Glossary

Is defined for the purposes of the Envision Longmont Plan as costing no more than 15% of a household’s income

Any vehicle that uses a fuel source that reduces tailpipe emissions, including all-electric, hybrid and renewable natural gas vehicles

Is a bus-based transit system that delivers fast, comfortable, and cost-effective services through the provision of dedicated lanes, with bus ways and iconic stations typically aligned to the center of the road, off-board fare collection, and fast and frequent operations

In general, the term “carbon-free” refers to energy generated from renewable sources such as the sun, wind, and water or human powered. “Carbon-free” transportation refers to modes of travel that are derived from these sources. These include vehicles that are run on renewable sources, known as zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) which do not emit exhaust gas from an onboard power source, as well as active forms of transportation such as biking and walking

Streets that are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities

An equitable approach differs from an equality-based approach, which offers all community members the same resources, by recognizing that there are systemic factors that put certain community members at a disadvantage. An equity based pproach seeks to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of age, race or ethnicity, ability, gender, socio-economic status or any other distinguishing factor. Through an equitable lens, decisions are made to meet the needs of marginalized community members as a way to level the playing field for everyone.¹

¹Equitable Carbon-free Transportation Road Map, 2021.

Greenhouse gases are gases that heat the atmosphere by absorbing infrared (longwave) light and ‘trapping’ it in the lower atmosphere. Direct sunlight (shortwave light, i.e., UV and visible) reaches the Earth’s surface unimpeded because greenhouse gases are transparent for shortwave light. Once shortwave light reaches the Earth's surface it is reradiated to the atmosphere as longwave (infrared) light. Greenhouse gases absorb this energy, heating the lower atmosphere. While gases such as carbon dioxide occur naturally in the atmosphere, human activity has increased atmospheric concentrations.²

²National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, What are greenhouse gases? Accessed August 2019.

Operational indicators are directly linked to actions. They report on the progress of the action and how much the city is working towards that action.

Tactical indicators describe an effort that the city tries to increase or decrease with various actions, often these tactical indicators help build toward the overall strategic indicator. An example of a tactical indicator is "vehicle electrification."

Strategic indicators describe Longmont's greenhouse gas emissions and other overarching key indicators. An example of a strategic metric is “building emissions” or "water use".

The movement of people and goods from one place to another via some mode or form of transport. Sometimes referred to as multimodal transportation when referring to multiple methods of transportation (e.g. walking, cycling, automobiles, public transit)

Is defined a set of strategies aimed at maximizing traveler choices with the intent of improving travel reliability. TDM involves strategies to provide people with travel choices, such as work location, route, time of travel and mode, regardless of whether they drive alone

Any vehicle that produce no direct exhaust or tailpipe emissions.³

³U.S. Department of Energy, Alternative Fuels Data Center.