Travel Plan Glossary

The Rare Spark Team prides itself on being at the cutting edge of the commuter transport industry. In many ways the industry is constantly developing in response to the requirements of government at all levels. Travel plan professionals themselves continue to develop the industry, techniques and terminology.

We have developed a short glossary of terms which are commonplace within the commuter transport industry. The list is not exhaustive and it is hoped that it will continue to be developed in the future as the industry grows.

• Agenda 21 - Agenda 21 is a comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by organisations of the United Nations System, Governments, and Major Groups in every area in which human impacts on the environment. Further information click here.
• Carshare - Two or more individuals sharing their journey by car. Also known as Carpool.
• Commuter - An individual who commutes to and from their place of work.
• Commuting - The process by which individuals travel to and from their home and their place of work.
• Congestion - The restriction of traffic flow due to the volume of vehicles using an urban area or other part of the road network.
• Congestion Charging - Fee charged to vehicle users for taking their vehicle into a restricted area. Congestion charging may be implemented with a view to discouraging vehicle use within a certain area therefore reducing congestion.
• Department for Transport (DfT) - The department of the government in the UK responsible for developing transport policy on a national level. DfT Website
• GPS (Global Positioning System) - Using a series of satellites in orbit around the earth it is possible to determine the exact location of a GPS receiver. The GPS system is used in the implementation of in car satellite navigation.
• Green Travel - An all encompassing term for any mode of transport with limited or no environmental impact.
• Highways Agency - The executive agency of the Department for Transport which is responsible for the development, maintenance and operation of Motorways and Trunk Roads in the UK. Highways Agency Website
• Integrated transport - The integration of transport modes in order to provide easier interchange between modes of transport and therefore making it easier for the passenger.
• Interchanges - The locations were transport modes meet and passengers can change modes or services.
• Light Rail - Mass transit system which is segregated from other traffic for the majority of its route. Unlike trams which merge with traffic for the majority of their route.
• Local Authority - Regional government responsible for the implementation of national and local government policy on a variety of civil issues.
• Local Transport Plan - A Transport Policy document for a defined area.
• Mass Transit System - The means of moving large numbers of passengers over short to medium distances by the most efficient means possible.
• Modal Shift - The change in modal split over a period of time.
• Modal Split - The proportion of individuals who use each mode of transport as part of their journey. Usually measured by means of a survey, each mode is shown as a percentage, the modal split is usually illustrated as a pie chart.
• Motorway - Major distribution roads providing a network for vehicle travel through the UK.
• Multi-Modal Study - Government studies undertaken in specific areas to measure current transport trends and investigate future development and solutions to various transport related issues.
• Network Rail - The company that operates, maintains and renews Britain's rail infrastructure. Network Rail Website
• Park and Rail - Remote parking for visitors to a specific location, trains are used to transport visitor for the final leg of their journey.
• Park and Ride - Remote parking for visitors to a specific location, shuttle buses are used to transport visitor for the final leg of their journey. Often used in towns and cities to reduce the number of vehicles entering the area whilst maintaining the number of visitors.
• Pollution - The undesirable state of the natural environment being contaminated with harmful substances as a consequence of human activities.
• Public Transport - Any form of transportation which is not personally owned by the user i.e. bus, train & light rail.
• Section 106 Agreements - Section 106 Agreements can be used to add conditions to development where it is not appropriate to use a condition in the planning permission. They also enable the Local Authority to secure provision or improvement of existing infrastructure necessary to meet the needs of the occupiers or users of new development. This is done by way of land or finance contributions.
• Sustainable Transport - Modes of transport which have limited or no environmental impact.
• Toll Roads - Sections of road which may be used by drivers for a fee.
• Traffic Calming - Physical measures which are designed to reduce traffic speed in urban and residential areas.
• Trams - Mass transit system which is not segregated from other traffic for the majority of its route. Unlike light rail systems which are segregated from traffic for the majority of their route.
• Transport for London (TfL) - TfL is the integrated body responsible for the capital's transport system. Its role is to implement the Mayor's Transport Strategy for London and manage the transport services across the capital for which the Mayor has responsibility. TfL Website
• Travel Behaviour - Individual travel habits such as selection of mode used for a particular journey.
• Travel Plan - A package of measures and initiatives with the aim of reducing the number of car journeys made by people travelling to and from a site by providing them with greater choice.
• Workplace Parking Charges - A means of charging organisations and individuals for parking vehicles at a place of work.

This is a constantly expanding list of industry terms and we are always open to new additions – please e-mail us with suggestions.