Tuesday, January 24, 2012

GLOSSARY


3/4 mile boundary - The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires, at a minimum, that complementary paratransit service be provided within a corridor of three‑quarters of a mile on either side of a fixed‑route. A transit agency may increase that corridor. TriMet has adopted the 3/4 mile boundary.
ADA ride: An ADA eligible customer is transported from an origin and to a destination within the ADA service boundary (3/4 mile of a fixed‑route).
ADA Eligible: The ADA rules state that if a person is unable to use fixed‑route service because of a disability, or is unable to get to/from a fixed‑route stop because of a disability, that person is eligible to receive paratransit service.
ADA: Acronym for the Americans with Disabilities Act, enacted into law in July, 1990.
Agency client: A person who is sponsored by a social service agency which contracts with TriMet to provide transportation for its clients. The agency is billed for the ride.

Agency registration: A LIFT registration form specifically used for agency clients.
ASA:  An acronym for Automated Stop Announcement equipment.
ATP: An acronym for TriMet's Accessible Transportation Programs department. The LIFT and MTP programs fall under the umbrella of ATP.
AVL: Acronym for Automatic Vehicle Locating system. A technology which shows the current location of each vehicle in the system on a computer screen.
BDS: Acronym for Bus Dispatch System. State of the art dispatching system which TriMet uses  for both fixed‑route and LIFT. The system employs sophisticated communications, high speed computers, and satellite technology to track buses. On‑board data is collected on a memory card which is downloaded onto a mainframe computer.
Complementary Paratransit Service: As defined by the ADA, this paratransit service is offered within the same boundaries, at the same times, with the same level of service as fixed‑route service.
Code Red: Because of inclement weather, no service provided except life‑sustaining.  All other trips are automatically canceled, but clients may call to have a ride reinstated and LIFT will provide the ride if they are able.
Code Purple: Because of deteriorating weather, people will be picked up who were transported earlier, but all other rides are canceled. Clients may call to have a ride reinstated and LIFT will provide the ride if they are able.
Companion: A friend or relative accompanying an individual while riding LIFT service but not required to perform any service for the person.
Curb-to-curb: Paratransit service whereby the customer waits for the bus at the curb and is delivered to the curb. The operator assists the person in getting on and off the bus.
Customer Service Representative: A person whose job function is to accept complaints and compliments relating to service, and to resolve customers' problems, insofar as possible.
Dispatch: The department which has responsibility for radio contact with in‑service LIFT buses, with authority to make instant decisions regarding service on the road.
DMAP: Acronym for the State of Oregon’s Department of Medical Assistance Programs
Door‑to‑door: Paratransit service whereby the operator parks the bus and goes to the customer's door to assist him/herto the bus and from the bus to the door.
Drop off:  Term used to designate a location to “deboard”, “disembark,” or unload a passenger.
Eligibility: A decision made using criteria, set by the ADA, which qualifies a person as eligible for paratransit
Fixed Route: Refers to a pre‑determined path of travel or to the vehicles which provide the service.
Guaranteed Rides: A provision of the contracts between TriMet and social service agencies that their clients will not be turned down for a ride ordered by the agency.
Late Cancel: A ride which is canceled after 5 p.m. the day before the scheduled ride.
LIFT Application: The questionnaire which is completed by a person who wishes LIFT service, and which is evaluated by TriMet staff for ADA eligibility.
Lift: A mechanical device for raising and lowerinC and/or a mobility device.
LIFT: The name of TriMet's paratransit service.
MTP (Medical Transportation Program): Acronym for Medical Transportation Program, a state program, funded by federal Medicaid dollars, and administered by TriMet through several contractors.
No‑show: A scheduled ride which is not taken by the customer.
Paratransit: Transit service which operates in conjunction with a fixed‑route transit system to provide transportation to people unable to use fixed‑route due to a disability.
PCA (Personal Care Attendant): A person designated to assist an individual with one or more daily life functions.
Pick-up Window:  A 30-minute period of time in which the LIFT bus should arrive to pick-up a passenger.
Pick-up: Refers to a time or a location designated to load a passenger.
Reservationist: A person who receives telephone requests for rides.
Service boundary: The limits of a geographic area within which TriMet provides service.
Service area: The geographical area within which TriMet provides service.
Subcription trip: An ongoing paratransit ride with consistent characteristics, i.e., the ride is taken at the same time, with the same origin and same destination, on the same days of the week. The customer does not have to call in to order the ride, rather the customer calls in to cancel a ride.
Tie‑down: A mechanism including several straps and anchors which attaches to a wheelchair or scooter to keep it from moving during transport.
Transfer point: A geographical point for a passenger to leave one bus and continue the trip on another bus or train.
Trapeze: The software used by LIFT to provide reservations and scheduling.

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