Definitions, as published
The definition of each term exactly as its official source words it, with the article or page it comes from.
| Term slug | Definition text | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| heavy-rail | Rail systems for medium- and long-distance passenger and freight transport, including regional, intercity, high-speed and certain local rail services operating on the same infrastructure as regional, intercity or freight services. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.0-01, p. 9 |
| other-rail | Diverse range of rail systems not classified as heavy rail, primarily for short-distance passenger transport and generally functionally separated from heavy rail networks. Includes: ʱ urban and suburban transport systems: metro lines (see A.I-18), tram lines (see A.I-19) and other urban light rail lines (see A.I-20); ʱ dedicated networks: funicular (see A.I-22) and rack (see A.I-23) railway lines, often used in mountainous regions or for steep gradients; ʱ touristic rail lines (see A.I-21): rail systems designed for leisure or sightseeing, such as heritage trains. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.0-02, p. 9 |
| track | Pair of rails over which rail-borne vehicles can run (typically a pair, but sometimes a single rail or more than two rails). | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-01, p. 9 |
| running-track | Rail track providing end-to-end line continuity, designed for running trains between stations or points indicated in timetables, network statements, rosters or other designations/publications as independent points of departure or arrival for the conveyance of passengers or goods. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-01.1, p. 9 |
| switch | Unit of track comprising two fixed rails (stock rails) and two movable rails (switch rails), used to direct vehicles from one track to another. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-01.2, p. 10 |
| secondary-track | Track not classified as a running track. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-01.3, p. 10 |
| passing-loop | Type of secondary track connected to running track, used for passing, crossing and stabling. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-01.4, p. 10 |
| siding | Type of secondary track branching off running main tracks/lines. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-01.5, p. 10 |
| marshalling-yard | Site specifically equipped with a number of tracks or other equipment for railway vehicle marshalling (switching) operations. Marshalling yards are included in publicly accessible sidings. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-01.6, p. 10 |
| service-facility | Installation comprising ground area, buildings and equipment, specially designed, wholly or partly, to allow the supply of one or more services: passenger stations, their buildings and other facilities; freight terminals; marshalling yards and train formation facilities, including shunting facilities; storage sidings; maintenance facilities; other technical facilities, including cleaning and washing facilities; maritime and inland port facilities linked to rail activities; relief facilities; and refuelling facilities, including the supply of fuel in these facilities. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-01.7, p. 10 |
| loading-track | Siding or dedicated secondary track at freight terminals designated for the loading of freight wagons. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-01.8, p. 10 |
| section-of-line | Section of line made up of one or more running tracks (see A.I-01.1) between two adjacent operational points (see A.I-13). | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-02, p. 11 |
| railway-line | Transport line composed of rail, used exclusively by railway vehicles and maintained for running trains. Consists of successive sections of line. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-03, p. 11 |
| principal-railway-line | Railway line maintained and operated for running trains. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-03.1, p. 11 |
| other-line | Line other than principal lines, including lines maintained for possible future use but not for operation. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-03.2, p. 11 |
| single-track-line | Line with only one track upon which trains are operated in both directions. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-04, p. 11 |
| multiple-track-line | Line with at least two tracks upon which trains are operated. The length of multiple-track lines only includes entire line sections that comprise at least two tracks between two stations, or between a station and a tractive unit depot. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-05, p. 11 |
| electrified-track | Track provided with an overhead catenary or a conductor rail to permit electric traction. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-06, p. 11 |
| electrified-line | Electrified line with at least one track electrified. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-07, p. 12 |
| high-speed-railway-line | Principal railway line allowing traffic at speeds on the main segments equal to or greater than 200 km/h on upgraded lines and equal to or greater than 250 km/h on specially built lines. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-08, p. 12 |
| dedicated-high-speed-railway-line | Railway line specially built to allow traffic at speeds equal to or greater than 250 km/h for the main segments. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-08.1, p. 12 |
| upgraded-high-speed-railway-line | Conventional railway line specially upgraded to allow traffic at speeds equal to or greater than 200 km/h for the main segments. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-08.2, p. 12 |
| conventional-railway-line | Railway line that is not classified as a high-speed railway line in heavy rail. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-09, p. 12 |
| rail-track-gauge | Smallest distance between a pair of rails measured between the inside surfaces of the rail heads. More precisely, a gauge consists of a set of rules including a reference contour and its associated calculation rules, allowing the definition of the outer dimensions of the vehicle and the space to be cleared by the infrastructure. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-10, p. 12 |
| multi-rail-track | Track with more than two rails, where at least two pairs of respective rails are designed to be operated as separate single tracks, with or without different track gauges. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-10.1, p. 13 |
| rail-loading-gauge | Profile through which a railway vehicle and its loads must pass, taking into account tunnels and trackside obstacles. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-11, p. 13 |
| traffic-type-of-a-railway-line | Although the nature of traffic on a line is dependent on market developments, a railway line can be classified: ʱ passenger only : if the railway line is exclusively reserved for use by passenger trains; ʱ freight only : if the railway line is exclusively reserved for use by freight trains; ʱ passenger and freight: if the railway line is open for use by passenger trains and by freight trains. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-12, p. 13 |
| operational-point | Location for train service operations, where train services may begin and end or change route and where passenger or freight services may be provided; it includes locations at boundaries between Member States or infrastructure managers. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-13, p. 13 |
| halt | Stop-off point generally open to passenger traffic only and not usually staffed. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-13.1, p. 13 |
| train-station | Railway establishment dedicated to the embarkation and disembarkation of passengers and/or the loading and unloading of goods and/or for the formation, dispatch, reception and temporary parking of trains and/or for the parking and sorting of rolling stock. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-13.2, p. 14 |
| passenger-station | Train station for passenger traffic, equipped with specific facilities for passenger access and providing appropriate services. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-13.3, p. 14 |
| rail-freight-terminal | Train station used exclusively or predominantly for the loading and unloading of goods, for the formation, dispatch, reception and temporary stabling of trains and/or for the stabling and marshalling of rolling stock. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-13.4, p. 14 |
| border-point | Location at which an international border is crossed by a railway line. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-13.5, p. 14 |
| handover-point | Point where the responsibility changes from one infrastructure manager to another. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-13.6, p. 14 |
| intermodal-transport-terminal | See G.I-08. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-14, p. 14 |
| level-crossing | Level intersection between a road and a railway, as authorised by the infrastructure manager and open to public or private road users. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-15, p. 14 |
| active-level-crossing | Level crossing where crossing users are protected from, or warned of, the approaching train by devices activated when it is unsafe for users to traverse the crossing. Protection through the use of physical devices includes: ʱ half or full barriers; ʱ gates. Warning through the use of fixed equipment at level crossings includes: ʱ visible devices, such as lights; ʱ audible devices, including bells, horns, klaxons, etc.; ʱ physical devices, such as the vibration of road bumps. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-15.1, p. 14 |
| passive-level-crossing | Level crossing without any form of warning system or protection activated when it is unsafe for users to traverse the crossing. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-15.2, p. 15 |
| signalling-system | System used to control railway traffic safely. The main purpose of signalling is to maintain a safe distance at all times between all trains on the running lines. The secondary aim is to make the best use possible of the railway infrastructure, so that the total throughput of trains meets business requirements. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-16, p. 15 |
| railway-network-statement | Statement that sets out in detail the general rules, deadlines, procedures and criteria for charging and capacity allocation schemes in heavy rail, including the description of infrastructure. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-17, p. 15 |
| metro-line | Electric rail transport system, specifically designed for metro trains primarily used for urban transport with the capacity for high volumes of traffic and very frequent train movements. Metro lines are also characterised by closely spaced stations. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-18, p. 15 |
| tram-line | Rail system typically integrated into urban road networks, with tracks often laid directly on streets shared with other vehicles. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-19, p. 16 |
| other-urban-light-rail-line | Rail line mainly for the urban and suburban transport of passengers, other than metro and tram lines, characterised by lower travel speed and more frequent stops compared to a heavy railway line. Unlike tram lines, urban light rail systems are often separated from other traffic. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-20, p. 16 |
| touristic-rail-line | Rail line used exclusively by touristic trains (see A.IV-06). | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-21, p. 16 |
| funicular-railway-line | Type of cable railway system that connects points along a railway track laid on a steep slope. The system is characterised by two (or more) counterbalanced carriages (also called cars or trains) permanently attached to opposite ends of a haulage cable, which is looped over a pulley at the upper end of the track. The result of such a configuration is that the two carriages move synchronously: as one ascends, the other descends at an equal speed. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-22, p. 16 |
| rack-railway-line | Steep-grade railway with a geared rack rail, usually between the running rails. This allows trains to operate on steep gradients of 100 % (45 degrees) or more, well above the 10 % maximum for friction-based rail. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-23, p. 16 |
| private-rail-infrastructure-with-restricted-access | Privately owned rail infrastructure, including sidings, used by the owner or by an operator for the purpose of their respective freight or passenger activities with restricted access for other operators. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.I-24, p. 16 |
| railway-vehicle | Mobile equipment running exclusively on rails, moving either under its own power (locomotive, railcar and driven bodies) or being hauled by another vehicle (coaches, non-driven bodies, vans and wagons). | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-01, p. 16 |
| trainset | Composition of driven and non-driven bodies that cannot be separated or reconfigured outside the workshop. Trainsets may be coupled together to form a train provided that the coupling is compatible. Trainsets (coupled or not) are controlled from one cabin. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-02, p. 17 |
| high-speed-trainset | Trainset designed for operation at a speed of at least 250 km/h on dedicated high-speed lines. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-02.1, p. 17 |
Sources
- Glossary for Transport Statistics — 6th edition (2026) — Eurostat, UNECE ve ITF-OECD · Reusable with attribution
- UNCTADstat maritime/transport metadata — UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) / UNCTADstat · Reusable with attribution
- IMO conventions and maritime definitions — official definition clauses and terminology pages — International Maritime Organization (IMO) · Reusable with attribution
- U.S. federal air cargo/security definitions associated with ICAO scope — International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); auxiliary U.S. federal regulatory sources · Public domain
- United States federal transport and customs definitions — GPO / Office of Federal Register / PHMSA-DOT / FMCSA-DOT / FMC / CBP-DHS / U.S. Congress · Public domain
- European Union transport and customs definitions — European Parliament and Council instruments; Publications Office of the EU / EUR-Lex · Reusable with attribution
- Hague–Visby Article I via UK legislation.gov.uk — UN Treaty Collection/UN, UNCITRAL, UNECE, ICAO, OTIF ve UK legislation.gov.uk · Reusable with attribution
- BTS/FMCSA/FMC/CBP/MARAD federal-authored glossary rows — BTS; FMCSA; FMC; CBP; MARAD · Public domain
- United Kingdom official transport and customs terms — HMRC; Department for Transport; Traffic Commissioners/DVSA; UK Parliament/legislation.gov.uk · Reusable with attribution
1,049 further records are on file but not shown, because the publisher's terms do not clearly allow them to be republished.