【正文】 rail, streetcar, trolley car, and tramway. MMajor Investment Study (MIS) A study and resulting document which replaced Feasibility Studies under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) for major improvement projects involving significant Federal funds. A MIS includes the study of factors that may justify a proposed project such as it39。s cost effectiveness and overall effectiveness and incorporation of intermodal transportation. Measures Of Effectiveness are defined and calculated as part of the MIS. The MIS also requires consideration of other transportation modes as well as broader public and agency input. Measures Of Effectiveness (MOE) MOE include: average vehicle speed, vehicle stops, delays, vehiclehours of travel, vehiclemiles of travel, fuel consumption and pollutant emissions. MOE provide insight into the effects on the traffic stream of the applied improvement strategy. Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) An association of local agencies established for mutual benefit and to help coordinate planning and development activities within a metropolitan region. Establishment of the MPO is required by law in urban areas of over 50,000 population if federal funds are to be used. The MPO consists of two groups. 1) The Policy board is prised of officials representing the counties, cities, and state agency. 2) The technical advisory group consists of professional planners and engineers who are usually employees of the same agencies. The MPO is not a level of government. However, the MPO has effective control over transportation improvements within the area since a project must be a part of the MPO39。s adopted plan in order to receive federal funding. NNational Highway System (NHS) The NHS is one of the three major ponents of the 1991 Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act. A major new Federalaid system was established in the NHS. It includes the Interstate System, other routes identified as having strategic defense characteristics, routes providing access to major ports, airports, public transportation and intermodal transportation facilities and, of particular significance to local governments, and many principal urban and rural arterials which provide regional service. National Transportation System (NTS) An intermodal system consisting of all forms of transportation in a unified, interconnected manner to reduce energy consumptions and air pollution while promoting economic development and supporting the Nation39。s preeminent position in international merce. The NTS includes the National Highway System, public transportation and access to ports and airports. Nonattainment areas These are geographical areas, defined by the Environmental Protection Agency, whose air quality does not meet Federal air quality standards designed to protect public health. North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) A formal agreement, or treaty, between Canada, Mexico, and the United States of America to promote means for improved and increased free trade between the three countries. The affect of NAFTA on transportation was to increase the need to upgrade existing, and build new, transportation facilities between and within the countries. Notice Of Intent (NOI) A notice that is prepared to inform the public that an Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared for a project. PPark and Pool (Pamp。P) Similar to Park and Ride, excepts motorists leave their individual vehicles and plete their trip in a car pool or HOV other than a mass transit vehicle. Park and Ride (Pamp。R) Pamp。R lots are designed to intercept automobiles at outlying locations along transitway corridors (. bus routes). These facilities have been very successful in Texas. Peak Hour Factor (PHF) The PHF is a ratio of the total hourly traffic volume to the maximum 15minute traffic rate within the hour. PHF represents the flow variation within an hour. Observations consistently show the flow rate found in the peak 15minute period within an hour is not sustained throughout the entire hour. PHFs for multilane highways range from to . Peak Hour Traffic (PHT) Higher traffic volumes occur in the evening and in the morning because of workrelated trips. The evening peak is typically the highest since nonwork related trips are also made in this period. The percentage of Average Daily Traffic (ADT) which occurs in the evening peak hour monly ranges between 7% and 12%. Person Trip A trip by one or more persons in any mode of transportation. Each person is considered as making one person trip. For example, four persons traveling together in one auto make four person trips. Program A list of specific actions to be implemented within an identified time period. RRecord Of Decision (ROD) The final approval of an Environmental Impact Statement issued by the Federal Highway Administration. Right Of Way (ROW) The land (usually a strip) acquired for or devoted to transportation purposes. For example, highway ROW and railroad ROW. SSingleOccupant Vehicle (SOV) A vehicle having only one occupant (usually the vehicle operator!). Social, Economic and Environmental (SEE) The SEE affects of a project are assessed in environmental documents such as a Draft Environmental Impact Statement or Environmental Assessment. Speed There are several speeds. Design speed。 is the maximum safe speed that can be maintained over a specified section of highway when conditions are so favorable that the design features of the highway govern. The design speed of a roadway dictates which geometric design standards are used such as stopping sight distance, radius of curves, and banking (superelevation) of road surfaces. Operating speed。 is the speed at which drivers are observed operating their vehicles. Posted speed。 is the maximum speed limit posted on a section of roadway using a regulatory sign. TxDOT39。s Procedure for Establishing Speed Zones states that the