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CFTE Glossary
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O&M
See: "Operations and maintenance"
O3
Ozone
Obligation authority
The amount of budgetary resources (including new budget authority, balances of unobligated budget authority carried over from prior years, and obligation limitations) available for obligation in a given fiscal year. With regard to the federal-aid highway program, obligation authority often refers to the amount of federal-aid obligation limitation, established annually by Congress in appropriation acts, that is allocated to the states and controls the amount of apportioned contract authority that can be obligated by the states in a given fiscal year.
Obligation limitation
A monetary amount specified in an appropriations act that limits the amount of federal assistance that may be obligated during a specified time period, usually one fiscal year. An obligation limitation is used to reduce the amount of contract authority available for obligation in the federal Discretionary Grants (trust fund) program. Also a federal budgetary term that refers to a limit placed in appropriations bills on the amount of federal assistance that may be obligated during a specified time period. It does not affect the scheduled apportionment or allocation of funds; it just controls the rate at which these funds may be used.
Obligations
A federal budgetary term that refers to a binding agreement that will result in an outlay; an agreement by the federal government to pay for goods or services immediately or at some future time when the goods or services are delivered. Also known as a "commitment."
Occupancy
The number of persons, including the driver and passenger(s), in a vehicle. Occupancy rates may be calculated as "person miles" divided by "vehicle miles."
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. (For example, an in-line skater who is set in motion by holding onto the rear of a bus is an occupant of the bus.)
Off-peak period
Non-rush periods of the day when travel activity is generally lower and less transit service is scheduled. Also called "base period."
Older Americans Act (OAA)
Federal law first passed in 1965. The act established a network of services and programs for older people. This network provides supportive services, including transportation and nutrition services, and works with public and private agencies that serve the needs of older individuals.
On-time performance
The proportion of the time that a transit system adheres to its published schedule times.
Open Space and Farmland
Open space and farmland protection broadly refers to the act of protecting natural areas (habitat, farm and ranch land, places of natural beauty and critical environmental areas (e.g. wetlands)) from being converted to development, either through the acquisition of land or development rights, or removal of development pressure. Protection of open space provides fiscal benefits, prevents flood damage, provides a less expensive and natural alternative for providing clean drinking water, combating air pollution, attenuating noise, controlling wind, providing erosion control, and moderating temperatures.
Operating and Maintenance Costs (O&M Costs)
The ongoing costs to provide a transit service, including labor for operations and for vehicle and fixed facility maintenance; fuel and/or electric power; spare parts and other supplies; insurance premiums and claims payments; direct supervision; and general and administrative expenses.
Operating assistance
Financial assistance for transit operations (not capital expenditures). Funds may originate from federal, state or local governments.
Operating deficit
The sum of all operating expenses minus operating revenues.
Operating employee
An employee involved with operation, maintenance or administration of the transit system, excluding those involved with construction and capital procurement.
Operating expenses
Expenses of furnishing transportation services (does not include capital expenses).
Operating revenue
Receipts derived from or for the operation of transit service, including fare box revenue, revenue from advertising, interest and charter bus service and operating assistance from governments.
OPRG
Oxygenated Fuels Program reformulated gasoline
Original discount rate
Discount rate originally used to calculate the present value of direct loans or loan guarantee liabilities, when the direct or guaranteed loans were disbursed.
Outlay
A federal budgetary term that refers to a payment made to meet an obligation; the point at which an actual payment of money is made.
Overhead Contact System (OCS)
The system of overhead wire, support structures and related equipment that delivers electric power from substations to transit vehicles.
Overlay Districts/Zones
Zoning districts in which additional regulatory standards are superimposed on existing zoning. Overlay districts provide a method of placing special restrictions in addition to those required by basic zoning ordinances. Overlay zones typically address special features or conditions that may pertain to several distinct districts, such as historic areas, wetlands, and downtown residential enclaves.
Oxygenate
A substance which, when added to gasoline, increases the amount of oxygen in the gasoline blend. Oxygenates include fuel ethanol, methanol and methyl tertiary butyl ether. Oxygenated gasoline formulated for use in most vehicles has an oxygen content of 1.8 percent or higher by weight. (DOE) Note: Oxygenated fuels sometimes are mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for sale and use in areas which exceed certain air quality standards, especially during winter months.
Ozone
A form of oxygen found in two layers of earth's atmosphere, in the stratosphere (beginning seven to ten miles above earth's surface) and the troposphere (beginning at earth's surface and extending up to the stratosphere). In the stratosphere, ozone occurs naturally and provides a protective layer shielding earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation. In the troposphere however, ozone is a chemical oxidant and a major component of photochemical smog. It can harm the respiratory systems of humans and other animals, and it is one of the most prevalent and widespread of the criteria pollutants for which the Clean Air Act required the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set standards. Ozone in the troposphere is produced by complex chemical reactions involving nitrogen oxides, which are among the primary pollutants emitted by combustion sources; hydrocarbons, released into the air through the combustion, handling and processing of petroleum products; and sunlight.
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