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 |
|---|---|---|
| intermediate-high-speed-trainset | Trainset designed for operation at a maximum operating speed greater than 200 km/h, but less than 250 km/h. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-02.2, p. 17 |
| conventional-trainset | Trainset other than high-speed or intermediate high-speed trainset. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-02.3, p. 17 |
| tractive-unit | Vehicle equipped with prime mover and motor, or with motor only, intended either for hauling or pushing other vehicles (a ‘locomotive’) or for running alone (a ‘railcar’), or composition of vehicles identified as a trainset. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-03, p. 17 |
| locomotive | Tractive vehicle used for hauling railway vehicles, not intended to carry payload and with ability to be uncoupled in normal operation. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-04, p. 17 |
| shunter | Locomotive designed for use only in shunting yards, stations and depots. They can be technically defined by low power, low top speed, small-diameter driving wheels and high torque. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-05, p. 17 |
| railcar | Vehicle that can operate autonomously and is capable of carrying a payload (passengers, luggage, mail or freight). | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-06, p. 17 |
| types-of-tractive-units-by-source-of-power | ʱ Electric tractive unit. Tractive unit with one or more electric motors, deriving current primarily from overhead wires, conductor rails or accumulators (battery) carried on locomotive. A tractive unit that can derive current from both overhead wires and conductor rails or from accumulators (battery) is classed as ‘full electric’ (electric conductors and battery), within electric tractive units. A tractive unit so equipped that also has an engine (diesel or other) to supply current to the electric motor when it cannot be obtained from an overhead wire or from a conductor rail is classed as a ‘dual mode’ vehicle within electric tractive units . ʱ Magnetic levitation (maglev). Tractive unit using magnets that control the train’s stability and speed for propulsion. It is a specific type of electric tractive unit. ʱ Diesel tractive unit. Tractive unit with a diesel engine as the main source of power, irrespective of the type of transmission installed. Diesel-electric tractive units (or multiple units) that are propelled by electric motors (battery) and derive energy from a diesel generator are classed as ‘hybrid’ vehicles within diesel tractive units (or multiple units). Bio-diesel is included in diesel. ʱ Alternative drive tractive unit. This notion groups the sources of power that differ, in terms of their energy type and energy efficiency, from the technologies commonly used on the market (electricity and diesel). ʱ Steam. Tractive unit, whether cylinder- or turbine-driven, in which the source of power is steam, irrespective of the type of fuel used. ʱ Hydrogen. Tractive unit (or multiple unit) powered primarily by hydrogen. Hydrogen fuel cell tractive units are included . | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-07, p. 18 |
| passenger-railway-vehicle | Railway vehicle for the conveyance of passengers, even if it comprises one or more compartments with spaces specially reserved for luggage, parcels, mail, etc. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-08, p. 18 |
| driven-body | Powered vehicle forming part of a trainset. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-08.1, p. 18 |
| non-driven-body | Non-powered vehicle forming part of a trainset. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-08.2, p. 18 |
| rail-coach | Passenger railway vehicle intended to be hauled by a locomotive. ## Types of railway vehicles and tractive units (source UIC) 1 diesel-driven body *DMU: Diesel Multiple Unit 1 non-driven body 1 diesel-driven body ▪ 1 electric locomotive and 3 coaches ▪ 1 diesel railcar ▪ **1 diesel trainset (DMU*) composed of 2 diesel-driven bodies and 1 non-driven body** | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-08.3, p. 18 |
| metro-vehicle | Electric railway vehicle or trainset designed for use on a metro line. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-09, p. 20 |
| tram | Passenger or freight vehicle designed to seat more than nine persons (including the driver) or to transport freight, which is rail-borne and connected to electric conductors or powered by a diesel engine. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-10, p. 20 |
| tram-train | Passenger vehicle designed for combined use primarily on light-rail infrastructure but also on heavy-rail infrastructure (see A.0-02). | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-11, p. 20 |
| other-light-rail-vehicle | Railway vehicle designed for use on another urban light rail line. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-12, p. 20 |
| passenger-carrying-capacity-seats-and-berths | The number of seats and/or berths (for sleeping accommodation, including couchettes) available in a passenger vehicle. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-13, p. 20 |
| passenger-carrying-capacity-standing-places | The number of authorised standing places available in a passenger vehicle. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-14, p. 20 |
| rail-van | Non-tractive railway vehicle forming part of a passenger or freight train and used by the train crew and/or for the conveyance of luggage, parcels, bicycles, accompanied road passenger vehicles, etc. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-15, p. 21 |
| wagon | Railway vehicle, without its own means of propulsion, normally intended for the transport of freight. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-16, p. 21 |
| international-classification-of-wagons | E Ordinary open high-sided wagons F Special open high-sided wagons G Ordinary covered wagons H Special covered wagons I Temperature-controlled wagons K Ordinary flat wagons L Special flat wagons R Ordinary flat wagons with bogies S Special flat wagons with bogies T Wagons with an opening roof U Special wagons Z Tank wagons | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-17, p. 21 |
| covered-wagon | Wagon characterised by its closed construction with a roof and fully enclosed sides, capable of being locked and/or sealed. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-18, p. 21 |
| insulated-wagon | Covered wagon, the body of which is built with insulating walls, doors, floor and roof, to limit heat exchange between the interior of the wagon and the outside, so that the overall coefficient of heat transfer (K coefficient) allows the equipment to be assigned to one or the other of the following two categories: ʱ IN = normally insulated, characterised by a K coefficient equal to or less than 0.7 W/m ² °C; ʱ IR = heavily insulated, characterised by a K coefficient equal to or less than 0.4 W/m ² °C. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-19, p. 21 |
| refrigerated-wagon | Insulated wagon using a source of cooling. Such sources include: ʱ natural ice, with or without the addition of salt; ʱ eutectic plates; ʱ dry ice, with or without sublimation control; ʱ liquefied gases, with or without evaporation control, other than a mechanical or ‘absorption’ unit. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-19.1, p. 22 |
| mechanically-refrigerated-wagon | Insulated wagon either fitted with its own refrigerating device or serviced jointly with other such units by an external refrigerating system. Such refrigerating devices include: ʱ mechanical compressors; ʱ ‘absorption’ units. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-19.2, p. 22 |
| heated-wagon | An insulated wagon fitted with a heater. ʱ Class A. Heated equipment for use when the mean outside temperature is – 10 °C. ʱ Class B. Heated equipment for use when the mean outside temperature is – 20 °C . | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-19.3, p. 22 |
| high-sided-wagon | Wagon with no roof and with rigid sides higher than 60 cm. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-20, p. 22 |
| flat-wagon | Wagon without roof or sides, or wagon without roof but with sides not higher than 60 cm, or swing-bolster wagon, of ordinary or special type. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-21, p. 23 |
| tank-wagon | Wagon designed for the bulk transport of liquids or gases. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-22, p. 23 |
| silo-wagon | Wagon for the bulk transport of powdered products such as cement, flour, plaster, etc. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-23, p. 23 |
| wagon-for-intermodal-transport | See G.II-12. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-24, p. 23 |
| wagon-carrying-capacity | The maximum authorised weight a wagon can carry, excluding the wagon’s own weight, but including the tare of the intermodal transport units (ITUs). | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-25, p. 23 |
| special-vehicle | Special vehicles can be grouped into the following subsets: a) on-track machines are vehicles specially designed for the construction and maintenance of the track and infrastructure; b) infrastructure inspection vehicles are vehicles utilised to monitor the condition of the infrastructure; c) environment vehicles are designed to clear the track of environmental conditions, such as snow; d) emergency vehicles are designed for specific emergency uses, such as evacuation, firefighting and train recovery (including breakdown cranes); e) road-rail non-passenger vehicles are self-propelled machines capable of operating on both rails and roadways. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-26, p. 23 |
| age-of-railway-vehicle | Years since the manufacturing year, irrespective of the country of registration. ## A.III Railway enterprises, investment and maintenance | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.II-27, p. 23 |
| railway-enterprise | Private or public enterprise acting as a railway undertaking, a railway infrastructure manager or an integrated company. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.III-01, p. 23 |
| railway-undertaking-ru | Licensed public or private transport operator that provides services for the transport of goods by rail and/or passengers by heavy rail. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.III-02, p. 24 |
| rail-infrastructure-manager-im | Enterprise or body responsible, in particular, for establishing, managing and maintaining railway infrastructure, usually including traffic management and control-command and signalling. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.III-03, p. 24 |
| integrated-railway-company | Enterprise that fulfils the tasks of both a railway undertaking and a rail infrastructure manager. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.III-04, p. 24 |
| public-transport-authority | Organisation that manages public transport systems (e.g. buses, trains, subways, ferries), through contracts with public transport operators. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.III-05, p. 24 |
| lessor-of-a-railway-vehicle | Owner of rolling stock who grants its conveyance to another party (the lessee) for a specific period of time, for monetary or other consideration, usually in the form of rent. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.III-06, p. 24 |
| keeper-of-a-railway-vehicle | Entity that has usage rights over a vehicle, uses the vehicle as a means of transport and is registered as such in a vehicle register. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.III-07, p. 24 |
| rail-public-service-obligation-pso | Requirement defined or determined by a competent authority to provide public passenger transport services in the general interest that would not normally be provided by a railway undertaking following its own commercial interests. ‘Public service compensation’ means any benefit, particularly financial, granted directly or indirectly by a competent authority from public funds during the period of implementation of a PSO or in connection with that period. ‘Exclusive right’ means a right entitling a public service operator to operate certain public passenger transport services on a particular route or network or in a particular area to the exclusion of any other such operator. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.III-08, p. 25 |
| commercial-passenger-rail-services | Passenger transport services that do not fall under a PSO and generate only revenue from fare (not taking into consideration revenue from catering, station services and on-board services). | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.III-09, p. 25 |
| rail-passenger-fare | Total revenue collected by a railway undertaking from the provision of rail passenger transport services during the reporting period; it excludes other income such as revenue from catering, station services and on-board services. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.III-10, p. 25 |
| rail-freight-transport-revenue | Total fees collected from the provision of rail freight transport services during the reporting period; it excludes other income such as revenue from catering, station services and on-board services. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.III-11, p. 25 |
| turnover-generated-by-rail-infrastructure-activities | Income from infrastructure activity, including access charges, rentals and miscellaneous receipts. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.III-12, p. 25 |
| investment-expenditure-on-railway-infrastructure | Capital expenditure on new railway infrastructure or extension of existing railways, including reconstruction, renewal (major substitution work on the existing infrastructure that does not change its overall performance) and upgrades (major modification work improving the original performance or capacity of the infrastructure). | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.III-13, p. 25 |
| investment-expenditure-on-rolling-stock | Capital expenditure to purchase railway vehicles or to upgrade existing one. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.III-14, p. 25 |
| maintenance-expenditure-on-railways-infrastructure | Non-capital expenditure to maintain the original condition and capacity of the existing railway infrastructure. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.III-15, p. 26 |
| maintenance-expenditure-on-rolling-stock | Non-capital expenditure to maintain railway vehicles in working order without improving either their performance or their capacity. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.III-16, p. 26 |
| railway-infrastructure-capital-stock | Estimated monetary value reflecting the current stock of physical railway transport infrastructure assets. | Glossary for transport statistics, 6th edition (2026), A.III-17, p. 26 |
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.