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CFTE Glossary
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National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
Nationwide air quality standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that apply to air outside buildings.
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)
A comprehensive federal law requiring analysis of the environmental impacts of federal actions such as the approval of grants; also requiring preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for every major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.
National Highway System
A proposed transportation system consisting of approximately 155,000 miles of highway in order to provide an interconnected system of principal arterial routes serving major population centers, major transportation facilities, major travel destinations, interstate and interregional travel and meeting national defense requirements. The NHS, defined in the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA), is one component of the National Transportation System (NTS).
National Transit Database (or NTD)
A reporting system, by uniform categories, to accumulate mass transportation financial and operating information and a uniform system of accounts and records. The reporting and uniform systems contain appropriate information to help any level of government make a public-sector investment decision. The U.S. Secretary of Transportation may request and receive appropriate information from any source.
National Transit Resource Center (NTRC)
Provides technical assistance, information and support to the community transportation industry. Most services and materials are available at no charge. Funded in part by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
National Transportation System (NTS)
An intermodal system consisting of all forms of transportation in a unified, interconnected manner to reduce energy consumption and air pollution while promoting economic development and supporting the nation's preeminent position in international commerce. The NTS includes the National Highway System or NHS, public transportation, and access to ports and airports.
Natural gas
A mixture of hydrocarbon compounds and small quantities of various nonhydrocarbons existing in the gaseous phase or in solution with crude oil in natural underground reservoirs.
NBTA
National Bus Traffic Association
NCTRP
National Cooperative Transit Research and Development Program: A program established under Section 6(a) of the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964, as amended, to provide a mechanism by which the principal client groups of the Urban Mass Transportation Association can join cooperatively in an attempt to resolve near-term public transportation problems through applied research, development, testing and evaluation. NCTRP is administered by the national Transportation Research Board.
Neckdown
In land-use and transit planning, the narrowing of a street at an intersection to reduce the width of the roadway. This slows traffic and shortens the distance pedestrians must travel to cross the street.
Neighborhood
In land-use and transit planning, the approximate area between 1/4-mile radius (the core) and 1/2-mile radius from a rail transit station, representing about a 10 to15-minute walk to the station. Also referred to as the "ring."
Neo-traditional Development
A traditional neighborhood, where a mix of different types of residential and commercial developments form a tightly knit unit. Residents can walk or bike to more of the places they need to go and municipal services costs are lower due to the close proximity of residences. A more compact development also reduces the amount of rural land that must be converted to serve urban needs.
Net operating deficit
Total expenses minus total revenue.
Net operating deficit per passenger
An efficiency indicator that denotes the net operating cost per unit (passenger trip), or the subsidy per passenger. Ridership and system operating costs have an impact. For example, systems with high ridership and low operating costs will achieve lower net costs per passenger.
New Look Bus
A bus with the predominant styling and mechanical equipment common to buses manufactured between 1959 and 1978.
New Start
Federal funding granted under Section 3(i) of the Federal Transit Act (formerly known as the Urban Mass Transportation Act). These discretionary funds are made available for construction of a new fixed guideway system or extension of any existing fixed guideway system, based on cost- effectiveness, alternatives analysis results and the degree of local financial commitment.
New Urbanism
A planning and design movement that promotes artfully designed urban neighborhoods that host diverse income and ethnic groups, a mix of homes, stores, and restaurants, and useful public spaces.
NGPA
Natural Gas Policy Act
NGV
Natural-gas vehicle
NGVC
Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition
NHI
National Highway Institute
Niche
A unique function and place of a species in its ecosystem.
NIMBY (or NIMBYism)
NIMBY is an acronym for a strong "Not in my backyard" sentiment that exists among some local residents. While the impacts of NIMBY sentiment are difficult to quantify and analyze, they do exhibit themselves in various ways: in overly restrictive growth management systems, unnecessary processing delays, and excessive permitting procedures. Indicators of NIMBY impacts may also be evident in the number of times that staff recommendations for development approval are overturned by planning commission or council, or the rate at which proposals for affordable housing development are approved in comparison to the rate of approval for other types of development proposals.
Nitrogen Oxides
A product of the combustion of fossil fuels for which production increases with the temperature of the combustion process. Nitrogen Oxides can become an air pollutant if concentrations are excessive.
No Show
A passenger scheduled for a demand-responsive trip does not appear at the designated pick-up point and time and does not cancel the trip in advance. Frequent no-shows can hurt the efficiency and effectiveness of the service.
NOAA
United States Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Nominal (or face or par) value or amount
Amount of a bond, note, mortgage, or other security as stated in the instrument itself, exclusive of interest or dividend accumulations. The nominal amount may or may not coincide with the price at which the instrument was first sold, its present market value, or its redemption price.
Nonattainment area
Geographic area which does not meet one or more of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for the criteria pollutants designated by the Clean Air Act. Also any geographic region of the United States that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated as not attaining the federal air quality standards for one or more air pollutants, such as ozone and carbon monoxide.
Non-federal match
The commitment of state or other non-federal funds required to receive federal contributions. For example, the U.S. SIB program requires a non-federal match for capitalization funds, which is 25 percent of the amount of federal funds. The match may be lower in states which have a sliding scale rate based on the percentage of federal land in the state.
Nonfixed route
Service not provided on a repetitive, fixed-schedule basis along a specific route to specific locations. Demand-responsive service is the only non-fixed transit route mode
Nonpoint Source Pollution
Water pollution caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving both over and through the ground and carrying with it a variety of pollutants associated with human land uses. A nonpoint source is any source of water pollution that does not meet the legal definition of point source in section 502(14) of the Clean Water Act.
Nonprofit
Typically, an incorporated entity whose mission does not include reporting profits from its business activities; in the context of this guide, many non-profit entities for whom federal programs are pertinent are organized for educational, charitable, philanthropic or cultural purposes. Most, but not all, non-profits are exempt from federal corporate income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; this status may or may not be a determining factor in a non-profit’s eligibility for certain federal funds; if concerned, you should check directly with the federal funding agency for its guidelines.
Non-revenue service
Vehicle services for which passengers are not charged directly for transportation, either on a per-passenger or per-vehicle basis (such as on a school bus, for example).
Non-vehicle maintenance
All activities associated with facility maintenance, including: administration; repair of buildings, grounds and equipment as a result of accidents or vandalism; operation of electric power facilities; and maintenance of vehicle movement control systems; fare collection and counting equipment; structures, tunnels and subways; roadway and track; passenger stations, operating station buildings, grounds and equipment; communication systems; general administration buildings, grounds and equipment; and electric power facilities.
NSC
National Safety Council
NTD
National Transit Database
NTGIS
National Transit Geographic Information System
NTS
National Transportation Statistics (Report)
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