The_Dictionary_of_Transport_and_Logistics

SORN

either standard (eg word processing/ accounting/payroll) or special (route planning, etc). Normally purchased on floppy disk*.

SORN Statutory off-road notice. Requirement of DVLA* that vehicle owners/operators declare that their vehicle/s is off the road (ie not in use and not left parked on the public highway) if VED is not renewed. Scheme to clamp down on tax dodgers.

Sortation In an express parcels operation – ParcelForce, Lynx or TNT for example – the process of sorting individual consignments/parcels, etc for dispatch to their correct destination.

Space cab High-roof sleeper cab on DAF* heavy vehicles primarily intended for long-haul and international haulage operations.

SPAD Signal passed at danger. Phenomenon associated with rail operations where the train driver (for whatever reason) passes a signal set at red for danger. Alleged to be the cause of a number of recent serious rail accidents. See also ATP, ETCS and TPWS.

SPAM Not tinned luncheon meat (ie Specially Prepared American Meat)! Formally described as ‘Unsolicited commercial messages’ sent over the Internet via e-mail (electronic ‘junk mail’). Mainly unwanted advertising material.

Spares (or spare parts) Components or parts, either consumable or repairable, from the associated bill of material used to maintain or repair machinery or equipment. (Source: ILT Supply-Chain Inventory Management SIG)

Spatial awareness An awareness of space or distance. People frequently fail to walk because they are under the misconception that the distance between locations is greater than it actually is. Especially relevant when the London Underground system comes to a standstill.

SPD Short period disqualification. A driving disqualification not exceeding 56 days where driving licence is not actually impounded, only marked by the Court.

Special order In connection with the carriage of abnormal loads*, special order needed from Secretary of State for Transport* when moving loads which exceed five metres wide.

Special reason When driver convicted for motoring offences and faces disqualification of his licence, he may request non-disqualification for special reasons (ie grounds of exceptional hardship*).

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SPLIT REST PERIOD

Special Types plate Plate fitted to Special Types vehicle* which indicates the manufacturer’s recommended maximum operational weight at specified speeds for Special Types use.

Special Types vehicle Heavy vehicle designed to carry abnormal indivisible loads* and which because of its size and weight cannot operate within the C&U regulations. Operates under The Motor Vehicles (Authorization of Special Types) General Order 1979 as amended.

Specified vehicles In connection with ‘O’ licensing*, the vehicles which are actually specified on the licence by registration number/type/maximum gvw.

SPECS A type of speed camera that measures vehicles travelling over a defined distance and calculates the average speed of the vehicle over that distance.

Speed limiter See Road speed limiter.

Speed recording Regarding tachographs*, the recording of speed on charts (ie in 20 kph steps). Equates to what driver sees indicated by speedometer needle.

Speed transducer Regarding electronic tachographs*, the device that converts the rotational speed of gearbox to indicate/record correct road speed at instrument head.

Speed warning light Regarding tachographs*, a warning light in the face which can be set to come on at a pre-determined speed to warn driver that he is exceeding pre-set limit.

Spent convictions Under provisions of The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, convictions sustained in the past which no longer have to be declared (eg on ‘O’ licence*, driving licence applications, etc), thus described as spent.

Spine wagon Rail wagon designed for piggyback operations, designed round a central spine and carrying outrigger platforms on which road semitrailer bogies are carried. Has advantage of being narrower and lighter than conventional pocket piggyback wagons*.

Split rest period Under provisions of regulation EC 3820/85, driver may split daily rest period* into two/three separate periods so long as one is a minimum of eight hours, the others are at least one hour each and total rest for day is increased to 12 hours.

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SPLITTER

Splitter Form of gearbox on heavy goods vehicle. Additional set of gears ‘splits’ main ratios to provide number of intermediate ratios (at about 18 per cent variation on the next up/down gear) to allow more efficient engine/ road speed matching. May be added to range-change* gearbox to provide as many as 12 to 16 ratios. See also Twin-splitter.

Spoke system Distribution system where deliveries to regional distribution centres or direct to customer are made from a central hub. See Hub and Spoke.

Spot hire The hire of a vehicle on a casual (ie one-off or daily) basis rather than on a longer-term contract.

Spray suppressant material Material used for making goods vehicle anti-spray devices. Designed to absorb or dissipate the energy of water thrown from the tyre to reduce the degree to which it shatters into fine droplets on hitting the surface (as with Monsanto Clear-Pass, etc).

Spreader A steel beam used to spread the lifting cables/chains, etc to each end of a container/swap body, etc being lifted for transfer from road to rail or vice versa.

Spring brakes Form of vehicle brake designed to provide fail-safe system in event of air loss (ie basically, air holds spring compressed and brakes off, but in failure springs expand and apply brakes – thus fail-safe).

SPTE Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive (PTE*).

SQA Scottish Qualifications Authority. Body appointed by DTLR* to establish and conduct examination system for Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA) qualification.

SQRS Safety, quality, reliability systems. A variation on the quality management theme but in this case indicating the ability of firms to react seriously to safety issues through structured risk assessments.

SRA Strategic Rail Authority. Created under the 1998 White Paper on Transport to provide a clear, coherent and strategic programme for the development of the railways. It absorbed the functions of OPRAF – the Office of the Passenger Rail Franchising Director.

S/S Sailing ship.

SSAP scheme Statement of accounting practice. Basis on which auditors prepare company annual accounts. In case of new SSAP 21, leased vehicle/ plant, etc are shown as assets unlike previously where they were not shown (hence the term ‘off balance sheet financing’).

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STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP

SSN Standard shipping note. A six-part SITPRO* aligned document (ie a type of consignment note).

SSP Statutory sick pay. Pay to which employee is entitled after being off work sick for at least 4 days (ie PIW*) – Social Security and Housing Benefits Act 1982.

ST Short ton. American measure equal to 2,000 lb.

Stacker truck Type of fork-lift truck* used to stack pallets to a height or recover same.

Stage A section of a passenger vehicle service/journey, usually between points at which a change in the fare occurs.

Staircase A series (flight) of locks* on a canal* where the top gates of one lock are also the lower gates of the next (ie as at Bingley on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, and Foxton on the Grand Union Canal).

Standard lists In connection with goods vehicle plating and testing, lists produced by vehicle manufacturers of the relevant data for every model/ variant they produce. Used by Goods Vehicle Centre*, as basis for determining plated weights, etc. Copies available from TSO*.

Standard ‘O’ licence Form of operators’ licence needed for carriage of goods for hire or reward on over 3.5 tonne pmw* vehicles – covering national (ie UK) operations only or both national and international operations. Applicants must be of good repute*, of appropriate financial standing* and professionally competent*. Also required for hire or reward passenger vehicle operations other than those covered by a restricted* PSV ‘O’ licence.

Standing costs Transport industry term for the fixed costs* of vehicle ownership (eg VED*, insurance, driver wages, etc). See also TIDE.

STARLS State-of-the-art logistical solutions. Industry jargon for proposals put forward to clients by third-party* distribution firms/consultants in connection with efficiency/cost improvements.

Statement of ownership In connection with the fixed penalty offence scheme, when driver of vehicle does not respond to notice within 28 days allowed, registered keeper* of vehicle is contacted and may pay the penalty or is required to provide a statement of ownership. He must state whether he owned the vehicle at the time of the alleged offence, if not give name of person who owned it at the time (if known).

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STATIC GAUGE

Static gauge Physical dimensions of a railway vehicle at rest (see also kinematic envelope, gauge and loading gauge).

Stationery Office See HMSO and TSO.

Statutory attendant An attendant as required by law to accompany a vehicle carrying abnormal* or projecting load (depending on dimensions, etc). Required only on first and last vehicles if three or more travel in convoy. Such must be in addition to the driver and his role is to warn the driver and any other person of any danger that may arise from the use of the vehicle.

Statutory break Break of 45 minutes (minimum) required by law when driver within EU rules (ie regulation EC 3820/85 ) has driven for 4½ hours. Alternatively he may take shorter breaks spread throughout and after the driving period so long as they total 45 minutes and the driving does not exceed 4½ hours.

Statutory Instrument Document containing statutory regulations/orders, etc. Has designated number SI… and year (eg C&U regulations are SI 1078/ 86). Copies available from TSO*. Listed as published in TSO daily list of publications available on subscription.

STC Said to contain. Term used on transport documentation – usually by a recipient signing for parcels/cartons, etc the contents of which he cannot see.

STD Socialist Truck Drivers. A movement intent on demonstrating against industry shortcomings (eg the lack of adequate truck parking facilities across Europe).

STEP International standard for exchange of manufacturing product data.

Stevedore Dockside worker (or firm of such) engaged on loading and unloading ships.

STGO Abbreviation for The Motor Vehicles (Authorization of Special Types) General Order 1979 as amended. Legislation which permits the use of vehicles operating outside the provisions of the C&U regulations for carrying abnormal loads*.

Stock Stock can be defined as: all the goods and materials stored by an organization and retained for future use. The quantity of goods between measuring points in a particular path, expressed in quantitative and/or financial terms. For example, the goods can be in a pipeline, in a warehouse

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STOCK DIFFERENCE (OR STOCK DISCREPANCY)

or technical store, in reception, in production. Additional terms for stock are:

(Source: ILT Supply-Chain Inventory Management SIG)

Stock analysis The process of analysing the stock position and the stock pattern as well as signalling differences with regard to the stock norms.

(Source: ILT Supply-Chain Inventory Management SIG)

Stock carrying costs (or stock holding costs) The total costs associated with holding stock. These costs consist of:

nThe unit purchase cost.

nThe reorder cost.

nThe holding cost.

nThe stockout or shortage cost. (Source: ILT Supply-Chain Inventory Management SIG)

Stock control System for monitoring and replenishing stocks (eg in a warehouse) to ensure adequate levels to meet customer demand, but avoiding over-stocks which tie-up capital unnecessarily. See also Inventory control.

Stock cover The current stock divided by the average weekly demand (weekly demand can be based on either past history or forward forecast).

(Source: ILT Supply-Chain Inventory Management SIG)

Stock difference (or stock discrepancy) The difference between the actual stock held and the calculated stock or registered stock. (Source: ILT

Supply-Chain Inventory Management SIG)

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STOCK IN TRANSIT/CLEARING

Stock in transit/clearing All materials, components or finished products in transit from one point in a supply chain to another supply chain destination, expressed in quantitative or financial terms. (Source: ILT Supply-Chain Inventory Management SIG)

Stock investment The amount of money that is invested in all levels of stock at any given point in time. (Source: ILT Supply-Chain Inventory Management SIG)

Stock keeping unit (SKU) A single type of product which is kept in stock; it is one entry in the inventory. (Source: ILT Supply-Chain Inventory Management SIG)

Stock location system A system where all places within a warehouse are identified in some way to facilitate storage and retrieval of stock.

(Source: ILT Supply-Chain Inventory Management SIG)

Stock management The planning and control of the quantities, qualities and location of stocks. (Source: ILT Supply-Chain Inventory Management

SIG)

Stock norm A ratio of stock to, for example, sales, set as a standard and expressed as a percentage, or as a factor or as a number of days, weeks or months. The stock norm is determined by taking into account the:

nSafety stock.

nProduction batch stock or shipment batch stock.

nNormal seasonal stock.

nNormative pipeline stock.

nStock on order.

The quantity represented by the total of all out-standing orders for a particular item. The on order balance increases when a new order is released and decreases when an order is received or cancelled. (Source: ILT SupplyChain Inventory Management SIG)

Stock point A point in the supply chain meant to keep goods available.

(Source: ILT Supply-Chain Inventory Management SIG)

Stock policy The policy with regard to the level and location of stock to be held and where and how this should be done. (Source: ILT Supply-Chain

Inventory Management SIG)

Stock position The situation of a particular product, at a particular time, with regard to the relationship between the expected demand and/or

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STOCKOUT RISK

requirement, the physical stock and the outstanding procurement orders.

(Source: ILT Supply-Chain Inventory Management SIG)

Stock profile Determination of the composition of stock, its quantity and flow. A technique for analysing product stock and throughput characteristics. Using computer data-base information or statistical summaries, the analysis considers lines, stockholding and throughput rate.

Stock site A location at which stock is held.

Stock turn (1) The rate at which warehouse stocks (ie inventory*) turns over (ie number of times replaced in a given period – usually one year). Generally, it is preferable to have a high stock turn: this indicates fast moving business.

Stock turn (2) The number of times that an inventory turns over during the year and normally obtained by dividing the average inventory value into the annual cost of sales. (Source: ILT Supply-Chain Inventory Management SIG)

Stock turnover (or stock turn) A widely used measure of inventory performance expressed as the ratio of the cost of units sold to the average value of stock. (Source: ILT Supply-Chain Inventory Management SIG)

Stock types The products which are determined for delivery from stock.

(Source: ILT Supply-Chain Inventory Management SIG)

Stockout The situation when demand for a stock item is received but there is insufficient stock to satisfy the demand. (Source: ILT Supply-Chain

Inventory Management SIG)

Stockout costs The economic consequences of an internal or external stockout such as missed sales, delayed deliveries, anticipated lower sales in the future because of loss of goodwill, costs resulting from production stoppages and all kinds of associated costs. (Source: ILT Supply-Chain Inventory Management SIG)

Stockout percentage A measure of the effectiveness with which a company responds to actual demand. The stockout percentage can be a measurement of total stockouts to total orders, or of line of items incurring stockouts during a period of total line items ordered. (Source: ILT SupplyChain Inventory Management SIG)

Stockout risk The accepted risk of having a shortage of stock of an item which is used in calculating the required level of safety stock. (Source:

ILT Supply-Chain Inventory Management SIG)

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STOCKTAKING

Stocktaking A physical count of products actually held in stock as a basis for verification of the stock records and accounts. (Source: ILT SupplyChain Inventory Management SIG)

STOL Short take-off and landing. Aircraft designed with short take-off capabilities, ideal for short-haul operations using city airports (eg the London City Airport in Docklands).

Stopping a moving vehicle In GB, only a police officer in uniform is legally authorized to stop a moving vehicle (in NI* a DOE* enforcement officer* in civilian clothes may also do so).

Stored energy Regarding vehicle braking systems, parking brakes must be capable of meeting efficiency requirement without the assistance of stored energy (ie without air/vacuum assistance). For these purposes, energy stored in a compressed spring is not counted as being stored – see Spring brakes.

Straddle carrier Form of crane on wheels designed specially to lift and transport shipping (ie ISO*) containers (ie fitted with twist-lock fittings* at each corner) from road vehicles to rail, etc and capable of stacking such two/three high.

Straight-line depreciation System whereby depreciation* is spread equally over a specified period of years (eg five years).

Strategic alliance Term used in logistics operations when one company forms a relationship with another (ie an alliance) for the purposes of jointly exploiting business opportunities – but not a merger or takeover.

Strategic planning Planning the long-term objectives of a business or a department within a company and the methods to be employed to achieve those objectives.

Strategic stock The stock of goods of essential importance for the continuation of the production process and which is built up in order to compensate for long hold-ups of incoming goods (caused by strikes and political difficulties, etc in a particular country or region). (Source: ILT Supply-Chain Inventory Management SIG)

Strategy A medium to long-term plan of action.

Streetcar American term for a tram or trolleybus system.

Structure plan A statutory development plan prepared by, for example, a County Council which sets out the policy for local land use and transport over a period ahead (eg 10 to15 years).

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SUPER SINGLES

Stuffing/stripping The process of packing or unpacking a trailer or container.

Sub-contractor A person/firm to whom the main contractor (ie the principal) has contracted work (eg haulage work). In law, the principal contractor remains liable to the customer if goods in the care of a subcontractor are lost or damaged.

Subordinate legislation Legislation which is subordinate (ie lower in status) to the main provisions (eg regulations/orders made under powers given in an Act of Parliament).

Subrogation Term used in marine insurance whereby one person is substituted for another, inheriting the former’s rights and liabilities in the process.

Subsidiary company A company of which another company (ie the holding/parent company) owns some or all (ie wholly owned) of the shares. Regarding ‘O’ licensing*, a company which may have its vehicles specified on the ‘O’ licence of or carry the goods of its parent company or vice versa (not to be confused with associate company* where this is not permitted).

Subsonic Travel at less than the speed of sound. See also Supersonic.

Sulphur A constituent of diesel fuel and a major contributor to so-called ‘acid rain’ which is detrimental to the environment. The EU proposes that the sulphur content of diesel fuel should be reduced to 1 per cent from 1 January 2003. See also ULSD.

Summary conviction Conviction of charged offender by court of summary jurisdiction (ie Magistrate’s Court) – as opposed to indictment by judge and jury. Offences tried summarily carry lesser penalties than those on indictment, hence difference in system.

Summons Legal demand for offender (usually) to appear in court. Could also apply to witness. Not to be confused with subpoena whereby a person’s presence in court is demanded by writ (written order to appear) – often served personally to ensure safe receipt.

Super singles Large size truck tyres usually used singly in place of a normal-sized twin wheel set. Although designed principally for rear axle use, many operators have adopted their use on front (steering) axles where they are said to provide greater directional stability and safety. However, experts advise that such use adds up to two per cent to the vehicle’s fuel consumption.

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