Table 9.1: Traveler Information Lexicon
| Term |
Definition |
| Real-Time Traveler Information |
Information that provides travelers across a variety of transportation modes with situational awareness regarding current infrastructure conditions including information related to incidents, congestion, service disruptions, weather, and associated fees |
| Smart Parking |
Real-time parking information and the associated management practices stemming from its use |
| 511 System |
Method to disseminate traveler information via a telephone number (511) with interactive voice recognition (IVR) or an associated Website that provide situational awareness of local infrastructure |
| Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) Section 1201 |
Federal law that sets up the Real-Time System Management Information Program (RTSMIP), which seeks to:
- Establish an RTSMIP in all States
- Monitor traffic and travel conditions of the major highways
- Share information to address congestion problems and facilitate traveler information
|
| IntelliDriveSM |
US DOT initiative to enable vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure wireless communication to promote safety, mobility, environmental, and convenience applications, including real-time traveler information |
| Commercial Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (CVII) |
US DOT initiative to enable vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure wireless communication for commercial vehicles to promote safety, mobility, environmental, efficiency, and security applications, including real-time traveler information |
| Fleet |
Groups of motor vehicles owned or leased by a business or government agency, rather than by an individual or family, including transit agency buses and commercial trucks and buses |
| Telematics |
Electronic unit in a vehicle that is used to wirelessly communicate information directly between the vehicle and a service provider, including between commercial vehicles and their dispatcher; also known as fleet management system or in-vehicle communications systems |
| Smartphone |
Mobile phone offering advanced wireless and data capabilities, often with PC-like functionality |
| Infrastructure-Based Sensors |
Stationary data collection devices that monitor a specific point of the transportation network. Includes in-pavement or non-intrusive detectors that measure vehicle presence, volume, and speed. |
| Probe-Based Sensors |
Probe-based detection includes location transmitting mobile devices in vehicles operating within the infrastructure. Used to track the movements of specific vehicles (e.g., transit vehicles) or to obtain a sample of traffic vehicle speeds over a length of roadway. |
| Portable Navigation Device (PND) |
A portable consumer electronics device, typically aftermarket, which is used in a vehicle for turn-by-turn directions, some of which provide real-time traffic information. Examples are sold by Garmin, TomTom, Magellin, etc. |
| Business Model |
A planned approach taken to achieve a desired return on an expense or investment. For a private sector for-profit entity, this is the plan for achieving a profit that will sustain or grow the business. For the public sector, it defines its role with respect to the private sector for the procurement or exchange of goods to meet goals of the agency. |
| Flow Data |
Includes real-time speeds, travel times, usually on a road-segment basis. Can be obtained from sensor-based or probe based. |
| Freeway/Traffic Management Systems |
This refers to a suite of technologies and functions that actively manage day-to-day traffic as well as abnormal conditions such as incidents, detours, or closures. Field equipment is monitored, and in some cases controlled, from a central facility; operators at the central facility implement operational strategies to respond to real-time conditions. Key functions include traffic management, traveler information, incident management and response, weather response strategies, and event management strategies. Real time data from detection and surveillance systems supports the implementation of operational strategies. |
| Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) |
Wireless transmitter on a vehicle that enables real-time vehicle information, including current location and speed. Most often uses a GPS, a communications link between vehicle and dispatcher, and tracking software program. |
| Advanced Parking Information Systems |
Real-time parking information that tracks the number of available parking spaces within in a facility and aggregates information for facility operators’. Often also include applications to disseminate information to customers. |
| Recurring/Non-recurring Congestion |
Recurring congestion is caused when the number of vehicles trying to use the roadway system exceeds the available capacity including during normal peak periods. Non-recurring congestion is caused by temporary disruptions that take away part of the roadway from use including incidents, work zones, and weather. |
| Dynamic Routing |
Routing that is dynamically discovered by a software application while a vehicle is in-route to a destination. The vehicle is then instructed how to use this update route. |
| Global Positioning System (GPS) |
Communication between a transponder and a satellites to provide positioning and navigation information |
| Congestion Pricing/Pricing Model |
System of charging users of a transportation network a surcharge for use during peak periods to reduce congestion. Congestion pricing systems are enables by real-time traveler information |
| Public-Private Partnership |
Contractual agreements formed between a public agency and a private sector entity that allow for greater private sector participation in the delivery and financing of transportation projects. |
| Life Cycle Costs (Capital, Operations & Maintenance) |
Total cost of ownership over the life of an asset. Capital costs refer to the costs to obtain the asset. Operations & Maintenance (O&M) costs refer to annual upkeep costs |