Transit Policy and Governance
Expert-defined terms from the Transportation Planning and Policy course at London School of Business and Administration. Free to read, free to share, paired with a professional course.
Accessibility refers to the ability of people with disabilities to… #
Accessibility refers to the ability of people with disabilities to use transportation systems, it is an essential concept in transit policy and governance, related terms include mobility and equity, the goal of accessibility is to provide equal opportunities for all individuals to participate in society, regardless of their abilities, this can be achieved through the design of transportation systems that are accessible and usable by everyone, including those with disabilities, examples of accessible transportation systems include buses with ramps and trains with elevators, practical applications of accessibility include the use of accessible pedestrian infrastructure, such as curb cuts and audible signals, challenges to accessibility include the need for significant investments in infrastructure and the need to balance accessibility with other transportation goals, such as safety and efficiency.
Alternative Modes refer to transportation modes that are alternative</… #
Alternative Modes refer to transportation modes that are alternative to personal vehicles, related terms include public transportation, walking, and bicycling, alternative modes are often promoted as a way to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, examples of alternative modes include buses, trains, and subways, practical applications of alternative modes include the use of congestion pricing to encourage the use of alternative modes, and the development of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure to support walking and bicycling, challenges to alternative modes include the need for significant investments in infrastructure and the need to overcome cultural and social barriers to the use of alternative modes.
Asset Management refers to the process of managing and maintain… #
Asset Management refers to the process of managing and maintaining transportation assets, such as roads, bridges, and public transportation systems, related terms include infrastructure management and maintenance planning, the goal of asset management is to ensure that transportation systems are safe, reliable, and efficient, examples of asset management include the use of condition assessment tools to evaluate the condition of transportation assets, and the development of maintenance plans to ensure that transportation systems are properly maintained, practical applications of asset management include the use of asset management software to track and manage transportation assets, and the implementation of predictive maintenance techniques to reduce the need for reactive repairs, challenges to asset management include the need for significant investments in infrastructure and the need to balance short-term needs with long-term goals.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning refers to the process of planning … #
Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning refers to the process of planning and designing transportation systems that accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians, related terms include walking and cycling infrastructure, the goal of bicycle and pedestrian planning is to create safe and convenient transportation options for bicyclists and pedestrians, examples of bicycle and pedestrian planning include the development of bicycle lanes and pedestrian paths, and the implementation of traffic calming measures to reduce speeds and improve safety, practical applications of bicycle and pedestrian planning include the use of bicycle and pedestrian plans to guide the development of walking and cycling infrastructure, and the implementation of public education campaigns to promote walking and cycling as safe and convenient transportation options, challenges to bicycle and pedestrian planning include the need to balance the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians with the needs of motorists and other users of the transportation system.
Capacity refers to the ability of a transportation system to ha… #
Capacity refers to the ability of a transportation system to handle a certain volume of traffic, related terms include volume to capacity ratio and level of service, the goal of capacity planning is to ensure that transportation systems have sufficient capacity to meet demand, examples of capacity planning include the use of traffic models to estimate traffic volumes and the development of capacity expansion plans to increase the capacity of transportation systems, practical applications of capacity planning include the use of intelligent transportation systems to manage traffic flow and reduce congestion, and the implementation of traffic management strategies to optimize the use of existing capacity, challenges to capacity planning include the need to balance short-term needs with long-term goals and the need to consider the environmental and social impacts of capacity expansion.
Community Engagement refers to the process of engaging with com… #
Community Engagement refers to the process of engaging with communities to inform and involve them in transportation planning and decision-making, related terms include public participation and stakeholder engagement, the goal of community engagement is to ensure that transportation plans and projects meet the needs and expectations of the community, examples of community engagement include the use of public meetings and surveys to gather input from the community, and the development of community outreach plans to inform and involve underserved communities, practical applications of community engagement include the use of social media to engage with the community and the implementation of participatory budgeting processes to involve the community in transportation decision-making, challenges to community engagement include the need to balance the needs and expectations of different stakeholders and the need to ensure that community engagement is inclusive and representative of the community.
Congestion Management refers to the process of managing and red… #
Congestion Management refers to the process of managing and reducing traffic congestion, related terms include traffic management and congestion mitigation, the goal of congestion management is to reduce the negative impacts of traffic congestion, such as delay and pollution, examples of congestion management include the use of intelligent transportation systems to manage traffic flow and the implementation of congestion pricing to discourage travel during peak hours, practical applications of congestion management include the use of real-time traffic information to inform travelers of traffic conditions and the implementation of carpool and ride-sharing programs to reduce the number of vehicles on the road, challenges to congestion management include the need to balance short-term needs with long-term goals and the need to consider the equity and environmental impacts of congestion management strategies.
Data #
Driven Decision Making refers to the process of using data and analysis to inform and support transportation decision-making, related terms include data analytics and performance measurement, the goal of data-driven decision making is to ensure that transportation plans and projects are based on sound analysis and data, examples of data-driven decision making include the use of traffic counts and travel surveys to inform transportation planning, and the development of performance measures to evaluate the effectiveness of transportation plans and projects, practical applications of data-driven decision making include the use of geographic information systems to analyze and visualize transportation data, and the implementation of data-driven performance management systems to track and evaluate transportation performance, challenges to data-driven decision making include the need to ensure that data is accurate and reliable and the need to consider the limits and biases of data and analysis.
Demand Management refers to the process of managing and influen… #
Demand Management refers to the process of managing and influencing travel demand to reduce traffic congestion and other negative impacts of travel, related terms include travel demand management and transportation demand management, the goal of demand management is to reduce the negative impacts of travel while still providing access to destinations and opportunities, examples of demand management include the use of congestion pricing to discourage travel during peak hours and the implementation of carpool and ride-sharing programs to reduce the number of vehicles on the road, practical applications of demand management include the use of travel surveys to understand travel behavior and the implementation of transportation management associations to coordinate transportation options and reduce traffic congestion, challenges to demand management include the need to balance short-term needs with long-term goals and the need to consider the equity and environmental impacts of demand management strategies.
Environmental Impact Assessment refers to the process of assessing … #
Environmental Impact Assessment refers to the process of assessing and mitigating the environmental impacts of transportation plans and projects, related terms include environmental impact statement and sustainability assessment, the goal of environmental impact assessment is to ensure that transportation plans and projects are environmentally sustainable and do not harm the environment, examples of environmental impact assessment include the use of environmental impact statements to assess the environmental impacts of transportation plans and projects, and the implementation of mitigation measures to reduce the environmental impacts of transportation plans and projects, practical applications of environmental impact assessment include the use of life-cycle assessment to evaluate the environmental impacts of transportation plans and projects over their entire life-cycle, and the implementation of sustainable transportation systems to reduce the environmental impacts of transportation, challenges to environmental impact assessment include the need to balance environmental protection with other transportation goals, such as safety and efficiency, and the need to consider the uncertainties and complexities of environmental systems.
Equity refers to the principle of fairness and justice in t… #
Equity refers to the principle of fairness and justice in the distribution of transportation benefits and costs, related terms include social justice and environmental justice, the goal of equity is to ensure that transportation plans and projects are fair and just and do not disproportionately burrden or benefit any particular group of people, examples of equity include the use of equity analysis to assess the distribution of transportation benefits and costs, and the implementation of equity-based transportation planning to ensure that transportation plans and projects are fair and just, practical applications of equity include the use of participatory budgeting processes to involve communities in transportation decision-making and the implementation of equity-based transportation policies to ensure that transportation plans and projects are fair and just, challenges to equity include the need to balance competing interests and values and the need to consider the complexities and uncertainties of social and environmental systems.
Freight Planning refers to the process of planning and managing… #
Freight Planning refers to the process of planning and managing freight transportation systems, related terms include goods movement and supply chain management, the goal of freight planning is to ensure that freight transportation systems are efficient, reliable, and safe, examples of freight planning include the use of freight models to analyze and predict freight flows, and the implementation of freight-friendly infrastructure to support the movement of goods, practical applications of freight planning include the use of intermodal transportation systems to improve the efficiency of freight transportation and the implementation of freight management systems to track and manage freight shipments, challenges to freight planning include the need to balance competing interests and values and the need to consider the complexities and uncertainties of global supply chains.
Governance refers to the process of exercising authority an… #
Governance refers to the process of exercising authority and control over transportation systems, related terms include policy making and decision-making, the goal of governance is to ensure that transportation systems are safe, efficient, and equitable, examples of governance include the use of transportation policies to guide transportation planning and the implementation of governance structures to oversee and manage transportation systems, practical applications of governance include the use of public-private partnerships to finance and deliver transportation projects and the implementation of regulatory frameworks to ensure compliance with transportation policies and regulations, challenges to governance include the need to balance competing interests and values and the need to consider the complexities and uncertainties of transportation systems.
Infrastructure refers to the physical components of transportat… #
Infrastructure refers to the physical components of transportation systems, such as roads, bridges, and public transportation systems, related terms include capital assets and physical infrastructure, the goal of infrastructure planning is to ensure that transportation systems have the capacity and condition to support transportation demands, examples of infrastructure planning include the use of infrastructure management systems to track and manage infrastructure assets, and the implementation of infrastructure investment plans to improve the condition and capacity of transportation systems, practical applications of infrastructure planning include the use of asset management software to manage and maintain infrastructure assets and the implementation of public-private partnerships to finance and deliver infrastructure projects, challenges to infrastructure planning include the need to balance short-term needs with long-term goals and the need to consider the complexities and uncertainties of infrastructure systems.
Intelligent Transportation Systems refer to the use of advanced techno… #
Intelligent Transportation Systems refer to the use of advanced technologies to improve the efficiency, safety, and equity of transportation systems, related terms include information technologies and communication technologies, the goal of intelligent transportation systems is to optimize the performance of transportation systems and to improve the travel experience, examples of intelligent transportation systems include the use of traffic management systems to manage traffic flow and reduce congestion, and the implementation of public transportation systems to provide efficient and reliable transportation options, practical applications of intelligent transportation systems include the use of real-time traffic information to inform travelers of traffic conditions and the implementation of autonomous vehicles to improve safety and reduce congestion, challenges to intelligent transportation systems include the need to balance short-term needs with long-term goals and the need to consider the complexities and uncertainties of technological systems.
Land Use Planning refers to the process of planning and managin… #
Land Use Planning refers to the process of planning and managing the use of land to support transportation systems and to promote sustainable development, related terms include urban planning and regional planning, the goal of land use planning is to ensure that land use patterns support transportation systems and promote sustainable development, examples of land use planning include the use of land use plans to guide development and the implementation of zoning regulations to control land use patterns, practical applications of land use planning include the use of transit-oriented development to promote compact and walkable communities and the implementation of mixed-use development to reduce the need for personal vehicles, challenges to land use planning include the need to balance competing interests and values and the need to consider the complexities and uncertainties of land use systems.
Mobility refers to the ability of people and goods to mo… #
Mobility refers to the ability of people and goods to move freely and safely, related terms include access and transportation, the goal of mobility planning is to ensure that transportation systems provide safe and efficient mobility options for all users, examples of mobility planning include the use of mobility plans to guide transportation planning and the implementation of mobility-friendly infrastructure to support walking, bicycling, and other forms of non-motorized transportation, practical applications of mobility planning include the use of shared-mobility services to provide affordable and convenient mobility options and the implementation of mobility-as-a-service platforms to integrate public, private, and shared transportation options, challenges to mobility planning include the need to balance competing interests and values and the need to consider the complexities and uncertainties of transportation systems.
Multimodal Planning refers to the process of planning and manag… #
Multimodal Planning refers to the process of planning and managing transportation systems that accommodate multiple modes of transportation, such as walking, bicycling, and public transportation, related terms include intermodal transportation and multimodal transportation, the goal of multimodal planning is to provide safe, efficient, and convenient transportation options for all users, examples of multimodal planning include the use of multimodal transportation plans to guide transportation planning and the implementation of multimodal-friendly infrastructure to support walking, bicycling, and other forms of non-motorized transportation, practical applications of multimodal planning include the use of multimodal transportation hubs to integrate public, private, and shared transportation options and the implementation of multimodal transportation systems to provide seamless and convenient travel options, challenges to multimodal planning include the need to balance competing interests and values and the need to consider the complexities and uncertainties of transportation systems.