Glossary of Planning Terms

Glossary is usually defined as an alphabetical list of technical terms in some specialized field of knowledge. This knowledge base glossary provides a collection of knowledge base documents that define many technical terms. These terms are arranged alphabetically, but you can quickly jump to a specific term by selecting its first letter from the index of the knowledge base glossary below.

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z

Keyword

Term
Table
A set of data elements arranged in rows and columns. Each row represents a single record. Each column represents a field of the record. Rows and columns intersect to form cells, which contain a specific value for one field in a record.
Topology
The study of the properties and spatial relationships of figures that remain unchanged even when they are bent, stretched, or otherwise distorted. In geodatabases, the arrangement that constrains how point, line, and polygon features share geometry. For example, street centerlines, census blocks, and adjacent soil polygons share geometry. Geodatabase topology defines and enforces data integrity rules (for example, there should be no gaps between polygons), editing, and feature construction.
Town Centers (Local)
A range of auto-accessible centers that anchor larger areas of suburban subdivisions. Overall the centers are less dense and intense than other center types and may be larger than a half mile in size due to their auto orientation. The centers typically have a walkable "core" or town center. Often the mix of uses is horizontal across the centers rather than vertical within individual buildings. While master plans may call for future heavy or light rail extensions or bus rapid transit, no transit alternatives have been approved for construction. (See Plan 2035, p. 108.) See also:  Regional Transit Districts , Local Transit Centers , Campus Centers (local) , Neighborhood Centers (local) , Town Centers (local)
Trade-Off
A balancing or exchange of factors or conditions, not all of which are attainable. Trade-offs are used in decision-making situations when complete satisfaction is not possible. Trade-offs involve sacrifice of one good for attainment of another.
Traffic Levels Of Service (Los)
See LEVELS OF SERVICE. a. A set of operating conditions describing the ability of a road network to handle traffic. Level A specifies the best traffic conditions; Level F indicates gridlock. b. The adequacy of the road and street network in the county transportation system is generally measured and expressed in terms of its LOS. Each level of service is one in a hierarchy of indices that evaluate the level and severity of automotive traffic congestion on a specific road segment or at specific intersections. The General Plan recommends the minimum acceptable LOS by Tier.
Transfer Of Development Rights (Tdr)
A growth management tool used to protect designated rural and environmentally sensitive areas by allowing development rights to be transferred to properties in other parts of the county.
Transit Supporting Development (Tsd)
Similar to TOD, transit-supporting development is land use that is generally sited and designed to increase, as opposed to maximize, transit ridership.
Transit-Oriented Development (Tod)
Land uses that are sited, designed and combined to maximize transit, particularly rail, ridership.
Transportation Demand Management (Tdm)/Transportation System Management (Tsm)
Techniques used to increase the efficiency of the existing transportation system through lower cost programs like ride sharing, bus fare subsidy, parking management, and flextime.
Transportation Improvement Program (Tip)
A six-year regional schedule for the study, acquisition, upgrading, or development of major highway, transit, bike and pedestrian facilities, and services. A joint effort of the National Capital Transportation Planning Board and its constituent jurisdictions - principally the state transportation agencies of Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia—the TIP complements the CLRP (see above). Any project that is to be a candidate for federal financial assistance must be included in both plans.
Tree Conservation Plan
A site map that delineates tree save areas and text that details the requirements, penalties or mitigation negotiated during the development and/or permit review process.