The current UK Transport Policy Document, describing the government's vision for the UK's national transport network over the next 10-20 years.
The government's roads policy document prior to publication of the 10 year plan.
Legislation emitting from the 1992 Rio de Janeiro earth summit requiring national governments to consider transport planning in the context of sustainability.
Mechanism used to establish whether a particular transport scheme should be constructed, when evaluated against various criteria. The government uses the 5-point NATA (New Approach to Appraisal).
Summary of results from appraisal of a particular transport scheme in tabular form to allow analysis and easy comparison with other schemes.
The publicly-owned UK railway. Was privatised in 1994 and split into Railtrack, who own the stations and track, and train operating companies who own the trains.
The 1963 'Traffic in Towns' Report into urban transport, with particular consideration given to roads.
Road built to divert traffic away from built-up areas. Can range from a 1km local diversion to something like the M25, which is in effect a London bypass.
Ideology that one's life and activities has grown and evolves around using the car rather than public transport.
Positive incentives and negative detractors to, use of a particular type of transport method.
Varying descriptions. Ask Mr Askew for the best one!
Frequently used as an appraisal method.
The use of a car (excluding taxi) to get to/from work or school.
A very subjective term; no universal definition - interpreted differently by different people. Generally means traffic not able to flow freely, with speed only subject to speed limit.
Form of road-user charging, used as a tactic to reduce traffic congestion in certain areas by making the motorist pay for contributing to congestion.
Key UK infrastructure project and the first new railway to be built in the UK for over 100 years. Large-scale civil engineering and transport work involved.
[Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions/Transport, Local Government and the Regions]
The UK Government department responsible for creation and implementation of all aspects of transport policy. Re-grouped and renamed by successive governments.
Removal of restrictions and barriers to competition in UK transport sectors, much occurrence in the 1980s.
Widening an existing single carriageway to dual 2,3 or 4 lanes. Nearly always an'on-line' improvement rather than an alternative route.
Physical surroundings/conditions, including the atmosphere; often categorised as built or natural environment.
Document outlining, in summary form, the impact a proposed [road] scheme will have on the environment and what mitigating measures have been used to protect it.
Guidance on the Methodology for Multi-Modal Studies – similar to NATA, outlines the objectives that multi-modal studies should embody.
Body of elected people who have responsibility for running the country and ensuring safety and welfare of the population.
Government organisation responsible for producing research and reports, and forming government policy relating to a specific area (Eg. Transport, Health). Headed by a Minister of State and other (junior) ministers, who usually are MPs.
Network of satellites orbiting the earth that can provide a user with geographical location information.
Any method of travel that is 'environmentally friendly' in terms of emissions and sustainability.
An executive agency of the DTLR that has responsibility for the UK's motorway and trunk road network, in terms of operation, maintenance and improvements to it.
A phenomenon that many academics suggest occurs when a new road is built. Simply if a new road is built, then more cars will take to the road to fill it. However critics continue to argue the truthfulness of this theory.
The support network for transport of information, utilities and people, that is telephone cables, sewers, roads and railways, for example.
The amalgamation of transport sectors to create a smoother travelling experience for the customer.
Linked with integration; the location where different modes of transport meet.
The use of technology to aid journeys for travellers via all modes of transport.
Term describing how land area is divided into different purposes, for example living, working, transportation.
A form of mass rapid transit which is a mix of bus and train. Versatile and environmentally friendly.
Branch of central government which has delegated powers for a local area, in many departments.
Transport policy document for a local area.
Overall term for ways of moving large numbers of people between short-medium length journeys in as efficient a way as possible.
Overall movement of people from one form of transport to another for a particular journey. Usually applies to car-bus or car-train situations.
Purpose-built, high-speed road designed to take long distance traffic throughout the UK.
Study commissioned by the government to examine, and find solutions to, problems relating to transport problems within a particular area.
The New Approach to Appraisal – appraisal used by the government to assess road/transport schemes.
Company in charge of maintaining, improving and upgrading every aspect of the railway infrastructure, including the track, signalling systems, bridges and stations. Railtrack was taken over by Network Rail in 2002.
System of town/city centre car parking where cars are parked remotely and passengers take shuttle buses into the town.
Environmental contamination. An important consideration in the context of sustainable transport, relating to air/noise pollution.
The earliest, and perhaps most destructive road transport policy in the UK, whereby traffic levels were forecast, and capacity provided to meet this forecast.
A Forum to which members of the general public can make their views known on a transport, or indeed any building project. Decision on scheme often made based on what has been mentioned in a public enquiry.
Any form of transport which is not owned by the person who is using it. Basically, anything apart from a car or bicycle.
Local shortcuts used by motorists to avoid traffic congestion, queues and junctions.
The renewal/improvement of previously developed areas that have become economically/environmentally depressed; most often used in the context of reviving economically deprived urban areas.
Any form of enhancement to an existing road but usually means a new section of an established route, to avoid, for example, tight bends and side-roads.
Idea relating to charging road users for their use of a road. Can have many motives behind it.
Important in urban area particularly, but related to ideas making a road safer for all its users: motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
The on-going 'waiting list' for road construction projects in the UK. Has been in existence since the 1950s and has changed dramatically in size and value over 50 years.
Usually means adding an extra lane to a motorway or existing dual carriageway road.
Independent body that advises government on all matters relating to road transport.
Technique such as GPS, used to calculate position of an object on the Earth.
1964 Report on ways to reduce traffic congestion. Mention of road pricing.
The SRA provides overall strategic management and leadership for Britain's railways, lets and manages the Train Operating Companies' contracts, and develops and sponsors major infrastructure projects.
Defined as the need to enhance the environment, but at the same time protect it for the future. The 'capacity for continuance.'
Ways and methods of travelling which do not have significant impact on the environment, often by definition, not including car use.
Any physical measure to reduce traffic speed in urban areas, e.g. road humps.
Projected figures of traffic flow at any point in the future. Either used to plan for extra capacity, or appraise existing capacity.
Older terms relating to light rail, but still remain types of mass rapid transit.
Established journeys between two places are made in a corridor, by various forms of transport. For example in the London-Manchester corridor, one could make a journey by road, rail, or air.
Transport for London (TfL) is the integrated body responsible for London's transport system. Its role is to implement the London Mayor's Transport Strategy, and manage the transport services across the capital for which the Mayor has responsibility.
Exactly as it says, the policies and ideas by which all transport systems are planned!
A cross-party group of MPs charged by the House of Commons to examine the expenditure, administration and policy of the Department for Transport and its associated public bodies.
Personal habits of travel, the choice of which mode of transport to use for a particular journey.
A document produced by a company or organisation which outlines measures to reduce reliance on the car as a means of getting to work, and instead promotion of more environmentally friendly methods.
Road of national importance, linking towns and cities. Varies heavily in standard from single lane to dual 4-lane carriageway.
A term meaning a run-down area suffering from economic decline which has a negative image to outsiders.
Motorway in an urban area, characterised by elevated sections, flyovers and underpasses.
Usually a gantry- or post-mounted sign providing information to the road user about traffic conditions ahead, etc
A document describing current government policy in a certain area.
The idea of making employees pay to park their cars at work, in an effort to make them use alternative methods of transport.
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Transport Issues
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