Glossary

Definitions of key terms and concepts used in the CAT Platform.

A

ADAPT API

  • API service that provides pre-configured MOVES input tables for specific counties and years
  • Integrated into NEW ORDER page for downloading customized tables
  • Tables are prepared by CAT to provide realistic baseline scenarios

Aggregation Level

  • How data is grouped or categorized (e.g., by vehicle type, fuel type, road type)
  • Used in visualizations and reports to show breakdowns

C

CAT (Climate Action in Transportation)

  • The overall platform and organization providing emissions analysis tools
  • Also referred to as "CAT Platform"

CALCULATOR

  • Tool for estimating emissions changes by adjusting activity measures
  • Uses MOVESLite package for calculations
  • Located in TOOLS section of sidebar

CLOUD MOVES

  • The distributed computing infrastructure that processes MOVES emissions calculations
  • Processes orders submitted through the CAT Platform
  • Typically takes 5-10 minutes to process an order

COMPARE ORDERS (formerly "Aggregator")

  • Tool for comparing and aggregating emissions data across multiple orders
  • Located in CLOUD MOVES section of sidebar
  • Loads data from user's order buckets with intelligent caching

CO2e (Carbon Dioxide Equivalent)

  • A measure that expresses the impact of different greenhouse gases in terms of CO2
  • Used to compare emissions from different sources

County

  • A geographic area identified by a FIPS code
  • The primary geographic unit for emissions modeling in the platform

D

DATAHUB

  • Tool for bulk downloading emissions data for multiple counties and years from the CAT Grand Database
  • Uses granddata-bulk-download API endpoint
  • Located in TOOLS section of sidebar

Donut Chart

  • A circular chart (like a pie chart with a hole in the center)
  • Used in Reporter to show distributions and proportions

E

Emissions

  • Pollutants released into the atmosphere
  • Measured in various units depending on the pollutant

Emission Factors

  • Standard rates used to calculate emissions from activity data
  • Part of the MOVES model

F

Firestore

  • Google Cloud Firestore database
  • Used by CAT Platform to store user-saved MOVES input tables
  • Tables saved in MY TABLES section can be loaded later for use in orders

FIPS Code

  • Federal Information Processing Standards code
  • A 5-digit number that uniquely identifies a county
  • Example: 36109 = Tompkins County, NY
  • Also called "geoid"

G

Geoid

  • Another term for FIPS code
  • The geographic identifier for a county
  • Always 5 digits (may have leading zeros)

CAT Grand Database (also called "Granddata")

  • The public database of published emissions data
  • Contains data from verified users who have published their orders
  • Accessible to all users
  • Used by VISUALIZER and DATAHUB

M

Metric

  • A type of measurement or data point
  • Common metrics: Emissions, VMT (Vehicle Miles Traveled), Vehicles

MOVES (Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator)

  • EPA's model for estimating emissions from on-road vehicles
  • The platform uses MOVES to calculate emissions from activity data
  • CLOUD MOVES: The distributed computing infrastructure that processes MOVES calculations
  • MOVESLite: Package used by CALCULATOR for emissions scenario estimation

MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization)

  • Regional transportation planning organizations
  • Common users of the CAT Platform

O

Order

  • A request to run emissions modeling for a specific county and year
  • When you submit an order, the system runs MOVES and generates results
  • Takes 5-10 minutes to process

Orderdata

  • Data from your custom orders (as opposed to public granddata)
  • Your own modeling results

P

Pollutant

  • A substance released into the atmosphere
  • Common pollutants: CO2e, CO (carbon monoxide), NOx (nitrogen oxides), PM (particulate matter)

Publishing

  • Making your order results publicly available in the CAT Grand Database
  • Requires verification for the county
  • Permanent action (cannot be undone)

R

REPORTER

  • Tool for generating professional Word document reports
  • Uses external Reporter API to generate reports
  • Located in REPORT section of sidebar
  • Supports bar and donut chart types

Regulatory Class

  • Vehicle classification for regulatory purposes
  • Examples: Light Duty Vehicles, Medium Duty Vehicles, Heavy Duty Vehicles

Road Type

  • Classification of roads
  • Categories: Rural/Urban, Restricted/Unrestricted Access

S

Scenario

  • A set of assumptions or conditions for analysis
  • In Calculator, you create scenarios by adjusting activity measures

Source Type

  • Vehicle type category
  • Examples: Motorcycles, Passenger Cars, Light Trucks, Heavy Trucks, Buses

Subscription

  • Your account tier (Free, Basic, Premium, Institutional)
  • Determines order limits and features available

V

Verification

  • Process to authorize publishing data for a specific county
  • Requires .gov or .edu email address
  • Must be approved by platform administrators

VISUALIZER

  • Interactive tool for exploring emissions data with charts, maps, and visualizations
  • Uses hybrid data sources (CAT Grand Database + custom orders)
  • Located in REPORT section of sidebar
  • Shares caching system with COMPARE ORDERS

VMT (Vehicle Miles Traveled)

  • Total miles driven by all vehicles
  • A key activity measure in emissions modeling

Vehicle Type

  • Category of vehicle (cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, etc.)
  • Used to break down emissions and activity data

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