APPENDIX III

DEFINITIONS OF TRANSIT
SYSTEMS TERMS

This appendix presents definitions of new and refined concepts and terms as well as definitions of basic
concepts of transit systems and technology but not including technical components and hardware. The
listing is not intended to be either comprehensive or exhaustive for the entire transit field.
ACCELERATED SERVICE—Transit line operation in which successive TUs travel without stop-
ping through alternate sets of stations on a predetermined schedule. Examples: skip-stop and
zonal service.
AERIAL TRAMWAY—Passenger transportation mode consisting of cabins suspended on a station-
ary cable and towed by a moving, usually closed-loop cable, used to overcome steep gradients,
deep valleys, or bodies of water.
ARTICULATED BUS (AB) or ARTICULATED TROLLEYBUS (ATB)—A 16 to 18-m long three
axle bus or trolleybus with the rear body section connected to the main body by a joint mech-
anism that allows the vehicle to bend in curves and yet have a continuous interior.
ARTICULATED RAIL VEHICLE—(1) An extra-long (17- to 50-m) rail vehicle with 2, 3, 5, or 7
bodies connected by joint mechanisms that allow bending in curves yet with a continuous interior.
Very common on LRT and streetcar systems but also found on several recently built RRT systems.
(2) Rapid transit cars with separate bodies sharing a common truck.
AUTOMATED GUIDED TRANSIT (AGT)—Any guided transit mode (with rubber tires or rails)
with fully automated (driverless) operation; the term usually refers, however, only to guided
modes with medium-sized vehicles, sometimes referred to as modes. Operates on regular transit
lines or as a shuttle system in airports and other activity centers. Also refered to as automated
people mover (APM) or people mover system (PMS).
AUTOMATED PEOPLE MOVER (APM)—See AUTOMATED GUIDED TRANSIT.
AUTOMATIC TRAIN OPERATION (ATO)—A control system that performs all functions of train
travel along a transit line.
AUTOMATIC TRAIN PROTECTION (ATP)—A control system that prevents trains from following
each other at less than a safe stopping distance.
AUTOMATIC TRAIN SUPERVISION (ATS)—A system that controls movements of all trains on
a transit line or a network.
BASIC OPERATING UNIT (IN RAPID TRANSIT)—The smallest number of RT vehicles that can
operate independently: usually 1 to 3, exceptionally 4 to 5 cars. Most common types are:
MARRIED PAIR (MP)—Two semipermanently coupled cars sharing some mechanical / electrical
equipment

Urban Transit Systems and Technology. Vukan R. Vuchic 575

Copyright  2007 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN: 978-0-471-75823-5
576 APPENDIX III

SINGLE UNIT (SU)—A car that can operate by itself

THREE-CAR UNIT—Three semipermanently coupled cars sharing some mechanical / electrical
equipment
BUS (SERVICE)—Transit services provided by buses; they include:
BUS RAPID TRANSIT (BRT)—Bus transit designed as an integrated system of distinct bus
vehicles, mostly separate ROW (category B or A), preferential treatments at intersections,
ITS, and other elements for greater efficiency. Its better performance and stronger image result
in greater passenger attraction than regular bus.
BUS TRANSIT SYSTEM (BTS)—A bus service developed as a coordinated system with im-
provements in ROW separation, stops, vehicles, operations, passenger information, etc., for
higher speed, reliability, and efficiency.
EXPRESS—Express transit service operated by buses.
REGULAR (RB) OR LOCAL—Common urban bus routes serving all stops, as distinguished
from short-haul and express services.
SUBSCRIPTION—Bus service provided exclusively for persons who subscribe for a time period
(week, month, year) to travel every working day at the same time on the same route (com-
muting). Also used for special groups, such as the disabled.
BUS GATE—A bus priority signal control for intersection approaches. Signals located 30 to 40 m
upstream from the intersection stop traffic in regular lanes while the bus lane remains open,
allowing buses to proceed to any lane at the intersection signal ahead of other traffic.
BUS LANE—Traffic lane for dominant or exclusive use by buses. It may be:
CONTRAFLOW (CBL)—The same as a regular bus lane but with buses operating in the opposite
direction from other traffic.
EXCLUSIVE (EBL)—Bus lanes (usually two) for bus use only, physically separated (by curbs
or barriers) from other traffic.
REGULAR (RBL)—A lane on urban streets or freeways reserved for bus use only, separated
from other 1anes by pavement markings, signs, or rubber cones but not by fixed physical
barriers.
BUS RAPID TRANSIT—See BUS SERVICES, BUS RAPID TRANSIT.
BUS TRANSIT SYSTEM—See BUS SERVICES, BUS TRANSIT SYSTEM
BUSWAY—A roadway reserved for buses only (ROW category A).
CABLE CAR—Rail transit mode with single cars (without motors) propelled by a continuously
moving cable located in an underground slot between rails.
CAPACITY (TRANSIT)—(l) Static: total number of spaces or persons a vehicle can accommodate.
(2) Dynamic: the maximum number of TUs, vehicles, spaces, or persons that can be transported
on a transit line past a fixed point in one direction per unit of time (usually 1 hour). Major
concepts of both static and dynamic capacities are:
FLEET (or ROLLING STOCK)—The total number of passenger spaces in all vehicles of a
transit fleet.
LINE (C)—The maximum number of spaces which transit vehicles on a line can transport past
a fixed point in one direction per unit of time (usually 1 hour).
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LINEAR VEHICLE (␲)—The number of spaces per unit of vehicle length (meter).
OFFERED—The line capacity in sps / h, or theoretical maximum ability of a line to carry persons,
as distinguished from utilized, practically achievable capacity in prs / h.
POINT—The maximum number of vehicles or spaces that can cross a point in any direction per
hour.
SCHEDULED LINE—The number of spaces transported on a line per direction per hour with
a given line operating schedule.
STATION (Cs)—The maximum number of spaces transported in vehicles stopping at a station
per direction per hour.
TU LINE (fmax)—The maximum number of TUs that can pass a fixed point per direction per
hour, or maximum frequency of service.
UTILIZED (Cp)—The maximum number of persons transit vehicles on a line can transport past
a fixed point per direction per hour.
VEHICLE (Cv)—The total number of passenger spaces in a vehicle. In some cases this may
refer to the number of seats only.
VEHICLE LINE (c)—The maximum number of vehicles that can pass a fixed point per direction
per hour (as single vehicles or in trains).
WAY (Cw)—The maximum number of spaces which can be transported in vehicles past a point
per direction per hour without stopping.
CAR SHARING—System of cars parked at many locations in the city at which subscribed members
can take them for use during a period of time, paying by the amount of use.
CITY TRANSIT—Transit lines serving urban area, as distinguished from short-haul and regional
transit lines.
COG RAILWAY—A rail transportation mode with auxiliary or full traction via a geared wheel in
the middle of a powered axle, which is engaged with a linear vertical gear (rack) installed along
the track center, providing traction on very steep grades.
COMMUTER RAILROAD, see REGIONAL RAIL
COMMUTER TRANSIT—Transit services operated during peak hours only, primarily serving work
trips.
CONCURRENT FLOW BUS LANE, see BUS LANE, REGULAR
CONSIST (TRAIN)—A composition of rail cars coupled in a train.
CONSUMPTION RATE—The ratio of the quantity of a certain resource utilized in a process (e.g.
of transporting) to the quantity of a specific output of the process, such as kWh / veh-km.
CONTRAFLOW BUS LANE, see BUS LANE, CONTRAFLOW
DEMAND RESPONSIVE TRANSIT—Paratransit services with routes and schedules partially or
fully determined by travel desires of individual passengers. Examples: dial-a-ride, taxi.
DOUBLE-ARTICULATED BUS—An 18–24 m long bus with three articulated body sections and
four axles.
DIAL-A-RIDE (DAR)—A paratransit service consisting of minibuses or vans directed from a central
dispatching office to pick up and drop off individual passengers according to their desires ex-
pressed via telephone.
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DUAL-MODE OPERATION—A transit operation that involves two different travel modes, such as
steered and guided (dual-mode vehicles), with ICE and electric traction (dual-mode bus or rail
vehicle), on ROW category C and A (LRT on street and in tunnel), manual and automatic driving
(recent RRT systems), and others.
EXCLUSIVE BUS LANE, see BUS LANE, EXCLUSIVE
EXPRESS SERVICE—A transit line with long spacings between stations that has high operating
speed and serves primarily long trips. It usually operates on the same street or parallel tracks as
a local line with more frequent stopping, which serves short trips and acts as collector / distributor
for the express.
FUNICULAR—A passenger transportation mode consisting of a pair of rail vehicles (or short trains)
permanently attached to two ends of the same cable, counterbalancing each other. May have a
single track with a turnout or a double track. Used to overcome steep gradients.
GUIDED TRANSIT—Transit modes with vehicles physically guided by guideway; includes rail,
monorail, AGT, and several other technologies.
GUIDEWAY—A travel way (rail track, guide beam, riding and guiding surfaces, and others) that
physically guides vehicles specially designed to travel on it. Guideways always require ROW
category A except rail, which can be placed in any category (A, B, or C).
HEAVY RAIL—see RAIL RAPID TRANSIT
HIGH OCCUPANCY VEHICLE (HOV)—Vehicle of any type (automobile, van, bus or others) that
carry at least a certain prescribed number of passengers (usually four). Concept used for reserved
‘‘HOV lanes.’’
HIGHWAY TRANSIT—Transit modes with highway (rubber-tired, steered) vehicles; includes all
bus modes, trolleybuses, and paratransit.
HYBRID:
SERVICE—Bus services ‘‘between’’ conventional fixed-route transit bus and paratransit, includ-
ing route-deviation, DAR and others.
VEHICLE—bus or rail transit vehicle with propulsion combining two different motors, such as
ICE and electric, which operate in optimal combination for each regime, such as acceleration,
low or high speed, etc.
HYDROFOIL—Boat with two foil supports on which the boat rises to reduce water drag and travel
at much higher speed than conventional boats.
INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM (ITS)—Transportation or transit system which util-
izes computers, scanners, communications and other electronic devices to enhance safety, short
headways, priority signals, passenger information, etc.
INTERURBAN—Electric rail transit service between cities and towns in close proximity to each
other, with lengths of 15 to 80 km. This mode usually has ROW category B, high speed, and
comfort.
JITNEY (SERVICE)—Paratransit service provided in passenger cars, vans, or minibuses along fixed
routes, sometimes with minor deviations. Vehicle ownership, scheduling and organization of
service vary among cities. Used extensively in cities of developing countries that have inadequate
transit service.
KISS-AND-RIDE (K⫹R)—A mode of travel by transit when the passenger is driven to or from a
transit station by another person.
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LEVEL OF SERVICE (LOS)—An overall measure of all service characteristics that affect users.
LIGHT RAIL RAPID TRANSIT (LRRT)—Light rail transit with ROW category A on its entire
length. It may have low- or high-level platforms and visual or signal control. Mode ‘‘between’’
LRT and RRT.
LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT (LRT)—A transit mode utilizing predominantly ROW category B, some-
times A or C, on different network sections. Its electrically powered rail vehicles operate in one-
to four-car TUs. The mode has a wide range of LOS and performance characteristics.
LOAD FACTOR (␣)—The ratio of passengers carried to offered passenger spaces in a TU or on a
line during certain period of time.
LOCAL SERVICE—(l) Transit line operation in which all TUs stop at all stations or (2) Transit
service in a city or its immediate vicinity as distinguished from regional transit or interurban
lines.
LOW-FLOOR VEHICLE—Bus or rail vehicle with floor not higher than 0.35 m above the travel
way or TOR which allows fast and easy boarding / alighting, accommodates the disabled and
eliminates the need for high platforms. Used for buses, LRT and RGR modes.
METRO—A popular name for rail rapid transit systems.
MODE, TRANSIT—A transit system category characterized by specific ROW, technological, and
operational features. Examples: trolleybus, express bus, rail rapid transit.
MODULAR (VEHICLE) CONSTRUCTION—Vehicle design consisting of components (modules)
which can be replaced, simplifying repairs, or exchanged, increasing utilization of vehicle fleet.
MONORAIL—A guided transit mode riding on or suspended from a single rail, beam or tube;
vehicles usually operate in trains.
OPERATING REGIME—Any state of vehicle motion with a specific physical characteristic, such
as acceleration, constant speed, or deceleration (coasting and braking).
PARATRANSIT—Modes of passenger transportation consisting of small or medium capacity high-
way vehicles offering service adjustable in various degrees to individual users’ desires. Its cat-
egories are:
PUBLIC—Paratransit services available to any user who pays a predetermined fare. Main modes:
taxi, jitney, dial-a-ride.
SEMIPUBUC—Paratransit services available only to persons of a certain group, such as a com-
pany, neighborhood, etc. Examples: vanpools, subscription buses, car sharing.
PARK-AND-RIDE (P⫹R)—A mode of travel by transit when passengers drive to a transit station
and park their automobiles in the station’s P⫹R lot. Possible with any transit mode but most
commonly used with rail modes, particularly RT and RGR.
PEOPLE MOVER SYSTEM (PMS), see AUTOMATED GUIDED TRANSIT
PERFORMANCE (TRANSIT SYSTEM)—A composite measure of transit system operating char-
acteristics, mostly quantitative, such as service frequency, speed, reliability, safety, capacity, and
productivity.
PERSONAL RAPID TRANSIT (PRT)—An imaginary transit mode consisting of small-capacity
(two to six spaces) cabin-type vehicles traveling automatically over an elaborate system of guide-
ways; individuals or small acquainted groups would use a cabin to travel between origin and
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destination stations without stopping. The concept is hypothetical and not feasible in the real
world.
PREMETRO—An LRT system designed with provisions for easy conversion into RRT (metro).
PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY (Pc)—The product of line (or vehicle) capacity and its operating (or
technical) speed. Dimension: sps-km / h2. A good composite representative of transit system per-
formance.
PRODUCTIVITY—The quantity of (transportation) output per unit of consumed resource. For
example, veh-km / driver / hour, or prs-km / unit cost of operation.
RAIL RAPID TRANSIT (RRT)—Electrically powered rail vehicles usually operating in 4- to 10-
car trains on ROW category A. In many performance features—such as speed, capacity, relia-
bility, safety, and operating efficiency—superior to all other transit modes. Also called HEAVY
RAIL and METRO.
RAIL TRANSIT—A family of transit modes with rail technology. Major ones, generally in as-
cending order of performance, are streetcars, light rail transit, rail rapid transit, and regional rail.
RAPID TRANSIT (RT)—A generic class of electrically powered guided transit modes that operate
exclusively on ROW category A and have high speed, capacity, reliability, and safety. Includes
RRT, RTRT, LRRT, and most RGR systems.*
REGIONAL RAIL (RGR)—A regional passenger service, usually provided by railroad agencies,
that consists of electric or diesel-powered trains on grade-separated railroad lines (sometimes
with protected grade crossings). Characterized by very high performance and service quality.
REGIONAL TRANSIT—Long bus or rail transit lines with few stations and high operating speeds
that primarily serve long trips within metropolitan regions, as distinguished from city transit and
short-haul transit.
REGULAR BUS LANE, see BUS LANE, REGULAR
REGULAR BUS (SERVICE), see BUS (SERVICE), REGULAR
REGULAR or ALL-DAY TRANSIT SERVICES—Transit lines operated during most hours, typi-
cally 16 to 18 hours per day.
RIGHT-OF-WAY (TRANSIT), (ROW)—(l) Strictly defined, a legally and physically separated strip
of land for exclusive use by transit vehicles; crossings may be allowed, (2) Broadly defined, any
path or way on which transit vehicles travel. Based on the latter definition, transit ROW are
classified in three categories:
CATEGORY A—Fully controlled ROW without (or with fully protected) grade crossings or any
legal access by other vehicles or persons; also called ‘‘grade-separated,’’ ‘‘private,’’ or ‘‘ex-
clusive’’ ROW. It can be a tunnel, aerial, or at grade level.
CATEGORY B—ROW types that are longitudinally physically separated (by curbs, barriers,
grade separation, etc.) from other traffic, but with grade crossings for vehicles and pedestrians,
including regular street intersections.

* Since rapid transit is well known by its high performance, various modes are often called ‘‘rapid transit,’’ although
they technically do not belong in that class of modes. Examples: BRT and PRT. The first is actually bus transit
system, since no bus line has ROW category A only. As for the second, no PRT has achieved high speed, capacity,
and safety in actual applications.
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CATEGORY C—Surface streets with mixed traffic. Transit may have preferential treatment, such
as reserved but not physically separated lanes, or it may travel in general traffic lanes.
ROLLING STOCK—A collective term for a fleet of rail (transit) vehicles.
RUBBER-TIRED RAPID TRANSIT (RTRT)—The same as rail rapid transit except that the vehicles
ride on and are guided by rubber tires on a specially designed guideway with concrete or steel
running surfaces. Switching and vehicle support in cases of tire failure may be provided by
additional steel wheels and conventional rail track or by other mechanisms.
SEMIRAPID BUS, see BUS RAPID TRANSIT.
SEMIRAPID TRANSIT—A generic class of modes utilizing mostly ROW category B, but C or A
may also be used on some sections. By performance, it is between street transit and rapid transit.
Examples: BRT and LRT.
SERVICE (TRANSIT)—A transportation service offered by a transit operating agency to the public;
it is classified by:
STOPPING SCHEDULE or TYPE OF OPERATION—Local, accelerated, and express services.
TIME OF OPERATION—Regular or all-day, commuter or peak-hour, and special or irregular
services.
TYPES OF ROUTES AND TRIPS SERVED—Short-haul, city transit, and regional transit.
SERVICE QUALITY (SQ)—Qualitative elements of service affecting passengers, such as conven-
ience of using the transit system, riding comfort, aesthetics, and cleanliness.
SHORT-HAUL TRANSIT—Low-speed transit services for circulation within small areas, usually
with high travel density, such as CBDs, campuses, airports, exhibition grounds, and other major
activity centers (MACs).
SINGLE-BODY VEHICLE—A bus or rail vehicle with one rigid (nonarticulated) body.
SPECIAL TRANSIT—Irregular transit services provided on special occasions, such as sport events,
exhibitions, and public festivities or for special groups, such as tourists, school students, and the
handicapped.
SPECIALIZED TECHNOLOGIES—Transit modes with other than highway or rail technologies,
mostly used for short-haul services or for special physical conditions (steep grades, water bodies,
etc.). Also called specialized transit modes. Examples: cog railway, funicular, ferryboat.
STATION (TRANSIT)—An off-street at-grade, under-, or above-street-level facility for stopping of
transit vehicles to pick up and drop off passengers. Usually has boarding / alighting platforms,
waiting area, fare collection, information, and related facilities.
STOP (TRANSIT)—An on-street location where transit vehicles stop to pick up and discharge
passengers. It has a sign and basic service information, sometimes also a shelter with benches.
STREETCAR (SCR), TRAMWAY, or TROLLEY—A street transit mode consisting of electrically
powered rail vehicles operating in one- to three-car TUs, usually on ROW category C.
STREET TRANSIT—A generic class of transit modes operating on streets with mixed traffic (ROW
category C). Examples: regular bus, trolleybus, and streetcar.
SUBSCRIPTION BUS, see BUS (SERVICE), SUBSCRIPTION
SUBURBAN RAILROAD, see REGIONAL RAIL
SUBWAY—Rapid transit in tunnels. Sometimes used as a popular although incorrect name for any
rapid transit.
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TAXI—A standard or specially designed passenger automobile operated by a professional driver

and hired by one or a group of users for individual trips.
TECHNOLOGY (TRANSIT)—Mechanical features of vehicles and ways, primarily vehicle support,
guidance, propulsion, and control.
TERRAIN-SPECIALIZED TECHNOLOGIES—A subcategory of specialized technologies com-
prising modes for operation on unusual terrain (hills, ravines). Examples: aerial tramway, cable
car, cog railway.
TRAM-TRAIN—Popular name for the transit mode combining LRT and RGR: LRT vehicles trav-
eling on railway lines between center city and suburbs.
TRAMWAY—See STREETCAR
TRANSFER—Change between vehicles of the same or different modes (intra- and intermodal,
respectively) in the course of passenger travel.
TRANSIT—Urban public transportation services with fixed routes and schedules, such as bus,
trolleybus and rail services. Also called mass transit, mass transportation, or public transit.
TRANSIT MODE CLASSES—Groups of transit modes classified by their basic characteristics such
as:
ROW CATEGORY—Street (C), semirapid (B), and rapid transit (A).
TECHNOLOGY—Highway, rail, and specialized technology transit.
SERVICE OR TYPE OF OPERATION, see SERVICE (TRANSIT)
TRANSIT PRIORITY—Physical devices or traffic regulation measures which separate or speed up
transit vehicles over general traffic.
TRANSIT UNIT (TU)—One or more transit vehicles traveling together as a physical unit. A joint
term for a single vehicle and train.
TROLLEYBUS (TB)—An electrically propelled bus that obtains power via two trolley poles from
two overhead wires along its route. It can travel a limited distance on battery power or auxiliary
ICE.
URBAN PASSENGER TRANSPORT—All movements of persons in urban areas; this can be clas-
sified by:
TYPE OF USAGE:—Private (walking, bicycle, auto); for hire (paratransit); and public (transit);
PASSENGER VOLUME:—Individual (one or a few persons); and group (many persons).
URBAN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION—Transport systems for intraurban or intraregional travel
available for use by any person who pays the established fare. It consists of transit and paratransit.
Also URBAN TRANSIT.
URBAN TRANSIT—See URBAN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.
UTILIZATION—Ratio of output to input of the same or similar unit, such as person-km / space-km
or vehicles operated / vehicles owned.
VANPOOL (SERVICE)—Privately or publicly provided vans transporting groups of persons to and
from work on a regular basis. Drivers are usually selected from each passenger group.
WATERBORNE (TRANSIT) SYSTEMS—Transit services over water bodies. Most common modes
are boats and ferries.