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GLOSSARY OF TERMS Agency Coordination - Refers to the process whereby any state or federal agency contacts, consults and maintains communication with various public and environmental resource agencies as opportunity to review and comment on specific proposals (i.e. new transportation projects or private development). Alternative - One of a number of specific improvement proposals, alignments, options, design choices, etc. in a study. Following detailed analysis (including evaluation of the potential environmental impacts), one improvement alternative is chosen for implementation. Average Daily Traffic (ADT) - The average number of vehicles that pass a point each day averaged over a specific period of time. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) - An agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation responsible for carrying out federal highway and transportation mandates through a network of regional offices and a Division Office in each state. Visit http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ to learn more about FHWA. Federal Transit Administration (FTA) - A component of the U.S. Department of Transportation tasked with administering the federal transit program. Implementation Committee for Thru the Valley - The Implementation Committee was established by ODOT at the beginning of the project and meets on a regular basis. One or two representatives from each organization or governmental agency within the project area were asked to serve on the committee. This committee plays a vital role in keeping the public informed and collecting public input as the project progresses. Level of Service (LOS) - A qualitative measure describing a range of traffic operating conditions such as travel speed and time, freedom to maneuver, traffic interruptions, and comfort and convenience as experienced and perceived by motorists and passengers. Six levels are defined from A to F, with A representing the best range of conditions and F the worst. Major Investment Study (MIS) - Is a subset of the more comprehensive metropolitan transportation system planning process. An MIS is conducted when it is determined that there is a need to address transportation needs on a corridor or subarea scale using more focused analyses to help decision-makers understand the options for addressing corridor- or subarea-level transportation problems. The intent is to provide the MPO, the state DOT, transit operators, and other local decision-makers with more comprehensive corridor and/or subarea technical analysis early in the transportation decision-making process. An MIS is required in a metropolitan area, where the need to consider a major transportation investment is identified, and where federal funds are potentially involved. Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) - According to the U.S. Code, the organization designated by the governor and local elected officials as responsible, together with the state, for transportation planning in an urbanized area. It serves as the forum for cooperative decision making by principal elected officials of general local government. (See OKI) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 1969 - This federal legislation requires states to document the environmental impacts of transportation projects. The NEPA process is enforced by regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). North South Transportation Initiative - The NSTI, which wrapped up in October 2003, included a massive transportation study of 85 miles of the I-75 corridor, from the Ohio River to the City of Piqua in Miami County. Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) - (DOT) A state agency responsible for transportation. ODOT's mission is to provide a world-class transportation system that links Ohio to a global economy while preserving the state's unique character and enhancing its quality of life. Visit http://www.dot.state.oh.us to learn more about ODOT. Ohio·Kentucky·Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI) - A local council of governments, business organizations and community groups committed to developing collaborative strategies, plans and programs to improve the quality of life and economic development of the Tri-state. OKI serves as the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for the Cincinnati area. Visit http://www.oki.org to learn more about OKI. Preliminary Engineering (PE) - That portion of the development of a project during which the basic planning objectives are translated into specific, well defined criteria that can permit the final design process to begin. Alternatives are developed and evaluated at this stage. Public Meeting - An announced meeting conducted by transportation officials that is designed to facilitate public participation in the decision-making process and to assist the public in gaining an informed view of a proposed project during the Project Development Process. Regulatory Agency - An agency empowered to issue permits or recommend approval or denial of a permit or action. Resource Agencies - Those agencies involved with review of technical environmental documents/reports generated for proposed development projects. These agencies are OEPA, USEPA, US Forrest and Wildlife Service, US Army Corps of Engineers and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Right-of-Way - Land, property or interest therein acquired for and devoted to transportation purposes such as construction, maintenance, operations and facility protection. Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) - Established in 1997 by the Ohio General Assembly as a permanent body to oversee the Major/New Project selection process at ODOT. The TRAC has the authority to select new construction projects, to modify the selection process and to hear appeals from the public concerning Major/New projects and the project selection process. The TRAC consists of nine members; six members appointed by the Governor, one appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one appointed by the President of the Ohio Senate, and the final member and TRAC Chair is the Director of ODOT. Transportation System Management (TSM) - That part of the urban transportation planning process undertaken to improve the efficiency of the existing transportation system. The intent is to make better use of the existing transportation by using short-term, low-capital transportation improvements that generally cost less and can be implemented more quickly than system development actions. Utility Clearance - Before construction projects can proceed the right-of-way must be cleared of affected utilities or the utilities must be scheduled for relocation/ abandonment. This is typically accomplished through the certification of right-of-way. Wetlands - Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence or vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas and are regulated by U.S. EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
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