Glossary

Ambient light

Light that is spread over an area/environment.

Ambient noise

Noise that is spread over an area/environment.

Containment

Keeping errant vehicles within the carriageway.

Controlled crossings

These are road crossing points with some form of traffic control associated with them e.g. Zebra, Pelican, Toucan

Crossfall

The gradient across the breadth of a surface.

Cycle track

A length of surface dedicated to cycling e.g., cycleway or cycle path. As defined in Transport Scotland’s Cycling by Design 2021.

Decibel

A unit used to measure the intensity of a sound, measured on an exponential scale.

Delineation

The act of showing the exact position of a border or boundary.

Depth of flow

Depth of water above the road surface.

DMRB

Design Manual for Roads and Bridges.

Drop kerbs

Kerbs that are lowered at a road crossing or access to a property.

Flush

Two surfaces adjacent to each other and at same level.

Framework

The supporting structure for the system.

Functionally Impaired/Functional Impairment

A person who has a level of difficulty in completing daily living tasks and activities.

Gradient

The degree/steepness of a slope.

Longfall/Longitudinal

The gradient along the length of a surface.

Lux

Unit of measurement for light.

Methodology

The method used to gather information in a study or activity.

Preview distance

The distance which someone may see an object before getting close to it.

Qualitative

A study method which uses metrics which are difficult to measure or quantify e.g., information or feedback.

Quantitative

A study method which uses metrics which can be measured and quantified, e.g., survey data or population statistics.

Reflective light

The light reflected from a surface, measured in lux.

SRRB

Scottish Road Research Board

Topography

The physical landscape of an area

Uncontrolled crossings

These are road crossing points with no form of traffic control associated with them e.g., dropped kerbs and pedestrian islands, dropped kerbs only or a general road without any pedestrian facilities

Upstand

The portion of the kerb that is raised above the carriageway