in June 2010 to provide transportation recommendations to the Pinellas BOCC.

Twitter
A social networking and microblogging servie that enables its users to send and read messages known as tweets. Tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 characters displayed on the author’s profile page and delivered to the author’s subscribers who are known as followers.

UATC – University Area Transit Center

UPWP – Unified Planning Work Program
Identifies all transportation planning activities under the auspices of the Pinellas MPO that are to receive federal funding and state grant monies.

USC OR CFR – United States Code or Code of Federal Requirements
The codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government. It is divided into 50 titles that represent broad areas subject to Federal regulation. Each volume of the CFR is updated once each calendar year and is issued on a quarterly basis.

USDOT – United States Department of Transportation

USF – University of South Florida www.usf.edu
USF has the main research campus in Tampa, and two regional campuses (USF Sarasota-Manatee and USF Polytechnic).

USFWS – United States Fish and Wildlife Service

UTSA – Urban Transit Service Area

V/C Ratio – Volume to Capacity Ratio
A measure of traffic congestion along a roadway, expressed as the ratio of traffic on a particular segment of road to the total capacity of that roadway segment.

VMT – Vehicle Miles Traveled
Total number of miles driven by vehicles within a time period/geographic area.

Waterborne Technologies
Transit vehicles that operate on water/oceanic routes.

WCFAQCC – West Central Florida Air Quality Committee
Formed to provide a continuing forum for the many public and private agencies of the region that deal with air quality.

WCFRPM – West Central Florida Regional Planning Model
The FDOT-sponsored model for the West Central Florida (Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota Counties). It is used for securing funding for transit investments, LRTPs and multimodal projects.

Westshore Area
Located within the city limits of Tampa, the Westshore district is Florida’s largest office community. It is approximately 10 square miles, from the area north of Kennedy Blvd., west of Himes Ave., south of Hillsborough Ave., and west along the waters of old Tampa Bay.

WHAT – Winter Haven Area Transit

 

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The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) pursuant to 23 U.S. C. §327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 14, 2016 and executed by the Federal Highway Administration and FDOT.
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