TxDOT Glossary: C

cache: A cache is a technological architecture component that exists between a computer system’s main memory and its disk storage system used to speed up references to data.

caisson: A caisson is a watertight box or cylinder used in excavating for foundations or tunnel pits to hold out water so construction can be carried on.

calendar day: A calendar day is a day scheduled for work as defined by a special provision to the Item 1 standard specification. A day is charged to the contractor regardless of weather conditions, material supplies, etc.

calibration: Manual of Testing Procedures; Traffic Data and Analysis Manual; Transportation Planning and Programming Collection

camber: The camber is the rise or crown of the center of a bridge, or flowline through a culvert, above a straight line through its end.; Bridge Design Manual

Caminos y Puentes Federales de Ingresos y Servicios Conexos: CAPUFE; Caminos y Puentes Federales de Ingresos y Servicios Conexos is the Mexican national toll authority.

cancellation charge: Cancellation charge means a fee, charge, or payment that a private entity assesses or retains because of the cancellation or change of a travel reservation or other travel plan. For example, a non-refundable purchase of an airline ticket becomes a cancellation charge when the ticket becomes unusable because of changed travel plans.; Travel Manual

cancellation of a value: Cancellation of a value is a district’s cancellation of the approved value when a parcel or parcel number is changed and the parcel’s value has previously been approved.; Right of Way Collection

candela or candlepower: cd; The candela or candlepower is the unit of luminous intensity (I) emitted by a light source in a given direction.; Highway Illumination Manual

cantilever: A cantilever is the part of a structure that extends beyond its support.; Bridge Design Manual

capable of being locked out: An energy-isolating device is capable of being locked out if it has a hasp or other means of attachment to which, or through which, a lock can be affixed, or it has a locking mechanism built in.; Occupational Safety Manual

capacitance: C; Capacitance is the ability to store energy in an electrostatic field. Capacitance is measured in farads or microfarads.; Highway Illumination Manual

capacity: Capacity is the number of vehicles that can traverse a point or section of a lane or roadway during a set time period under prevailing roadway, traffic, and control conditions.; Traffic Data and Analysis Manual

capital asset: A capital asset is an item other than a consumable that benefits the current and one or more future fiscal years. Stated differently, a capital asset is an item that does not perish with use, but which may be used after the fiscal year in which it is purchased. Examples include machines, fixtures, books, bookbindings, and microfilms of newspapers are capital assets.; Voucher Manual

capital cost of contracting: Capital cost of contracting is the capital portion of contracted service costs includes depreciation, interest on facilities and equipment, as well as those allowable capital costs that would otherwise be incurred directly, including maintenance.; Public Transportation Collection

career-ladder (noncompetitive) promotion: A career-ladder promotion is a noncompetitive progression to a higher salary group, generally in the same business job family but with higher levels of responsibilities and requirements. A career-ladder promotion is possible across business job families if the duties and requirements for the families are sufficiently similar or related. In all cases, employees will meet the minimum requirements listed in the business job description for the position.; Human Resources Manual

carpool: A carpool is an arrangement in which two or more people share the use, cost, or both of traveling in privately-owned automobiles between fixed points on a regular basis.

carryover: Carryover is the estimated amount of funds programmed in the UPWP that the MPO does not expect to expend in the fiscal year and wishes to use in the next fiscal year.; Transportation Planning and Programming Collection

carve out: A carve out is the deduction of values of specific improvements, such as a swimming pool, located at the displacement site but not located at the selected comparable replacement site.; Right of Way Manual

cash basis: Cash basis refers to an accounting system in which revenues are recorded when received in cash and costs are recognized when paid.

cast-in-place: Cast-in-place refers to the method of constructing concrete structures using forms, falsework, and bracing at its final locations.

causal factor: Causal factor is an act, omission, condition, or circumstance that either starts or sustains an incident sequence; it may be related to persons or machines. A given act, omission, condition, or circumstance is a causal factor if correcting, eliminating, or avoiding it would prevent the incident or mitigate damage or injury.; Public Transportation Collection

catalog purchase: Catalog purchase is a method of purchase established by Texas law to procure specific information and telecommunications systems hardware, software, selected supplies and selected services. Purchases are made only from vendors qualified as qualified information systems vendors by the General Services Commission.; Purchasing Manual

categorical exclusion: Cat Ex or CE; A categorical exclusion refers to a project which involves no significant environmental impacts. They are actions that do not induce significant impacts to planned growth or land use for the area; do not require the relocation of significant numbers of people; do not have a significant impact on any natural, cultural, recreational, historic or other natural resource; do not involve significant air, noise or water quality impacts; do not have significant impacts on travel patterns; or do not otherwise, either individually or cumulatively have any significant environmental impact.

cathode ray tube: CRT; A cathode ray tube is a vacuum tube on which images are produced by a stream of electrons. CRT often refers to a display device (commonly, a computer monitor) that uses the tube.

cathodic protection: Cathodic protection is a way to prevent corrosion of a pipeline by using special cathodes (and anodes) to circumvent corrosive damage by electric current. It is also a function of zone coating on iron and steel drainage products-galvanic action.

CA-Top Secret: TSS; CA-Top Secret is the access control software the department uses to protect information resources on its mainframe computer.; Information Security Manual

cattle guard: A cattle guard is a structure placed to permit passage of vehicles but not animals over a highway.

causeway: A causeway is a bridge or roadway constructed over marshy land or water. It may be either an earth fill or bridge type structure.; Bridge Design Manual

cement factor: The cement factor refers to the number of sacks of cement used to produce one cubic yard of concrete.

cement stabilized base: A cement stabilized base is a mixture of base course, Portland cement and water then compacted to a high density.

centerline: C/L, C.L., CL or C-Line; The centerline is a line dividing the roadway from opposite moving traffic. It is a survey line with continuous stationing for the length of the project. Construction plans and right of way maps refer to this line. Horizontal alignment is the center of the roadbed.

centerline mile: A centerline mile is a measure of the total length (in miles) of highway facility in-place or proposed, as measured along the highway centerline.; Pavement Management Information System Users Manual

centralized master bidders list: CMBL; Purchasing Manual; Right of Way Manual

central processing unit: CPU; The central processing unit is the main controlling and operating part of a computer. The CPU contains the arithmetic-logic unit and any other hardware control essential to the central controlling of the computer.

centroid: Centroid is the center of activity within each traffic serial zone. May or may not be the geographic center of the zone.; Traffic Data and Analysis Manual

centroid connectors: Centroid connectors are an imaginary roadway network links that connects the zone centroid to the roadway network at nodes.; Traffic Data and Analysis Manual

certificate authority: CA; The certificate authority is the “notary public” of digital certificates. It is an objective, in-house or third-party authority that assigns secure encryption keys. The CA provides a point of trust recognized by both parties and validation of a user’s identity.; Information Security Manual

Certificate of Insurance: Certificate of Insurance is a department-approved form covering standard insurance requirements.; Maintenance Contract Manual

certification: Material Inspection Guide; Manual of Testing Procedures

certified local government: A certified local government is a local government whose local historic preservation program has been certified pursuant to Section 470a(c) of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.; Environmental Manual

certified post-move inventory: A certified post-move inventory is a department-certified inventory made of personal property after the move to the replacement dwelling in order to certify the validity of the reimbursement of moving expenses. (This term is not widely used anymore.); Right of Way Manual

certified pre-move inventory: A certified pre-move inventory is a Department-certified inventory made of personal property before the move to the replacement dwelling in order to establish reimbursement of moving expenses. (This term is not widely used anymore.); Right of Way Manual

certified purchaser: A certified purchaser is a person who has completed the necessary education, experience and examination requirements and has been certified by a recognized national organization that establishes professional purchasing designation programs. Recognized certifications are: certified professional public buyer (CPPB), accredited purchasing practitioner (A.P.P.), certified public procurement officer (CPPO), or certified purchasing manager (C.P.M). Required for specific purchasing positions.; Purchasing Manual

chain purchasing: Chain purchasing is the practice of breaking requests or purchases into smaller requests or purchases in order to circumvent any established purchasing threshold. Chain purchasing is prohibited.; Purchasing Manual

challenge handshake authentication protocol: Challenge handshake authentication protocol (CHAP) is an access control protocol. For this proto-col, the server sends a challenge message to the connection requestor. The requestor responds with a value obtained by using a one-way hash function. The server checks the response by comparing it to its own calculation of the expected hash value. If the values match; the authentication is acknowledged. Otherwise, the connection will usually be terminated. The server can send a new challenge message to the connected party at anytime.A CHAP can also be a type of authentication in which the authentication agent (typically a network server) sends the client a random value and an ID. At the beginning of the transaction, the client and server agree on a predefined secret. The client concatenates the random value, the ID, and the secret, and calculates a one-way hash value using the MD5 algorithm. The hash value is sent to the authenticator, which in turn builds the same string on its side (random value, ID, and secret). It then calculates the MD5 hash value itself, and compares the result with the value received from the cli-ent. If the value from the client and the value from the server match, the client is authenticated to the server.; Source: Information Security Manual

changeable message sign: CMS; See Dynamic Message Sign (DMS). CMS is also an acronym used in the planning context to denote Congestion Management System.; Traffic Operations

change control: Change control is the procedure to ensure that all changes are controlled, including the submission, analysis, decision making, approval, implementation and post-implementation of the change.; Information Security Manual

change order: Change order is a written agreement entered into between the contractor and the State, covering alterations and changes in contract and/or plans which are necessary to the proper completion of the work.

channel

channel stabilization: Channel stabilization refers to erosion prevention and stabilization of velocity distribution in a channel using nonstructural and structural measures.

channelization: Channelization is the separation or regulation of conflicting traffic movements into definite paths of travel by use of pavement markings, raised islands, or other suitable means for the safe and orderly movement of vehicles and pedestrians.

channelized intersection: A channelized intersection is an at-grade intersection in which traffic is directed into definite paths by islands.

charter service: Charter service is a transit vehicle hired for exclusive use by a group of people traveling under a specific itinerary. The vehicle does not operate over a regular route or on a regular schedule, and is not available to the general public.; Public Transportation Collection

check dam: A check dam is a small dam constructed in a gully or other small water-course to decrease the streamflow velocity, minimize channel scour, and promote deposition of sediment.

check sample: A check sample is an additional AQMP, Aggregate Quality Monitoring Program, sample to be tested to replace the original AQMP test results.; Manual of Testing Procedures

chief administrator: Chief administrator is the person who has the day-to-day-responsibility for managing the agency's operations.; Travel Manual

child passenger violators course: CPVC; The child passenger violators course is a training course taught by local police officers that a passenger safety seat violator may be taken in lieu of paying a fine.

Childress District: CHS; The Childress District is a TxDOT district office including the following counties: Briscoe, Childress, Collingsworth, Cottle, Dickens, Donley, Foard, Hall, Hardeman, King, Knox, Motley, and Wheeler. The district has a North Area Office and a South Area Office.; Inside TxDOT

chord: A chord is a straight line joining two points on a circular curve.

circuitry of travel: Circuitry of travel is a phrase used to describe the fact that a less convenient, more indirect access to and from a property will exist after the right of way acquisition. From a legal standpoint, any alleged damages to the remainder resulting from such are considered noncompensable.; Right of Way Collection

citation by publication: Citation by publication is when eminent domain proceedings are initiated, and owners of record cannot be located or identified, notice of such proceedings must be published once a week for four consecutive weeks in a widely circulated publication (i.e., newspaper) serving the area in which the property is located and/or where the owner was last known to live.; ROW Utility Manual

Civil Rights, Office of: OCR; The Office of Civil Rights (formerly the Civil Rights Division; CIV) ensures equal opportunities in employment, promotions, and training. It investigates internal and external complaints.

city street: CS; A city street is a road under the jurisdiction a city government or other local entity or incorporated area government, for which that government is responsible for the construction and maintenance of the roadway and associated structures.; Historic Bridge Manual

claimant: Claimant is the person requesting reimbursement for travel expenditures.; Travel Manual

class and item code: The class and item code is a breakdown of items from the General Services Commission commodity book.; Materials And Supplies Management System Manual

classification: Classification is the assignment of business job descriptions to appropriate salary groups within the State Classification Plan.; Human Resources Manual

clay: Clay is a fine grained soil that can be made to exhibit plasticity (putty-like properties) within a range of water contents and that exhibits considerable strength when air dry. NOTE: This definition has been approved by the Specification Committee.; Manual of Testing Procedures

clay size: Clay size refers to any material finer than 0.0002 mm (2µm) though not necessarily exhibiting clay characteristics. NOTE: This definition has been approved by the Specification Committee.; Manual of Testing Procedures

Clean Air Act of 1970: CAA; The Clean Air Act of 1970 is a national policy that authorizes programs to safeguard the air resources from pollution by controlling or abating air pollution and emissions of air contaminants consistent with the protection of health, general welfare, and physical property of the people including the aesthetic enjoyment of the air resources by the people and the maintenance of adequate visibility.

Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990: CAAA; The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 is a set of revisions/amendments passed by congress to the Clean Air Act of 1970 (CAA). Includes procedures that apply to all transportation plans, programs, and projects as they relate to air quality. Reference 42 USC §7410 et. seq.; Transportation Planning and Programming Collection

Clean Water Act (federal water pollution control act): The Clean Water Act is a national policy that authorizes programs to safeguard surface water sources, including special aquatic sites, by regulating actions which could lead to the destruction or degradation of the quality of these resources. This includes safeguards from pollution by controlling or abating water pollution and sources of water contaminants and from actions that may result in the discharge of storm water, dredged and fill material into these waters consistent with the protection of health, general welfare and physical property of the people including the enjoyment of the water resources by the people and the maintenance of adequate water quality and the protection of fish, wildlife, and critical habitat.

clearing account: A clearing account is a Financial Information Management System Segment 70 collection point for expenditures that are later distributed to jobs or other FIMS segments.; Finance Division

clear zone: The clear zone (also called the clear recovery area) is an area provided along highways to allow vehicles veering off the travel lane opportunity for safe recovery or stopping. The clear zone width (always measured from the edge of the travel lane) depends on several roadway factors.; Highway Illumination Manual

clearing or grubbing: Clearing or grubbing refers to the removal of vegetation, structures or other objects as an item of highway or transportation facility construction.

client: A client is a computing platform component in a client/server architecture that is functioning as the requester of processing services.

client/server: Client/server is a networking architecture through which a personal computer or workstation (client) requests information from a Local Area Network file server, mini-computer or mainframe (server). The client supplies the user interface and conducts application processing. The server maintains databases and processes client requests.

close out: Close out are the actions required to close out or complete the contract, including receipt and acceptance of deliverables and reports, resolution of audit findings, receipt of outside approvals if applicable, resolution of other contract-related issues, and issuance of final payment.; Engineering Architectural and Surveying Services Manual

coarse aggregate: Coarse aggregate is the portion of aggregate retained on the 2.00mm (No. 10 sieve for Bituminous Concrete or retained on the 4.75 mm (No. 4) sieve for Portland Cement Concrete. NOTE: This definition has been approved by the Specification Committee.; Manual of Testing Procedures

code chart: A code chart is a list of standard codes used in an automated system to describe department activities.

Code of Federal Regulations: CFR; The U. S. Code of Federal Regulations refers to a codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the executive departments and agencies of the federal government. The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is divided into chapters, which usually bear the name of the issuing agency (e.g., 23 – Highways, 49 – Transportation). Each chapter is further subdivided into parts covering specific regulatory areas.; Transportation Planning and Programming Collection

coding block: A coding block is the input to the computerized accounting system and is accomplished by codes which describe district/division operations. A printed coding block on the computer input forms serves to arrange the coding in a computer-processable form.

coefficient of curvature: Coefficient of curvature is the ratio (D30)2/(D10 • D60), where D60, D30, and D10 are the particle diameters corresponding to 60, 30 and 10% finer on the cumulative particle-size distribution curve, respectively.; Manual of Testing Procedures

coefficient of friction: The coefficient of friction is the ratio of the force of resistance to the wheel load. The coefficient of friction may be determined from the formula.

coefficient of uniformity: Coefficient of uniformity is the ratio (D60/D10), where D60 and D10 are the particle diameters corresponding to 60 and 10% finer on the cumulative particle-size distribution curve, respectively.; Manual of Testing Procedures

cofferdam: A cofferdam is a barrier built in the water to form an enclosure from which the water is pumped to permit free access to the area within.; Bridge Design Manual

cohesiometer: A cohesiometer is a piece of laboratory equipment used to measure the ability of compacted asphalt concrete to resist tensile stress.

cohesiometer value: The cohesiometer value denotes the tensile strength of a material which is expressed in grams per inch width for a three-inch high specimen when measured with a cohesiometer.

cohesion: Cohesion is the ability of soil particles to stick together in the presence of moisture.

cohesionless sand: Cohesionless sand is sandy soil whose layer, when wetted to slightly below optimum water content, mixed thoroughly and molded in a 51mm (2 in.) lifts, is sheared or torn by the ram in excess of 215.4 mm (1 in.) on the last (50th) blow.; Manual of Testing Procedures

collapsed backbone router: Collapsed backbone router is a technology in which a router is used to directly switch Local Area Network traffic from message originator to message addressee, thus making the electronic communications process more efficient.

collection site: A collection site is a place selected by the employer where employees present themselves for providing a urine specimen for a drug test and/or providing breath or saliva for an alcohol test.; Public Transportation Collection

College Traffic Safety Program: CTSP; The College Traffic Safety Program is the college and university campus-based program focusing on two or more traffic safety issues.

collusion: Collusion is an agreement between two or more persons to defraud a person of his rights by the forms of law, or to obtain an object forbidden by law. It implies the existence of fraud of some kind, the employment of fraudulent means, or of lawful means for the accomplishment of an unlawful purpose. A secret combination, conspiracy, or concert of action between two or more persons for fraudulent or deceitful purpose.; Letting Manual

column: A column is a vertical supporting pillar, usually a round shaft.

combined sewer: A combined sewer is one that carries both storm water and sanitary or industrial wastes.

comfort station: A comfort station is one of 19 specifically designated rest areas along hurricane evacuation routes that will be converted during an emergency to offer water and ice (staffed by volunteers) to evacuees. Some may offer additional portable rest room facilities and additional services (snacks, etc.) depending upon volunteer efforts. No fuel services are offered at comfort stations.; Maintenance Division

commencement of construction: Commencement of construction refers to the initial disturbance of soils associated with clearing, grading, or excavating activities or other construction activities.

commercial driver’s license: CDL; A commercial drivers’ license is a license issued to an individual that authorizes the individual to drive a class of commercial motor vehicle.; Public Transportation Collection

commercial lodging establishment: Commercial lodging establishment means a hotel, motel, inn, apartment, house, or similar entity that furnishes lodging to the public for pay. This term includes a governmental property controlled by that entity, or a religious organization, or a private educational institute.; Travel Manual

commercial motor vehicle: CMV; A commercial motor vehicle is a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used to transport passengers or property that meets at least one of the following criteria: a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds, including a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds; a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds, designed to transport 16 or more occupants, including the driver; and transporting hazardous materials and required to be placarded under 49 CFR Part 172.; Public Transportation Collection

commission: Commission means the �Texas Transportation Commission.; Contract Management Manual

commission policy, TxDOT: TxDOT commission policy is initiated by minute order and usually provides internal guidance at the most general level and directly or indirectly helps define the mission of the agency and its relationship with the public. Rule policy is needed when commission policy affects the public.

commission selected projects: Commission selected projects are special projects selected by the commission which are funded by a ten percent set-aside from state funds allocated to transit districts.; Public Transportation Collection

commissioners’ award: A commissioners’ award is the amount of money awarded by the Special Commissioners to the condemnee.; Right of Way Manual

Common Business Oriented Language: COBOL; Common Business Oriented Language is an early high-level programming language designed for business applications.

common ditch agreement: A common ditch agreement is a form of joint use agreement used for the common usage of longitudinal right of way. It usually involves permission to use the drainage or ditch area between two rights of way.; Right of Way Manual

common rule: Common rule is Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 18, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements with State and Local Governments" (cited as 49 CFR Part 18) as it may be changed or superseded.; Contract Management Manual

communications management information protocol: CMIP; Communications management information protocol is a network management protocol developed by the International Standards Organization.

communications ring: A communications ring is a local area network or wide area network based, electronic communications segment that has been organized along some combination of functional, geographical and/or topological boundary.; A particular communications ring may be designed to provide LAN services only for users located within a particular building.

Community Supervision and Corrections Department: CSCD; Community Supervision and Corrections Department is the new designation for local probation departments in Texas.

Community/Corridor Traffic Safety Program: C/CTSP; Community/Corridor Traffic Safety Program is a joint initiatives between the Federal Highway Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. All community based multi-issue projects will now be referred to as Community/Corridor Traffic Safety Programs. This means that any identifiable roadways in the area that have worse-than-average traffic safety problems, such as large concentrations of Drinking While Intoxicated, speeding offenses, or other traffic problems will also be included in the safety initiatives developed by the Corridor Traffic Safety Program.; A jurisdiction may decide to do some additional enforcement for a particular stretch of roadway, conduct a public information and education campaign, or provide additional striping or signage.

commuter rail (transit): CR or CRT; Commuter rail is urban passenger train service for short distance (local) travel between a central city and adjacent suburbs and long haul (regional) passenger service between cities. It does not include heavy rail service or light rail service. Commuter rail often shares track with freight tracks.; Transportation Planning and Programming Collection

compaction: Compaction is the application of pressure to dirt to result in a dense mass free of excessive voids. Compaction minimizes settlement, decreases permeability, and increases strength.

compaction factor: The compaction factor is the ratio between the volume of naturally existing material to the volume of compacted embankment.

compactive effort: Compactive effort is the total energy, expressed as kilo-Newton-meters per cubic meter (foot-pounds per cubic inch) used to compact the specimen.; Manual of Testing Procedures

comparable replacement dwelling: A comparable replacement dwelling is a dwelling which is:; Right of Way Manual

compensable interest: Compensable interest is a right or interest in real property and/or facilities placed upon real property that qualify under State law for reimbursement for some or all of the cost of the relocation of the facilities as necessitated by the Texas Department of Transportation.; ROW Utility Manual

compensatory time: Compensatory time is time awarded in lieu of cash payment to eligible employees in compensation for regular or FLSA overtime worked.; Human Resources Manual

competitive promotion: A competitive promotion is a promotion in which a vacancy is announced, an employee applies and competes with other applicants who may or may not be current employees of the department, and is selected with the result that his or her new duty assignment is in a higher salary group.; Human Resources Manual

competitive situation: A competitive situation is a situation in which there may be more than one qualified potential applicant for a job.; Human Resources Manual

complete immersion thermometers: A complete immersion thermometer is a liquid-in-glass thermometer designed to read correctly when the entire body is exposed to the same temperature. Thermometers inside ovens are being used as complete immersion thermometers.; Manual of Testing Procedures

complete interchange lighting: Complete interchange lighting means the lighting, within the limits of the interchange, of the main lanes, direct connections, ramp terminals, and frontage road-crossroad intersections. (See �partial interchange lighting.); Highway Illumination Manual

completion: Completion is satisfactory performance of a contract.; Contract Management Manual

composite pavement: Composite pavement is a pavement structure which has flexible and rigid layers. These pavements usually have one or more asphalt concrete layers on top of a portland cement concrete slab, although some have a portland cement concrete slab on top of asphalt concrete.; Pavement Management Information System (PMIS) Users Manual

compound curve: A compound curve is a two-arc simple curve having its centers on the same side of the common tangent at the junction.

compressibility: Compressibility is the property of soil which permits it to reduce in volume under pressure.

comptroller journal voucher: A comptroller journal voucher is a voucher provided by the state comptroller for recording adjusting transactions in the Uniform Statewide Accounting System (USAS).; Finance Division

comptroller object of revenue: The comptroller object of revenue is a code designatated by the comptroller to identify a type of revenue. The codes are contained in Reference FIMS Code Chart 54.; Finance Division

comptroller’s vendor identification number: The comptroller’s vendor identification number is a 14-digit vendor number assigned by the Texas comptroller of public accounts. The first digit represents the general classification of vendor (business, individual non-profit, etc.) The next nine digits are the vendor’s tax number or the individual’s social security number. The eleventh digit is a check digit and the last three digits constitute an address code.

computer-assisted instruction: CAI; Computer-assisted instruction is training assistance provided from a computer that augments other forms of training. Individual instruction can include presentations by computer-prompted questions requiring student responses and participation. Exercises and computer-prompted student involvement are referred to as CAI when total control remains outside of a computer program. Students being able to progress through the materials at their own rate and time schedule is a big advantage of CAI.

computer-based training: CBT; Computer-based training is instruction and training oriented completely around a computer-based programmed sequence of instruction and required responses from the student/trainee. CBT consists of computer-prompted exercises that a student/trainee performs and questions that require a response to the computer. CBT refers to instruction that is under total, or almost total, control of computer-prompted sequences presented to the student. Any time the instruction program is active can be a training time for anyone enrolled.

computer fraud: Computer fraud is computer-related crimes involving deliberate misrepresentation, alteration or dis-closure of data in order to obtain something of value (usually for monetary gain). A computer system must have been involved in the perpetration or cover-up of the act or series of acts. A com-puter system might have been involved through improper manipulation of input data, output or results, applications programs, data files, computer operations, communications, or computer hard-ware, systems software, or firmware.; Source: Information Security Manual

computer intrusion response team: CIRT; A computer intrusion response team is a service organization that is responsible for receiving, reviewing, and responding to computer security incident reports and activity. A CIRT can be a formalized team or an ad hoc team. A formalized team performs incident response work as its major job function. An ad hoc team is called together during an ongoing computer security incident or to respond to an incident when the need arises.; Information Security Manual

computer network attack: Computer network attack (CNA) is an operation to disrupt, deny, degrade, or destroy information resident in computers and computer networks, or the computers and networks themselves.; Source: Information Security Manual

computer program: A computer program is a set of instructions which automatically controls the operation of a computer in the solution of a problem.

computing platform: Computing platform is used generically to represent a functional combination of computer system hardware, software and all supporting peripherals and services that, when employed together, deliver computing services to a user or group of users.

concentrated flow: Concentrated flow means water, usually storm runoff, flowing in a confined feature such as a channel, ditch, swale, river, etc.

conceptual design