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Transfers: Transfer is the act of changing from one mode of transport to another or between various services within a single mode.

At grade road crossing: At grade road crossing is a junction or intersection where two or more transport axes cross at the same level. A traffic-control device such as a stop sign, traffic light, zebra crossing, etc. is needed at such crossings to avoid pedestrian - vehicular conflict.

Proximity of transit stops: Proximity of transit stops refers to how closely spaced the transit stops of various modes are within a transfer point/zone. Ideally, these transit stops should be co-located or placed as closely as possible to reduce the walking distances for passengers during multimodal transfers.

Rapid transit modes: Rapid transit mode is a form of public transportation which operates on fixed routes and includes features that dramatically improve speed, capacity, reliability, and quality of the service. Rapid transit modes include BRTS, Light rail transit (LRT), commuter rail, metro, etc.

Intermediate Para Transit (IPT): IPT are flexible transport modes and services which cover the gap between privately owned vehicles and the conventional PT modes. These modes are loosely controlled by the government and the degree of control and regulations vary from city to city. They are popular modes in developing countries including India. Cycle-rickshaw, auto-rickshaw, Tata Magic, etc. are examples of few IPT modes.

Transport interchange: Transport interchange is a place where various modes and services converge and thus passengers can transfer between modes or between services of a single mode at a single location.

Universal accessibility: Universal accessibility in transport sector means that infrastructure and services are designed in such a way that they can be accessed and used by people with a wide variety of characteristics, including different types of disabilities. It involves designing accessible spaces, providing easily understood forms of information, and easy to use systems and facilities.

Last mile connectivity: The "last-mile" or "first and last-mile" connectivity refers to the transport systems that are available to and from the transit stop to the origin or final destination of the passenger. These last mile services may be provided by NMT modes (such as walk or bicycles), IPT or even private vehicles.

Public Bicycle Sharing (PBS): PBS is form of a shared transport system with a network of bicycle rental stations/ docking station, from where people can hire a bicycle and use it for commuting purposes and then drop it off at another rental station/ docking station closest to their destination. Users typically check out a bicycle using a membership or credit/debit card.

Independent fare structures: This refers to the PT fare system where the passengers are charged separate fares for each mode they travel and requires buying a ticket every time they transfer to a new mode during a multimodal journey. In such cases the passengers may often have to spend to spend more as they are liable to pay for transfer penalties in form of minimum fares for every mode they travel on.

Transfer penalty: The disutility associated with transferring from one mode to another is called transfer penalty as it often penalizes the passengers who transfers in the form of extra fare that is incurred by them (fare transfer penalty) and the additional time wasted while transferring and waiting for the next mode (time transfer penalty). Fare penalty arises in the absence of a single fare structure for all PT modes and the passengers has to buy a separate ticket for each mode in a multimodal trip and he/she ends up paying multiple minimum fares charged by the operators for each of the mode used.

Fare caps: Fare cap is the upper price band set the operators which limit the maximum fare payable by a passenger in a day/week/month. It is a policy instrument or a reward scheme used by operators where the total fare paid by each passenger within a specified time period is “capped” after a certain number of trips or value of trips as a reward for frequent and/or regular use.

Fares integration across all modes: This refers to the PT fare systems where different PT modes cooperate to provide a single ticket for a multimodal journey irrespective of the number of modes taken to complete the journey and the passengers need not take separate tickets for each mode. In high levels of fare integration, the fare transfer penalties are also removed.

One journey – one ticket: It is a type of ticket employed in fare integration that enables passengers to travel transfer between buses, metro, urban rail, etc. without having the need to buy multiple tickets for complete a multimodal journey. The purchase of one ticket is enough to cover their entire journey irrespective of number of transfers between modes or types of services.

Electronic Ticketing Machine (ETM): ETM are machines with computer processers and memory, which issue tickets for travel. These may be designed for in-vehicle use, as fixed or handheld units, or for use at stations and other off-bus locations in the form of electronic kiosks. Typically in these machines, fare products, fare rules and prices (e.g. as fare tables) are stored in the memory chip.

Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS): AFCS is a form of fare collection where the various components of the ticketing system are automated. Components such as automatic ticketing vending machines and automatic fare collection gates allow for faster movement of passengers. AFCS is an integral part of fare integration.

QR code: QR code is a machine-scannable image consisting of a number of black squares and dots that can instantly be read using a special camera, (e.g. smartphone camera). Every QR code represents information which can be read by the camera and is translated for easy human understanding.

Interoperable smart cards across all the modes: Smart cards are store value cards with a fixed amount or number of rides electronically stored on the card and the value of the fare is automatically deducted at the fare gates with each trip taken. Smart cards can be contact cards where the information is passed to the fare collection system by contact between the card and the fare equipment or contactless cards, where the card communicates with the fare equipment using radio communications. Interoperable smart cards are equipped to be used across all PT modes and at times to pay for IPT trips or taxi rides or at commercial establishments.

Pre-trip information: Pre-trip information is the data which helps the passengers to take decisions regarding their impending trip/journey. It can include information such as modes available, time of arrival, travel time, fares, shortest route, departure time of transit modes, etc.

Real time information: Real-time information or dynamic information refers to information that gets continuously updated based on automatic vehicle tracking systems on PT vehicles. It provides reliable estimates of train/bus arrival/departure timings and thus makes it possible to predict journey start times, waiting times, delays, etc. and thus passengers can make informed decisions.

Passengers Information System (PIS): PIS is an automated system which provides passengers of PT systems/modes with real-time information regarding PT services such as arrival times, service schedules, disruption in services, etc. through visual, voice or other media. These systems are usually provided at transit stops and on-board PT vehicles to guide passengers.

Integrated trip planners: Integrated trip planners are applications which collect information (static and real-time) regarding all PT modes and their services in a single place and provide valuable trip information to the passengers regarding point to point intermodal trip planning assisted real time information. They are also called as comprehensive trip planners and are integral in achieving high levels of information integration.

Signage: Signages deals with the design or use of signs and symbols to communicate a message or information. An information signage conveys information such as location of facilities of toilets, transit stops, escalators, elevators, exits, timetables/schedules, names/headings, etc. Navigational signage on the other hand provides visual directional information (such as arrows) helping passengers to navigate on roads, within multi-modal hubs, guide them to the nearest transit stop, etc.

Capacity building: It is a process of imparting and developing sector knowledge, sustainable abilities and skill sets among members of organizations to create awareness and help them perform planning activities on their own. It is a process of individual and institutional development to create high skills sets to enable them to carry out their tasks in a more informed way and to apply new concepts in the sector.

Strategic plan: Strategic plan is a document that is designed to give the city some direction for a set time horizon. It includes the key strategies to be employed by the city to achieve certain targets and to also solve its current issues.

Cooperation between agencies: Cooperation means the action or process of working together to achieve the same end. With regard to multi-modal integration, cooperation may be considered as the first step. It implies that various agencies and service providers cooperate with each other to provide public transport services in the city.

Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA): UMTA is an umbrella authority to facilitate coordinated planning and implementation of urban transport programmes and manage integrated transport systems in cities. The Government of India has recommended cities to set up UMTA to carry out integrated and holistic planning, policy and regulatory functions, planning of road networks, capacity building, transport infrastructure development, etc.

Value capture: Value capture is a financing tool that allows local governments to charge fees and taxes to developers and property owners and raise revenue that can then be reinvested into community and city services. It is a popular financing tool for Transit Oriented Development (TOD).

Betterment charges: Betterment charges are fees collected by city authorities in case the value of a property has seen appreciation due to any infrastructure development, including metro, commercial set-ups, road developments or better connectivity.

Data formats: Data format refers to the way in which PT data or information (such as but not restricted to number of passengers, fares, services, timings, fares, routes, etc.) is collected and stored for later use by different operators. The various operators may collect different sets of data parameters and adopt different formats for input and storage which makes it difficult to compile PT information. Whereas, if standardized data formats are adopted by PT operators, they would collect the same data parameters and use a common format for data input and storage and aid in various aspects of multimodal integration.

Smart data: Smart data are sets of data collected through smart means such as smart card, mobile phones, Electronic Ticketing Machines (ETM), Automatic Vehicle Location System (AVLS), etc. which enables analysis of passenger travel patterns and vehicle movements to help develop specific transportation tools such as integrated trip planners, smart vehicle management systems, etc.

Application Programming Interfaces (APIs): API is a set of programming code that enables data transmission between one software product and another. Well-designed software comes with inbuilt APIs which help organize code and make components more reusable and give a set of rules for programmatically interacting with that software. APIs can thus help in linking different software used by different operators, access the data and compile them to provide comprehensive information for achieving different aspects of multi-modal integration (such as service integration, fare integration and information integration).