Bus, Trolley- An electric, rubber-tired transit vehicle, manually steered, propelled by a motor drawing
current through overhead wires from a central power source not on board the vehicle. Also known as
"trolley coach" or "trackless trolley."
Bus Lane- A street or highway lane intended primarily for buses, either all day or during specified
periods, but sometimes also used by carpools meeting the requirements set out in traffic laws.
Bus Shelter- A building or other structure constructed near a bus stop for the convenience of waiting
passengers to provide seating and protection from the weather.
Bus Stop- A place where passengers can board or
alight from the bus, usually identified by a sign.
Busway- (See HOV Lane) Exclusive freeway lane for buses and carpools.
Clean Air Act (CAA)- Federal legislation that requires each State with areas that have not met federal air
quality standards to prepare a State Implementation Plan (SIP). The sweeping 1990 amendments to the
CAA established new air quality requirements for the development of metropolitan transportation plans
and programs. The California Clean Air Act (CCAA) sets even tougher State goals.
CAAA - Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990- Also known as the FCAA Federal legislation that sets
national air quality standards; requires each state with areas that have not met federal air quality
standards to prepare a SIP. The sweeping 1990 amendments to the CAA, sometimes referred to as
CAAA, established new air quality requirements for the development of metropolitan transportation
plans and programs.
Cable Car- An electric railway operating in mixed street traffic with unpowered, individually controlled
transit vehicles propelled by moving cables located below the street surface and powered by engines or
motors at a central location not on board the vehicle.
Caltrans – State of California Department of Transportation- The state agency that operates and
maintains California's state-owned transportation facilities.
Capacity- A transportation facility’s ability to accommodate a moving stream of people or vehicles in a
given time period.
Capital Assistance- Financial assistance for transit capital expenses (not operating costs); such aid may
originate with federal, local, or state governments.
Capital Costs- Costs of long-term assets such as property,
infrastructure, buildings,
vehicles, etc.
Capital Revenues- Monies dedicated for new projects to cover one-time costs, such as construction of
roads, transit lines and facilities, or purchase of buses and rail cars.
CARB - California Air Resources Board- See ARB.
Carpool- An arrangement where two or more people share the use and cost of privately owned
automobiles in traveling to and from pre-arranged destinations together.
Categorical exemption- An exemption from CEQA (see below) for a class of projects based on a finding
by the Secretary for Resources that the class of projects does not have a significant effect on the
environment.
CBD - Central Business District- The downtown retail trade and commercial area of a city or an area of
very high land valuation, traffic flow, and concentration of retail business offices, theaters, hotels, and
services.
CEQA - California Environmental Quality Act of 1970- The California Environmental Quality Act,
California Public Resources Code Sections 21000 et seq.
Charter Bus- See "Bus, Charter".
CHP - California Highway Patrol- State law enforcement agency responsible for highway safety, among
other things.
CIP - capital improvement program- The CIP is a mechanism for prioritizing and funding city-sponsored
projects with an estimated cost that exceeds $50,000. Typical CIP projects include
construction/reconstruction of street, water, and sewer systems; technology infrastructure; and public
parks, libraries, community centers, etc. The program also includes streetscape projects, installation of
street lights and traffic signals, and the City’s Neighborhood Traffic Management Program.
Circulator Bus- See "Bus, Circulator".
Congestion Management Agency (CMA)- The agency responsible for developing the Congestion
Management Program and coordinating and monitoring its implementation.
CMAQ - Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program- Money contained in ISTEA for projects and
activities that reduce congestion and improve air quality in regions that have not yet attained federal air
quality standards.
CMP - Congestion Management Program- Required of every county in California with a population of
50,000 or more (including all of the SCAG 6-County area) in order to qualify for certain state and federal
funds. The CMP requires annual development reporting and biennial data collection at designated
intersections and roadway segments., The CMP sets performance standards for roads and public transit,
and requires local jurisdictions to employ measures to meet those standards.
CMS- (1) Congestion management systems. (2) Changeable message signs provide travelers with real-
time information about traffic accidents, special events, and construction activities on the route ahead.
CMS is also used to direct traffic to specific routes or parking facilities.
CNG - Compressed Natural Gas- A clean-burning alternative fuel for vehicles.
COG - Council of Governments- A voluntary organization of local governments that strives for
comprehensive, regional planning.
COLA - Cost-of-Living Allowance- An increase or decrease in employees' wages or salaries made on the
basis of changes in agreed-upon economic indices, usually the Consumer Price Index.
Collective Bargaining- Negotiations between labor union representatives and employers to reach
agreement on a contract describing such matters as wages, hours, and working conditions.
Collector Road- A thoroughfare that provides a less highly developed level of service at a lower speed
for shorter distances than a Major Avenue, by collecting traffic from local roads and connecting them
with arterials. Collectors specifically balance vehicle mobility and land access.
Commitment- See "Obligation".
Commuter- A person who travels regularly between home and work or school.
Commuter Rail- See "Rail, Commuter".
Complete Streets- A policy for the design and operation of thoroughfares enabling safe access for all
users. By adopting a complete streets policy, communities direct their transportation planners and