TxDOT Glossary: S

Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users: SAFETEA-LU; The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users is the transportation act signed into law on August 10, 2005 that establishes policy for highways, safety, transit, and other surface transportation programs and provides funding authorization through FY 2009. SAFETEA-LU builds on the initiatives established in TEA-21.; Public Transportation Collection

safety end treatments: SET; Safety end treatments are attachments placed or constructed at the ends of culvert pipes or boxes that allow vehicles that stray from the roadway to pass over them with little or no damage to the vehicle or passengers.; Bridge Design Manual

safety lighting: Safety lighting is roadway lighting installed at interchanges, highway intersections, and other points of nighttime hazard to the extent necessary to provide for the safe and orderly movement of traffic.; Highway Illumination Manual

safety pipe runner: A safety pipe runner is a pipe or series of pipes placed across a safety end treatment to prevent a vehicle or vehicle wheel from falling into the safety end treatment opening.

Safety Rest Area: SRA; See rest area.

Salary and Labor Distribution System: SLD; Salary and Labor Distribution System is an information system managed by the Finance Division.; Finance Division

Salvage: ROW Utility Manual; Right of Way Collection

salvage value: A salvage value is the probable sale price of an item, if offered for sale to a knowledgeable buyer on the condition that it will be removed from the property at the buyer’s expense (not eligible under relocation assistance). This includes items for reuse as well as items with components that can be reused or recycled when there is no reasonable prospect for sales except on this basis.; Right of Way Manual

sample angle: Sample angle is the orientation of the sample with respect to the blast nozzle centerline. A sample angle of 0º is such that the sample is oriented perpendicular to the blast nozzle centerline.

sample distance: Sample distance is the distance between the face of the blast nozzle and the sample, measured along the blast nozzle centerline.

San Angelo District: SJT; The San Angelo District is a TxDOT district office including the following counties: Coke, Concho, Crockett, Edwards, Glasscock, Irion, Kimble, Menard, Reagan, Real, Runnels, Schleicher, Sterling, Sutton, and Tom Green. Area offices are located in Junction, San Angelo, and Sonora. Maintenance offices are located in Eden, Junction, Leakey, Rocksprings, Balinger, Robert Lee, San Angelo, Sterling City, Big Lake, Ozona, and Sonora.; Inside TxDOT

San Antonio District: SAT; The San Antonio District is a TxDOT district office including the following counties: Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Frio, Guadalupe, Kendall, Kerr, La Salle, McMullen, Medina, Uvalde, and Wilson. Area offices are located in Floresville, Hondo, Kerrville, New Braunfels, Pearsall, Pleasanton, San Antonio 410, San Antonio Central, Seguin, and Uvalde. Maintenance offices are located in Floresville, Devine, Hondo, Bandera, Boerne, Kerrville, New Braunfels, Pearsall, Pleasanton, Tilden, San Antonio NW, San Antonio SW, San Antonio Central, San Antonio SE, San Antonio NE, Seguin, and Uvalde.; Inside TxDOT

sanction: Sanction is debarment, suspension, or reduction in bidding capacity.; Texas Administrative Code

sand: Sand consists of fine aggregate particles that are retained on the 75mm (No. 200) sieve, either as natural sand resulting from natural disintegration and abrasion of rock, or as manufactured sand which is produced by the crushing of rock, gravel, slag, etc.; NOTE: This definition has been approved by the Specification Committee.; Manual of Testing Procedures

sandstone: Sandstone is sedimentary rock consisting predominantly of weathered sand-sized particles naturally cemented together. NOTE: This definition has been approved by the Specification Committee; Manual of Testing Procedures

sanitize: Sanitize is to remove sensitive data from an information system, a database or an extract from a database.; Information Security Manual

sanitized information: Sanitized information is information that has had confidential/sensitive information replaced with non-information, such as replacing a Social Security number with x’s.; Information Security Manual

saturated surface-dry: SSD; Saturated surface-dry is the condition of the aggregate when all permeable pores of each particle are completely saturated with water and its surface has no free moisture.; Manual of Testing Procedures

saturated surface-dry specific gravity: SSD Specific Gravity; Saturated surface-dry specific gravity is the ratio of the mass of SSD aggregate to the mass of an equal volume of water.; Manual of Testing Procedures

saturation count: One of a series of counts collected by TxDOT in urban areas on a recurring basis; typically every five years with each of the 25 Texas urban areas scheduled in staggered years. The term, saturation count, is derived from the fact that these traffic counts are the maximum number of traffic counts collected by TxDOT within an urban area (i.e. the urban area is saturated with count locations). Within an urban area, during several sequential months, TxDOT may collect counts for nearly every roadway functionally classified as a validating travel demand models.

Save City/Save County ranking: SC/SC; The Save City/Save County ranking ranking procedure is a set of formulae developed by the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) for TxDOT. It is based on crash rate and severity and is designed to provide a ranking of problem severity for each city and county in Texas. These rankings are used to assist in problem identification to ensure that funds are used as effectively as possible, aid in countermeasure development, enhance the ability to evaluate program efforts, and support program decisions.

scaleable architecture: Scaleable architecture is a technological infrastructure in which the computing capacity can be increased or decreased (scaled) in both a horizontal and/or vertical direction. Horizontal scalability occurs when the number of configured machines is increased or decreased within an established architecture. Vertical scalability occurs when a machine or number of machines within an established architecture is reconfigured or replaced with machines that have more or less computing horsepower. In this case the number of machines will remain constant.

scallop: Scallop is a vertical projection above or below the blanking band.

scarifying: Scarifying is loosening of natural ground to a required depth.

school: School means a public or private elementary, intermediate, middle, junior high, or high school.; Safe Routes to School Program Guidelines

scope of work: Scope of work is the work that the performing entity is authorized to complete as specified in its contract with the department.; Contract Management Manual

scoping: Scoping is the process that occurs prior to the preparation of an EIS. Scoping may include a meeting or series of meetings, an environmental analysis, and interagency coordination. Any information that is gathered will be used and provides the basis for the preparation of the EIS.; Environmental Manual

scour: A scour is the result of abrasion. It is the wearing away of soils due to the action of streamflow.; Hydraulics Manual

scrap tire: A scrap tire is a whole tire that can no longer be used for its original purpose.; Equipment Manual

scrap tire transporter: A scrap tire transporter is a registered entity that collects and transports used or scrap tires or tire pieces for storage, processing, recycling or energy recovery. Governmental agencies are exempt from scrap tire transporter registration.; Equipment Manual

scrap value: Scrap value is the value of utility property removed from any existing facility that will not be reused by the utility company and will be sold as scrap.; ROW Utility Manual

screed: Screed is a component of a paver that strikes off the paving mixture and compacts it by the weight of the screed containing a vibrator unit.

screening document: A screening document is a measuring tool to determine which applicants to select for interviews.; Human Resources Manual

screening panel: A screening panel is two or more employees who collectively screen applications.; Human Resources Manual

seal coat: Seal coat is an asphaltic coating, with aggregate, applied to the surface of a pavement structure for the purpose of waterproofing and preserving the surface, reconditioning a previous asphaltic surface treatment, improving the surface texture of the wearing surface, changing the surface color or providing resistance to traffic abrasion.

secondary screening: Secondary screening is evaluation of an applicant’s competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other attributes).; Human Resources Manual

Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes: SCT; The Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes is the Mexican Department of Communications and Transportation.

section modulus: A section modulus is the moment of inertia of the area of a section of a member divided by the distance from the center of gravity to the outermost fiber.

Section 4(f) property: A significant publicly owned park, recreation area, wildlife and waterfowl refuge, or historic property (including archeological sites) protected by Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department of Transportation Act of 1966 (49 USC 303).

Section 6(f) property: Property acquired or improved with funds authorized under the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (LWCF Act). Section 6(f) of the LWCF Act established restrictions on the use of these properties. Refer to 36 CFR §§59.1 - 59.4 for more information.

Section 106: Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act sets forth the requirement that federally funded or permitted projects must consider the effects of the project on historic properties and afford the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation an opportunity to comment. The regulations to complete this process are set forth in 36 CFR 800.; Environmental Manual

sectional properties: Sectional properties are the end area per unit of width, moment of inertia, section modulus, and radius of gyration.

sector: A sector is an aggregation of districts used for analysis and reporting in travel demand modeling.; Traffic Data and Analysis Manual

secure shell: A secure shell is a completely encrypted shell connection between two machines protected by a super long pass-phrase.; Information Security Manual

secure sockets layer: SSL; Secure sockets layer is a program layer created for managing the security of message transmissions in a network. The programming for keeping messages confidential is contained in a program layer between an application (such as a user’s web browser or HTTP) and the Internet’s TCP/IP layers. The “sockets” part of the term refers to the sockets method of passing data back and forth between a client and a server program in a network or between program layers in the same computer.; Information Security Manual

security: Security is a condition that results from the establishment and maintenance of protective measures that ensure a state of inviolability from hostile acts or influences.; Information Security Manual

security administrator: SA; A local security administrator is a TxDOT employee responsible for providing security and risk management services in a district, division, or office.; Information Security Manual

security incident: A security incident is an event that results in unauthorized access, loss, disclosure, modification, disruption, or destruction of information resources whether accidental or deliberate.; Information Security Manual

security requirements: Security requirements are types and levels of protection necessary for equipment, data, information, applications, and facilities.; Information Security Manual

security risk: Security risks are risks involving platform-specific vulnerabilities.; Information Security Manual

security risk analysis: A security risk analysis is the process of identifying and documenting vulnerabilities and applicable threats to information resources.; Information Security Manual

security risk assessment: A security risk assessment is the process of evaluating the results of the risk analysis by projecting losses, assigning levels of risk, and recommending appropriate measures to protect information resources.; Information Security Manual

security risk management: Security risk management is the process of making decisions to accept exposures or to reduce vulnerabilities by either mitigating risks or applying cost-effective controls.; Information Security Manual

security token: A security token, sometimes called a "smart card" is a small hardware device that the owner carries to authorize access to a network service. The device may be in the form of a smart card or may be embedded in a commonly used object such as a key fob. Security tokens provide an extra level of assurance through a method known as two-factor authentication: the user has a personal identification number (PIN), which authorizes them as the owner of that particular device; the device then displays a number, which uniquely identifies the user to the service, allowing them to log in. The identification number for each user is changed frequently, usually every five minutes or so.; Information Security Manual

sediment: Sediment is solid soil material, both mineral and organic, that is being moved or has been moved from its original site by wind, gravity, flowing water or ice.

sediment basin: A sediment basin is a depression formed by excavation or the construction of a barrier or dam built at suitable locations to retain rock, sand gravel, silt or other material.

sedimentation: Sedimentation refers to the action or process of depositing particles of waterborne or wind-borne soil, rock, or other materials.

seepage: Seepage is when water is escaping through or emerging from the ground along some rather extensive line or surface, as contrasted with a spring, the water of which emerges from a single spot.

selected material: Selected material is a suitable native material obtained from a specified source, such as a particular roadway cut or borrow area, or a suitable material having specified characteristics to be used for a specific purpose.; Pavement Design Manual

selective quarrying: Selective quarrying is the practice of processing certain strata or layers of material for a designated aggregate product.; Manual of Testing Procedures

semi-solid state: Semi-solid state refers to when material will crumble under a deforming pressure or load.

SendMail: SendMail is a program that controls incoming and outgoing email.; Information Security Manual

sensitive information: Sensitive information is information maintained by TxDOT that requires special precautions, determined by agency standards and risk management decisions, to ensure its accuracy, integrity, and protection from unauthorized disclosure, modification, or deletion.; Information Security Manual

sensitivity: Sensitivity is the smallest change that is discernible in the output indicator of any test equipment.; Manual of Testing Procedures

sensors: Sensors are the elements of a device that sense or determine the characteristic being measured.; Manual of Testing Procedures

separation date: The separation date is the last day that an employee is on the payroll. When an employee’s last day is the last working day of the month, the separation date will be the last calendar day of the month.; Human Resources Manual

separation from employment: Separation from employment occurs when am employee ends employment with the department, including extended military leave, retirement and death.; Human Resources Manual

service mark: A service mark is a mark, which identifies and distinguishes the source of services of one party from another. An example is the TxDOT logo.; Source: Information Security Manual

serviceability: Serviceability is the ability at time of observation of a pavement to serve traffic (autos and trucks) that use the facility.; Pavement Design Manual

settlement: Settlement is the act of becoming compact by sinking.

serial line internet protocol: SLIP; Serial line internet protocol is an asynchronous internet communications architecture in mainframe environments.

server: A large microcomputer that provides services for users of a local area network (LAN). The LAN operating system, shared applications, and shared data reside on a server. In a client-server architecture, the server is a component responsible for satisfying a client component’s request.; Information Security Manual

service employment: Service employment is employment that occurs in businesses classified as financial, insurance, real estate, government, education, and service under the standard industrial classification system.; Traffic Data and Analysis Manual

service mark: A service mark identifies and distinguishes the source of services of one party from another. An example would be the logo of a consultant.; Legal Manual

service road: See frontage road.

services: Services include includes professional, scientific, private consulting services, and services of employees.; Contract Management Manual

servicing and/or maintenance: Servicing and/or maintenance refers to workplace activities such as constructing, installing, setting up, adjusting, inspecting, modifying and maintaining and/or servicing machines or equipment. These activities include lubrication, cleaning or unjamming of machines or equipment and making adjustments or tool changes, where the employee may be exposed to the unexpected energization or startup of the equipment or release of hazardous energy.; Occupational Safety Manual

seven by twenty four (7x24) operations: The term 7x24 operations is used to describe an entity (usually a computer system or computing facility) that is operable twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

sexual harassment: Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual or gender-based conduct that has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment; unreasonably interferes with work performance; or is made a term or condition of employment; or used as the basis for an employment decision.; Human Resources Manual

shaft: A shaft is a pit or well sunk from the ground surface into a tunnel for the purpose of furnishing ventilation or access to the tunnel.

shall or will: Shall or will indicates that the provision that follows is a mandatory requirement that must be met.; Occupational Safety Manual

shallow rutting: Shallow rutting is an asphaltic concrete pavement (ACP) distress type in which a surface depression in the wheelpath (a rut) is ½ to 1 inch deep. Shallow rutting ranges from 0 to 100 percent of the wheelpath length.; Pavement Management Information System (PMIS) Rater's Manual

shared access: Shared access is a single connection serving two or more adjoining lots or parcels.; Access Management Manual

shattered slabs: A shattered slab is a joint concrete pavement (JCP) distress type in which a slab is so badly cracked that it warrants complete replacement. Shattered slabs range from 0 to 999.; Pavement Management Information System (PMIS) Rater's Manual

sheet flow: Sheet flow is water, usually storm runoff, flowing in a thin layer over the ground surface. A synonym is overland flow.

sheeting: Sheeting is a wall of metal plates or wood planking to keep out water, or soft or runny materials.

shelf life: Shelf life refers to items that deteriorate during storage and/or their usefulness expires after an established date.; Materials And Supplies Management System Manual

shifting cargo: Shifting cargo results when abnormal driving (fast starts, stops or excessive speed in turns or over rough roads, detours, etc.) causes cargo to shift resulting in death, injury, or property damage and the occurrence is classified as an accident.; Occupational Safety Manual

shipment: A shipment is the quantity of finished material shipped to a project at one time. May include one or more lots.; Manual of Testing Procedures

short bolts: Short bolts are bolts that are too short to be assembled in a direct tension indicator. These bolts may be tested in a steel plate, web or flange, which contains a hole of the required diameter.

short list: Short list is the list of providers from the long list, selected by the Consultant Selection Team, that best meet the requirements indicated by the letter of interest.; Engineering Architectural and Surveying Services Manual

short list meeting: Short list meeting is a meeting held with the providers on the short list to answer questions regarding the contract and distribute the RFP or ICG prior to submittal of proposals or interviews.; Engineering Architectural and Surveying Services Manual

short term residential occupant: A short term, or 90-day, residential occupant is a person who had lawful possession and occupied a dwelling from which he/she is being displaced for at least 90 consecutive days immediately prior to the initiation of negotiations.; Right of Way Manual

should: When should is used, the provision that follows is recommended but not mandatory.; Occupational Safety Manual

shoulder: Shlds; Shoulders are the portion of the roadway adjacent to the traveled way (on either side) for accommodation of stopped vehicles, for emergency use, and for lateral support of base and surface.

shoulder drains: Shoulder Drains refer to erosion control riprap concrete drains usually used to drain runoff from bridge embankment areas.; Hydraulics Manual

sieve: A sieve is a series of metal pans with wire mesh screens replacing the solid bottom. The openings in the screens are specified sizes, to allow particles smaller than the opening to fall through. The screens are placed, one on top of the other, with the coarsest mesh screens at the top, and decrease in mesh size down to the bottom. These are used to analyze the size of aggregate particles (sieve analysis or screen analysis).

sight distance: Sight distance is the distance visible to the driver of a passenger vehicle measured along the normal travel path of a roadway from a designated location and to a specified height above the roadway when the view is unobstructed by traffic.; Access Management Manual

sign: A sign is any outdoor sign or awning, display, light, device, figure, painting, drawing, message, plaque, poster, or other thing that is designed, intended, or used to advertise or inform.; Maintenance Collection

signal: Signal is a traffic control signal.; Access Management Manual

sign and issue: Sign and issue is the establishment of a written contractual and fiduciary obligation between the state and the vendor. Only authorized individuals may sign such documents and, therefore, commit funds.

signature authority: Signature authority is the designated official having the authority to execute (activate) a contract for a particular type of service.; Contract Management Manual

sign face: A sign face is the part of the sign that contains the message or informative contents and is distinguished from other parts of the sign and other sign faces by separation borders or decorative trim. It does not include lighting fixtures, aprons, and catwalks unless they display part of the message or informative contents of the sign.; Right of Way Manual

significantly: TxDOT uses the definition found in §1508.27 of the CEQ Regulations. In brief, the context and intensity of impacts determine significance. Impacts to endangered or threatened species and to sites on or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places are specifically included in the definition.; Environmental Manual

signing and sealing: Signing and sealing refers to requirements that the engineer must affix a seal containing the engineer’s license number, sign, and date many of the documents prepared for a bridge inspection. The signing and sealing requirements are in conformance with the Texas Engineering Practice Act and TxDOT policy.; Bridge Inspection Manual

sign removed: Sign removed means the dismantling and removal of a substantial portion of the parts and materials of a sign or sign structure from the view of the motoring public. The term shall not include the temporary removal of a sign face for operational reasons.; Right of Way Manual

sign structure: A sign structure is all of the interrelated parts and materials, such as beams, poles, braces, apron, catwalk, and stringers, that are used, designed to be used, or are intended to be used to support or display a sign face.; Right of Way Manual

silt: Silt is soil passing the 75 mm (No. 200) sieve that is non-plastic or very slightly plastic and that exhibits little or no strength when air dry. NOTE: This definition has been approved by the Specification Committee.; Manual of Testing Procedures

silt size: Silt size is any material passing the 75 mm (No. 200) sieve which is coarser than 0.002 mm (2 mm), though not necessarily exhibiting silt characteristics. NOTE: This definition has been approved by the Specification Committee.; Manual of Testing Procedures

simple mail transport protocol: SMTP; Simple Mail Transport Protocol is a protocol that exchanges electronic mail on the Internet or other networks.; Information Security Manual

simple network management protocol: SNMP; Simple network management protocol is a network management protocol standard developed to complement the TCP/IP protocol suite.; Information Security Manual

single axle load: Single axle load is the total load transmitted by all wheels of a single axle extending the full width of the vehicle.; Pavement Design Manual

single entry screen system: SES; Single entry screen system is a mainframe computer system that allows office managers to enter all of the information related to maintenance activity through one system. SES then sends the appropriate data to each of the other four systems – MMIS, SLD, EOS, and MSMS. This is the single entry concept – one system is used to enter data into all four constituent systems.

single occupancy vehicle: SOV; A vehicle having only one occupant

siphon (hydraulics): A siphon (in hydraulics) is a closed conduit, a part of which rises above the hydraulic grade line. It utilizes atmospheric pressure to effect or increase the flow of water through it. (inverted). A conduit or culvert with a U of V shaped grade line to permit it to pass under an intersecting roadway, stream or other obstruction.

skew (structures): A skew (in structures) is the angle formed by a line perpendicular to the roadway centerline and the line drawn parallel to the vents of a bridge or walls of a culvert.; Bridge Design Manual

skew angle: A skew angle is the complement of the acute angle between two centerlines which cross.

skid resistance: Skid resistance is a characteristic of an asphalt pavement that concerns the slippage or skidding of automobile tires on the pavement surface. The surface texture and shape of aggregate particles is important in resisting skidding or slippage, as is asphalt content. Smooth aggregate particles with high asphalt content offers little skid resistance. Rough aggregate surfaces and low asphalt content offers greater skid resistance.

skid score: Skid score is a Pavement Management Information System (PMIS) term which describes the overall surface friction. Skid score ranges from 1 (least friction) to 100 (most friction), although values above 70 are rare.; Pavement Management Information System(PMIS) Users Manual

slabs with longitudinal cracks: A slab with longitudinal cracks is a joint concrete pavement (JCP) distress type in which a slab has a crack which roughly parallels the roadbed centerline. Slabs with longitudinal cracks range from 0 to 999.; Pavement Management Information System (PMIS) Rater's Manual

slag: Slag is a non-metallic by-product of the smelting or refining of metals, and consists of calcium and alumina-silicates.; NOTE: This definition has been approved by the Specification Committee.; Manual of Testing Procedures

slide: A slide is the movement of a part of the earth under force of gravity.

sliding elastomeric bridge bearings: Sliding elastomeric bridge bearings consist of steel plates faced with stainless steel and a preformed fabric pad faced with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). These bearings are specifically designed to permit sliding action of bridge girders.; Manual of Testing Procedures

slippery pavement: Slippery pavement is the surface texture of bituminous pavement that is subject to adverse change as a result of aging, excessive asphalt, wearing, etc.; Maintenance Collection

slope: A slope is a method of defining the steepness of a sloping surface. For road and bridge surfaces this is normally expressed as a vertical distance divided by a horizontal distance of one foot.1/4":1 or .0208:1 is the degree of slant or slope.; Survey Manual

slope ratio: The slope ratio is the inverse of slope as shown above. Normally this method is used for defining cut and fill slopes and is expressed as a horizontal distance divided by a vertical distance of one foot.6:1.; Survey Manual

small business: A small business is a legal entity, including a corporation, partnership or sole proprietorship that:; Right of Way Manual

small purchase: Small purchase is the purchase of goods, materials, supplies, fuel, equipment, and publications made under statutory authority or under authority delegated by the General Services Commission by rule.

smart card: A smart card is a plastic card about the size of a credit card, with an embedded microchip that can be loaded with data, used for telephone calling, electronic cash payments, and other applications, and then periodically refreshed for additional use.; Information Security Manual

socket: A socket is a communication path between two computer processes on the same machine or different machines. On a network, sockets serve as endpoints for exchanging data between computers. Each socket has a socket address, which is a port number plus a network address. Network connections are established by a socket device driver.; Information Security Manual

sod: Sod is a portable mass of established grass, turf, or ground-cover plants.

soft conversion: Soft conversion is a direct mathematical conversion from English to standard international (metric units) with rounding to significant digits.

software: Software are computer programs.

soil: Soil is a superficial, unconsolidated deposit of disintegrated and decomposed rock material produced by surface weathering. NOTE: This definition has been approved by the Specification Committee.; Manual of Testing Procedures

soil binder: Soil binder is any material passing the 425 mm (No. 40) sieve.; Manual of Testing Procedures

Soil Conservation Service: SCS; Soil Conservation Service is the branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture charged with the responsibility for all soil and water conservation activities on private land. This responsibility includes implementing the Farmland Protection Policy Act (FPPA) whenever a federal highway project results in the conversion of prime and unique farmland to non-agricultural uses.

soil retention blanket: SRB; A soil retention blanket is a covering usually of geotextile material to hold a soil in place and allow vegetation to grow.

soils: Soils are heterogeneous accumulation of uncemented or loosely cemented mineral grains enclosing voids of various sizes.

sole source purchase: A sole source purchase is the same as a proprietary purchase.; Purchasing Manual

sound: Sound is the sensations produced in the hearing organs by certain air pressure variations.

source: Manual of Testing Procedures

source cost center: Source cost center is the cost center that incurred the expense.; Finance Division

source/pit: A source or pit is a geographical location of naturally occurring material which can be mined or quarried from the original in-situ deposit.; Manual of Testing Procedures

Southern Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials: SASHTO; This is Region 2 of AASHTO and does not include Texas.

spacing: The distance between successive lighting units measured along the center line of the roadway.; Highway Illumination Manual

spalled cracks: A spalled crack is a continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) distress type in which a crack has widened, showing signs of chipping on either side, along some or all of its length. Spalled cracks range from 0 to 999.; Pavement Management Information System (PMIS) Rater's Manual

spamming: Spamming means cross‑posting a message to unrelated news groups. Spamming also refers to actions taken when “netiquette” rules are not followed: Internet users will flood an offending mail system with email messages. The results of this activity can cripple a network.; Information Security Manual

span: A span is the horizontal distance between supports, or maximum inside distance between the sidewalls of culverts.

special event: A special event is an event serving a public purpose and sponsored by a civic or non-profit organization, including, but not limited to fairs, festivals, bicycle events, marathons, rodeos, and charitable fund-raising events, but not including political events or events that could be construed to advocate or oppose a candidate for election or influence the passage or defeat of a measure on an election ballot.; Maintenance Collection

special generators: SG; Special generators are land use activities that are considered to be unique and are handled individually in the modeling process. Special generators typically include colleges and universities, military bases, hospitals, amusement parks, major regional airports, and major regional shopping malls.; Traffic Data and Analysis Manual

Special Highway Safety Program: The Special Highway Safety Program is a 403 Grant Program. Funds appropriated to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to be used by grant programs for highway safety research and demonstration projects and providing training and other technical assistance.; Traffic Safety

special item code: The special item code is a two-digit code for grouping like items for reports. PG = propane; Materials And Supplies Management System Manual

special provision: A special provision is a modification or voiding of certain portions of a standard specification.

special specification: A special specification is one that is written to cover items of work that are not included in the Standard Specifications.

specific deliverable contract: A specific deliverable contract is a contract containing a specific scope of services that identifies deliverables, locations, and timing in sufficient detail to define the provider’s responsibilities under the contract, although additional particulars may later be enumerated in work authorizations.; Engineering Architectural and Surveying Services Manual

specific gravity: Manual of Testing Procedures

specific intensity: SI; Specific Intensity is the candelas of the returned light at the specified observation and entrance angles for each lux of incident light per reflective face. "Tex-842-B, Measuring Retroreflectivity" will be used to determine SI.; Departmental Material Specifications

specification: SPEC; Purchasing Manual

specification (special): A special specification is one that is written to cover items of work that are not included in the Standard Specifications for Construction of Highways, Streets, and Bridges.; Purchasing Manual

specification (TxDOT): A TxDOT specification is a standard specification produced by the General Services Division.; Purchasing Manual

specification list: A specification list is a list of governing specifications and special provisions that are to become a part of the contract and by which the project will be built and the contract will be executed.

spelter: Spelter is zinc or a galvanized coating on steel products.

spike: A spike is a scallop with a width of less than 2.03 mm (0.08 in.) (less than 0.61 m [2 ft.] on the roadway).

spillway: A spillway is a low-level passage serving a dam or reservoir through which surplus water may be discharged; usually an open ditch around the end of a dam, or gateway or a pipe in a dam.

split-tunneling: Split tunneling is the ability to transport multiple protocols over a common network, as well as pro-vide the vehicle for encrypted virtual private networks (VPNs).; Information Security Manual

sponsor: A sponsor is a TxDOT employee who is conducting business with a guest and requesting access for the guest.; Information Security Manual

springing line: A springing line is the line of intersection between the intrados and the supports of an arch. Also the maximum horizontal dimension of a culvert or conduit.

sprinkling: Sprinkling is the addition of water to soil to produce desired compaction of lifts when rolling.

spun lining: Spun lining is a bituminous lining in a pipe, made smooth or uniform by spinning the pipe around its centerline or axis.

square foot: SF; The square foot is an Imperial unit (U.S. customary unit) of area with sides equal one foot.; Survey Manual

square yard: SY; The square yard is a unit of area equal to one yard by one yard square.; Survey Manual

squatter: A squatter is a person who occupies real property without a claim of right or title.; Right of Way Manual

stability: Stability is the ability of asphalt pavement to resist deformation under imposed loads. Stability depends upon both internal friction and cohesion. Stability is tested in the laboratory to predict the stability of the pavement under traffic.

stabilization: Stabilization is the covering of soils by use of vegetation, mulches, geotextiles, rip rap, or gabions.

stakeholders: Stakeholders include the public, abutting property owners, local officials, and representatives of local agencies. In the MIS process, the public is considered separate from stakeholders.

standby time: Standby time is time during which the employee is not actually working but is expected to be available and ready for work. Only non-exempt employees are eligible for standby time; however, exceptions may be made at the discretion of the DE/DD/OD/RD for exempt employees.; Human Resources Manual

standard: A standard is a definite rule, principle, or measure established by authority; may be used to measure quality based on specified quantities or values. Programming standards, technology configuration standards, data naming conventions.

Standard Generalized Markup Language: SGML; Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML) is a markup language that allows page descriptions to be transferred between different computing platforms.; Information Technology and Services Manual

standard industrial classification: SIC; A standard industrial classification code is the classification code representing the specific types of industrial sectors used in economic and employment forecasts.; Traffic Data and Analysis Manual

standard sheets: Standard sheets are design layouts that are common to projects throughout the state. Examples: culverts, bridge designs, retaining walls, inlets, etc.

standard specifications: Standard specifications spell out the requirements of materials, methods of construction, methods of measurement, and methods of payments for constructing highways, streets, and structures and are published in the Standard Specifications for Construction of Highways, Streets and Bridges.

standard thermometer: A standard thermometer is a thermometer whose errors and deviation from the true temperature are known, documented and traceable to the standards of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).; Manual of Testing Procedures

Standing Committee on Rail Transportation: SCORT; An AASHTO committee.

standing in traffic: Standing in traffic means that a vehicle or road machine is in a line of traffic in response to an officer, signal, stop sign or traffic condition and is not properly parked. For this reason, if the unit is involved in an accident, the occurrence is classified as an accident.; Occupational Safety Manual

starter: A device producing a high voltage pulse to begin arcing in a lamp. Also called a starting aid or an igniter.; Highway Illumination Manual

State and Community Highway Safety Grant Programs 402 Grant Program.: This grant program is a partnership program created by the Highway Safety Act of 1966 and administered by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Highway Administration that provides federal funds to states to manage a wide range of highway safety programs.

state CE: SCE; State CE is any categorical exclusion analysis prepared for a non-federal aid project. ENV approves SCEs.; Environmental Manual

state classification plan: State classification plan is a plan that contains job descriptions and job titles for most classified positions in Texas state government. State job titles are broadly written to cover a wide variety of jobs in different agencies. Each title is assigned to a salary group and state employees are paid according to their titles.; Human Resources Manual

State Department of Highways and Public Transportation: SDHPT; The former name of the Texas Department of Transportation.

State Emergency Response Team: SERT; The State Emergency Response Team consists of representatives from state agencies and other appropriate organizations that are equipped and prepared to deploy and operate in an area affected by a major disaster. Most members of the SERT will be from areas of the state that were not affected by the event. TxDOT will deploy Maintenance Division personnel to supplement the affected district performing damage assessment.; Maintenance Collection

State Employee Charitable Campaign Form: SECC; The State Employee Charitable Campaign Form is a form employees fill out to have their charitable donation taken through a payroll deduction.

state force item: SFI; State force item relates to the number on project agreements and identifies multiple work efforts for state force account work. Segment 76, Function 260, SFI 0160; Materials And Supplies Management System Manual

state highway: SH; A state highway is a roadway so designated by the Texas Transportation Commission. [includes NASA Road 1 and Old San Antonio Road (OSR)].; Texas Reference Marker (TRM) System User's Manual

state highway business route (includes SH alternate): See �business state highway.

state highway loop: SL; A state highway loop is a roadway so designated by the Texas Transportation Commission (includes beltway).; Texas Reference Marker (TRM) System User's Manual

state highway spur: SS; A state highway spur is a roadway so designated by the Texas Transportation Commission.; Texas Reference Marker (TRM) System User's Manual

state highway system: Safe Routes to School Program Guidelines; Maintenance Collection

state historic preservation officer: SHPO; Under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) activities are supervised in each state by a governor-appointed state historic preservation officer. In Texas this official is the executive director of the Texas Historical Commission (THC). The THC through the office of the SHPO regulates the disposition and management of historic properties which are affected by federal undertakings as described in the NHPA, Section 106, and in 36 Code of Federal Regulations 800.

State Implementation Plan: SIP; State Implementation Plan (SIP) is the portion (or portions) of an applicable implementation plan approved or promulgated, or the most recent revision thereof, under Sections 110, 301(d) and 175A of the Clean Air Act (42 USC §7409, §7601, and §7505a).; Transportation Planning and Programming Collection

State Infrastructure Bank program: SIB; The State Infrastructure Bank program is a TxDOT program which is a revolving loan account for cities, counties, or political subdivisions to construct, maintain, or finance an eligible transportation project.; Finance Division

state management review: SMR; A state management review is an FTA review of a DOT’s management, administration, and oversight of subrecipients’ direct operation or contract for service. It includes both a desk review of documents and site visits to the DOT and to transit agency offices.; Grants Management Manual

State Planning and Research Program: SPRP; The State Planning and Research Program is a e multimodal transportation improvement programs. These programs may include planning, research, development and training activities.; Public Transportation Collection

State Purchasing and General Services Act: The State Purchasing and General Services Act is chapters 2151-2177 of the Texas Government Code.

state record: A state record is a document, book, paper, photograph, computer-generated or stored data, sound recording or other material, regardless of physical qualities, that is made or received by a state department or institution according to law or in connection with official state business.; 13 TAC §6.1(17)

State Transportation Agency: STA; The State Transportation Agency is the state highway department, transportation department, or other state transportation agency to which federal-aid highway funds are apportioned.; Transportation Planning and Programming Collection

State Travel Information Center Directors Alliance: STICDA; The State Travel Information Center Directors Alliance is when travel information center directors from across the United States meet annually to discuss state programs and concerns and to attend educational seminars.

State Use Contract: A state use contract is a contract entered into as authorized under the Human Resources Code (Title 8, Chapter 122, Texas Council on Purchasing from People With Disabilities) and codified within the Texas Administrative Code, (Title 40, Part 7, Chapter 189, Purchases of Products and Services from People With Disabilities) to provide a needed work activity while "furthering the state's policy of encouraging and assisting persons with disabilities to achieve maximum personal independence by engaging in useful and productive employment activities and, in addition, to provide state agencies, departments, and institutions and political subdivisions of the state with a method for achieving conformity with requirements of nondiscrimination and affirmative action in employment matters related to persons with disabilities" as stated in Chapter 122.001.Purpose, of the Human Resources Code.; Information System (MMIS) Users Manual

statewide project: A statewide project is a project whose activity occurs in more than one TxDOT district and may affect the entire state.; Traffic Safety

Statewide Transportation Improvement Program: STIP; The statewide transportation improvement program is a multi-year, statewide, intermodal program of transportation projects which is consistent with the Texas Transportation Plan and planning processes and metropolitan plans, TIPs and processes. The STIP is to be implemented within each 3-year period after adoption of the program, and it includes a financial plan that demonstrates how the program can be implemented.; Transportation Planning and Programming Collection

Statewide Transportation Plan: STP; The statewide transportation plan is the official statewide, intermodal transportation plan that is developed through the statewide transportation planning process.; Transportation Planning and Programming Collection

station: sta; A station, in the English measurement, is a unit of measurement consisting of 100 feet in horizontal distance. A station, in the standard international metric measurement is a unit of measurement consisting of 1 kilometer in horizontal distance.

Statistical Analysis System: SAS; A statistical analysis system is a commercially available software system which uses statistical methods. It is very oriented toward data presentation as well as statistical methods in mathematics. SAS automatically generates formatted listings, summary statistics, frequencies, and cross-tabulations. Users design their own reports.

statute: Statute is a law enacted by the legislative branch of a government.; Contract Management Manual

stem: A stem is that part of a liquid-in-glass thermometer containing the capillary tube, various expansion chambers, and markings.; Manual of Testing Procedures

stilling basin: A stilling basin is a structure or excavation at the foot of a chute, drop, or spillway to reduce open the energy of the descending runoff or stream.

stock account: A stock account is a warehouse in a district.; Materials And Supplies Management System Manual

stock record: A stock record is an inventory record unique to a stock account.; Materials And Supplies Management System Manual

stone: Stone consists of crushed, angular particles of rock. NOTE: This definition has been approved by the Specification Committee.; Manual of Testing Procedures

stopgap treatment: Stopgap treatment is a Pavement Management Information System (PMIS) term which refers to the cost of frequent repair maintenance that a road must get when there is not enough money to give it the treatment it needs. Stopgap treatments are used in the PMIS Optimization and Impact Analysis reports.; Pavement Management Information System (PMIS) Users Manual

stopping sight distance: SSD; Stopping sight distance is the distance required by a driver of a vehicle, traveling at a given speed, to bring the vehicle to a stop after an object on the roadway becomes visible. It includes the distance traveled during driver perception-reaction time and the vehicle braking distance.; Access Management Manual

storage lane length: Storage lane length is the portion of an auxiliary lane required to store the number of vehicles expected to accumulate in the lane during an average peak period.; Access Management Manual

storage media: Storage media is the material on which data are recorded; e.g., paper tape, punched cards, magnetic tape, hard disks, optical disks, etc.Source: Information Security Manual; Information Security Manual

store: Store is to hold in a location for any period.; Equipment Manual

storm sewer: A storm sewer is an underground network for the collection and drainage of surface water.

strain: Strain is the vertical deformation of the specimen divided by the original height, often expressed as a percentage.; Manual of Testing Procedures

stringline: A stringline is a line of string stretched tight between two fixed points. In asphalt paving, stringlines are used as a guide for the paver and for measuring grade and slope. A stringline is also used as a reference for the automatic screed controls.

striping: Striping is pavement markings used to guide traffic on the road.

stripping: Stripping, when working with asphaltic concrete, refers to the separation of the asphalt from the aggregate in asphaltic concrete due to moisture intervention.

structural number: SN; Structural number is an index number derived from an analysis of traffic, roadbed soil conditions, and environment which may be converted to thickness of flexible pavement layers through the use of suitable layer coefficients related to the type of material being used in each layer of the pavement structure.; Pavement Design Manual

structural plate: A structural plate is deeply corrugated steel plates or sheets, bolted together to form large pipe, pipe-arches, arches, and other structures.

structural strength index score: SSI; Structural strength index score is a Pavement Management Information System (PMIS) term which describes the overall structural condition of the pavement. SSI scores range from 1 (weakest) to 100 (strongest).; Pavement Management Information System (PMIS) Users Manual

subarea: A subarea is an area with no predefined size or scale that focuses on a non-linear part of a metropolitan area, such as an activity center or other geographic portion of a region.; Transportation Planning and Programming Collection

subbase: Subbase is the layer or layers of specified or selected material of designed thickness placed on a subgrade to support a base course (or in the case of rigid pavements, the Portland cement concrete slab).; Pavement Design Manual

subcontract: Contract Management Manual; Traffic Safety; Research and Implementation Manual

subcontractor: Subcontractor is the party executing a contract with the contractor and agreeing to perform parts of the work or provides part of the services for the contractor.; Contract Management Manual

sub-drain: A sub-drain is a pervious backfilled trench containing a pipe with perforations or open joints for the purpose of intercepting ground water or seepage.

subgrade: Subgr; Pavement Design Manual

subgrantee: A subgrantee is the recipient of a grant award made by a grantee. In the case of the traffic safety programs, subgrantees may be local governments, state agencies, or non-government organizations (TxDOT in the grantee).; Traffic Safety

sub-location stock record: Every sub-location will contain its own stock record; however, the original stock record can contain a summary from all of the sub-location records.; Materials And Supplies Management System Manual

sub-process: Sub-processes are a set of activities that are performed continuously and which take input and create one or more outputs that are of value to the customer.

subprovider: Contract Management Manual; Engineering Architectural and Surveying Services Manual

subscription service: A subscription service is any public transportation service operated for a guaranteed number of patrons on a prepaid, reserved basis.; Public Transportation Collection

subsidiary items: Subsidiary items are work items that the contractor is not paid for directly but such costs are included under the various bid items of the project. They are generally considered minor items and, as such, would have little bearing on the final cost were they to be included.

substitute personalty: Substitute personalty are items of non-residential personal property purchased by a small business, nonprofit or farm operation to replace personal property not moved from the displacement location.; Right of Way Manual

substructure: Substructure is that part of a bridge structure covered on bent details, or below the bridge seats including backwalls and wingwalls at abutments.; Bridge Design Manual

subsurface exploration: Subsurface exploration is the use of specific techniques to determine the nature and engineering characteristics of materials below the ground’s surface. Techniques may be invasive or non-invasive, destructive or non-destructive; and they include an array of procedures common to highway work such as soil sampling and testing, coring, ground penetrating radar, seismic testing, penetrometer testing, vane shear testing, etc.

Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) Provider: Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) Provider is a Professional Engineering Consultant retained by either a utility or TxDOT to provide accurate and comprehensive information to designate, locate and manage data associated with existing utility facilities alignments.; ROW Utility Manual

sufficiency rating: SR; The sufficiency rating of a bridge is a single numerical representation of the sufficiency of the bridge that ranges from 0 to 100. In calculating the rating, consideration is given to the structural adequacy and safety, serviceability and functional obsolescence, and essentiality of traffic service. The higher the number the more sufficient the bridge.; Historic Bridge Manual

superelevation: Superelevation refers to the method of banking the roadway by attaining a vertical difference between the inner and outer edges of pavement.

superelevation rate: A superelevation rate is the rate of rise in cross section of the finished surface or a roadway on a curve, measured from the lowest edge to the highest edge.

superstructure: A superstructure is that part of a bridge structure covered on the span details, or above the bridge seats.; Bridge Design Manual

supplemental agreement: Supplemental agreement is an amendment to a contract, usually used to extend the contract’s time, scope of work, money, or terms and conditions.; Contract Management Manual

supplemental work authorization: Supplemental work authorization is an amendment to a work authorization, usually used to extend a work authorization’s time, scope of work, or money.; Contract Management Manual

supplier: A supplier is one who offers a material or finished product to TxDOT or contractors of TxDOT. A supplier may be a prime contractor, sub-contractor, fabricator, manufacturer, approved warehouse, etc.

supporting documentation: Supporting documentation are the calculations, correspondence, and file data used to develop PS&E or administer contracts.

surety: Surety is the corporate body or bodies authorized to do business in Texas bound with and for the contractor for the faithful performance of the work covered by a contract and for the payment for all labor and material supplied in the prosecution of the work.; Maintenance Contract Manual

surface course: Surface course is one or more layers of a pavement structure designed to accommodate the traffic load, the top layer of which resists skidding, traffic abrasion, and the disintegrating effects of climate. The top layer of flexible pavements is sometimes called “wearing course.”; Pavement Design Manual

Surface Transportation Board: SURF or STB; The Surface Transportation Board is the Federal agency having jurisdiction over railroad operations in interstate commerce. Formerly known as the Interstate Commerce Commission.; Right of Way Manual

Surface Transportation Program: STP; Transportation Planning and Programming Collection; Public Transportation Collection

surface treatment: Surface treatment is one or more applications of asphaltic material covered with aggregate and constructed on the prepared base or existing surface.

surfing: Surfing is a slang term used to describe how a person browses Internet sites. Net surfing usually implies that the net surfer spends a lot of time browsing sites and skips frequently from one site to another.; Information Security Manual

surveyed panels: Surveyed panels are temporary, large targets placed on the ground at intervals along a flight path for controlled aerial photography. The targets can be made of cardboard or plywood or can be painted on paved surfaces. The center of the panel is the “panel point” which is surveyed for its coordinates.; Survey Manual

swale: Swale is a natural or man-made depression or channel which allows water to be carried away.

switch: A switch is a device that channels incoming data from any of multiple input ports to the specific output port that will take the data toward its intended destination.; Information Security Manual

symbol material: Symbol material, for use as prefabricated pavement marking, is various geometry arrows or other symbols.; Manual of Testing Procedures

system architecture: System architecture is the combination of hardware, software, services, policies and procedures that when taken together function to define a computer system organization and capabilities.; Technology Services Division

System Safety Program Plan: SSPP; A System Safety Program Plan is a document adopted by a (rail) transit agency detailing its safety policies, objectives, responsibilities and procedures.; Public Transportation Collection

systems network architecture: SNA; Systems network architecture is a term used by IBM in describing the design of their larger systems. SNA deals with large computers and the communications links used by them.