Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Glossary and Index
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Glossary and Index
1976 Measure A: A permanent, local half-cent sales tax approved by the voters of Santa Clara
County exclusively for public transit operations.
1984 Measure A: A 10-year, local half-cent sales tax passed in 1984 by the voters of Santa
Clara County specifically to build State Route 85, widen U.S. 101 and upgrade State Route 237
to a full freeway. The 1984 Measure A Program was the first of its kind in California and served
as a model for other “self-help” counties, which subsequently passed their own local sales tax
programs for transportation purposes in their areas. The Santa Clara County Traffic Authority
was created as a separate agency to administer the 1984 Measure A Program.
1992 Measure A: A local ballot measure approved by a simple majority of Santa Clara County
voters that was intended to extend the half-cent sales tax initially imposed by the 1984 Measure
A for another 20 years. Approximately 92 percent of the money that would have been raised by
the 1992 Measure A Program was earmarked for public transit capital improvement projects.
The 1992 Measure A Program was invalidated by the California Supreme Court because it was
determined to be a special tax requiring a two-thirds majority vote.
1996 Measure A: A local advisory ballot measure that listed specific transportation capital
improvement projects that the voters of Santa Clara County wanted to be implemented if funding
became available. 1996 Measure A projects included: (1) widening I-880, U.S. 101, and State
Routes 17 and 87; (2) upgrading interchanges at State Route 237/I-880, State Route 85/U.S.
101 and State Routes 85/87; (3) improving operations along State Route 152; (4) mitigating
noise along State Route 85; (5) extending light rail along the Tasman East, Capitol and Vasona
corridors; (6) increasing Caltrain Commuter Rail Service; (7) expanding bicycle routes; and
(8) improving senior and disabled transit service.
1996 Measure B: A ballot measure that authorized the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors
to collect a nine-year, local half-cent sales tax for general county purposes. This tax was identified as a potential funding source for the 1996 Measure A transportation capital improvement
projects.
1996 Measure B Transportation Improvement Program: The entire list of projects identified
in the 1996 Measure A advisory ballot measure supported by the 1996 Measure B county general
sales tax.
2000 Measure A Transit Improvement Program: A transit improvement program funded by a
30-year, local half-cent sales tax that began in April 2006 when the 1996 Measure B county general sales tax expired. The program will support a number of key transit improvement projects in
Santa Clara County, including: (1) extending the BART system to the cities of Milpitas, San Jose
and Santa Clara; (2) building a people-mover to connect the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose
International Airport with BART, the Caltrain Commuter Rail Service and VTA light rail; (3)
purchasing low-floor light rail vehicles to improve access for disabled individuals; (4) purchasing clean-fuel buses; (5) constructing up to three new light rail lines within Santa Clara County;
(6) expanding and electrifying Caltrain; and (7) increasing bus and rail service.
2008 Measure B: A 30-year, local 1/8-cent sales tax approved by the voters of Santa Clara
County by a two-thirds majority. All of the revenues generated by this tax are dedicated to funding the operating and maintenance costs associated with the BART Extension to Silicon Valley.
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Chapter 8
Glossary and Index
ABAG: Association of Bay Area Governments. A voluntary association of counties and cities
that serves as the land-use planning agency for the San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland Bay Area.
ABAG also provides demographic, financial, administrative, training, and conference services to
local governments and businesses in the Bay Area Region.
AC Transit: Alameda-Contra Costa County Transit District. A transit operator that provides bus
service in Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the geographic area between the cities of
Richmond and Fremont, and from the East Bay cities to San Francisco. Its seven-member Board
of Directors is directly elected.
access by proximity: One of the four key concepts of VTA’s CDT Program. It alludes to the
ability of varied land uses and activities in close proximity to each other to improve access and
travel options, as well as to reduce trip lengths, energy use and single-occupant vehicle travel.
ACE: Altamont Commuter Express. A commuter rail service that runs between the city of
Stockton in San Joaquin County and the city of San Jose in Santa Clara County. The service is a
partnership involving VTA, the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission and the Alameda County
Congestion Management Agency.
ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Landmark federal civil rights legislation that
requires public transit systems to make their services fully accessible to persons with disabilities,
as well as to underwrite a parallel network of paratransit service for those who are unable to use
the regular transit system.
alternatives analysis: A project-specific planning document required for any federally funded
transportation capital improvement project. An alternatives analysis defines the proposed project,
and analyzes its need, impacts and alternatives. It must be completed in conjunction with or prior
to a project’s environmental document.
Amtrak: National Railroad Passenger Corporation. A quasi-public corporation created by the
federal Rail Passenger Service Act of 1970 to develop and operate intercity passenger rail service
throughout the United States.
apportionment: A federal budgetary term that refers to a statutorily prescribed division of
assignment of funds. It is based on prescribed formulas in federal law and consists of dividing
authorized obligation authority for a specific program among program participants.
appropriation: An act of Congress that permits federal agencies to incur obligations and make
payments for specific purposes. For each fiscal year, Congress passes 12 different appropriations
bills—including one for transportation—that define how the federal budget will be spent during
the fiscal year. An appropriation is the most common means of providing budget authority;
however, in some cases, the authorization legislation itself provides budget authority. Funding
may not be appropriated for unauthorized expenditures.
assistance: A term often used to mean government funding, as in “operating assistance.”
authorization: Basic, substantive federal legislation that establishes or continues the legal
operation of federal agencies and the programs they administer, either indefinitely or for a specific period of time. It also may sanction a particular type of obligation of expenditure within a
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program. For example, SAFETEA-LU authorized how much money could be spent on various
federal surface transportation programs over the course of six years. However, the actual amount
of money spent on a particular SAFETEA-LU program in a single fiscal year is determined by the
amount of money appropriated by Congress for the program in that fiscal year. An authorization
sets appropriations limits.
BART: Bay Area Rapid Transit. A public transit operator that provides heavy rail passenger
service in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, and San Mateo counties. The nine members
of the BART District Board of Directors are directly elected.
BCDC: San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission. A state-established
agency with jurisdiction over the filling and dredging of San Francisco Bay, and with limited
jurisdiction over development within 100 feet of the bay.
best practices: Practices and actions for generating high-quality planning and design that:
(1) create better living environments; (2) support walking, biking and local auto trips; and
(3) promote concentrated development, good access to public transit services, and efficient use
of land and resources.
BPAC: Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. An advisory committee that is responsible
for providing recommendations to the VTA Board of Directors on bicycle- and pedestrian-oriented plans, guidelines and programs.
budget authority: The legal authority given by Congress to federal government agencies to make
funds available for obligation or expenditure.
budget resolution: A concurrent resolution passed by both houses of Congress setting forth the
congressional budget allocations for each of five fiscal years. A budget resolution, which does not
require the signature of the president, provides the framework used by Congress to develop and
adopt the annual federal agency appropriations bills.
bus shelter: A structure constructed near a bus stop to provide seating and protection from the
weather for the convenience of waiting passengers.
Bus/Bus Facilities Program: Federal funding granted under Section 5309(C) of the U.S. Code.
These discretionary funds are made available for the purchase of new buses, improvements to
existing bus facilities, and the construction of new bus facilities. Projects for this funding are
earmarked by Congress in the annual transportation appropriations bill.
CAC: Citizens Advisory Committee. An advisory committee to the VTA Board of Directors
representing business, labor, environmental organizations, and other community groups interested
in transportation.
Caltrain Commuter Rail Service: A commuter rail service provided by the Peninsula Corridor
Joint Powers Board (JPB) that operates along the peninsula of the San Francisco Bay Area
between San Francisco and Gilroy.
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Capitol Corridor Intercity Rail Service: Intercity rail service along the Capitol Corridor, which
runs between San Jose and Sacramento, with limited service to Auburn.
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Glossary and Index
CARB: California Air Resources Board. A state regulatory agency that is responsible for addressing issues related to air quality in California.
CDP: Countywide Deficiency Plan. A planning document that addresses level-of-service deficiencies on Santa Clara County’s roadway system. Under the CDP, a set of programs and actions is
developed to improve the level of service on the overall multimodal transportation system within
Santa Clara County.
CDT: Community Design and Transportation Program. A program established by VTA to integrate
the planning, programming, design, and construction of transportation capital improvement
projects with the land-use planning and development decisions made by the 15 cities within Santa
Clara County and the county Board of Supervisors.
choice: One of the four key concepts of VTA’s CDT Program. It underscores the need for and
value of providing a range of choices with regard to: (1) places to live and work; and (2) how to
travel.
CIP: Capital Improvement Program. A seven-year program of projects designed to improve
mobility within Santa Clara County and to mitigate the impacts of local land-use decisions on the
transportation system. The CIP must conform to federal and state air quality requirements. Before
a project can be included in the CIP, it must be listed in the countywide transportation plan.
Citizens Coalition for Traffic Relief: A diverse group of transportation stakeholders led by the
Silicon Valley Leadership Group. The coalition includes representatives from business, labor,
environmental, community service, academic, and health organizations. The coalition spearheaded the campaigns for the 1992 Measure A, 1996 Measure B Transportation Improvement and
2000 Measure A Transit Improvement Programs, as well as for the 2008 ballot measure to provide
a dedicated revenue source to fund the operating and maintenance costs of the BART Extension
to Silicon Valley.
Clean-Fuels Formula Grant Program: Federal funding granted under Section 5308 of the U.S.
Code. This program was created by TEA-21 to provide grants to public transit operators to help
them utilize clean-fuel technologies for their bus fleets. Eligible projects include purchasing or
leasing clean-fuel buses, constructing or leasing clean-fuel electrical recharging facilities, improving existing bus facilities to accommodate clean-fuel buses, and retrofitting pre-1993 bus engines
with clean-fuel technology.
CMA: Congestion Management Agency. A local government entity that develops, updates and
monitors the implementation of an urban county’s CMP pursuant to state law. VTA is the designated CMA for Santa Clara County.
CMAQ: Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program. A flexible funding category under the federal highway title that was created by ISTEA, and reauthorized in TEA-21 and
SAFETEA-LU. These discretionary funds are programmed by the MPOs in urban areas that have
not attained the ozone and carbon monoxide standards established in the federal Clean Air Act, or
that have been designated as maintenance areas for ozone and carbon monoxide. CMAQ funds
may be applied to projects and programs that will contribute to the attainment of these air quality
standards.
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CMP: Congestion Management Program. A comprehensive program established through state law
that attempts to link transportation and land-use planning.
coach: A bus.
commuter rail: Local and regional passenger train service between a central city, its suburbs
and/or another central city. It operates primarily during commute hours and is designed to transport individuals from their residences to their job sites. Caltrain is an example of a commuter rail
service.
congestion pricing: A strategy aimed at reducing the demand for transportation facilities during
the peak periods by pricing the use of those facilities at a higher level than during non-peak hours.
contract authority: A form of budget authority permitting obligations to be incurred in advance
of appropriations.
corridor plan: A project-specific planning document used to develop a consensus on a strategy
for improving a particular transit corridor or major highway.
cost recovery ratio: A measure of the proportion of public transit operating expenses covered by
non-subsidy revenue sources. It is calculated by dividing all of a public transit operator’s nonsubsidy revenues, such as farebox revenues, parking fees and advertising revenues, by the operator’s total public transit operating expenses.
county share: A formula that guarantees each county a certain percentage of STIP funds based on
the county’s population and state highway mileage.
Countywide Bicycle Plan: A subject-specific planning document that incorporates the bicycle
plans developed by the county Board of Supervisors and by the various cities within Santa Clara
County in accordance with the eligibility requirements for Transportation Development Act
(TDA) Article 3 funds. The Countywide Bicycle Plan: (a) identifies existing bike lanes, routes
and paths within Santa Clara County; and (b) proposes bicycle capital improvement projects
designed to enhance the countywide bicycle network.
CPUC: California Public Utilities Commission. A state regulatory agency that oversees privately
owned electric, telecommunications, natural gas, water, railroad, and passenger transportation
companies. The commission also exercises limited safety oversight functions with regard to
public rail transit operations and construction.
CTA: Committee for Transit Accessibility. An advisory committee to the VTA Board of Directors
representing the disabled community, human services agencies within Santa Clara County and
VTA’s paratransit broker. The CTA advises the VTA Board of Directors on issues relating to bus
and rail system accessibility, paratransit service, and compliance with ADA.
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CTC: California Transportation Commission. A state-level transportation planning and programming agency that has some responsibility for setting state spending priorities for highways and
public transit, and for allocating state transportation funds. Nine of its members are appointed by
the governor and two by the California State Legislature. The CTC is responsible for adopting the
STIP, and administering the TCRP Program and several Proposition 1B bond programs.
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Glossary and Index
discretionary funds: Subject to the discretion of legislators or an administrator. Unlike formulabased funds, discretionary spending is not automatically programmed at any certain amount or
based on a formula. The federal Section 5309 New Starts Program is an example of a discretionary program.
donee state: A state that receives back more in federal-aid highway program funds than it
contributes in federal gas tax revenues to the Highway Account.
donor state: A state that contributes more federal gas tax revenues to the Highway Account than
it receives back in federal-aid highway program funds. Under the provisions of SAFETEA-LU,
each state must receive a minimum guaranteed rate of return for federal-aid highway dollars of
90.5 percent in FY 2004 through FY 2006, 91.5 percent in FY 2007, and 92 percent in FY 2008
and FY 2009.
earmark: The specific designation by Congress that part of a more general lump-sum appropriation be used for a particular project.
Eco Pass: An annual photo ID pass that entitles the bearer to ride VTA’s buses and light rail
vehicles anytime seven days a week. VTA launched the Eco Pass Program for Santa Clara County
employers in 1996 and the Residential Eco Pass Program for residential communities in 2000.
EIR: Environmental Impact Report. An environmental document that must be completed before a
state-funded project can be constructed as required under the California Environmental Quality
Act.
EIS/EIR: Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report. An environmental
document that must be completed before a project receiving both federal and state funds can be
constructed as required under the National Environmental Policy Act and the California
Environmental Quality Act.
EIS: Environmental Impact Statement. An environmental document that must be completed before
a federally funded project can be constructed as required under the National Environmental
Policy Act.
Elderly and Persons with Disabilities Program: Federal funding granted under Section 5310
of the U.S. Code. These funds are granted to non-profit organizations to provide transportation
services to elderly and disabled individuals who cannot use or do not have access to public transit
systems. VTA’s paratransit broker, Outreach, is the principal recipient of Section 5310 funds in
Santa Clara County.
farebox recovery ratio: A measure of the proportion of public transit operating expenses covered by passenger fares. It is calculated by dividing a public transit operator’s farebox revenues
by its total operating expenses. A farebox recovery ratio does not take into consideration all nonsubsidy revenue sources collected by public transit operators, such as advertising revenues and
parking fees at transit stations. Therefore, it is necessary to use a cost recovery ratio to measure
the proportion of public transit operating expenses covered by non-subsidy revenues.
farebox revenues: The value of cash, tickets and pass receipts given by passengers as payment
for public transit rides.
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Fixed Guideway (or Rail) Modernization Program: Federal funding granted under Section
5309(A) of the U.S. Code. These funds are distributed by a complex formula to UZAs for
rehabilitation and enhancement projects related to existing public rail transit systems. Within the
San Jose UZA, VTA shares these funds with the Caltrain Commuter Rail Service, and uses its
portion to rehabilitate and upgrade its light rail system.
fixed guideway system: A system of public transit vehicles that can operate only on its own
guideway constructed specifically for that purpose, such as light rail or heavy rail. Federal surface
transportation funding legislation also includes exclusive right-of-way bus operations, trolley
coaches and ferryboats as “fixed guideway” transit.
fixed route: Public transit service provided on a repetitive, fixed-schedule basis along a specific
route, with vehicles stopping to pick up passengers at and deliver them to specific locations.
flexible funds: Funds that can be used for a variety of transportation purposes—for example,
highway funds that can be used, or “flexed,” for public transit purposes. STP is an example of
a flexible funding program.
formula-based funds: Funds distributed or appropriated to qualifying recipients on the basis
of formulas described in law. The federal Section 5307 UZA Formula Program is an example of
a formula-based program.
FTA: Federal Transit Administration. A modal agency within the U.S. Department of
Transportation that is responsible for overseeing the various federal transit programs contained in
the transit title of SAFETEA-LU.
FY: Fiscal Year. A yearly accounting period designated by the calendar year in which it ends (e.g.
FY 2000). The fiscal year for the federal government runs from October 1 to September 30. The
fiscal year for both the state of California and VTA runs from July 1 to June 30.
greenfield development: A term used to identify new development on previously undeveloped
sites on the fringe of urban areas. Greenfield development contributes to the consumption of land
for urban uses and its removal from other uses, such as agriculture, open space and natural areas.
Guardino: Santa Clara County Local Transportation Authority vs. Guardino. A California
Supreme Court decision that invalidated Santa Clara County’s 1992 Measure A. Based on aspects
of Propositions 13 and 62, the court’s decision stated that all special taxes (i.e., taxes for a special
district or for a specific purpose such as transportation) must be approved by a two-thirds vote of
the local electorate. The Guardino decision also stated that all general taxes (i.e., business license,
transient occupancy, sales, and utility user taxes) must be placed before the voters before they
may be levied by a city or county, and require a majority vote of the local electorate.
heavy rail: An electric railway with the capacity to carry a heavy volume of passengers, and
characterized by exclusive rights-of-way, high speed and rapid acceleration. Also known as
“subway,” “elevated railway” or “rapid transit.” In the San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland Bay
Area, BART operates heavy rail. Heavy rail is different from commuter rail and light rail.
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Highway Account: An account within the federal Highway Trust Fund that is used to fund
federal-aid highway and flexible funding programs.
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Glossary and Index
Highway Trust Fund: Revenues collected by the federal government through gasoline and diesel
fuel taxes are deposited in the Highway Trust Fund. These revenues are reserved for transportation-related purposes and are not available for the general purposes of the federal government. A
small percentage of the revenues received in the Highway Trust Fund are placed in the fund’s
Mass Transit Account for federal transit programs. The remainder is placed in the fund’s Highway
Account for federal-aid highway and flexible funding programs.
High-Occupancy Toll (HOT) lane: A carpool lane that may be used by a single-occupant vehicle
for a fee. The fee typically fluctuates by time of day or level of congestion. Also known as
“express lanes.”
incremental: Refers to a process of change over time through a series of regular additions or
contributions to plans, projects or polices.
infill development: Refers to new development projects that are built on vacant land between
existing developments or on land where other developments once stood. Infill development
utilizes existing infrastructure, such as roads and public utilities, and also can relieve development pressure on outlying “greenfield” and open-space areas. Infill development can serve to
increase the overall density of an urban area.
intercity rail: A long-distance passenger rail transportation system between at least two central
cities that in California traditionally has been provided by Amtrak either directly, or through a
contract with Caltrans or a local JPB.
interconnection: One of the four key concepts of VTA’s CDT Program. It refers to an integrated
“systems approach” of streets, pedestrian facilities, public transit modes, and development
projects.
intermodal: The term “mode” is used to refer to and distinguish between the various forms of
transportation, such as automobiles, public transit, bicycles, and walking. Intermodal refers
specifically to the connections between modes.
ISTEA: Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act. A 1991 law that reauthorized federal
surface transportation programs for six years (FY 1991 to FY 1996). ISTEA established a new
emphasis on intermodalism and flexibility, and increased the decision-making authority of MPOs.
It authorized the expenditure of $155 billion for federal surface transportation programs for six
years, and created a number of new funding categories, such as CMAQ, STP and NHS.
ITIP: Interregional Transportation Improvement Program. The portion of the STIP used to fund:
(1) projects considered to be of statewide significance; (2) projects on the interregional road system that are outside the boundaries of urban areas; and (3) intercity rail capital improvements.
Under SB 45 (Kopp), 25 percent of available STIP funding is programmed for ITIP projects by
the CTC, with some input from Caltrans and the RTPAs.
ITS: Intelligent Transportation Systems. Technologies that improve the management and efficiency of a transportation system, such as electronic fare payment systems, ramp metering, timed
traffic signals, and on-board navigation systems.
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Job Access/Reverse Commute Program: A formula grant program originally created by TEA21 to fund: (1) projects designed to provide access to employment opportunities for welfare
recipients and low-income individuals; and (2) reverse commute initiatives.
JPA: Joint Powers Agreement. A contract signed by the member agencies of a joint powers board
(JPB). JPA also can mean “joint powers authority,” which is synonymous with “joint powers
board.”
JPB: Joint Powers Board. A board made up of representatives from several entities that have
agreed to undertake a joint venture. There are two JPBs responsible for providing rail service in
the Bay Area: (1) the Peninsula Corridor JPB, which oversees the Caltrain Commuter Rail
Service; and (2) the Capitol Corridor JPA, which administers the Capitol Corridor Intercity Rail
Service.
LONP: Letter of No Prejudice. A letter issued by the federal government to a public transit operator that allows that operator to use local funds to proceed with specific work on a transit capital
improvement project, with the expectation that these local funds will be reimbursed with pending
federal funds.
LOS: Level of Service. A quantitative measure of travel demand (volume) and supply (capacity)
used to evaluate how well a roadway segment or intersection operates.
LRT: Light Rail Transit or light rail. An electric railway with the capacity to carry a lighter volume
of passengers than heavy rail. Also known as “streetcar,” “trolley car” and “tramway.” In the Bay
Area, VTA and San Francisco Muni operate light rail.
Mass Transit Account: An account within the federal Highway Trust Fund that is used to fund
federal transit programs.
Metropolitan Planning Program: Federal funding granted under Section 5303 of the U.S. Code.
These discretionary funds are used for federally required planning studies that justify the need for
public transit equipment and facilities. VTA uses these dollars to fund the preparation of its ShortRange Transit Plan.
MPO: Metropolitan Planning Organization. A federally required planning entity that is responsible for transportation planning and project selection in its region. Under federal law, an MPO
must be designated in every UZA with a population of more than 50,000 people. MTC is the
MPO for the San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland Bay Area.
MTC: Metropolitan Transportation Commission. A regional transportation planning organization
that is recognized by the state as the RTPA and by the federal government as the MPO for the
nine-county San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland Bay Area. MTC has 19 commissioners, of which
14 are voting members appointed by local jurisdictions within the region. In the case of the five
most populous counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara),
two commissioners are appointed—one by the county board of supervisors and one by the cities
selection committee in the county. In the case of the four less populous counties (Marin, Napa,
Solano, and Sonoma), the cities nominate candidates to the board of supervisors, which appoints
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Glossary and Index
one commissioner. Two other voting members on MTC represent ABAG and BCDC. In addition,
there are three non-voting members on MTC representing the state’s Business, Transportation
and Housing Agency; the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and the U.S.
Department of Transportation.
multimodal: Of or relating to more than one mode of transportation.
New Starts Program: Federal funding granted under Section 5309(B) of the U.S. Code. These
discretionary funds are made available for the construction of new fixed guideway systems or
extensions of existing fixed guideway systems.
NHS: National Highway System. A proposed transportation system of approximately 155,000
miles of highways throughout the United States, including all interstate routes, principal arterials
and strategic highway connectors. Defined in ISTEA and in the National Highway System
Designation Act of 1995, it is a major component of the NTS. NHS also refers to the federal
funding program for the system.
non-subsidy revenues: The portion of a public transit operator’s revenues collected in excess of
farebox revenues. Non-subsidy revenues include advertising revenues and parking fees collected
at public transit stations.
north/south split formula: A formula that requires 60 percent of certain STIP funds to be
allocated to Southern California counties and 40 percent to Northern California counties.
NTS: National Transportation System. A designated national system consisting of all modes of
transportation in a unified, interconnected manner to reduce energy consumption and air pollution, promote economic development, and support the United States’ preeminent position in international commerce. It includes the NHS, public transit, and surface access to ports and airports.
obligation limitation: A limit placed in an appropriations bill on the amount of federal assistance
that may be obligated during a specified period of time. It does not affect the scheduled apportionment of funds; it just controls the rate at which these funds may be used.
obligation: An agreement by the federal government to pay for goods or services immediately,
or at some future time when the goods or services are delivered. Also knows as a “commitment,”
an obligation will result in an outlay.
outlay: A payment made to meet an obligation. The point at which an actual payment of money
is made.
Outreach: The name of the private, non-profit organization with whom VTA contracts to provide
paratransit service in accordance with ADA.
PAB: Policy Advisory Board. An advisory committee to the VTA Board of Directors consisting
primarily of elected officials from local jurisdictions within a particular rapid transit or highway
corridor. The purpose of a PAB is to ensure that the local jurisdictions most affected by a particular transportation capital improvement project are involved in planning, designing and constructing the project.
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PAC: Policy Advisory Committee. An advisory committee to the VTA Board of Directors consisting of an elected official from each of the 15 cities within Santa Clara County and one from the
county Board of Supervisors. The PAC ensures that all local jurisdictions within Santa Clara
County have the opportunity to participate in the development of VTA’s policies, plans and
programs.
paratransit plan: A subject-specific planning document that details the actions that VTA will
implement to comply with ADA requirements pertaining to paratransit service.
paratransit: Transportation service required by ADA for individuals with disabilities who are
unable to use fixed-route, public transit systems. The service must be comparable to the fixedroute service.
park & ride: A parking area for automobile drivers who then board public transit vehicles,
shuttles or carpools from these locations.
pedestrian-oriented: Development design oriented to the perspective of a person walking. A
pedestrian-oriented environment is typified by more architectural details, landscaping, lighting,
and signage than an auto-oriented environment.
Peninsula Corridor: The public transit corridor between San Francisco and Gilroy served by
Caltrain.
place-making: One of the four key concepts of VTA’s CDT Program. It refers to the creation of
places having a distinct identity.
planning document: A document that incorporates a blueprint of how a county’s or region’s
multimodal transportation system is proposed to evolve typically over a 25-year period.
programming document: A document that identifies which planned transportation capital
improvement projects will be funded through a particular revenue source in the near-term.
project study report (PSR): A project-specific planning document required by state law for a
transportation capital improvement project prior to its programming in the STIP. A project study
report must include a detailed description of the project’s scope and estimated costs.
Proposition 1B: A ballot measure approved by the voters of California in November 2006 that
authorizes the state to issue $19.925 billion in general obligation bonds for transportation
purposes over a 10-year period, subject to annual appropriations by the Legislature. The proceeds
from the sale of these bonds are intended to fund a combination of: (a) existing state transportation programs that are severely underfunded; and (b) several new programs that are designed to
address some of California’s emerging transportation needs, such as goods movement, corridor
mobility and public transit security.
Proposition 42: A ballot measure approved by the voters of California in March 2002 that made
the sales tax on gasoline a permanent source of funding for transportation. Proposition 42
revenues are allocated on an annual basis as follows: 40 percent to the STIP, 40 percent to cities
and counties for local streets and roads, and 20 percent to the PTA.
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PTA: Public Transportation Account. Revenues derived primarily from the sales tax on diesel fuel
and from a portion of the sales tax on gasoline. PTA revenues are intended to be distributed for
local and regional public transit purposes.
public/private partnerships (P3s): A contractual arrangement whereby the private sector
assumes more responsibility, risk and liability than is traditional for infrastructure planning,
financing, design, construction, operation, and/or maintenance. In transferring responsibility, risk
and liability for multiple infrastructure project elements to the private sector, the public entity
provides its private partner with the opportunity to earn a financial return commensurate with the
risks that it assumes.
RABA: Revenue Aligned Budget Authority. A calculation used to align federal highway spending
with actual revenues during the six years covered by a federal surface transportation reauthorization bill. Highway guaranteed amounts are keyed to actual Highway Account gas tax receipts,
which cannot be exactly predicted. The obligation limits for highway spending are set in law
and each year, the RABA calculation adjusts for the difference between anticipated and actual
revenues to ensure that federal-aid highway funding follows actual revenues from gas taxes.
rescission: The cancellation in whole or in part of budget authority previously granted by
Congress.
right-of-way: The land over which a public road or a rail transit line is built.
RTIP: Regional Transportation Improvement Program. The portion of the STIP that is
programmed at the regional level for the following types of transportation capital improvement
projects: (1) state highways; (2) local streets and roads; (3) rail and other public transit capital
improvements; (4) bicycle and pedestrian facilities; (5) grade separations; (6) transportation
system management activities; (7) soundwalls; and (8) intermodal facilities. Under SB 45 (Kopp),
75 percent of available STIP funding is programmed for RTIP projects by the RTPAs.
RTP: Regional Transportation Plan. A multimodal blueprint that guides the development of a
particular region’s transportation system typically over a 25-year period. The RTP is required by
federal and state law.
RTPA: Regional Transportation Planning Agency. A state-designated transportation planning
agency responsible for preparing the RTP and the RTIP for a particular region, and for administering state transportation funds. MTC is the RTPA for the San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland Bay
Area.
rural area: An area outside of an urban area. Rural and urban areas are eligible for different
categories of state and federal transportation funding.
SAFETEA-LU: Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy For
Users. A 2005 law that reauthorized federal surface transportation programs for six years, covering FY 2004 to FY 2009. SAFETEA-LU authorized the expenditure of $286.4 billion for federal
surface transportation programs during the six-year period. In addition, SAFETEA-LU preserved
the concept of guaranteed spending and the basic structure for federal surface transportation programs that were embodied in its predecessor legislation, TEA-21.
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SamTrans: San Mateo County Transit District. SamTrans provides bus service in San Mateo
County, and administers Caltrain according to the policies developed and adopted by the
Peninsula Corridor JPB. Its nine-member Board of Directors consists of five elected city and
county officials, one appointed by the county Board of Supervisors, and three appointed by the
six other SamTrans Board members.
Santa Clara County Traffic Authority: A temporary, independent organization created in 1984
to administer Santa Clara County’s 1984 Measure A Transportation Improvement Program. The
Traffic Authority collected a 10-year, local half-cent sales tax from 1985 to 1995 to construct
State Route 85, and to improve State Route 237 and U.S. 101. It went out of existence at the end
of March 1997.
Santa Clara County Transit District: A county government entity created in 1972 to provide
public transit services in Santa Clara County. In 1995, the transit district merged with the county’s
CMA to form VTA.
SB 45 (Kopp): State legislation enacted in 1997 designed to simplify the STIP programming
process by consolidating numerous transportation funding categories into two broad categories:
(1) the RTIP; and (2) the ITIP. Under the provisions of SB 45, the RTPAs have the responsibility
for programming 75 percent of available STIP funds through their RTIPs, while the CTC retains
the responsibility for programming 25 percent of available STIP funds through the ITIP.
Self-Help Counties: Refers to those counties in California that have a voter-approved, local sales
tax for transportation purposes.
SHOPP: State Highway Operation and Protection Program. A five-year program adopted by the
CTC separate from the STIP. Under the SHOPP, state and federal fuel tax revenues are used to
fund safety, rehabilitation, seismic retrofit, bridge replacement, landscaping, and operational
improvement projects related to the state highway system.
Silicon Valley Leadership Group: A public policy trade association founded by David Packard
of the Hewlett-Packard Company. It represents more than 200 of Silicon Valley’s most respected
employers, who collectively provide more than 250,000 local jobs. The Leadership Group considers transportation to be a key issue, and it led the ballot campaigns for the 1992 Measure A, 1996
Measure B Transportation Improvement, and 2000 Measure A Transit Improvement Programs, as
well as for the 2008 ballot measure to provide a dedicated revenue source to fund the operating
and maintenance costs of the BART Extension to Silicon Valley.
SIP: State Implementation Plan. A federally required subject-specific planning document that
describes how national ambient air quality standards will be attained in areas with unhealthy levels of ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, or inhalable particulate matter.
Spillover: Enacted as part of TDA, the spillover is a theoretical calculation that is done by the
California Department of Finance every year that compares the revenues estimated to be generated by a state sales tax rate of 5 percent on all goods except for gasoline versus the revenues
generated by a state sales tax rate of 4¾ percent on all goods plus gasoline. If the amount estimated at the 4¾ percent rate is greater than the amount estimated at the 5 percent rate, then the
difference is supposed to be transferred from the General Fund to the PTA.
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SRTP: Short-Range Transit Plan. A planning document that describes a public transit operator’s
ongoing planning and development activities over a 10-year period.
STA: State Transit Assistance Program. A formula-based funding program under which the RTPAs
distribute PTA funds for public transit operating and capital purposes, and for regional transit
coordination projects.
State Highway Account: A state transportation funding source generated from federal and state
gasoline and diesel fuel taxes, and from truck weight fees. The State Highway Account funds:
(1) Caltrans administration; (2) maintenance of the state highway system; (3) rehabilitation,
safety and seismic retrofit projects related to the state highway systems; and (4) STIP projects.
STIP: State Transportation Improvement Program. A five-year program outlining the cost and
schedule estimates for transportation capital improvement projects funded through the State
Highway Account, the PTA and Proposition 42.
STP: Surface Transportation Program. A flexible funding category under the federal highway title
that was created by ISTEA, and reauthorized in TEA-21 and SAFETEA-LU. STP funds may be
used for roadway, highway, bridge, and public transit capital improvement projects. A state must
allocate at least 50 percent of its STP funds to the MPOs according to a formula based on
population.
synergy: The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater
than the sum of their individual effects.
TCRP: Traffic Congestion Relief Program. Refers to a program of specific transportation capital
improvement projects that was included as an element of the Traffic Congestion Relief Act of
2000.
TDA: Transportation Development Act. A state law that was passed in 1971 to allow each county
in California to elect to participate in a 1/4-cent state sales tax program for public transportation
purposes. TDA funds are apportioned to each participating county based on the amount of revenues collected within the county. In Santa Clara County, TDA funds are used for public transit
operations, community and paratransit services, bicycle and pedestrian projects, and public transportation planning.
TDM: Transportation Demand Management. Activities, actions or programs designed to increase
the efficiency of the existing roadway system by reducing the demand for vehicular travel.
Examples of TDM strategies include carpooling, vanpooling, flexible work hours, telecommuting, parking controls, and the use of alternative transportation modes.
TEA: Transportation Enhancement Activities. The portion of STP funds that can be used for a
broad range of environmental activities that directly relate to transportation facilities, such as
trails, landscaping and historic preservation. TEA funds, however, cannot be used for required
environmental mitigation measures.
TEA-21: Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. A 1998 law that reauthorized federal
surface transportation programs for six years (FY 1998 to FY 2003). TEA-21 separated the
Highway Trust Fund from the General Fund with a “firewall” to ensure that federal transportation
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revenues would be committed to transportation projects and could not be used for any other purpose. In addition, guaranteed spending levels were determined for highways and public transit for
each fiscal year that TEA-21 was in effect. TEA-21 authorized the expenditure of $218 billion for
federal surface transportation programs for six years, of which approximately $200 billion was
guaranteed.
TFCA: Transportation Fund for Clean Air Program. A state law enacted in 1991 that called for
using up to $4 in vehicle registration fee revenues to fund projects and programs to reduce vehicle
emissions, including ridesharing, clean-fuel vehicles, signal synchronization, regional transit
information systems, congestion pricing, and bicycle facilities.
TIF: Transportation Investment Fund. A state funding source used to allocate gasoline sales tax
revenues to TCRP projects, the STIP, local streets and roads, and the PTA pursuant to the Traffic
Congestion Relief Act of 2000 and Proposition 42.
TIP: Transportation Improvement Program. A federally required document that lists public transit,
general aviation and highway projects proposed to be funded with federal dollars within a particular region.
Traffic Congestion Relief Act of 2000: State legislation enacted in 2000 that called for transferring gasoline sales tax revenues from the General Fund to the TIF for a six-year period to provide
money for TCRP projects, the STIP, local streets and roads, and the PTA.
transit: Passenger service provided to the public along established routes.
transportation facility: A portion of the transportation system, such as a rail line, a roadway, a
segment of roadway, or an intersection.
Urbanized Area (UZA) Formula Program: Federal funding granted under Section 5307 of the
U.S. Code. These formula-based funds are allocated to public transit providers in UZAs for capital and operating purposes, including preventive maintenance and paratransit service required by
ADA.
UZA: Urbanized Area. A U.S. Bureau of Census data area of 50,000 or more inhabitants, which
consists of either a central city, or two adjacent cities plus the surrounding densely settled territory. In the San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland Bay Area, there is a San Francisco UZA and a San
Jose UZA.
VTA: Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. An independent, special district that is responsible for public transportation services, highway improvements and countywide transportation
planning in Santa Clara County. VTA is a public transit provider, a multimodal transportation
planning organization and a transportation project construction agency. VTA is the result of a
1995 merger between two previously separate entities: (1) the Santa Clara County Transit
District; and (2) the CMA for Santa Clara County. VTA is also the successor organization to the
Santa Clara County Traffic Authority, which went out of existence at the end of March 1997.
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VTP 2030: Valley Transportation Plan 2030. The current long-range transportation plan for Santa
Clara County. Developed by VTA acting in its capacity as the CMA for Santa Clara County, VTP
2030 summarizes an extensive array of future transportation investments, services and programs
that are planned to be implemented over a 30-year period.
Zero-emission bus: A bus that does not produce emissions because it does not use a combustion
engine. Examples include electric and hydrogen fuel-cell buses.
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