Major Investment Study (MIS): A tool to aid decision-making with respect to an identified transportation need; evaluates cost and effectiveness of alternatives; required by ISTEA when a need for a major metropolitan transportation investment (MMTI) is identified and federal funds are potentially involved.

MOBILE: A computer program that estimates hydrocarbon (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), exhaust particulate matter (which consists of several components), tire wear particulate matter, brake wear particulate matter, sulfur dioxide (SO2), ammonia (NH3), six hazardous air pollutant (HAP), and carbon dioxide (CO2) emission factors for gasoline-fueled and diesel highway motor vehicles, and for certain specialized vehicles such as natural-gas-fueled or electric vehicles that may replace them.

Mobile Source - A source of pollutants generated by self-propelled transportation vehicles, such as over-the-road motor vehicles, boats, ships, locomotives, aircrafts, or off-road motor vehicles.

Non-Attainment Area (NAA): Any geographic area of the U.S. that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated as an area which does not meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS).

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS): Federal standards that set maximum levels of allowable concentrations of various air pollutants.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA): Federal law passed in 1969 which requires an analysis of environmental impacts of federal actions (including the funding of projects).

National Highway System (NHS): Represents one category of roads eligible for federal funds under current transportation act.

Ozone: A highly reactive form of oxygen with a pungent odor that is formed in the atmosphere by a series of photochemical reactions involving oxides of nitrogen and reactive organic gases in the presence of sunlight. National Ambient Air Quality Standards have been established for ozone.

Planning Work Program (PWP): Developed by Rural Planning Organizations (RPOs); identifies all transportation and transportation air quality activities anticipated within the next one to two years, including schedule for completing, who is doing it, and products to be produced.

State Implementation Plan (SIP): Required documents which identify state actions and programs that will be utilized to help the state meet the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) and comply with federal and state air quality laws; the plan is prepared by the state and submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for approval.

State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP): A staged, multiyear, statewide, intermodal program that is consistent with the state and metropolitan transportation plans; identifies the priority transportation projects to be done over the next three years; is developed by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and must be approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) at least every two years.

Surface Transportation Program (STP): A federal block grant-type program created by ISTEA; may be used by states and localities for any roads (including the National Highway System) that are not functionally classified as local or rural minor collectors; roads eligible under this program are collectively known as federal-aid roads.

Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC): A standing committee of staff from local planning and transportation agencies, as well as the NCDOT; function is to collect, analyze, and recommend policies, actions, and projects for review and approval by the Technical Advisory Committee (see below). 

Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC): A standing committee of metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and rural planning organizations (RPOs); function is to provide advice on plans or actions of the MPO and RPO from planners, engineers and other staff members. 

Traffic Analysis Zone (TAZ): The smallest geographical area routinely used for computer travel simulation. The number of dwellings, population, employment, etc. per TAZ are estimated for existing and future years, for subsequent use in trip generation. 

Transportation Improvement Program (TIP): A priority list of transportation projects developed by a metropolitan planning organization that is to be carried out within the three year period following its adoption; must include documentation of federal and state funding sources for each project and be consistent with adopted local comprehensive plans.

Urbanized Area (UA): As defined by the Bureau of Census, an area with a population of at least 50,000; generally consists of a central city and the surrounding suburbs; boundaries do not necessarily coincide with existing political jurisdictional boundaries; an MPO is required to be designated for each UA. 

Vehicle Miles of Travel (VMT): Measure of travel activity for highways; computed by multiplying the number of vehicles by the miles traveled in a given area, route or highway over the specified time period (usually a day); VMT is often used as a measure of effectiveness for strategies to reduce miles traveled.

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