2012 APTA Fact Book Appendix A - American Public Transportation ...

2012 Public Transportation Fact Book,
Appendix A: Historical Tables
Page 136
Household is a U.S. Census term for the group of all people who occupy a particular housing unit as their
usual residence, or who live there at the time of the Census interview and have no usual residence
elsewhere. The usual residence is the place where the person lives and sleeps most of the time.
Means of Transportation to Work is the usual travel mode in the previous week for a commuter
answering the Census survey. Only a single mode can be reported even if the respondent uses multiple
modes. The respondent is directed to select the mode used for the longest distance. No selection
instruction is provided for respondents who use different modes on different days.
Railroad is a U.S. Census transit mode name that is the same as "Commuter Rail" as used by APTA and
the FTA.
Streetcar or Trolley Car is a U.S. Census Transit mode name that is the same mode as "Light Rail" as
used by APTA and the FTA.
Subway or Elevated is a U.S. Census transit mode name that is the same mode as "Heavy Rail" as used
by APTA and the FTA.
VEHICLE CHARACTERISTICS DEFINITIONS:
Accessible Vehicles are transit passenger vehicles that are accessible to, are usable by, and provide
allocated space and/or priority seating for individuals who use wheelchairs.
Alternate Fuel Powered Vehicles are vehicles powered by fuel that is substantially not petroleum.
Average Vehicle Age is the number of years old all revenue vehicles are divided by the number of
vehicles. The years of age are counted as one-half year for the year in which a vehicle was built plus one
year for each calendar year since then.
Federal Transit Administration Minimum Useful Life is the age a revenue vehicle must be before an
agency can receive federal financial assistance to replace that vehicle. The useful life varies by type of
vehicle and may be shorter than stated for vehicles with excess use measured by miles travelled.
Revenue Vehicle (also called a passenger vehicle) is a vehicle in the transit fleet that is available to
operate in revenue service carrying passengers, including spares and vehicles temporarily out of service
for routine maintenance and minor repairs. Revenue vehicles do not include service vehicles such as tow
trucks, repair vehicles, or automobiles used to transport employees.
Revenue Vehicles Available for Maximum Service are vehicles that a transit agency has available to
operate revenue service regardless of the legal relationship thorough which they are owned, leased, or
otherwise controlled by the transit agency. Also called vehicles owned and leased.
Revenue Vehicles Used in Maximum Service is the largest number of vehicles an agency uses to
provide service at any time during a typical day. Also called peak period vehicles.
VEHICLE EQUIPMENT DEFINITIONS:
Automated Stop Announcement is an automated system that announces upcoming stops.
Automatic Passenger Counter equipment counts passenger boardings/alightings but is not part of the
farebox.
Automatic Vehicle Location or GPS equipment allows a vehicle to be electronically located or tracked
by local sensors or satellites.