Glossary of Terms

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.

A person who travels regularly between home and work or school.

Highway congestion results when traffic demand approaches or exceeds the available capacity of the transportation facility(ies).

Roadway improvements directed toward increasing the capacity of the facility either by the addition of new through lanes or new construction.

Highways, rail lines, waterways and other exclusive-use facilities that connect major origin/destination markets within Florida or between Florida and other states/nations.

Electronic signs along the highway that can change the message they display. These help drivers learn about upcoming traffic delays and alternate routes.

A variety of methods used to collect tolls via car-mounted transponders that communicate with tollbooths, deducting tolls from established accounts. ETCs eliminate stopping at tollbooths and digging for coins.

An expressway is a divided highway facility usually having two or more lanes for the exclusive use of traffic in each direction.

The Florida Department of Transportation is FDOT and is responsible for providing a safe transportation system that ensures the mobility of people and goods, enhances economic prosperity and preserves the quality of Florida's environment and communities.

The federal agency responsible for the administration of federal highway funds. FHWA does not have a direct role or responsibilities in the development of urban transportation plans or their development. However, their role is administration of federal funds and in the issuance of policy and procedure timetables for implementation of federal legislative directives is immense.

Any vehicle carrying two or more passengers. The term usually refers to private vehicles.

The coordinated, pre-planned use of human, institutional and mechanical resources to reduce the magnitude of traffic incident related impacts.

This term covers transportation improvements that ordinarily use technology in order to make the existing transportation system work better.

Any unforeseen event that restricts traffic. An incident may be any of the following: traffic accident, stalled vehicle, load spillage, or other action that effects one or more lanes of traffic. An "accident" typically involves a collision of a moving vehicle with another vehicle, person, or object.

MDX is the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority, an independent authority that oversees, operates and maintains five expressways: State Road 924 (Gratigny Parkway), State Road 112 (Airport Expressway), State Road 836 (Dolphin Expressway), State Road 874 (Don Shula Expressway), and State Road 878 (Snapper Creek Expressway).

Public Transportation Transportation by bus, rail, or other conveyance, either publicly or privately owned, which provides to the public general or special service on a regular and continuing basis. Also known as "mass transportation," "mass transit" and "transit".

An organization made up of local elected and appointed officials responsible for developing, in cooperation with the state, transportation plans and programs in metropolitan areas containing 50,000 or more residents. MPOs are responsible for the development of transportation facilities that will function as an intermodal transportation system and the coordination of transportation planning and funding decisions.

Signals on expressway ramps that smooth traffic flow to increase road capacity.

A stranded motorist’s best friend, SunGuide® Road Rangers provide free and reliable roadside assistance 24/7. Road Ranger Service Patrols clear disabled vehicles from travel lanes and keeps traffic moving safely on I-95 and other major highways. At no cost to you, they change tires, give jump-starts, provide gas and offer local calls.

Electronic devices that store information. Other devices can read this information. When placed in cars, transponders can be used for automated toll collection like SunPass.

A commuter rail system in Southeast Florida operated by the Tri-County Commuter Rail Authority between West Palm Beach and Miami.

A form of transportation, other than public transit, in which more than one person shares the use of the vehicle, such as a van or car, to make a trip. Also known as "carpooling" or "vanpooling".

Florida's Intelligent Transportation System that uses modern technology to reduce traffic congestion and give people real-time information about traffic conditions. SunGuide links Intelligent Trasnportation System projects throughout Florida and encourages their growth.

The Florida Department of Transportation's innovative Prepaid Toll Program is called SunPass. SunPass has been implemented across most of Florida's toll roads, saving drivers' time, money, and the hassle of digging for change.