A shared vocabulary for the plan.

These are working definitions for the guides and worksheet. They do not replace the definitions in an applicable regulation, contract, or grant notice.

Capital plan

A documented set of investment needs, options, project scopes, cost assumptions, funding sources, responsibilities, and delivery steps. The format should fit the decision and the requirements of the organization or funding program.

Maintenance of way (MOW)

Work and supporting activities associated with maintaining railroad infrastructure. This resource concentrates on organizing track-related scope and budgets, rather than prescribing maintenance methods.

Scope

A description of what a project includes, where its limits are, how quantities are defined, and what is excluded. A cost comparison is more useful when the scopes being compared are consistent.

Asset register

A structured record that connects an asset identifier and location with relevant ownership, condition evidence, and project information. An inventory does not replace required inspection records.

Planning estimate

A cost estimate prepared for a stated planning purpose using identified quantities, rates, assumptions, and uncertainty. It is not automatically a quote, bid, or approved budget.

Base estimate

In this worksheet, the sum of quantity multiplied by unit cost across the entered project rows, before the separately entered contingency.

Contingency

In this worksheet, an additional allowance calculated from the percentage you assign to each row. It does not automatically cover every risk or omitted part of the scope.

Committed funding

For the worksheet, money you enter as confirmed available for the project. A grant application, potential contribution, or hoped-for savings is not treated as committed merely because it is being discussed.

Funding gap

In this worksheet, the amount by which the estimated total exceeds entered committed funding. A negative difference is displayed as a funding surplus, not as an instruction to spend.

Dependency

Something that must be resolved or completed for a project to proceed, such as access coordination, design, an approval, procurement, or another work package.

Track geometry data

Measurements describing aspects of the track’s geometric condition. Use their source, location reference, date, and limitations when connecting them to a planning record. Appropriate personnel must interpret the condition and required response.

Small railroad / micro railroad

Small railroad is used here as a plain-language audience description. Micro railroad is not used as a formal FRA or STB classification. It does not establish the rules applicable to an operation.