The_Dictionary_of_Transport_and_Logistics

Rr

R&D Research and development. The system by which firms arrive at new products – ie by researching the market, and other competing products (and services) and developing new products. This may range, for example, from simple products such as stationery items to complex engineering, medical and pharmaceutical products.

RAC Royal Automobile Club (and RSAC – Royal Scottish Automobile Club). Motoring organization providing (among other things) roadside assistance/ international travel service/Bail Bonds*/International Driving Permits*, etc.

Radial (ply) tyre Vehicle tyre legally defined as being one structured with the ply cords extending to the bead at (substantially) 90 degrees to the peripheral line of the tread and with the ply cord ‘stabilized’ with a ‘substantially inextensible circumferential belt’.

Radio frequency identification (RFID) The attachment of transponders (which may be read only or read/write) to products, as an alternative to linear bar codes, to enable product identification some distance from the scanner or when out of line of sight. (Source: ILT Supply-Chain Inventory

Management SIG)

Radio paging System of communications whereby individual is contacted via personal pager (small, pocket-size, device which bleeps or vibrates alerting the wearer to contact the message centre/base, etc). Usually restricted to limited range and no voice contact possible.

Rail freight Freight traffic carried by rail, booked either by container, wagonload or trainload.

Rail loading gauge The profile of bridges and tunnels, etc above rail lines which determines the size of wagons that can pass through. Generally, gauges are known by name – eg A, B, B+, C, W6, Berne, UIC and Channel Tunnel.

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RAW MATERIAL

Railhead Rail depot*/terminal where loading/unloading and transhipment of loads/swap bodies* (eg to and from road vehicle) takes place. Key location in intermodal*/combined transport* operations.

Railtrack plc Owner and operator of UK rail infrastructure* (ie track, signalling and stations, etc) – train operators pay track access charges for its use.

RAM Random access memory. Computer terminology.

Random sample cycle counting A method in which the particular parts to be counted are selected from the population of part numbers in a manner that has no inherent bias. In this selection process, each part number has an equal chance of being selected. (Source: ILT Supply-Chain Inventory

Management SIG)

Range-change Form of gearbox used on heavy goods vehicle. Four/five main gears are ranged down to provide double the number of ratios (ie 8/ 10) – necessary when trying to match narrow bands of engine speed to wide range of road speed/load/gradient capability. See also Splitter gearbox.

Rapid acquisition of manufactured parts (RAMP) A make to order process to reduce the purchasing lead time for long lead time manufactured parts whereby product data is held in STEP (the international standard for exchange of manufacturing product data) by the customer and exchanged, in electronic format, when an order is placed. (Source: ILT Supply-Chain Inventory Management SIG)

Rapid intervention vehicle Fast vehicle used by fire brigades to get quickly to a fire/emergency to start fire fighting/rescue pending arrival of main (usually slower) vehicle units.

Rapid Service Pass Eurotunnel pass to allow regular Channel Tunnel (ie Le Shuttle*) users to travel on an account basis without having to stop and make payment on arrival at the Tunnel toll.

Rapid transit Passenger transport system (usually rail) designed to provide quick journeys. Normally segregated from other traffic.

Rapporteur A person appointed by an organization to report on its meetings. Also found taking part in focus groups*.

Raw material Stock or items purchased from suppliers, to be input to a production process, and which will subsequently modified or transformed into finished goods. (Source: ILT Supply-Chain Inventory Management

SIG)

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RCT

RCT Royal Corps of Transport. Military regiment concerned with providing transport/logistics support to the British army. Merged with other regiments in 1993 to form the Royal Logistics Corps (RLC).

RCV Refuse collection vehicle. In the vernacular, a rubbish lorry.

RDA Regional Development Agency. Concerned with regional economic development, including local proposals for transport and infrastructure.

RDC (1) Regional Distribution Centre. Warehouse/transport depot from which goods are distributed regionally.

RDC (2) Routiers Drivers’ Club. Club for lorry drivers.

RDC (3) Radio data communication. A means of data communications by radio between locations (eg in and between warehouses).

RDC (4) Rural Development Commission. Administers the Rural Transport Development Fund (set up under the Transport Act 1985) on behalf of the DTLR*.

RDS Regional Development Strategy. A strategy at regional level for the development of land, infrastructure and transport systems, etc.

RDS-TMC Radio data system – traffic message channel*. Radio system and exclusive channel for up-to-the-minute road traffic information.

RDT Radio data terminal. Used, for example, in warehouses to provide communication between static and mobile workstations (eg fork-lift trucks) and the main warehouse computer.

Reach truck Fork-lift truck capable of reaching forward to withdraw pallets from racking or from high stacks.

Rear position light Vehicle red rear light. Two required and must be switched on when vehicle on road between sunset and sunrise.

Rear reflective marker System of fluorescent and reflective rear marking required on goods vehicles over 7,500 kg and trailers over 3,500 kg gvw*. Type of marker (ie diagonal stripes or ‘Long Vehicle’) to be used depends on length of vehicle/trailer.

Rear steer Vehicle/plant where the steering axle is at the rear rather than the front. Also applies to certain long articulated semi-trailers where the rearmost axle is steerable (via connections from tractive unit) to give greater manoeuvrability and avoid excessive tyre wear through scrubbing when tight turning.

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RE-CUT TYRE

Rear underrun protection Legal term for rear bumpers on heavy vehicles/trailers. Required on vehicles over 3,500 kg gvw and trailers over 1020 kg unladen weight. Intended to reduce damage/injury to small vehicles, cyclists and motor cyclists, etc which may run into rear.

Rearward projection Load which projects to rear of vehicle/trailer. See also Projecting loads.

Rebated heavy oil Diesel (ie heavy) oil on which a reduced rate of duty is payable and illegal for use in road vehicles (with certain limited exceptions such as farm vehicles and construction plant) – but can be used to fuel separate ‘fridge motors’ (ie refrigeration units), etc. Coloured with red dye for distinguishing purposes and regularly tested for by HM Customs and Excise with road fuel testing units. Commonly called red diesel or gas oil.

REC Recruitment & Employment Confederation. Association of recruitment consultants. Together with RHA* and FTA* produced Joint Code of

Good Practice for Agency Drivers.

Re-calibration In connection with tachographs, the re-calibration of an installation either following repair or, in any case, as required by law no later than six years after a previous calibration* (date indicated on plaque* in instrument).

Receiver See Official receiver.

Receiving date Date from which cargo is accepted by the shipping company for shipment on a specified sailing.

Recorder Instrument that records data.

Recording equipment Legal term for tachograph*.

Recovery vehicle Legally defined as vehicle constructed or permanently adapted primarily for the purpose of lifting, towing and transporting a disabled vehicle (max. two at any time) and used for recovery and removal of such. Now in separate VED* class and may not be used on trade plates.

Re-cut tyre Vehicle tyre in which all or part of the original (or a different) tread pattern has been cut or burnt deeper. Such tyres may only be re-cut in accordance with the manufacturer’s re-cut tread pattern and used on vehicles exceeding 2,540 kg unladen and with wheels at least 405 mm diameter. They should not be used if the ply or cord has been exposed in the re-cutting process.

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RECYCLING

Recycling The process of turning old/used/scrap/waste material into new products. The recycling process usually involves crushing and/or heating (melting down) the material first. A major element in protection of the environment – ie reusing scare resources. In the transport context, glass is recycled and used as a constituent of road surfacing material.

Red diesel See Rebated heavy oil.

Reduced visibility See Seriously reduced visibility – when vehicle dipped headlights must be used.

Redundancy Situation when employee is dismissed for reason that (mainly) his job ceases to exist or business closes (but only applies where employment was for at least two years after reaching 18 years). An employee is not redundant if his job continues and he is replaced by another person. Redundant employee entitled to specified payments according to age, length of service and current rate of pay.

Redundant stock Parts used in manufacture which have been removed from a bill of material by technical change or modification action. Redundant parts may also be obsolete if they are no longer used for any other application in the inventory concerned. (Source: ILT Supply-Chain

Inventory Management SIG)

Reefer Alternative term to describe a refrigerated vehicle/plant/ship.

Re-engineering Term use to describe the process of re-organizing the internal workings of a business (eg what management consultants often advise their clients about at great cost; see BPR).

Refrigerated vehicle Goods vehicle/trailer designed to carry goods (mainly foodstuffs) at controlled temperature*. See also ATP (1).

Refusal to test Regarding goods vehicle testing, the right of the testing station to refuse to test a vehicle submitted in contravention of the stated requirements (eg late arrival, no documents, dirty, unsafe, insufficient fuel/ oil). Form VTG 12 is issued, stating reason.

Registrar of Companies Official to whom all applications for limited company registrations are made, also annual returns of companies made under provisions of the Companies Acts. On registration companies are given registration number, etc and add word ‘limited’ to their name. As such they are strictly controlled as to conduct, etc by the law.

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RE-ORDER COSTS

Registration document Form V 5 issued by DVLC* when motor vehicle is registered – see below. Indicates details of vehicle, registration number and name of registered keeper (not necessarily the owner). When vehicle is sold, tear-off slip is used to notify DVLC of new owner, etc.

Registration mark/number Provided for all registered motor vehicles

– and registration document (see above). Must be displayed on plate (see below) mounted front and rear (with exceptions – eg motorcycles) and on rear of any trailer drawn. Rear plate must be indirectly illuminated when other obligatory lights* of vehicle are on. On vehicle first registered since 1973 plates must be of reflex reflecting material (except where goods vehicles have rear reflective markers*) black letters on white for front, black letters on yellow for rear.

Registration plate Plate mounted on vehicle displaying its registration mark/number* on a retro-reflecting background.

Rehabilitation of offenders Legal provision under which past offenders are no longer required to disclose such in response to official request (eg when completing application forms – for driver licensing/’O’ licensing*). Period of rehabilitation depends on age of offender at time and penalty for offence.

Relevant axle spacing Legal term used in connection with determining the permissible weights for articulated vehicle combinations, namely distance between rearmost axle of drawing vehicle and rearmost axle on semi-trailer.

Remould Used tyre casing remoulded (ie with new tread, etc) to provide further operational life. See also Re-tread.

Removal note Note confirming that goods are clear of customs.

Rental (car/truck/trailer/fork-lift truck) Business of renting out (usually on relatively short-term basis) vehicles, etc. Such vehicles used by firms needing extra capacity for short periods or cover for their own vehicles which are temporarily out of service. Over 3.5 tonne vehicles may only be hired by a firm/business within the margin* on its ‘O’ licence*.

Re-order costs The total cost of placing a repeat order for an item either externally with a supplier or for internal manufacture. The costs may include elements to cover: order preparation, administration, IT overheads, correspondence, telephone, transportation, goods inward processing, inspection and for manufacture, batch set up costs and other production overheads.

(Source: ILT Supply-Chain Inventory Management SIG)

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RE-ORDER LEVEL (ROL)

Re-order level (ROL) (or re-order point – ROP) The calculated level of stock within an inventory control system to which the quantity of a specific item is allowed to fall before replenishment order action is generated. (Source: ILT Supply-Chain Inventory Management SIG)

Re-order quantity (ROQ) (or replenishment order quantity) The calculated order quantity necessary to replenish stocks at a given point in time. The method of calculation, and the timing of the order, will vary depending on the type of inventory control system in use. Quantity-based systems are checked continually to determine if an order should be placed; time based systems only have a count of stock at predetermined intervals and orders placed as required; a distribution system plans orders to meet distribution needs; and production-based systems only order stock to meet manufacturing requirements. (Source: ILT Supply-Chain Inventory

Management SIG)

Repair period (RP) The total out of service time, including transit time, from when a repairable component becomes unfit for use until the time it is returned to stock and is available for further use. (Source: ILT SupplyChain Inventory Management SIG)

Repairable item An inventory item that is not normally consumed in use but one which will be repaired and re-used as part of the normal stock policy for that item. Such items have a repair lead-time as well as a procurement lead-time. (Source: ILT Supply-Chain Inventory Management

SIG)

Replacement decision Management decision as to when vehicles, etc should be replaced by new ones based on combination of economic and operational factors (eg rising maintenance costs, falling residual value*). Also, availability of new vehicles and market for second-hand has a bearing.

Replacement vehicle In connection with ‘O’ licensing*, replacement of one vehicle by another and the need to notify the TC* on Form GV 80 within one month.

Replenishment system The function of replenishing stocks as they are used/consumed to ensure that a process or supply does not run out.

Reportable accident An industrial accident required to be reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) under RIDDOR*.

Representation In connection with goods vehicle (but not passenger) ‘O’ licensing*, owners/occupiers of land in the vicinity* of vehicle

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RESTRICTED ‘O’ LICENCE

operating centres* have right of representation against ‘O’ licence applicants on grounds that the use of such places will affect their enjoyment of their land (ie environmentally only). They have no right of appeal (as with objectors*) should the application go against them.

Res ipsa loquitur Legal term meaning that the facts speak for themselves.

Residual value The value of a vehicle when its useful life for the owner has expired. A (theoretical) figure used in depreciation calculations to indicate the value likely to be obtained (or necessary to obtain) when the vehicle is eventually disposed of.

Responsibility for maintenance Regarding ‘O’ licensing*, the fact that no matter who carries out maintenance work (or under what contractual terms), it is the user (ie ‘O’ licence holder) who remains responsible in law for the mechanical condition of vehicles/trailers. The same applies when vehicles are hired (unless complete with driver), borrowed or a driver hitches your tractive unit to somebody else’s semi-trailer – the driver’s employer (ie the user) remains responsible.

Rest period Requirement under regulation EC 3820/85 for driver to take a rest period between driving days and once each week when he has driven. Rest is period of time when driver is free to dispose of his time as he wishes. Daily rest is normally 11 hours but may be reduced to nine hours three times in week (with the reduction made up by end of next following week) and weekly rest is normally 45 hours which may be reduced to 36 when drivers is at base and 24 when away (reduced time must be made up en bloc by end of third following week).

Restraints and incentives Restraints are negative measures, such as those which force car users to move to the use of alternative, more environmentally-friendly transport modes (eg by prohibiting or restricting car parking). Incentives are positive measures to encourage people to make less use of their motor cars and move towards greater use of sustainable transport (eg bus, tram and train services).

Restricted HGV driving licence Heavy goods vehicle drivers’ licence which restricted holder to driving vehicles of 10 tonnes maximum gvw – this restriction disappears with the introduction of new EU unified driving licence* system.

Restricted ‘O’ licence Operator’s licence available to transporters of their own goods (ie own account*) where the carriage is not for hire or reward. Conditions of fitness (ie fit person*) and financial standing* have to be

203

RESTRICTED ROAD

met but no requirement for professional competence*. Vehicles under such licence may carry goods in UK or internationally. Restricted passenger vehicle ‘O’ licences* are available to operators of PSVs* which carry no more than 8 passengers, or not more than 16 passengers when used for purposes not connected with a passenger-carrying business or when used by an operator whose main business is not that of operating PSVs with more than eight seats.

Restricted road Road on which 30 mph speed limit applies (ie one with street lamps positioned not more than 200 yards (in Scotland 185 metres) apart. Possible for some such roads to be designated as non-restricted and other roads without street lamps designated as restricted roads.

Resuscitation A word that means to revive from near death. Useful first aid skill but otherwise best not attempted at scene of accident unless absolutely vital – more harm than good may be done.

Retarder Device on vehicle to help reduce its speed by means other than conventional wheel brakes (eg as with ‘Jake Brake’* which operates on engine overrun to produce compression effect). Engine also has retardation effect in low gear.

Retread Vehicle tyre which has had a new tread moulded on to give the casing a further period of life.

Retro reflex reflector Vehicle reflector facing to the rear or side which reflects light back from whence it came. Such reflectors are required by law to indicate the presence and width of a vehicle when seen from the rear. Most vehicles require two red reflectors at rear and long vehicles/ trailers at least two amber reflectors on each side (possibly more on account of length).

Return load database Computer file (ie database) containing information on the availability of return loads. Accessible by licensed users of system.

Return on capital Term meaning the financial benefit (ie return) gained from the use of capital (eg the return from an investment in a business). Usually calculated by dividing the net profit by the capital invested (eg £10,000 net profit on £100,000 investment means a 10 per cent return on capital).

Returnable transit packaging (RTP) Packaging that can be returned and re-used. Also known as re-usable secondary packaging (RSP).

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RF

Revenue A word that means income. In the transport context, it is income from passenger fares, on-vehicle advertising, haulage and shipping rates, the sales of airline tickets, etc. Total revenue/income must be declared for tax purposes, although expenses incurred in achieving that revenue may be declared (ie it is not compulsory!).

Revenue weight The gross plated or plated train weight of a vehicle being the maximum weight that it may legally operate in Great Britain and which determines the amount of VED* payable.

Reverse logistics Distribution terminology for collecting returns (eg surplus, damaged or recalled goods) and bringing them back to the depot/ warehouse and integrating them back into the system (ie for scrap, repair or replacement, etc).

Reverse trading The practice of trading part-finished goods/components for raw materials.

Reversing Causing a motor vehicle to travel backwards – illegal if distance reversed is greater than necessary for safety or reasonable convenience of the occupants or other traffic (except road rollers).

Reversing accidents Too many for comfort, and cause of concern to safety organizations and government.

Reversing alarm Fitted to vehicles to warn (especially pedestrians) that vehicle is reversing. Sometimes called bleeper – legally called audible warning instrument. May be fitted voluntarily to goods vehicles over 2 tonnes (and certain others) but not to cars/light vehicles. Sound must not be confused with that of pedestrian crossing signal.

Review interval The time between assessing order requirements in a fixed order interval system. (Source: ILT Supply-Chain Inventory Management SIG)

Revocation Action of TC* when he cancels an ‘O’ licence* for disciplinary reasons. This means vehicles may no longer be operated until new licence gained. Offender may also be disqualified from holding another licence.

RF Radio frequency. In logistics typically used to report movement or location of goods to a control system – an RF reader can read bar codes and/or electronic tags.

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