Glossary of Acronyms and Terms
Definitions: From P to R
Parametrics – A modeling platform with application areas that include urban, highway, public transport, congested, free flow, ITS and HOV. Additional information about Parametrics is available online at: http://www.parametrics.com
Passing Sight Distance – The minimum sight distance that must be available to enable the driver of a vehicle to pass another safely and comfortably without interfering with the speed of an oncoming vehicle traveling at the design speed should it come into view after the overtaking maneuver is started.
Pavement Markings – Devices or paint placed on the roadway to mark pavement for vehicular and pedestrian traffic control.
Pedestrian - Georgia State law defines a Pedestrian as: “Any person who is afoot” (GLC 40-1-1). By state definition, roller skaters, in-line skaters, skateboarders, and wheelchair users are also considered pedestrians.
Posted Speed – The maximum speed limit which may not be legally exceeded. Profile – A longitudinal section of a roadway, drainage course, etc.
Public Information Open House (PIOH): An informal public meeting with an open house format and generally lasts two to three hours No formal presentations are made at these meetings; however handouts describing the proposed project and maps showing the proposed project area must be available for everyone attending. GDOT representatives must attend these meetings and must be prepared to discuss the project and answer questions. These meetings should be held early in the project development stage. Purpose: to inform the public of a project that is proposed in their area, gather information from the public and to receive comments from the public about the proposed project. Guidelines for conducting a PIOH can be found in GDOT’s Public Involvement Guidelines, which is available on TOPPS at: http://www.dot.state.ga.us/topps/pre/dir/4055-1.htm
Public Hearing Open House (PHOH): Federal law requires that public hearings be held after the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) or after the draft Environmental Impact Study (DEIS) is signed by FHWA, whichever is appropriate. The PHOH is conducted in the same manner as the PIOH and generally last three hours. Project representatives (including consultant’s working on the project) must attend these meetings and be prepared to discuss the project and answer questions. Purpose: to exchange information between GDOT and the public prior to making a commitment to the location and design of the project. Guidelines for conducting a PHOH can be found in GDOT’s Public Involvement Guidelines, which is available on TOPPS at http://www.dot.state.ga.us/topps/pre/dir/4055-1.htm
Reaction Time – Amount of time needed to make a decision between one event to the next. Typical reaction times are approximately 7-10 seconds.
Retaining Wall – Structure that prevents dirt from sliding or eroding.
\Reverse Curve – A curve consisting of two arcs of the same or different radii curving in opposite directions and having a common tangent or transition curve at their point of junction.
Road Diet - Design concept where a roadway with more lanes is converted to one with fewer lanes.
Round Robin: A fast-paced brainstorming technique in which participants sitting around a table are each given a choice to briefly offer a response or to hand off to the next person. Each response is recorded. Typically, only 10-15 seconds are spent on each individual so short quick responses are a necessity. Rounds continue until two full passes are made with no new responses. (See Brainstorming, Freewheeling)
Running Speed - For all traffic, or a component thereof, the summation of distances traveled divided by the summation of running time
Rural Section – Any roadway without curb and gutter.
