Avail Glossary

This article defines the terminology, abbreviations, and acronyms used throughout our documentation and training content. There are regional and other differences in transit terminology, so this guide establishes a common meaning for all terms.

Availians

AM Account Manager
BD Business Development
FE Field Engineer(ing)
PIT Product Integration and Testing
PM Project Manager
SD Systems Deployment
SIT System Integration and Test

myAvail Platform

ACK Acknowledgment
BIB Bus in a Box - A driver training station that simulates the dashboard of a vehicle and is used to teach operators and dispatchers how to interact with the system most effectively: Dispatcher screens and Operator MDT.
BOB Bus on a Board - A training station used for demonstration and hands-on training usually of maintenance staff.
BWS Business Web Service: The managing application that handles all business of the AVL system. Any high-level task that the dispatcher requests, or message that comes into the central system from a vehicle, is directed to the appropriate place by the BWS. 
CCM Communications Control Module: new name of RCU – Radio Control Unit
COMMS An Avail service designed to provide a messaging interface between the MyAvail system and the 3rd -party applications. This service processes all vehicle communications and routes vehicle messaging to the appropriate product.
DataPoint Application A web-based browser application that provides route data setup, fleet information, and ridership reporting tools. DataPoint is where most route information is accessed for the CAD/AVL system. For the fixed route fleet, the information would include garage information, vehicle-related data, fares and farebox key mappings, service level(s), stops, blocks/runs, routes, trips, and transfer points. Customers who use a third-party scheduling tool will manage the schedule data in that tool, and the data will be imported into the CAD/AVL system and viewable within DataPoint.
DataPoint Reports The system reporting capabilities and their benefits. Canned reports that easily support identifying potential operational improvements for customers moving forward. Reports include Schedule Adherence, Logon/Logoff, Running Times, and Ridership data.
DIRT Data Import Reconciliation Tool: A utility that reads schedule data files exported from various scheduling packages and loads them into the CAD/AVL database. The tool provides a GUI for reviewing and processing any potential data problems identified during the import process. The tool must be configured for each specific implementation of each supported scheduling package.
Dispatch Tool Used to monitor and proactively support vehicles on the road. Features include Incident Management, Detour Management, and Route Tab.
IEB Interface Expansion Box - Port expander/interface unit for the MDT used by Avail in place or generic term VLU or IVLU.
IVLU In-Vehicle Logic Unit: See IVU
IVU In-Vehicle (logic) Unit (IVLU/IVU/VLU) – Can be used interchangeably with IVU the preferred term by Avail.
MDC Mobile Digital Computer: See MDT
MDT Mobile Data Terminal - MDC and MDT can be used interchangeably. MDT is Avail's preferred term. In-vehicle hardware that displays schedule and other information for operators.
MDT/MDC Mobile Data Terminal/Mobile Digital ComputerL: The MDT displays run/paddle information for the driver and supports schedule adherence practices. A computerized device used in public transit vehicles, courier vehicles, service trucks, commercial trucking fleets, military logistics, fishing fleets, warehouse inventory vehicles, and emergency vehicles to display day-of service schedules and communicate with a central dispatch office
MGR Mobile Gateway Router
MTS Maintenance Training Station: A training tool used to simulate the components of the in-vehicle system to demonstrate the functionality of the Avail system. Maintenance personnel also use the MTS for testing individual components of the system.
myAvail The name myAvail can refer to three separate concepts:
  • myAvail as the complete ITS CAD/AVL Avail product
  • myAvail Server which is a Windows service implemented on the AVL server that interacts and supports several components described later in this document
  • myAvail Workstation Application which is the client side of the myAvail server and is the primary user interface for most operational needs
myStop® Method of providing real-time vehicle location and departure times via webpage or mobile application
RCU Radio Control Unit - An Avail device used to control radio communications from vehicles in a closed mic system.
Replay tool Tool in MyAvail that allows users to retrace the history for a range of time for a vehicle, route, run, block, or operator to confirm activity on the road. Users may view attributes such as speed, dwell times at stop locations, onboard counts, etc.
TALE Trigger Action Location Editor: Avail program that allows users to create and edit geo-fences (virtual barriers that trigger in-vehicle functions when a vehicle enters or exits a ‘trigger box’ location)
TIDS Traveler Information Data Service: Provides the real-time data displayed to the public
VLU Vehicle Logic Unit: See IVU
Yard Management The yard map feature allows the creation of parking configuration that promotes pullout efficiencies and assists bus handlers with bus location. This tool can monitor pullout status and assign vehicles and drivers from extraboard. The tool also assists bus handlers with locating parked vehicles.

Legacy ERP (Fleet-Net) Module Abbreviations

AB Automated Bid Package
AD Automated Dispatch
AM Asset Management
AR Accounts Receivable
AP Accounts Payable
BM Bid Management
CM Components
CS Claims and Safety
CT Contract Management
DB Dashboard
ES Easy Sample
FA Fixed Assets
FC Fast Cuts
FF Fast Fuel
FI Fuel Island
FS Fast Stats
FT Fast Track
GL General Ledger
GM Grant Management
HR Human Resources
HROJ HR Online Job Application
IN Inventory
LS Leave Scheduling
MK Marketing
MU Menu Items
NT NTD Reporting
OT Operator Timekeeping
PC Parts Catalog
PO Purchase Orders
PR Payroll
PRA Payroll A
PRB Payroll B
PRCM CompuMatic Time Clock Interface
PRHA Hastus Pay Time Interface
PRIN INIT – PERDIS Pay Time Interface
PRSB Schlage Biometric Pay Time Import
PRTC Pay Time Interface Time Clock
PRTP Trapeze Pay Time Interface
PS Public Schedules
PSAV Avail Export
PT Project Tracking
RD Rides
RQ Requisition
RR Revenue and Ridership
SD Service Desk
SYS System
TK Timekeeping
TP Trapeze Interface
TX Trip Planner
VM Vehicle Maintenance
VP Vehicle Problems/Roadcalls
WO Workorders

 

Transit Concepts

These terms can vary slightly in meaning across the industry. The definitions below are how Avail defines these terms. These definitions are generic and subject to variations in interpretation in some situations.

Accessible Vehicle A revenue vehicle that does not restrict access, is usable, and provides allocated space and/or priority seating for individuals who use wheelchairs.
Active Vehicle A vehicle in the year-end fleet that is available to operate in revenue service, including spares and vehicles temporarily out of service for routine maintenance and minor repairs.
ADA Americans with Disabilities Act
APTA American Public Transportation Association
Articulated bus: R-TIC A 60-foot three-axle bus with an “accordion” section in the middle that allows the bus to bend and flex (articulate). The articulated bus has more passenger capacity than standard 40-foot buses.
Average speed The total miles of revenue service divided by the total hours of revenue service. Average speed includes time traveling and time waiting for passengers plus any other delays. Operating without vehicle traffic, heavy rail generally has the fastest average speed. Light rail usually operates in some vehicle traffic. Urban buses are the slowest.
Average Trip Length The average distance ridden for an unlinked passenger trip by time period (weekday, Saturday, Sunday) computed as passenger miles divided by unlinked passenger trips.
Bad Comms A vehicle that hasn’t been heard from in X minutes
Base service The number of buses that remain in service on a line for the entire day. Does not include buses that only operate during school and commute hour service. Base service is determined by the frequency of buses that must run from the beginning to the end of a line to adequately service riders during off-peak periods, like mid-day and evenings.
Block Refers to a vehicle schedule, the daily assignment for an individual bus. One or more runs can work a block. A driver schedule is known as a “run.”
The work assigned to an individual vehicle, which consists of one or more patterns of one or more routes.
A block will be assigned to only one vehicle, but a vehicle may be assigned to several blocks.
Block Number Refers to the actual number: Also known as the schedule number that is displayed on the windshield by the front door on every bus in service.
Blocking trips Refers to how bus schedule work is put together to represent one trip. Creating a schedule operated by one bus must meet the union contract for layovers, and the planned requirements of the proposed schedule.
Boarding riders Refers to the number of passengers boarding a particular line on any one day. One passenger round trip equals two riders. The number of boarding riders is used to help determine the frequency of buses on the line.
BRT Bus Rapid Transit: A type of limited-stop service developed in the 1990s that relies on technology to help speed up service. It can operate on exclusive transit-ways, high-occupancy-vehicle lanes, expressways, or ordinary streets. A BRT line combines intelligent transportation systems technology, priority for transit, rapid and convenient fare collection, and integration with land use policy to substantially upgrade bus system performance.
Refers to a new concept that seeks to achieve a high-quality transit service like light rail but at a lower cost using buses. BRT vehicles are generally low-floor, high-capacity, low-emission buses, with exclusive rights-of-way, rapid fare collection, and infrastructure development.
Bus shelter Refers to a shelter for riders to wait for the bus
CAD/AVL Computer Aided Dispatching and Automatic Vehicle Location system
CSP Comprehensive Service Plan: Refers to a plan to restructure the grid route network into a multi-destination, multipurpose route network to increase per capita transit ridership in an area.
CTC California Transportation Commission: Refers to a state-level version of MTC that sets state spending priorities for highways and transit and allocates funds. The governor appoints its nine members.
Deadhead, Deadhead operation The non-revenue time when a bus is not carrying passengers, usually a trip from, to, or between lines or garages. Usually refers to the trip between the home division garage to the point where the bus enters or leaves its route and is stored in a special route assigned a unique ID number (such as 99 or 999).
Demand Response Also known as Paratransit or Dial-a-ride. Service 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. The following characterizes a demand response operation:
  • 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
  • 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 in 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).

Complementary paratransit service is required by law for persons with disabilities and others not able to use fixed-route service. Generally, it must operate in the same areas and during the same hours. The fare is limited to twice the fixed-route fare. Service may be the fixed-route bus agency or by a separate agency.

General demand response service is not required by law and is not subject to the restrictions imposed on complementary paratransit service. The transit agency may limit service to certain people, or it may be available to anyone. Some services operate during late-night and weekend hours in place of fixed-route services.

User-side subsidy service is a transportation arrangement where the rider's cost of transportation is partially subsidized by the transit agency. The user is the rider who pays a reduced fare. A typical user-side subsidy program is operated through taxicab operators or a brokerage system which may charge a per-ride fee for handling the rider's transportation arrangements.

Departure Estimator A service that continually updates the stop arrival/departure times, based on the near real-time VL reports that are received from the vehicles by the WiNG, which then passes the record to the Business Web Service for further processing before the information is passed to the Departure Estimator. Maintains a database with the responsibility to compare the date from the vehicles to the data in the daily schedule, and for each stop, calculate a time deviation between the scheduled arrival/departure time and the reported actual arrival/departure time.
Dispatcher Refers to an individual who combines bus operators, run assignments, and buses that provide transportation service to passengers.
Division Refers to a garage and yard facility where buses are stored, maintained, and dispatched into service.
Euro bus A low-floor Van Hool-designed bus, three doors on 40-foot buses, and four doors on 60-foot articulated buses, that offer large windows on all four sides, with multi-colored LED signs on at least three, and possibly four sides of the bus. ADA wheelchair accessibility is available through a middle door.
Express service Faster/longer trips, especially in major metropolitan areas during heavily patronized peak commuting hours, by operating long distances without stopping. Examples include park-and-ride routes between suburban parking lots and the central business district that operate on freeways, and express buses on major streets that operate local service on the outlying portions of a route until a certain point and then operate non-stop to the central business district.
Extra board Operators who have no specific run but are used to cover unassigned runs or runs left open because of an absence of assigned operators. Unassigned or extra board work is posted in the Gillie Room and rotates daily.
Farebox recovery ratio The ratio of passenger fares (including inter-agency agreements related to fares) to total operating costs.
FCC Federal Communications Commission
Feeder line Refers to a bus line that services neighborhoods and crosses trunk lines offering transfer opportunities.
FHA Federal Highway Administration
Fixed-route Service is 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 response. Includes route deviation service, where revenue vehicles deviate from fixed routes on a discretionary basis.
Frag/Fragment Refers to a driver’s daily work assignment, usually five hours or less and typically during peak hours. An a.m. and a p.m. “frag” may be put together to form one complete run.
Frequency The quantity of service on a route is usually described in terms of the number of buses per hour or the elapsed time between consecutive buses. The latter measure is also called the headway. The term high frequency denotes many buses per hour or small headways.
FTA Federal Transit Administration
Fuel cell A fuel cell employs a chemical process to convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity that powers a motor. Since there is no combustion, the bus does not emit smog-producing exhaust—just water vapor.
Gillie room Refers to a location in a division with tables and chairs where bus drivers congregate and pick up their daily assignment from dispatchers.
Grid network A type of route structure. In a typical grid network, high-frequency routes operate along the length of east-west and north-south corridors, intersecting each other to form a grid pattern. This allows a passenger to travel between two points with one transfer. Ideally, routes are spaced ½ miles apart so that riders can easily walk and transfer to any line.
Group relief Refers to a type of run assignment that involves a bus operator working the regular days from another bus operator. Group Relief is created to operate a bus run on regular driver day(s) off. Group Relief schedules are created through the combined efforts of the Drivers Committee and the Schedule department.
GTFS General Transit Feed Specification: Static component. A common format for public transportation schedules and associated geographic information. 
Headsign Refers to the sign above the front windshield of a bus describing the line number or letter (only for Transbay buses) its line name, and destination.
Headway Refers to time intervals between vehicles moving in the same direction on a particular route. Headway can change on a line during the day as rider demand changes.
Headway sheet A list of all trips, produced with each sign-up, which summarizes all schedules for every block on each line. Headway sheets serve as the basis of the paddle that is distributed to each driver daily for a single line.
Holding Tank A table within a database that serves as temporary storage for APC and Farebox data collected from fleet vehicles. After data is reviewed, it is moved to reporting tables
Hybrid bus Refers to a bus that runs on hybrid propulsion (fossil fuel combined with electric power). An onboard generator powered by an internal combustion engine or fuel cell supplies electricity.
IEC International Electrotechnical Commission
IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
Interlining Refers to the practice of combining two routes end-to-end. If two routes share the same frequency and have one end in common, they may be combined for either passenger convenience or because this permits a more cost-effective operation. Interlined routes usually retain their separate numbers to avoid confusion.
Intermodal/Multimodal Issues or activities that involve or affect more than one mode of transportation, including transportation connections, choices, cooperation, and coordination of various modes.
ITS Intelligent Transportation System: Innovative technology, applications, or platforms, that improve the quality of transportation through monitoring and management enhancements that enable users to make smarter, more coordinated use of transport networks to achieve better outcomes
IVR Interactive Voice Response: The myAvail product that allows riders to use a telephone service to get automated stop departure times with a voice response.
Kiss and ride An area within a station where commuters are driven by private cars and dropped off to board a public transit vehicle.
Kneeling bus Refers to a feature on all buses that lowers the floor to the curb or to near-curb level to make it easier for passengers to board, especially for seniors and persons with disabilities. AC Transit provides special “Flash Cards” upon request to allow riders to quickly request this assistance when boarding.
Layover time Refers to time built into a schedule between arrival and departure for bus drivers to rest; minimum times are set by union contract. Layovers normally occur at each end of a route to allow for a driver’s break and schedule recovery, but they may be scheduled at other points to allow for timed transfer connections.
Layover zone Refers to a designated stopover point at or near the end of the line for bus drivers to rest between trips.
Limited stop service Refers to a route segment where designated buses stop only at transfer points or major activity centers, usually about every ½ mile. Limited stop service is usually provided on major trunk lines, in addition to local service that makes all stops.
A hybrid between local and express service, where the stops may be several blocks to a mile or more apart to speed up the trip.
Linked/Unlinked trip Refers to a trip where a rider may transfer between types of or multiple stops, such as stopping at a daycare center or store along a commute trip. An unlinked trip is a passenger trip taken on a single vehicle, such as a single bus ride.
Local service Where vehicles may stop every block or two along a route several miles long, is by far the most common type of bus service. Trolleybuses, unless bypass overhead wiring is available, cannot pass the trolleybus in front of them, and thus generally operate in local service only.
Loop Refers to a portion of a bus line where the driver operates a segment in one direction only. Passengers may only board on one side of the loop. Loops are sometimes required due to lack of pavement accessibility, or when no off-street turn-around is available.
Low-floor vehicle Refers to a bus that does not have steps. Building a bus floor at one level between the front to rear doors allows passengers to enter and exit more quickly. The addition of steps usually adds boarding and alighting time, especially for passengers with limited mobility.
LRT Light Rail Transit: A rail transit line that can operate in a variety of settings including private right-of-way, subway, or mixed on-street traffic. LRT usually relies on overhead wires for power. Light rail is designed for heavily traveled corridors where the stop needs do not support heavy rail transit.
Maximum load point Refers to a point on a bus route where the maximum number of passengers are on the bus.
Mode The system for carrying transit passengers is described by specific right-of-way, technology, and operational features. Transit data are generally collected by mode. (Bus/Light Rail/Heavy Rail/etc.)
Multimodal 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.
NABI North American Bus Industries: Refers to a manufacturer of transit buses.
NTD National Transit Database: The FTA tracks the transit industry and provides public information and statistics including financial, operating, and asset condition of transit systems
NTD Certification Customers are required to submit ridership data to regional analysts who confirm/validate actual APC Trip Sample numbers for 50% of their routes for the certification process. Avail’s FAST Team provides NTD Certification training through quarterly webinars and will support the customer throughout the process.
NCIC National Crime Information Center
Nodes Refers to a term used by schedulers to define the actual time a bus arrives at a designated stop or time point.
Non-fixed-route Service that is not provided on a repetitive, fixed-schedule basis along a specific route to specific locations. Demand response is the only non-fixed-route mode.
Non-Ridership Objects that require space or driver time but are not charged a fare. E.g. bicycles or wheelchairs
Optical signal priority Refers to systems on rapid buses that use a coded, infrared signal; the system gives any authorized vehicle—emergency or transit—the exclusive advantage of a green light to get through traffic. Components include emitters, detectors, phase selectors, and accessories.
Paddle Refers to the schedule for each bus showing all trips in a day, including arrival and departure times. Usually printed in 8 ½” by 11″ format, the paddle is laminated for each schedule. Bus operators use the paddle to help maintain their schedule.
Paratransit Refers to scheduled service for people who cannot use regular fixed-route bus service.
Passenger lift A mechanical device, either a lift or ramp, that allows wheelchair or scooter users, as well as other mobility-impaired passengers, to board a bus without climbing the steps. By law, passenger lifts must be capable of lifting at least 600 pounds.
Passenger Miles The total of the distances ridden by each passenger. This is an approximation due to the limited accuracy of the APC devices.
Pattern A particular collection of stops and run times between stops within a route, defines an instance of a route. A route will have one or more patterns.
Peak service Weekday a.m. and p.m. service during commute hours to carry a maximum number of passengers. Commute or peak hours are defined as the time between 6 and 9 a.m. and between 4 and 7 p.m.
Platform hours Refers to the total scheduled time a bus spends from pull-out to pull-in at the division. Platform hours are used as a benchmark to calculate the efficiency of service by comparing “pay to platform” hours.
Point Refers to a type of assignment for Extra Board bus operators. The operator is assigned 24 hours in advance of a specific time to report to the Division for standby status. The “point” person provides coverage for open assignments and extra service.
Pouch The Naugahyde pouch is carried by bus drivers, picked up in the morning in the Gillie Room, and usually contains the paddle with accident cards, courtesy cards, and emergency transfers in addition to a block number and a headsign code block. A separate sheet also indicates any stops that must be called out to passengers.
PTV Public Transportation Vehicle
Public transportation Public transit, transit, mass transit, and mass transportation is transportation by a conveyance that provides regular and continuing general or special transportation to the public. Does not include school busses, charter, or sightseeing services.
Pull-in Refers to the time a bus is scheduled to return to the division.
Pull-out Refers to the time a bus is scheduled to leave the division.
Report time Refers to the 10 minutes before a bus is due to leave a division. During this time, drivers pick up their pouches and prepare a bus for departure.
Revenue hours/Revenue service Refers to all scheduled time a bus spends serving passengers, which can also be defined as platform hours minus deadhead and layover time.
Revenue trip Refers to any linked or unlinked trip that generates revenue by cash payment, use of a pass, and/or any other means of payment.
Round trip Also known as a cycle. Refers to one inbound, plus one outbound trip (Unless a loop route equals one round trip or cycle)
Route The superset of stops from which patterns are made for specific executions of the route. A Transit Authority will have one or more routes.
RTIP Regional Transportation Improvement Program
Run Run is a driver’s workload or assignment, consisting of a list of trips by a given driver.
  • A run will have only one driver.
  • A run may have one or more vehicles.
One or more runs can work a single block. Runs can also work on multiple blocks. A driver’s schedule is primarily determined for each sign-up period through the run-cut process where bus schedules are integrated with driver assignments.
Run relief point Refers to a list of locations where bus operators begin their respective run assignments when scheduled to relieve an operator who is already in service on a route. Each Division has specific relief locations for its routes.
Run-cut Refers to the process, normally performed four times a year, of generating daily bus driver work assignments in a cost-efficient manner to meet all contract requirements negotiated between the union and district. Run-cutting software is used to generate assignments that may be reset until they fulfill the requirements of all participating parties.
Running time Refers to time allowed between any two points, such as from time point to time point, or from end-of-line to end-of-line.
SatCom Refers to a CAD/AVL that uses a global positioning satellite and state-of-the-art radio communications technologies. SatCom enhances bus operation by improving communication options (audio and text) and allows dispatchers to see where a bus is located on a computer map display.
Schedule Data Content includes adding headsign codes, external announcements IDs, and preparing the route names for public-facing information. This should be expanded to describe what a bus does. 
Might use a third-party scheduling package instead
Scheduling Package Software typically used in the public transit industry for schedule creation and publish
Service Level Defines the days of the year when the same service is provided to the riding public. Common service levels include Weekdays, Saturday, Sunday, Holiday, and No Service. A Transit Authority will have one or more service levels.
Short rest Refers to pay given to any driver who has less than 10 hours off between assignments.
Short turn Refers to a trip that doesn’t go to the furthest point of the line, due to passenger load and schedule adherence.
Shuttle Service When limited to a small geographic area or to short-distance trips, local service is also called circulator, feeder, neighborhood, or trolley service. Such routes, which often have a lower fare than regular local service, may operate in a loop and connect, often at a transfer center or rail station, to major routes for travel to more far-flung destinations. Examples are office park circulators, historic district routes, transit mall shuttles, rail feeder routes, and university campus loops.
Smart card Refers to a technology used by TransLink to add and deduct value from an electronically encoded card when a rider passes it near a programmed reader on buses and at fare gates on BART.
SRTP Short Range Transit Plan: Refers to a capital and operating plan produced biennially with a 10-year horizon, prepared to qualify for federal, state, and local funding.
STIP State Transportation Improvement Program: Refers to what the CTC ends up with after combining various RTIPs as well as a list of specific projects proposed by Caltrans. Covering four years and updated every two years, the STIP determines when and if transportation projects will be funded by the state. 
Stop Specific locations where the vehicle takes on or discharges passengers. A route will have one or more stops. A stop may be on one or more routes.
TAP Transit Access Pass
Time point Refers to a location on a bus route assigned a fixed scheduled time that is part of a larger line schedule.
Timed transfer A system of scheduling transit so that connecting routes come together at the same time. This allows passengers convenient no-wait transfers between bus lines. Timed transfers are frequently used with owl (late-night) service.
TIP Transit Improvement Program: Refers to a program operated by MTC whereby proposed capital projects are ranked according to criteria developed by a task force of regional transit operators.
Transfer point Refers to a point where bus lines intersect, and passengers can transfer to another line.
Transit Agency or Transit System An entity (public or private) responsible for administering and managing transit activities and services. Transit agencies can directly operate transit service or contract out for all, or part of the total transit service provided. When responsibility is with a public entity, it is a public transit agency. When more than one mode of service is operated, it is a multimode transit agency.
Travel time Refers to paid time that allows a bus driver to travel from relief point to garage or from garage to relief point.
TRB Technology Review Board
Trigger box GPS coordinate set that defines two corners of a geographic square or rectangle that triggers events in the MDC. Geo fences are designated around stop locations for the routes. Trigger boxes drive man-in-vehicle functions, such as stop announcements, headsign updates, and identifying a vehicle’s heading and its schedule adherence.
TRiM Ticket Reading and Issuing Machine: Refers to a machine that is attached to the farebox where magnetic fare media can be both issued and read. All paper tickets and monies go into the farebox; all magnetic passes/transfers go into the TRiM. A patron who boards the bus places a pass or transfer into the TRiM where the magnetic strip is read, like a credit card, and validates that the media is valid. The TRiM issues an audible sound. It beeps for a valid pass/transfer or warbles for a non-valid one, for example, a pass that’s being used after its expiration date.
Trip A specific segment (pattern) of a route with a specific start time. NOTE: A trip may be either deadhead travel or revenue service.
A trip is defined by route and start time and may be done by multiple vehicles. There is one trip per vehicle, but there can be multiple vehicles on the trip.
Trippers Refers to a pay term that describes a short piece of work on a bus, normally less than 3 hours. A tripper is a short block made up of one or two trips and usually serves only one peak period. Also, any assignment of work to a driver, which is not long enough to qualify as a run or as a full day’s work.
Trunkline A route operating along a major corridor that carries many passengers and operates at headway frequencies of 15 minutes or less.
Turn-in time Refers to the five minutes allotted to all bus drivers after pull-in time to park the bus, to walk through the bus for a final spot check, including closing windows, and to finally turn in the pouch.
Unlinked Passenger Trips The number of passengers who board public transportation vehicles. Passengers are counted each time they board vehicles no matter how many vehicles they use to travel from their origin to their destination. Therefore, the same person is counted multiple times if they use multiple vehicles to reach their destination.
Up Time How long since the system was last rebooted
USDOT United States Department of Transportation
Van Hool Bus Refers to a Euro-style bus manufactured in Antwerp, Belgium.
Vehicle Hours The hours a vehicle travels from the time it pulls out from its garage to go into revenue service to the time it pulls in from revenue service. It is often called platform time. For conventional scheduled services, it includes revenue time and deadhead time.
Vehicle Miles The miles a vehicle travels from the time it pulls out from its garage to go into revenue service to the time it pulls in from revenue service. It is often called platform miles. For conventional scheduled services, it includes revenue time and deadhead time.
Vehicle Revenue Hours The hours traveled when the vehicle is in revenue service (i.e., the time when a vehicle is available to the public and there is an expectation of carrying passengers). These passengers either directly pay fares, are subsidized by public policy, or provide payment through some contractual arrangement. Vehicles operated in zero-fare service are considered in revenue service. Revenue service excludes school bus service and charter service. For conventionally scheduled services, vehicle revenue hours are comprised of 2 elements (running time and layover/recovery time).
Vehicle Revenue Miles The miles traveled when a vehicle is in revenue service (i.e., the time when a vehicle is available to the public and there is an expectation of carrying passengers). These passengers directly pay either fares, are subsidized by public policy, or provide payment through some contractual arrangement. Vehicles operated in zero-fare service are still considered in revenue service. Revenue service excludes school bus service and charter service. For conventionally scheduled services, vehicle revenue miles are comprised of running miles only.
View A given map center point and level of zoom. See also Database View.
VMT Vehicle Miles Traveled: The number of cars that are on the road at the same time in the same area. The greater the number, the worse the congestion will be. Reducing the growth of VMT can help ease traffic congestion and improve air quality.
VTT Verification of Transit Training Certificate: Refers to a certificate that is issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. The certificate indicates that certain training requirements have been met for new and veteran bus operators. To meet the legal standards for operating a transit bus, the operator must possess a VTT, a valid medical certificate, and a commercial driver's license.

 

Technology

3G Third Generation: Cellular network related
4G Fourth Generation: Cellular network related
5G Fifth Generation: Cellular network related
AA Automated Announcements
ACL Access Control List: A list of access control entries/the pathway by which object permissions information is distributed (i.e. LAN).
AGC Automatic Gain Control: usually related to volume adjustment
ANSA Automatic Next-Stop Annunciation
AP Access Point: related to WiFi communications Location for the gateway device that connects a mobile network and another computer network
Apache Tomcat This 3rd party service provides web server functionality that is used by DataPoint, the Departure Estimator, and in response to myAvail Web requests. This is an internal web server only accessible from outside the local network unless configured to do so, which Avail strongly recommends against. This service is typically installed on the Info or on a Combined Info/AVL server.
APC Automatic Passenger Counters - Sensors located in vehicles that capture passenger boards and alights.
API Application Program Interface; Application Programming Interface; Application Protocol Interface
APN Access Point Name: A gateway between a mobile network and another computer network.
Also, Adaptive Private Networking
ASA Automated Stop Annunciation
ATIS Advanced Traveler Information System - System that acquires, analyzes, and presents information to assist travelers in planning their trips (i.e. traveling from point A to point B.)
ATMS Advanced Transportation Management System
ATP Acceptance Test Procedure
AVA Automatic Voice Announcements
AVL Automatic Vehicle Location
BI Business Intelligence
BSP Bus Signal Priority. See also TSP
CAD Computer Aided Dispatch
CAN Controller Area Network: Typically within a transit vehicle
CARSD Computer-Aided Registration, Scheduling, and Dispatch
CBT Computer Based Training
CCTV Closed Circuit Television
Central Dispatch Operations center where Central Dispatchers facilitate telephone communications between bus operators, operations supervisors, dispatchers, maintenance department, division management, PBX, communication and farebox technicians, security, and police.
CMAQ Congestion Management and Air Quality
COTS Commercial Off the Shelf
CPU Central Processing Unit
CSV Comma Separated Variable/Value
DB Database
DBMS Database Management System
DMS Dynamic Messaging System
DMZ Demilitarized zone: Sometimes referred to as a perimeter network. A physical or logical subnetwork that contains and exposes an organization’s external-facing services to a larger and untrusted network, usually the Internet. The purpose of a DMZ is to add an additional layer of security to an organization's LAN. An external network node only has direct access to equipment in the DMZ, rather than any other part of the network. The name is derived from the term "demilitarized zone", an area between nation-states in which military operations are prohibited.
DTC Diagnostic Trouble Code: used in J1939 Vehicle Health Monitoring
DVR Digital Video Recorder
EA Emergency Alarm
EAP Extensible Authentication Protocol
EMI Electro-Magnetic Interference
ETMS Enterprise Transit Management Solution
EvDO Evolutionary Data Optimized; Evolutionary Data Only: cellular network related, similar to terms 3G, 4G, LTE
FMI Failure Mode Indicator: used in J1708 or J1939 messaging
GIS Geographic Information System
GPS Global Positioning System
GTFS-RT General Transit Feed Specification: Realtime component
GUI Graphical User Interface
HTTP Hyper Text Transfer Protocol
HTTPS Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure: or Hyper Text Transfer Protocol over SSL
HW Hardware
ICD Interface Control Document
ID Identifier
IIS Internet Information Service: A Windows program that operates in a browser or in the background.
IP Internet Protocol: a set of rules governing the format of data sent over the internet or other network.
Also, Ingress Protection: A standard measure of resistance to certain environmental elements like dust, dirt, and water.
ISO International Organization of Standardization
IT Information Technology
ITxPT Information Technology for Public Transit: public specification of an IT architecture based on standards with open interfaces for on-board, over-the-air, and back-office IT systems for Transit – itxpt.org.
IVR Interactive Voice Response
KML Keyhole Markup Language: Google Earth is one example – Used to identify the latitude and longitude for specific scheduled stop locations. This information is required when creating schedule data (trip patterns for routes- distances from stop to stop).  i.e. Paths That Connect to Create Route Traces
LAN Local Area Network
LCD Liquid Crystal Display
LED Light Emitting Diode
LMR Land Mobile Radio: i.e, mobile voice radio system used in public safety and transit operations
LRE Latest Revised Estimate
LTE Long-Term Evolution: Cellular network related
LTR Logic Trunk Radio: Provides support for voice and data over one radio.
LUN Logical Unit Number
MID Message Identifier: used in J1708 messaging
MIS Management Information System
MTBF Mean Time Between Failures
NAK No/Non-Acknowledgement
NEMA National Electrical Manufacturers Association
NIC Network Interface Controller
NMEA National Marine Electronics Association: associated with GPS data
NSA Next Stop Annunciation System
NTD National Transit Database
NTP Notice to Proceed
OBD On Board Diagnostics
ODBC Open Database Connectivity: standard API for database connectivity
ODO Odometer
OEM Original Equipment Manufacturer: Avail’s partnership with bus manufacturers – Gillig, New Flyer, etc.
OOS Out of Service
PBX Private Branch Exchange: Refers to the telephone information center that is located at the General Office. Customers call here for information about routes, schedules, and services. Customers also call PBX to file commendations and complaints about service and/or employees.
PDC Passive Data Collection
PDF Portable Document Format
PDN Private Data Network
PDR Preliminary Design Review
PennDOT Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
PID Passenger Information Display: usually refers to in-vehicle passenger digital signage.
Parameter Identifier: used in J1708 messaging
POE Power Over Ethernet
PRN Private Radio Network
PRTG Paessler Router Traffic Grapher: Monitoring software for certain conditions to ensure a continuously operating CAD/AVL system. If there are any problems with the monitored aspects, the system is configured to automatically send e-mail messages to identified personnel.
PRTT Priority Request to Talk: on MDT for closed microphone radio systems - high priority
PSK Pre-Shared Key
PTT Push to Talk
QoS Quality of Service: usually related to network speed/bandwidth
RAID Redundant Array of Independent Disks
RAM Random Access Memory
RBC Redundant Base Controller: Radio communications
RDBM(S) Relational Database Manager; Relational Database Management System
RFI Radio Frequency Interference or Request for Information
RFID Radio Frequency Identification
RMA Return Materials Authorization
ROM Read-Only Memory
RRB Release Review Board
RTF Rich Text Format
RTPI(S) Real-Time Passenger Information (System)
RTT Request To Talk: on MDT for closed microphone radio systems
RWG Release Working Group
SAE Society of Automotive Engineers
SE Systems Engineer
SID Subsystem Identifier: used in J1708 messaging
SIM Subscriber Identify Module: e.g., SIM card with cell phone
SIP Session Initiation Protocol: related to VoIP
SMTP Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
SNMP Simple Network Management Protocol
SPN Suspect Parameters Number: used in J1939 Vehicle Health Monitoring
SQL Structured Query Language: International Standard for Database Manipulation. Also, SQL Server.
SQL Server database contains all the data used to configure the system that is collected by the system that is manipulated by the system or reported from the system.
SSID Service Set Identifier/Identification: typically used with 802.11 wireless protocol as a connection point identifier
SSL Secure Sockets Layer
SW Software
TCIP Transit Communication Interface Protocol
TCP Transfer Connection Protection: An Avail feature that ensures when a passenger requests a transfer to another route, the transfer will occur without an undue wait.
Also, Transmission Control Protocol, TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
TIS Traveler Information System; Traveler Information Service
TSP Transit Signal Priority: see also BSP
TTS Text-to-Speech
TWG Technology Work Group
UDP User Datagram Protocol
UPS Uninterruptible Power Supply
USB Universal Serial Bus
VAC Voltage Alternating Current
VDC Voltage Direct Current
VGA Video Graphics Array; Video Graphics Adapter
VHM Vehicle Health Monitoring
VLAN Virtual Local Area Network
VM Virtual Machine
VMS Voice Management System/Service; VoIP Management System/Service
VoIP Voice over Internet Protocol
VPN Virtual Private Network
VRS Voice Recognition Software
WAN Wide Area Network
WiFi Wireless Fidelity: not truly accepted definition; generally, refers to wireless networking
WING Wireless Network Gateway: Proprietary software used in vehicle communications, supplied by Digital Design Systems (DDS) and runs on the Communications server as a service. The application provides by-directional communications with the vehicles through either cellular data or a data radio system to send and receive information to and from the vehicles.
WLAN Wireless Local Area Network
WPA Wireless Protected Access
XFER Transfer
XFRLIST Transfer List
Near Real Time A time interval that is as close to real-time (immediate as allowed by technology). As an example, when the MDC issues a ‘vehicle location report’, it passes to the radio/cellular modem, the wireless network gateway, and the AVL system. The information must then wait for the next dispatcher screen refresh, therefore anywhere from 1 second to a couple of minutes may pass before a dispatcher will see the updated location information.

Business 

BAFO Best and Final Offer
CAR Customer Add-on Request or Customer Action Request
CDR Critical Design Review: Term used to describe one of the project phases; confirming Avail SE configurations meet customer demand per the contract.
CIP Continuous Improvement Process
Competitive Procurement Process The process of an agency submitting a Request for Proposal (RFP) asking organizations to bid on services or solutions. Interested organizations submit a proposal. Then based on certain criteria, the agency will down-select from the received proposals to identify finalists.
CPI Continued Process Improvement
EAM Enterprise Asset Management
ECO Engineering Change Order
ECP Engineering Change Proposal; Engineering Change Protocol
ECR Engineering Change Request
ERP Enterprise Resource Planning
FAT Factory Acceptance Testing: ITS Implementation project phase whereby initial testing of the ITS system occurs, typically at Avail.
FCR Final Configuration Review
FDR Final Design Review
KPI Key Performance Indicator
POS Point of Sale
QA Quality Assurance: Systematic monitoring and evaluation of the various aspects of a project, service, or facility to ensure that standards of quality are being met consistently
QC Quality Control
SAT System Acceptance Test: A project phase that tests all product components for accuracy and function.
Also, Secondary Assessment Testing
SOW Statement of Work
Third-Party Vendor A third-party supplier that works with Avail to provide and integrate different technologies within the ITS system.

 

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