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GlossaryA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Affected
Environment
The physical features, land, area, or areas to be influenced,
affected, or created by an alignment under consideration; also includes
various social and environmental factors and conditions pertinent to the
area.
Agency Coordination Meeting
(ACM)
A meeting of various state and federal transportation and
environmental agencies to review project status and issues. This
meeting involves agencies during a project's development. The
resource agencies are: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Pennsylvania Fish and
Boat Commission, Pennsylvania Game Commission, Pennsylvania Historical and
Museum Commission, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Alternative
Any one number of transportation proposals for a project including:
no-build, new alignment (offline), and network upgrade (online).
Alternatives are developed during the preliminary alternatives analysis
phase.
Alternatives Analysis
Preliminary engineering and environmental studies of a wide range of
alternatives. The object of this analysis is to reduce the number of
alternatives for more detailed study, and then, after substantial and
detailed engineering and environmental studies, to select a preferred
alternative.
Average
Daily Traffic Volume (ADT)
The average number of vehicles that travel on a road during the
day. To calculate the ADT, traffic engineers take the total traffic
volume during a given time period in whole days (24-hour periods) and
divide it by the number of days in that time period.
Capability
Class
Categories used by the USDA, NRCS, to designate the suitability of
soil phases for most farming practices. There are eight capability
classes, which are denoted with a Roman numeral I through VIII.
Capability Class I soils have the fewest limitations for agriculture and
the widest range of use while Capability Class VIII soils have the most
limitations to agricultural use. The capability class designations
are found in the County soil surveys published by the USDA.
Capacity
The capacity of a facility (such as a freeway or signalized
intersection) is defined as the maximum hourly rate at which persons or
vehicles can reasonably be expected to traverse a uniform section of a
roadway during a given time period under prevailing roadway, traffic, and
control conditions. Capacity is usually expressed in vehicles per hour.
Capital
Improvement Projects
Refers to higher-cost transportation improvements, typically involving
major infrastructure construction such as adding travel lanes to existing
roads and building new roadways, interchanges, or railroads.
Categorical
Exclusion Evaluation (CEE)
Environmental documentation required by NEPA for federally-aided
projects that do not have a significant effect on the environment.
Comprehensive
Plan
The general, inclusive, long-range plan for future development of a
community. The plan identifies needed infrastructure improvements and
funding needs for future capital improvements in an area.
Conformity
The U.S. Clean Air Act stipulates that any approved transportation
project, plan, or program must conform to the State Implementation Plan, a
document which prescribes procedures for the implementation, maintenance
and enforcement of primary and secondary pollutants.
Consensus
The point at which agencies and the public offer their agreement with
recommendations or findings. Although unanimous consensus is seldom
achieved, continuous coordination throughout the study process is expected
to garner support from most agencies and much of the public.
Constraints
(More commonly described as environmental features.) Significant
resources, facilities, or other features of a study area that serve to
restrain, restrict, or prevent the implementation of proposed
transportation improvements in a given area. Constraints may include
natural or physical resources, important structures, communities’
facilities, or topographic features.
Construction
Phase
The last of the five phases of PennDOT's Transportation Project
Development Process in which a contractor selected by PennDOT constructs
the project.
Control of Access
A condition in which public authority fully or partially controls the
right of abutting property owners to have access to a highway. Common
terms defining types of access control are free access and limited access.
Corridor
Land between two termini within which traffic, transit, land use,
topography, environment and other characteristics are evaluated for
transportation purposes.
Cumulative
Effects
As it relates to NEPA, Cumulative Effects are effects that result from
adding the impacts of an action to other past, present, and reasonably
foreseeable future actions, regardless of which agency (federal or
non-federal) or person undertakes the individual actions.
Design
Criteria
State and national standards and procedures that guide the
establishment of roadway layouts, alignments, geometry, and dimensions for
specified types of roadways in certain defined conditions. The principal
design criteria for roadways are traffic volumes, design speed, the
physical characteristics of vehicles, the classification of vehicles, and
the percentage of various vehicle classification types that use the
roadway.
Design Year
The year for which a roadway facility is designed, normally 20 years
after planned completion, taking into consideration projected volumes of
traffic.
Detailed Alternatives
Analysis
Intensive engineering and environmental studies of a small range of
alternatives that are modified during this analysis to avoid or minimize
disruptions to environmental resources. The objective of this analysis is
to select a preferred alternative.
Determination
of Eligibility
This process is used to determine the significance of a potential
historic property. The State Historic Preservation Officer (Pennsylvania
Historical and Museum Commission) applies National Register of Historic
Places criteria to decide if a property is eligible for inclusion in the
National Register.
Direct Effects
Influences or occurrences caused by a given action and occurring at
the same time and place as the action. Changes in noise levels, traffic
volumes, or visual conditions are some examples of direct effects of a new
highway.
Environmental
Features
Significant resources, facilities, or other features of a study area
that serve to restrain, restrict, or prevent the implementation of
proposed transportation improvements in a given area. Features may include
natural or physical resources, important structures, communities’
facilities, or topographic features.
Environmental
Overview
A beginning inventory or summary assessment of environmental features
in a study area, usually performed during systems planning or preliminary
environmental activities. From this preliminary information, the
environmental impacts of the study alternative will be determined. This
overview may sometimes be referred to as Environmental Screening.
Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA)
The federal agency responsible for enforcing federal environmental
regulations such as the National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Air Act
and Clean Water Act.
Federal
Highway Administration
This agency oversees the process of planning, designing and
constructing federally funded highway projects.
Final
Design
Final design begins after the environmental document is approved and
includes right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, and the preparation
of detailed engineering plans, specifications, and estimates for
transportation projects, as well as construction contract advertisement
and award.
Free Access
The lowest condition of access control on state highways which allows
an unlimited number of private highway connections, intersections at
grade, field entrances, or other land service linkages that give vehicles
or pedestrians access to the highways.
Functional
Roadway Classification
In transportation studies, roadways are classified by the character of
service provided. Character of service refers to serving the mutually
exclusive objectives of through or regional trips versus providing access
to adjacent land uses. Typical roadway classifications are arterial
(primarily serving through and regional traffic on roads designed for
mobility), local roadways (providing access to adjacent land uses) and
collectors (connecting local roads to arterial roads and providing some
service to adjacent land uses).
Geographic
Information System
A computer-based system that links the geographic location of map
features to text information or databases.
Geometric
Design
Design that deals with the dimensions of a facility and the
relationships of its features such as alignment, profile, grades, widths,
sight distances, clearances, and slopes as distinguished from structural
design which is concerned with thickness, composition of materials, and
load-carrying capacity.
Hazardous
or Residual Waste Site Evaluation
An environmental impact study encompassing all types of permitted and
unregulated materials, sites, and substances which may require prudent
handling to prevent harm or danger.
Historic
Resource
A building, structure, site, district or object which is significant
in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering and culture.
Hydric
Soils
Soil that is saturated or flooded long enough during the growing
season to develop conditions which indicate the possible presence of
wetlands.
Impacts
Positive or negative effects upon the natural or human environment
resulting from transportation projects.
Jurisdictional
Determination (JD)
A site survey performed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to
officially determine whether or not a given parcel of land is subject to
wetlands regulations, and if so, the extent of the area.
Joint
Permit
The permit required for the obstruction and encroachment of
Pennsylvania waters or wetlands. The joint permit eliminates the need for
separate permit applications at the state and federal levels. One joint
permit is submitted for Pennsylvania's water obstruction and encroachment
permit and a Federal (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) Section 9, Section 10,
or Section 404 permit. The permit is also considered by the state as a
request for water quality certification under Section 401 of the Federal
Clean Water Act.
Level
of Service (LOS)
A qualitative rating of the effectiveness of a transportation
component (such as a freeway or a signalized intersection) measured in
terms of operating conditions. The Highway Capacity Manual identifies
operating LOS ranging from "A" to "F", briefly
described below for signalized intersections:
LOS A - Excellent traffic flow, favorable progression, most vehicles do
not stop at all.
LOS B - Very good traffic flow, short delays, more vehicles stop than
under LOS A, causing higher levels of delay.
LOS C - Traffic flow is still good, but the number of vehicles stopping is
significant. Many vehicles still proceed without stopping.
LOS D - The influence of congestion becomes noticeable. Few vehicles
advance through the intersection without stopping.
LOS E - Virtually no vehicles proceed without stopping. The limit of
acceptable delay for many agencies.
LOS F - Traffic volume exceeds available capacity. All vehicles must stop
at least once, and possibly must wait through several signal cycles before
proceeding.
Limited-Access Highway
A highway that has access to it restricted to designated points such
as interchanges.
Logical Termini
The rational beginning and ending point of a transportation project
that enhance good planning and serve to make the proposed improvement
usable.
Long-Range Transportation
Plan
Identifies regional transportation goals, issues, and needs and
defines the direction for regional planning, programming, and project
development over a 20-year period.
Memorandum
of Agreement
Lists certain binding historic resource commitments and outlines
measures to avoid, mitigate, or accept the adverse effects on a given
historic resource. The MOA is part of requirements outlined in Section 106
of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. It must be signed by
agencies such as the State Historic Preservation Officer, the FHWA, the
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and PennDOT.
Mitigation
Commitments
Specific design commitments made during the environmental study
process that serve to moderate or lessen impacts resulting from the
proposed action. These measures may include planning and development
commitments, environmental mitigation, right-of-way improvements, and
agreements with resource agencies.
National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)
The federal law that requires the preparation of specific
environmental documentation for major undertakings using federal funds. To
comply with NEPA, PennDOT developed a 10-step process to address all
potential environmental, social, cultural and economic impacts of a
proposed highway project before decisions are reached on design. Public
involvement is an integral component of this process.
Natural
Resources
Resources, such as wetlands, wildlife, streams, aquatic life, etc.,
which must be considered in the development of NEPA documentation.
Origin/Destination
Survey
A survey conducted of the motorists using the study area roadways to
determine and document current traffic patterns.
Peak
Hour
Time when a highway carries its highest volume of traffic, usually the
morning or evening. Often the peak hour is a rush period when commuters
travel to and from work.
Pennsylvania
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PA DCNR)
Established on July 1, 1995, the agency is charged with maintaining
and preserving the 116 state parks; managing the 2.1 million acres of
state forest land; providing information on the state's ecological and
geologic resources; and establishing community conservation partnerships
with grants and technical assistance to benefit rivers, trails, greenways,
local parks and recreation, regional heritage parks, open space and
natural areas.
Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP)
The Department of Environmental Protection's mission is to protect
Pennsylvania's air, land and water from pollution and to provide for the
health and safety of its citizens through a cleaner environment. We will
work as partners with individuals, organizations, governments and
businesses to prevent pollution and restore our natural resources. This
agency is responsible for enforcing state environmental regulations.
Pennsylvania
Department of Transportation (PennDOT)
PennDOT is responsible for the integration of programs and policies
for all transportation modes. PennDOT’s direct responsibilities include
the maintenance, restoration and expansion of the state-owned system of
40,500 miles or highways and 25,000 bridges.
Pennsylvania
Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC)
The mission of the PA Fish and Boat Commission is to provide fishing
and boating opportunities through the protection and management of aquatic
resources. As partners in transportation development, PFBC provides
PennDOT with information on the location of Pennsylvania's trout stock
fisheries, as well as streams and rivers where endangered species of
aquatic biota have been identified.
Pennsylvania
Game Commission (PGC)
Under the provisions of PA Game Law, this independent administrative
agency is directed to "...protect, propagate, manage and preserve the
game, forbearing animals, and protected birds of the State..." The PA
Game and Wildlife Code confers upon the Game Commission executive
jurisdiction over the administration and management of all the state's
wildlife resources. The Game Commission participates in the review of
major transportation projects that have the potential to affect wildlife
resources, but it does not exercise regulatory authority over these
projects.
Pennsylvania Historical
& Museum Commission (PHMC)
Through its Bureau for Historic Preservation, PHMC is responsible for
identifying, evaluating and protecting historic resources in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania, PHMC is the State Historic
Preservation Officer (SHPO).
Permit
Written permission from a governmental agency to take certain action
during the Transportation Project Development Process (relating to, for
example, solid waste management, wetlands, coastal areas, etc.).
Specifically, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issues permits for the
construction, excavation, depositing or material, etc. in navigable
waters; and, for the discharge of dredged or fill materials into U.S.
waters. Also, the PA Department of Environmental Protection issues water
quality certifications for actions that result in discharge into regulated
waters.
Preliminary Alternatives
Analysis
A wide range of preliminary alternatives is first developed and
evaluated based on preliminary engineering and environmental studies. The
objective of this analysis is to reduce the number of alternatives for
more detailed study in the Detailed Alternatives Analysis.
Preliminary
Engineering
Early phases of technical studies undertaken to determine all relevant
aspects of transportation location, to identify feasible route
alternatives or design options, and to assess various cost and benefit
parameters before advancing the project into more detailed final design
development.
Public Meeting
An announced meeting conducted by transportation officials designed to
facilitate participation in the decision-making process and to assist the
public in gaining an informed view of a proposed project. Such a gathering
may be referred to as a Public Information Meeting.
Resource
Agencies
A group of approximately ten federal and state agencies or commissions
which review projects for their consistency and sensitivity to
environmental laws and policies. Regulatory agencies are empowered to
issue permits or recommend approval or denial of a permit.
Right-of-Way
Land, property or interest therein acquired for or devoted to
transportation purposes, including construction, maintenance, operations,
and protection of a facility.
Section
4(f)
Enacted as a portion of the Federal Department of Transportation Act
of 1966, Section 4(f) declares that a special effort be made to preserve
the natural beauty of the countryside, public park and recreation lands,
wildlife and waterfowl refuges, and historic sites. The use of these sites
for a transportation project will not be approved unless it is determined
that there is no other prudent or feasible alternative.
Section
404 of the Clean Water Act
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act requires approval by the United
States Army Corp of Engineers (Corps) prior to the dredging or placement
of any fill materials into the waters of the United States, including
wetlands.
Sight Distance
The visual distance required for a driver to safely operate his/her
vehicle or bicycle as required by the roadway design.
State
Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO)
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is the
Commonwealth’s designated historic agency, and its executive director is
designated as the SHPO. The Bureau for Historic Preservation functions as
the staff for the SHPO and administers all official federal and state
historic preservation activities in Pennsylvania.
Study
Area
A geographic area selected and defined at the outset of engineering or
environmental evaluations, which is sufficiently adequate in size to
address all pertinent project matters occurring within it.
Traffic
Control Devices
All signs, signals, markings and devices placed on, over, or adjacent
to a street or highway. Traffic Control Devices are placed by authority of
a public body or official having jurisdiction to regulate, warn or guide
traffic.
Transportation Project
Development Process
PennDOT's procedures for advancing a transportation improvement
project from concept to construction which are divided into five Phases.
The philosophy behind the process emphasizes the integration of
engineering and environmental studies and continuous coordination among
PennDOT, state and federal resource agencies, and the public. The ultimate
goal is to select, design, and construct the most reasonable, practical,
cost-effective, technically sound, and environmentally sensitive
transportation improvement option.
Transportation Systems Management (TSM) Alternative
TSM maximizes the utilization and efficiency of the present transportation
system. This limited construction option is generally evaluated when major
construction activities are proposed. Components of a TSM Alternative can
include fringe parking, ridesharing, bus transfer facilities, traffic
signal time optimization, high occupancy vehicle lanes, and other
management strategies that facilitate the movement of people.
U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers (US ACOE)
The federal agency which, along with the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), has the authority under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act
and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act to regulate development
activities that affect the waters of the United States. The Corps
administers the wetland permitting process.
Viewshed
The total area visible from a point (or series of points along a
linear transportation facility). Viewshed is typically evaluated both from
the roadway and conversely of the roadway as viewed from the adjacent
area.
Watershed
The area drained by a river or river system enclosed by drainage
divides.
Wetlands
The term wetland encompasses what are more commonly known as marshes,
bogs, swamps, wet meadows and shallow ponds. Wetlands are important
natural resources that provide flood control, pollution control and
habitat for fishes, birds and mammals.
Wetland
Identification/Delineation and Functional Assessment Report
Provides both
written and illustrated data to define the boundaries of those topographic
features within a study area and which meet the federal definition of
wetland as contained in 33 CFR 323.2©. A delineation report represents
the first step in the overall wetland study process, evaluates the
importance of a wetlands and ultimately assesses the effects of a project
on a wetlands.
Acronyms &
Abbreviations
District 8-0 - PennDOT Engineering District 8-0
EPA - Environmental Protection Agency
FHWA - Federal Highway Administration
LOS - Level of Service
NEPA - National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
PA DCNR - Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
PA DEP - Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
PennDOT - Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
PGC - Pennsylvania Game Commission
PHMC - Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
SHPO - State Historic Preservation Officer
T&E - Threatened and Endangered (Species)
TSM - Transportation Systems Management
US ACOE - US Army Corps of Engineers
US EPA - United States Environmental Protection Agency
US FWS - United States Fish and Wildlife Service
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