Term
Description
Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) is a document published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in the United States. It serves as a national standard for the design, installation, and maintenance of traffic control devices, including signs, signals, pavement markings, and other elements related to the regulation and guidance of road users.
The MUTCD provides guidance and specifications for the uniform and consistent use of traffic control devices across different jurisdictions within the United States. It ensures that road users receive consistent and clear information regardless of their location, promoting safety and efficiency in transportation systems.
The manual covers various aspects of traffic control, including regulatory signs, warning signs, guide signs, traffic signals, pavement markings, traffic control for work zones, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, and more. It establishes guidelines for the design, placement, and usage of these devices, considering factors such as visibility, legibility, and comprehension.
The MUTCD is periodically updated to reflect advancements in traffic engineering, technology, and best practices. State and local transportation agencies typically adopt and implement the standards outlined in the MUTCD as part of their own regulations and guidelines to ensure consistency and uniformity in traffic control devices nationwide.
The most recent edition is 2009 MUTCD with Revisions 1, 2, and 3, July 2022
Master Plan
A master plan for a new community, or for improvements to existing communities, is a long-term strategic document that provides a framework for future development and growth. It presents a vision for the community and outlines the key steps needed to achieve this vision. The master plan also maps out infrastructure planning, detailing necessary aspects such as roads, utilities, public transit, and other key facilities. It establishes design guidelines to set architectural and aesthetic standards for the community. The plan integrates environmental sustainability by implementing eco-friendly practices and policies. It plans for community amenities, ranging from recreational facilities and green spaces to cultural sites. Furthermore, it addresses transportation and mobility, considering different modes of transportation, such as walking, cycling, public transit, personal or ride-share vehicles, and parking.
Mechanical Ventilation System
Designed to provide adequate air circulation, control air quality, and remove potentially harmful gases and pollutants from an enclosed parking garage. It helps to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for both vehicles and occupants within the parking facility. Designed to operate continuously or automatically by carbon monoxide detectors with nitrogen dioxide detectors.
Metal Halide Lighting
A type of high-intensity discharge (HID) lighting that uses metal halide compounds in a quartz arc tube to produce light. It is commonly used for various indoor and outdoor applications that require high-quality and efficient lighting.
Mobility hub
A mobility hub is a transportation infrastructure concept that seeks to integrate various modes of transportation, such as public transit, bike-sharing, car-sharing, and walking, in one centralized location. Mobility hubs are designed to provide seamless connections between different transportation modes, making it easier for people to move around a city or region using sustainable and efficient transportation options.
Module, or Parking Module
(See also single-loaded module and double-loaded module)
The design term "Parking Module" refers to a standardized measurement or unit used to determine the size and layout of parking spaces and overall parking facility design. It represents a defined area that includes a parking space, maneuvering aisles, and other required clearances. The parking module provides a consistent framework for planning and designing parking facilities, ensuring efficient use of space and accommodating vehicles of different sizes. It helps establish guidelines for the dimensions, configurations, and arrangements of parking spaces within a parking facility.
Monthly Parking
A parking arrangement where individuals or businesses pay a fixed fee on a monthly basis to secure parking or a designated parking space or permit for a specified period. Monthly parking is typically offered by parking facilities, such as parking garages, lots, or dedicated parking spaces in residential or commercial buildings.
Moment Frames, Precast Moment Frames
Moment frames, also known as rigid frames or moment-resisting frames, are structural systems commonly used in building construction to resist lateral loads, such as wind or seismic forces. They provide resistance against horizontal forces and moments by creating rigid connections between columns and beams.
In a moment frame, the beams and columns are connected together with moment-resisting connections that allow the transfer of bending moments between them. These connections provide the structural integrity needed to resist lateral loads by allowing the frame to develop and transfer bending resistance throughout its length. This ability to resist moments makes moment frames highly effective in resisting lateral forces, such as those caused by earthquakes or wind gusts.
The key characteristic of a moment frame is its ability to resist and distribute bending moments. Bending moments occur when a force or load is applied to a structural element, resulting in a combination of tension and compression forces along the length of the element. In a moment frame, the connections between beams and columns are designed to transfer and distribute these bending moments, allowing the frame to remain stable and provide resistance against lateral loads.
Moment frames can be constructed using various materials, including steel and reinforced concrete. In steel moment frames, the connections between beams and columns are typically designed to allow for rotational flexibility and dissipate energy during extreme events, such as earthquakes. Reinforced concrete moment frames, on the other hand, utilize reinforcing steel within the concrete members to enhance their resistance to bending moments.
The design and analysis of moment frames involve considering factors such as the expected loads, the properties of the structural materials, and the connection details. Structural engineers employ various techniques, such as structural analysis software and codes and standards, to ensure the moment frame's stability, strength, and performance under lateral loads.
Moment frames are widely used in a range of building types, including high-rise structures, commercial buildings, and industrial facilities. Their inherent resistance to lateral loads and ability to distribute bending moments make them a popular choice for structures located in regions prone to seismic activity or areas with high wind loads.
Overall, moment frames provide an effective means of creating stable and resilient structures that can withstand lateral forces, contributing to the safety and integrity of buildings in challenging environmental conditions.
Multi-modal facilities
Multi-modal facilities are transportation hubs that provide connections between multiple modes of transportation, such as buses, trains, light rail, bicycles, and private vehicles. These facilities are designed to facilitate seamless transfers between different modes of transportation, making it easier and more convenient for travelers to reach their destinations.
Municipal Bonds
Frequently utilized to finance the construction of new parking garages. These bonds are issued by local government entities, such as cities or municipalities, to raise funds for public infrastructure projects, including parking facilities.