| Keyword |
Definition |
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Objectives |
Specific, measurable statements related to the attainment of goals. |
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Obligation |
The Federal government's legal commitment (promise) to pay or reimburse the States or other entities for the Federal share of a project's eligible costs. |
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Obligation Limitation |
A restriction, or "ceiling" on the amount of Federal assistance that may be promised (obligated) during a specified time period. This is a statuatory budgetary control that does not affect the apportionment or allocation of funds. Rather, it controls the rate at which these funds may be used. |
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Obligational Authority (OA)
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The total amount of funds that may be obligated in a year. For the Federal-Aid Highway Program this is comprised of the obligation limitation amount plus amounts for programs exempt from the limitation. |
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Occupancy |
The number of persons, including driver and passenger(s) in a vehicle. Nationwide Personal Transportation Survey (NPTS) occupancy rates are generally calculated as person miles divided by vehicle miles. (FHWA3) |
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Occupant |
Any person who is in or upon a motor vehicle in transport. Includes the driver, passengers, and persons riding on the exterior of a motor vehicle (e.g., a skateboard rider who is set in motion by holding onto a vehicle). (NHTSA3) |
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Occupant (Highway) |
Any person in or on a motor vehicle in transport. Includes the driver, passengers, and persons riding on the exterior of a motor vehicle (e.g., a skateboard rider holding onto a moving vehicle). Excludes occupants of parked cars unless they are double parked or motionless on the roadway. |
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Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
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OMB's predominant mission is to assist the President in overseeing the preparation of the federal budget and to supervise its administration in Executive Branch agencies. In helping to formulate the President's spending plans, OMB evaluates the effectiveness of agency programs, policies, and procedures, assesses competing funding demands among agencies, and sets funding priorities. OMB ensures that agency reports, rules, testimony, and proposed legislation are consistent with the President's Budget and with Administration policies.
In addition, OMB oversees and coordinates the Administration's procurement, financial management, information, and regulatory policies. In each of these areas, OMB's role is to help improve administrative management, to develop better performance measures and coordinating mechanisms, and to reduce any unnecessary burdens on the public. |
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Other 2-Axle 4-Tire Vehicles (Truck) |
Includes vans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. |
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Other Freeways And Expressways (Highway) |
All urban principal arterials with limited access but not part of the Interstate system. |
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Other Principal Arterials (Highway) |
Major streets or highways, many of multi-lane or freeway design, serving high-volume traffic corridor movements that connect major generators of travel. |
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Other Revenue Vehicles (Transit) |
Other revenue-generating modes of transit service, such as cable cars, personal rapid transit systems, monorail vehicles, inclined and railway cars, not covered otherwise. |
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Outlays |
Actual cash (or electronic transfer) payments made to the States or other entities. Outlays are provided as reimbursement for the Federal share for approved highway program activities. |
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Oxygenated gasoline |
Gasoline enriched with oxygen bearing liquids to reduce CO production by permitting more complete combustion. |
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Oxygenates |
Any substance that when added to motor gasoline increases the amount of oxygen in that gasoline blend. Includes oxygen-bearing compounds such as ethanol, methanol, and methyl-tertiary-butyl-ether. Oxygenated fuel tends to give a more complete combustion of carbon into carbon dioxide (rather than monoxide), thereby reducing air pollution from exhaust emissions. |
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Ozone 03 |
Ozone is a colorless gas with a sweet odor. Ozone is not a direct emission from transportation sources. It is a secondary pollutant formed when VOCs and NOx combine in the presence of sunlight. Ozone is associated with smog or haze conditions. Although the ozone in the upper atmosphere protects us from harmful ultraviolet rays, ground-level ozone produces an unhealthy environment in which to live. Ozone is created by human and natural sources. |
