ACE
(Altamont Commuter Express)—A commuter train service providing
trips between Stockton and San Jose.
BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit District)—A commuter rail system
serving the San Francisco Bay Area.
Caltrans (California Department of Transportation)—The state
agency responsible for building, maintaining, and operating the state highway
system and intercity rail.
CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act)—State law providing
certain environmental protections that apply to all transportation projects
funded with state funds.
CTC (California Transportation Commission)—A nine-member
board appointed by the Governor to oversee and administer state and federal
transportation funds and provide oversight on project delivery.
FHWA (Federal Highway Administration)—The federal agency
responsible for administering federal highway funds.
FTA (Federal Transit Administration)—The federal agency
responsible for administering federal transit funds. As opposed to FHWA funding,
most FTA funds are allocated directly to local agencies, rather than Caltrans.
FTIP (Federal Transportation Improvement Program)—A three-year
list of all transportation projects proposed for federal transportation funding
within the planning area of an MPO.
ITIP (Interregional Transportation Improvement Program)—The
portion of the STIP that includes projects selected by Caltrans (25 percent
of STIP funds).
HOV lane (High Occupancy Vehicle lane)—A lane restricted
to vehicles with two (and in some cases three) or more occupants to encourage
carpooling.
LACMTA (Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority)—RTPA
for the Los Angeles region.
LTF (Local Transportation Fund)—Fund which receives TDA
revenues.
MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization)—A federally required
planning body responsible for transportation planning and project selection
in the region. In many cases, is the same as the RTPA.
NEPA (National Environmental Protection Act)—Federal environmental
law that applies to all projects funded with federal funds or requiring review
by a federal agency.
PTA (Public Transportation Account)—The major state transportation
account for mass transportation purposes. Revenues include a portion of the
sales tax on gasoline and diesel fuels.
RTIP (Regional Transportation Improvement Program)—Share
of capital outlay improvement funds controlled by regional agencies (75 percent
of STIP funds).
RTP (Regional Transportation Plan)—Federally required 20year
plan prepared by metropolitan planning organizations, updated every three years.
Includes projections of population growth and travel demand, along with a specific
list of proposed projects to be funded.
RTPA (Regional Transportation Planning Agency)—State-designated
agency responsible for preparing the RTP, RTIP, and administering certain state
and federal funds.
SB 45 (Chapter 622, Statutes of 1997, Kopp)—Senate
bill which established the current STIP process and shifted control of decision-making
from the state to the regional level.
SHA (State Highway Account)—The major state transportation
account for highway purposes. Revenues include the state excise taxes on gasoline
and diesel fuel and truck weight fees.
SHOPP (State Highway Operation and Protection Program)—A
four-year capital improvement program for rehabilitation, safety, and operational
improvements on state highways.
SIP (State Implementation Plan)—State air quality plan to
ensure compliance with state and federal air quality standards. In order to
be eligible for federal funding, projects must demonstrate conformity with the
SIP.
STA (State Transit Assistance)—State funding program for
mass transit operations and capital projects. Current law requires that STA
receive 50 percent of PTA revenues.
STIP (State Transportation Improvement Program)—A four-year
capital outlay plan that includes the cost and schedule estimates for all transportation
projects funded with any amount of state funds. The STIP is approved and adopted
by the CTC and is the combined result of the ITIP and the RTIP.
TDA (Transportation Development Act)—State law enacted in
1971 that provided a 0.25 percent sales tax on all retail sales in each
county for transit, bicycle, and pedestrian purposes. In nonurban areas, funds
may be used for streets and roads under certain conditions.
TEA-21 (Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century)—Federal
transportation act covering the period from 1998 through 2004. Provides about
40 percent more funding than previous federal act.
U.S. DOT (United States Department of Transportation)—The
federal agency that oversees transportation.
VMT (Vehicle Miles Traveled)—Common measurement used for
tracking demand for driving.