TxDOT Glossary: N

National Ambient Air Quality Standards: NAAQS; National Ambient Air Quality Standards are maximum air pollutant levels set by the Environmental Protection Agency, which if attained, allow an adequate margin of safety to protect human health.; Environmental Manual

National Bridge Inventory Sheet: NBI Sheet; A national bridge inventory sheet is a printed copy with abbreviated names of the numerical data in the electronic bridge inspection file. The National Bridge Inventory must include all the information required by the FHWA. Texas captures additional information exceeding that required by the NBI.; Bridge Inspection Manual

National Character Set: The National Character Set is the letters A through Z, numerals 0 through 9, and characters @, # and $.

National Cooperative Highway Research Program: NCHRP; The National Cooperative Highway Research Program is administered by the Transportation Research Board.; Research and Implementation Manual

National Electrical Code: NEC; The National Electrical Code is the nationally recognized rules and regulations for the installation and use of electrical power. The NEC is considered the minimum acceptable standard for a safe installation.; Highway Illumination Manual

National Electrical Manufacturer’s Association: NEMA; The National Electrical Manufacturer’s Association provides specifications and industry standards.; Highway Illumination Manual

National Environmental Policy Act: NEPA; The National Environmental Policy Act is the basic national charter for protection of the environment. It establishes policy, set goals and provides means for carrying out the policy. NEPA is binding upon federal agencies, including the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and is usually followed as an environmental guideline by state and local agencies. In general, reference to NEPA includes the Act itself and its subsequent amendments.

National Environmental Policy Act process: NEPA process; All measures necessary for compliance with the requirements of NEPA.

National Highway System: NHS; Right of Way Manual; Transportation Planning and Programming Collection

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: NHTSA; The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is the agency within the United States Department of Transportation that exercises primary responsibility for coordinating federal efforts to ensure the safe design and operation of motor vehicles.; Traffic Safety

National Institute of Governmental Purchasing Code: NIGP Code; Materials And Supplies Management System Manual; Purchasing Manual

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System: NPDES; The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System is the program administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under federal law to limit and control stormwater discharges from point sources and non-point sources.

national pooled-fund study: A national pooled-fund study is a planning or RD&T study or activity expected to solve problems of national significance, usually administered by the FHWA headquarters office in cooperation with states and/or MPO contributions of FHWA planning and research funds, with or without matching funds.; Transportation Planning and Programming Collection

National Register of Historic Places: NRHP; The National Register of Historic Places is a catalog of historic sites and buildings, districts, structures, and objects which have been entered on the list of the nation's outstanding cultural resources. It provides an authoritative guide to federal, state and local governments, private groups and citizens to recognize the nation’s cultural resources, enabling these groups to protect and sustain these resources in the process of planning for the future.

Nationwide Personal Transportation Study: NPTS; The National Personal Transportation Study, conducted by the Bureau of the Census, has been the primary source of national data on travel patterns and frequency, transit use for all purposes, and the characteristics of transit users versus all travelers.

Natural Resource Conservation Service: NRCS; The Natural Resource Conservation Service is a federal agency formerly known as the U.S. Soil Conservation Service.; Environmental Manual

navigable stream: By law, Natural Resources Code §21.001(3), any stream or streambed as long as it maintains from its mouth upstream an average width of 30 feet or more, at which point it becomes statutorily non-navigable (state statues). Relates to property access and construction limitations.

navigable waterway: Primarily a regulatory term as it applies to highway drainage planning, design and construction in jurisdictional surface waters. The term is more specifically defined in 33 CFR §329.4. Section 9 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 requires navigational clearance permits for bridges over navigable waterways. The US Coast Guard is responsible for Section 9 permits. To determine if a specific waterway is navigable, contact the TxDOT Environmental Affairs Division. More information on navigable waterways can be found in 33 CFR Part 329.

need to know: Need to know is strict limit of information, to be released only to the person(s) as necessary to perform required duties.

needs estimate: A needs estimate is a Pavement Management Information System (PMIS) report which shows how much money is needed to fix all roads with preventive maintenance or rehabilitation in a single year. This report is used to assess the adequacy of current pavement funding.; Pavement Management Information System (PMIS) Users Manual

neglect: Neglect is defined as unintentional deviations from approved procedures that may or may not cause erroneous results.; Quality Assurance Program Manual

negligence: Negligence is failing to exercise the proper care, resulting in accident or injury.; Occupational Safety Manual

negotiated contract: A negotiated contract is a contract that governs services whose authorizing statute requires the department to select the performing entity using a process other than the use of competitive bids. One or more items must be evaluated, scored and/ or negotiated to determine which entity will be awarded the contract.; Contract Management Manual

net carrying capacity: See payload.; Equipment Manual

net surfing: See surfing.; Information Security Manual

network: 1) Network is a collection of computers and other devices that is able to communicate or interchange information with each other over a shared wiring configuration. Such components may include AISs, packet switches, telecommunications controllers, key distribution centers, and technical control devices.; Source: Information Security Manual; 2) Network, in planning, is a system of links and nodes that describes a transportation system. Network is the geocoded representation of the transportation system. Separate networks are defined for auto and transit modes of travel. The network is an abstraction of what is actually on the ground and does not include every local and collector street in the area.; Source: Traffic Data and Analysis Manual

network addressing: Each item of equipment or logical entity (i.e., an application or a user) connected to a network must have a unique network address to enable it to communicate. A network addressing scheme is usually devised to facilitate the management of network addressing.; Information Security Manual

network control center: NCC; A network control center is a control center located at each of the regional computer centers of TxDOT.

network control program: NCP; A network control program is a program that operates in and through the department’s regional computer centers.

network-level: Pavement Management Information System Users (PMIS) Manual

network password: A network password is a combination of numbers, letters and special characters used to gain entry to the network.; Information Security Manual

network topology: The network topology is the pattern by which individual items of networking equipment are interconnected. Drivers for particular topologies include service level requirements such as availability.

New Freedom: NF; New Freedom is a Federal Transit Administration grant program targeting new public transportation services and public transportation alternatives beyond those required by the American with Disabilities Act that assist individuals with disabilities and with transportation, including transportation to and from jobs and employment support services. Codified at 49 USC 5317 and often called the Section 5317 or NF program.; Public Transportation Collection

neutral axis: A neutral axis is an axis of no stress.

new location project: Work proposed to build a facility on a new location to provide a new segment of highway.

new product: A new product is a product or process currently available on the market for immediate acquisition for which TxDOT does not have a current specification, or a product which appears to be equal or superior to existing products covered by a specification.; Research and Implementation Manual

news group: A Usenet news group contains postings from various readers. The postings contain information relevant to the news group topic.; Information Security Manual

Newton: N; Newton is the unit of force in the metric system. It is the force that will cause a one kilogram mass to accelerate at a rate of one meter per second per second. When a one kilogram weight is placed on a scale, it exerts a force of 9.807 Newtons on the scale (the gravitational acceleration is 9.807 meters per second per second).; Manual of Testing Procedures

90-day residential occupant: See short term residential occupant .; Right of Way Manual

no adverse effect: No adverse effect is a determination reached as part of the Section 106 process. If an undertaking will in some way alter a historic property or its setting, but the alteration will not diminish the integrity of the characteristics that qualify the property for inclusion in the National Register, then the undertaking is considered to have "no adverse effect" on the property. This determination is reached in consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer. (See also adverse effect, no effect and Section 106.); Environmental Manual

no damage or injury: No damage or injury is an occurrence which may be a result of a driver’s or operator’s error, but which does not result in a contact involving death, injury or property and is not classified as an accident.; Occupational Safety Manual

no effect: No effect is a determination reached as part of the Section 106 process. An undertaking is considered to have "no effect" on a historic property if it does not have the potential to alter any characteristics of the property that qualify it for inclusion in the National Register. This determination is reached in consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer. (See also no adverse effect, adverse effect and Section 106.); Environmental Manual

node: A node is a point at which sections of the network (roadway or transit) intersect.; Traffic Data and Analysis Manual

noise: Noise is a sound of any kind especially when loud or unwanted.

noise abatement criteria: NAC; Noise abatement criteria are absolute sound levels, provided by FHWA, used to determine when a noise impact occurs.; Environmental Affairs Division

noise barrier: A noise barrier is a solid wall or earth berm located between the roadway and receiver location, which breaks the line-of-sight between the receiver and the roadway noise sources.

noise impact: A noise impact occurs when predicted (future) traffic noise reaches a level that requires a consideration of noise abatement measures.; Environmental Manual

nominal maximum aggregate size: Manual of Testing Procedures

nominal maximum size: Nominal maximum size is the smallest sieve which retains more than 10% of the aggregate.; Manual of Testing Procedures

non-attainment area: Environmental Manual; Transportation Planning and Programming Collection

non-collision accident: Non-collision accidents of the upset, rollover, jackknife, run-off-the-road type which cause death, injury, or damage are classified as accidents.; Occupational Safety Manual

noncompetitive transfer: A noncompetitive transfer is a transfer for which a job requisition does not have to be posted.; Human Resources Manual

nonconforming sign: A nonconforming sign is a lawfully erected sign that does not comply with the provisions of a law or rule promulgated at a later date, or that later fails to comply with a law or rule due to changed conditions.; Right of Way Manual

non-consumable: Purchasing Manual; Materials And Supplies Management System Manual

non-contiguous route segment: A non-contiguous route segment is a designated highway section which, when added, does not adjoin a route segment already existing in the TRM Highway Data File, but is located on the proposed alignment of the completed route.; Texas Reference Marker (TRM) System User's Manual

non-discrimination grievance: Non-discrimination grievance is an employee's concern that is not related to issues of discrimination.; Human Resources Manual

non-exempt damages: Non-exempt damages are damages relating only to fencing on a partially-acquired parcel. Also called specific damages.; Right of Way Collection

non-exempt employee: A non-exempt employee is an employee who is not exempt from (is subject to) the FLSA and must be paid in compliance with FLSA minimum wage and overtime requirements.; Human Resources Manual

non-freestanding workplace: A non-freestanding workplace is a business establishment that is located on sites that include other establishments or employers such as a site located in a neighborhood shopping center.; Traffic Data and Analysis Manual

non-home based trip: A non-home based trip is a trip that neither begins or ends at a person’s home regardless of the purpose of the trip.; Traffic Data and Analysis Manual

non-participating: Non-participating defines aspects of construction for which a funding party will not be a part. For example, FHWA does not reimburse TxDOT for costs resulting from unclear right of way or utilities. Similarly, minor utility adjustments may be made a part of a TxDOT contract, with TxDOT not participating in the funding of such adjustments.

non-permit confined space: A non-permit confined space is a confined space that does not contain or, with respect to atmospheric hazards, have the potential to contain any hazard capable of causing death or serious physical harm.; Occupational Safety Manual

non-professional services: Non-professional services are skilled or unskilled labor or professional work, but do not include professional and consulting services, as defined in Texas Government Code, Title 10, Subtitle D, Section 2254; services of an employee of a state agency; or services of public utilities.; Purchasing Manual

nonprofit organization: A nonprofit organization is an organization that is incorporated under the applicable laws of the State as a non-profit organization, and exempt from paying Federal income taxes under Section 501, Internal Revenue Code (26USC 501). Also, a public or private entity that has established its nonprofit status under applicable Federal or State law and exempt from paying Federal income taxes under Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code.; Right of Way Manual

nonprofit sign: A nonprofit sign is a sign erected and maintained by a nonprofit organization in a municipality or the extraterritorial jurisdiction of a municipality advertising or promoting only the municipality or another political subdivision whose jurisdiction is in whole or in part concurrent with the municipality.; Public Transportation Collection

nonrepudiation: Nonrepudiation is ensuring that an individual cannot deny sending or receiving information.; Information Security Manual

non-responsive bidders: Non-responsive bidders are those who failed to provide all the required forms, documents, guaranty, signatures, acknowledgments, etc., did not attend a mandatory pre-bid conference, or did not secure proper technical prequalification. Their bids may not be read.; Letting Manual

non-stressed concrete: Non-stressed concrete is precast concrete not subjected to prestressing.; Manual of Test Procedures

non-traversable median: See �median, non-traversable.

nonurbanized area: A nonurbanized area is an area with a population of less than 50,000. Nonurbanized areas are more commonly referred to as those areas outside the bounds of an urbanized area which are officially designated by the U.S. Census Bureau.; Public Transportation Collection

non-working hours: Non-working hours means all the hours in a calendar day except working hours.; Travel Manual

no passing zone: A no passing zone is a section of the highway where overtaking and passing would be hazardous and is therefore prohibited.

normalized gradation: Normalized gradation is a standardized gradation derived from the median of the specified gradation limits and based on 100 percent of the material retained on a designated sieve size.; Manual of Testing Procedures

North American Datum for 1927: NAD27; North American Datum of 1927 is a datum based on the Clarke ellipsoid of 1866.; Survey Manual

North American Datum for 1983: NAD83; North american Datum of 1983 is an earth-centered datum based on the Geodetic Reference System of 1980.; Survey Manual

North American Free Trade Agreement: NAFTA; A formal agreement, or treaty, between Canada, Mexico, and the United States of America to promote means for improved and increased free trade between the three countries.

notarized affidavit: A notarized affidavit is an affidavit, signed and sealed by a notary public, stating the name of the displacee receiving a governmental subsidy, the amount of the subsidy for a specific time period, and the name of the governmental agency dispensing the subsidy.; Right of Way Collection

not to scale: NTS; Not to scale means no scale was used or defined.

notice of intent: NOI; Notice of intent is a notice published to give notice that an Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act. The NOI includes the proposed action, the scoping process, and the name and address of a person to whom comments may be sent.; Environmental Manual

notice of termination: NOT; A notice of termination is a formal submission to Environmental Protection Agency and any other State or local regulatory agencies indicating that construction activities covered under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System general permit have been completed or transferred to another permittee.

notice to contractor: Notice to Contractor is the list of upcoming Construction and Maintenance Division projects for bidders. This list provides general project information for monthly mailing and posting to TxDOT's website and the Texas Building and Procurement Commission's website.

nuclear gauge: A nuclear gauge is a portable gauge used to determine the in-place density and moisture content of soils and base materials. Caution: It must be operated by a licensed operator, according to Test Method TEX-115-E, Part II.