Financial | Human Resources | Insurance | Job Title | Logistics | Maintenance | Operations | Rental | Ryder Products & Services | Sales | Technology | Transportation | Vehicle

Financial
Aged Statement - A report of the age and amount of money owed to Ryder by its customers.
CVC - Controllable Variable Costs. Operational costs that can be controlled by good management and work practices (e.g. reducing accidents, reducing product damage, reducing overtime etc,).
Fixed Costs - Costs related directly to the ownership of vehicles. (Payment of the asset, insurance, licenses, taxes, etc.)
JV - Journal Voucher. A manual entry in the General Ledger for the purpose of sharing expenses.
Margin - (Fixed costs + running costs) subtracted from revenue.
Operating Profit - Fixed costs + running costs + overheads, subtracted from revenue.
Overhead - Costs associated with running a business (payroll, buildings, shop equipment, etc.).
P & L - Profit & Loss. Report of all revenue and expenses for a set period, with the final outcome of “Profit” or “Loss.”
Receivables - Money owed to Ryder for products or services provided.
Asset Management - A competency that encompasses the specification, purchasing, managing, maintaining, and disposing of vehicles (or other high priced assets) at the appropriate time, all to increase return on investments.
EVA - Economic Value Added. A measurement of shareholder value as a company’s operating profits after tax, less and appropriate charge for capital used in creating the profits.
Finance Lease - Often, a full-payout agreement in which the customer, at the end of the lease term, assumes ownership of the vehicle or is provided with a purchase option. The lessee is usually responsible for maintenance.
Gain - Money generated by the sale of an asset for more than its book value.
Loss - Money lost by the sale of an asset for less than its book value.
Lease Finance - A contract between a customer, Ryder and a financial institution, like Citicorp Financial Services, whereby the financial services corporation provides the financing of the vehicle (s), and Customer provides the maintenance and others services (can come from Ryder) during a specified length of time (term); Ryder does not retain the ownership of the vehicle(s).
First Structure Tax - Tax that covers the licensing of vehicles. Compare to second and third structure taxes that are on fuel use and vehicle operation, respectively.
Return on Investment (ROI) - Calculated by taking the value of the investment held at the beginning of the ROI period compared with the current value. In other words: ((Current Value) - (Beginning Value) + (Income)) / (Beginning Value), where (Current Value) = (the current total shares) * (the last price), (Beginning Value) = (number of shares held prior to the period - any shares sold) * (the closing price prior to the period) + the "Cost Basis" of any shares added in this period (Buys, Reinvest, Add Shares, etc) and (Income) = any income events such as Dividends/Interest (not Reinvested) and Realized gain/loss from Sells in this period.
Revenue - Money received from rentals, leases, etc.
Revenue Equipment - Any vehicle purchased for the purpose of rental or lease that will produce revenue. Not included as revenue equipment would be service trucks, mailroom trucks, etc.
Sales Tax - Dollars paid to a state, based on value of equipment at time of first registration. Also, in many states a percentage of cost of parts, labor or rental services.
Title - Legal document issued by a state used to establish vehicle ownership.
Transaction - Typically, an exchange of services for payment.
YTD - Year-to-date

Human Resources^ top
ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act.
COBRA - Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act­ – relates to health care coverage – Ability to continue benefits upon termination of coverage.
HR - Human Resources. Department to support and assist employees of Ryder.
IDP - Individual Development Plan. Plan created by an employee and his/her manager to plan his/her professional development over each year at Ryder.
SSN - Social Security Number.

Insurance^ top
BI/PD - Bodily Injury/Property Damage. A type of insurance coverage that is required to operate a vehicle.
Combined Single Limit - A type of liability limit that combines bodily injury and property damage limits. Any claim, whether bodily injury, property damage, or both, would be paid up to the stated limit. (Covers all liability claims for injury or damage up to one specified limit.)
Deductible - The dollar amount of physical damage or, in some cases, liability, that the customer must pay before his insurance carrier or Ryder will pay any claim.
Liability - The concept of liability means being responsible by law, or under obligation to make good a loss.
Liability Coverage - Coverage for the damage one driver causes to another person or person’s property. Under OW and 402 contracts, our customers are covered at least to the legal minimum amount required by the state in which an accident occurs.

Job Title^ top
RSD - Region Sales Director – Person responsible for managing BDMs and field sales efforts.
RSR - Rental Sales Representative. Person responsible for renting vehicles, providing customer service and marketing support, and managing inventory of vehicles at a branch.

Logistics^ top
ACE - Analyze the opportunity, Chart the course, and Execute it flawlessly. Philosophy/process applied to the start-up of new logistics accounts.
Asset Rationalization - A process that audits a company's transportation and distribution assets and compares them against an optimum supply chain design.
Benchmarking - The process of comparing performance against the practices of other leading companies for the purpose of improving performance. Companies also benchmark internally by tracking and comparing current performance with past performance.
Break-Bulk - The separation of a single consolidated bulk load into smaller individual shipments for delivery to the ultimate consignees.
Consolidation - Combining two or more shipments in order to realize lower transportation rates. Inbound consolidation from vendors is called make-bulk consolidation; outbound consolidation to customers is called break-bulk.
CSCMP - Council for Supply Chain Management Professionals (formerly CLM = Council of Logistics Management).
Demand Chain - Another name for the supply chain, with emphasis on customer or end-user demand pulling materials and product through the chain.
Distribution Channels - The selling channels supported by an enterprise. These may include retail sales, distribution partner (e.g. wholesale) sales, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) sales, Internet exchange or marketplace sales, and Internet auction or reverse auctions sales.
Integrated Logistics - A system-wide management view of the entire supply chain, from raw materials supply through finished good distribution.
International Trade Systems (ITS) - Execution systems designed to automate the import/export business process. The basic functional components are trade documentation generation and transmission, and regulatory compliance validation.
Inventory Development - A techinique for reducing the number of warehouses required by replacing excess inventory with event-driven information derived from tracking the location of inventory at rest as well as in motion. It is typically done using bar coding and radio frequency technology, which eliminates paperwork.
Just-in-Time (JIT) - An inbound manufacturing strategy that smoothes material flow into assembly and manufacturing plants. JIT minimizes inventory investment by providing timely, sequential deliveries of product exactly where and when it is needed, from a multitude of suppliers.
Lead Logistics Management (LLM) - A total end-to-end solution that manages the flow of materials, products and information for a company's global supply chain. Typically, it involves a single point of contact, managing and synchronizing multiple third party service providers, supply chain planning/network optimization, IT capabilities and transportaion and distribution functions.
Logistics - The process of planning, implementing, and controlling the efficient, effective flow and storage of goods, storage and related information from point of origin to point of consumption for the purposes of conforming to customer requirements, also known as Supply Chain Management. (Source: CSCMP)
Logistics Channel - The network of supply chain participants engaged in storage, handling, transfer, transportation and communications functions that contribute to the efficient flow of goods.
LOR - Location Operating Report. Report Generated from Ryder Dispatch 2000 system for P&L use.
Optimization Routines - Routines used to determine the optimal solution for a particular problem. Included in supply chain execution and supply chain planning applications to reduce costs or time in the supply chain. Usually, tactically focused for use in current operations.
Reverse Logistics - A specialized segment of logistics focusing on the return of products or shipments after the sale and delivery to the customer.
Rolling Stock - The term is used in logistics to refer to inventory in motion, not at rest.
SCS - Supply Chain Solutions. Also known as global supply chain solutions (GSCS), this functional area of Ryder provides a variety of logistics services to companies worldwide.
Simulation Routines - Various routines using historical information to simulate future alternatives for supply chain operations design. Usually strategically focused for use in future operations, these may then be optimized and/or prioritized.
Start-up - The starting point of a Ryder logistics account. It could be the point at which Ryder takes over the logistics services for a customer or the opening of a new Ryder/customer location.
Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) - Numbering system that makes a product or item distinguishable from all others.
Supply Chain - Movement of materials, funds and related information through the full logistics process, from the acquisition of raw materials to delivery of finished products to the end-user. The supply chain includes all vendors, service providers, customers and intermediaries.
Supply Chain Planning (SCP) - Typically involves activities such as creating a set of suppliers, responding to buyer forecasts, or generating internal forecasts of usage.Transporation, warehousing and other logistics-related services provided by companies employed to assume tasks that were previously performed in-house by the customer.
Third Party Logistics - A firm that supplies goods and services such as transportation and logistics to another company.
Third-Party Provider - A competitive marketing strategy based on a company’s ability to deliver its products to customers faster than its competition.
Time-Based Competition - Increased or improved value, worth, functionality or usefulness.
Value Added - A series of activities, which combined, define a business process; the series of activities
Value Chain - from manufacturers to the retail stores that define the industry supply chain.
Visibility - The ability to access or view pertinent data or information as it relates to logistics and the supply chain.
Warehouse Management System (WMS) - Warehouse Management System (WMS) - A software application that manages the operations of a warehouse or distribution center. Application functionality includes receiving, putaway, inventory management, cycle counting, task interleaving, wave planning, order allocation, order picking, replenishment, packing, shipping, labor management and automated material-handling equipment interfaces. The use of radio frequency technology in conjunction with bar codes provides the foundation of a WMS, delivering accurate information in real time.

Maintenance^ top
Captive Shop - A Ryder location that provides maintenance services to the vehicles of just one customer (the location is dedicated to maintaining one customer’s fleet).
DVCR - Driver Vehicle Condition Report. Form used by drivers, rental employees, etc., to record items that need service or repair on a particular vehicle.
Hand-Held Computer - A small computer used by the shop locations for yard checks, fueling, and parts inventory.
Maintenance - All areas involved with mechanical servicing and repair of vehicles.
NAV - Navistar. A manufacturer of engines commonly found in Ryder vehicles.
PM - Preventive Maintenance. Program calling for various inspections and maintenance procedures at regularly scheduled intervals. Designed to spot potential problems during inspection and through oil change, lubrication, or replacement of parts, to either prolong the life of components or replace them prior to failure.
Repair Order - A form detailing mechanical or body work to be performed, parts used, and other costs.
RO - Repair Order. Form detailing mechanical or body work to be performed, parts used, and other costs. Sometimes used for a shop form detailing work done and parts used. The information may be transferred to an invoice that is priced and used for billing.
Road Calls - Ryder roadside assistance for vehicles that have broken down.
RPM - Ryder Programmed Maintenance - a program for Ryder locations to do maintenance work on non-Ryder-owned equipment.
Running Cost - Costs related directly to the maintenance, repair and transfer of vehicles (parts, labor, fluids, tires, transfer costs, etc.).
Service (Fuel) Island - The section of a branch/location that provides fuel and inspection of vehicles as part of the Preventive Maintenance program.
Service Truck - A BU owned vehicle used to make repairs on the road. May be equipped with various tools and machinery to assist in repairs.
Shop - The portion of a branch/location that provides maintenance services to vehicles (includes PM bays, vehicle repair bays, service island, wash bay, parts department, etc.).
SMO/SMS - Shop Management Online - IT system each Ryder maintenance facility uses to manage shop operations.
Sub Maintenance - A rental vehicle provided to a lease customer as a substitute for the lease vehicle while its in the shop for a PM or other maintenance.
Sub Physical Damage - A rental vehicle provided to a lease customer as a substitute for the lease vehicle while its having physical damage repaired.
Substitute (Sub) - A rental vehicle provided to a lease customer as a substitute for the lease vehicle.

Operations^ top
Assemble-to-Order (ATO) - Strategy allowing a product or service to be made to specific order, where a large number of products can be assembled in various forms from common components. This requires sophisticated planning processes to anticipate changing demand for internal components or accessories while focusing on mass customization of the final products to individual customers.
Best Practice - The top-performing operation or application in a given industry.
Branch - A Ryder-operated facility that services customers by providing maintenance services for vehicles and, in most cases, a service or fuel island, a rental counter and offices for sales or others associated with the BU function (sometimes referred to as a location).
Capacity Planning - Capacity planning specifies the level of resources (e.g. facilities, fleets, equipment, systems hardware and labor force size) that best supports the enterprise's competitive strategy for production.
CBU - Customer Business Unit. A group of individual Ryder locations (or branches). Note: Changed in 2005 to BU (Business Unit)
Competition - Any company operating within your geographic area, which offers the same goods and service as you.
Continuous Moves - The process of keeping loaded trucks moving with different loads and driver crews.
Contract - See Agreement.
CSI - Customer Satisfaction Index. Regular measurements of customer satisfaction with Ryder’s products and services (done by surveys).
Customer - A company or individual who does business (rents, leases, or contracts for services) with Ryder, in contrast to “prospect.”
Customer Number - Unique numeric code assigned to each individual (lease customers numbers are referred to as lessee numbers).
Cycle Time - The time it takes for a business to receive, fulfill and then deliver an order to a customer. Once measured only in days, many industries now measure cycle time in hours.
Demand Planning (DP) - The process of forecasting and managing the demand for products and services by end users, as well as by intermediate supply chain members.
Field - Ryder’s regions, BUs, warehouses and branches/locations and the people who work there
Fill Rate - The percentage of order items that the picking operation actually fills within a given period of time.
Finished Goods Inventory (FGI) - Products completely manufactured, packaged, stored and ready for distribution.
FMS - Fleet Management Solutions. The functional area of Ryder that provides Fleet Management Solutions for its customer, such as Full Service Leasem Contract Maintenance, Commercial Vehicle Rental and Used Truck Sales.
Headquarters (HQ, Miami) - Ryder’s Corporate Headquarters located in Miami, Florida (sometimes referred to as Miami).
IDB - Interdistrict billing. Billing that occurs between BUs at Ryder for services exchanged (e.g. truck rentals, etc.).
Interdistrict (ID) - Transactions that occur between two or more Ryder BUs (e.g. rental of vehicles, transfer of vehicles, etc.).
Inventory Carrying Costs - A financial measurement that calculates all the costs associated with holding goods in storage, usually expressed as a percentage of the inventory value. It includes inventory-in-storage, warehousing, obsolescence, deteriotation or spoilage, insurance, taxes, depreciation and handling costs.
Inventory Turns - The cost of goods sold divided by the average level of inventory on hand. This ratio measures how many times a company's inventory has been sold during a period of time. Operationally, inventory turns are measured as total throughput divided by average level of inventory for a given period.
Inventory Velocity - The speed with which inventory moves through a defined cycle (e.g., from receiving to shipping).
ISO 9001 Certification - The internationally recognized standard that established the requirements for a Quality Management System for a service company. ISO 9001 is an approach to managing a business with regard to quality. Achieving ISO 9001 certification is a rigorous process, with over 130 requirements the operation must meet.
Kitting - Light assembly of components or parts into defined units.
Location - A Ryder-operated facility that services customers by providing maintenance services for vehicle and, in most cases, a service fuel island and rental facility (sometimes referred to as a branch).
Location Code - A 4 digit number that identifies a Ryder branch/location or a district (for a district it is referred to as a district code).
Logo - Design of a distinctive nature that can be associated with a particular company or product.
Manufacturing Planning - Definition of the weekly or daily production and machine schedules across multiple plants or lines to meet orders and forecast demand. Some manufacturing planning modules also incorporate materials planning.
Manufacturing Scheduling - The generation of plant-level execution schedules by product and resource (e.g., line and machine) and resolution of day-to-day capacity bottlenecks. Scheduling applications normally include a more granular level of resource information, and will provide such functionality as sequence dependent set up, tank scheduling and point-of-use material availability.
OSHA - Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Agency responsible for monitoring and enforcing workplace safety regulations.
Outsourcing - Subcontracting business functions or processes such as logistics and transportation services to an outside firm, instead of doing them in-house.
Pick/Pack - The process of picking of product from inventory and packing into shipment containers.
PIP - Performance Improvement Process. Tool used to address employee performance gaps.
PO - Purchase Order. Written order (usually numbered) to purchase goods or services issued to a vendor by the purchasing company.
Postponement - The planned delay of final activities (e.g. assembly, production, packaging, etc.) until the latest possible time in the distribution channel.
REDCO - Ryder Energy Distribution Company – purchases fuel for Ryder locations. Staff in charge of REDCO is located at Miami HQ.
Rental Counter - That portion of a branch/location that rents vehicles to customers on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.
Replenishment - The process of moving or resupplying inventory from a reserve storage location to a primary picking location, or to another mode of storage at which picking is performed.
RSI - Ryder System, Inc.
SSC - Shared Services Center- Office building in Alpharetta, GA that houses many central support services for Ryder (e.g. Accounts Payable and Receivable, Credit and Collections, etc.).
Trailer Services Group - Group that manages a pool of trailers available to all Ryder customers to meet seasonal demands.
UTC - Used Truck Center. Ryder locations that sell used vehicles that have come off lease and will no longer be used by Ryder.
Utilization Rate - A fleet productivity measurement that tracks the percentage of time that a truck or vehicle is being used or rented.
UVC - Used Vehicle Center. Ryder locations that sell used vehicles that have come off lease and will no longer be used by Ryder.
Vendor-Managed Invetory (VMI) - In the VMI process, the vendor assumes responsibility for managing the replenishment of stock. Rather than a customer submitting orders, the vendor will replenish stock as needed. This process is sometimes referred to as supplier-managed inventory (SMI) or co-managed inventory. The vendor may or may not assume ownership of the inventory.
Walker System - A mainframe (Headquarters) computer system that includes Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, General Ledger and Asset Management applications.
Work-in-Process (WIP) - Parts and subassemblies in the process of becoming completed finished goods.
Yard Dog - A tractor (housed at customer or Ryder location) used only to move trailers from one point to another at the location.

Rental^ top
Await New Lease - A rental vehicle used by lease customers as a substitute before their new lease vehicle is received. Card Rate - Calculated rate ($) for a renting class of vehicle; normally is driven by market conditions.
Cash Customer - A customer who rents a vehicle(s) and pays by credit card, or check at the time of rental (a non-billing customer). Note: After 9/11/01, actual cash is no longer accepted at Ryder locations.
CDL - Commercial Driver License. License required to operate a vehicle over 26,000 lbs.
Circle Inspection - Vehicle inspection conducted by rental employees (and others) with the customer when dispatching and checking in trucks.
Commercial Rental - A rental vehicle used for commercial or business applications, in contrast to consumer rental.
Credit Check - Process of evaluating the net worth, profitability, and payment habits of a customer before granting credit.
Credit Line - Amount of money Ryder is willing to extend to our customer for products or services.
Customer Orientation - Procedure conducted by rental employees to familiarize the customer with the rented vehicle and any accessory equipment.
Do Not Rent List/File - A list of companies or individuals that Ryder will not do business with for various reasons.
Fuel Ticket - Receipt issued by Ryder service islands for gallons pumped, unit number, and date.
ID - Interdistrict vehicle or a vehicle domiciled in another BU.2.     
Local Rental - Type of rental vehicle that is picked up and then returned to the same place.
Rental - Vehicles available for short-term use that are only charged the actual time (and mileage) used, and are covered by a signed agreement.
Yard Check - Also called lot check. Procedure conducted by rental employees by actually walking through the rental yard to determine vehicles available, mileage, vehicle condition, etc. Done each day before opening and at other times as required.

Ryder Products & Services^ top
RIL - Ryder Integrated Logistics (formerly Ryder Dedicated Logistics or RDL)
Contract Logistics - use of a third-party provider to plan, implement and control the efficient, cost effective flow and storage of raw materials, in-process inventory, finished goods and related information from the point of origin to the point of consumption.
Inventory Management - The process of ensuring the availability of products through inventory administration activities such as planning, stock positioning, and monitoring the age of the product.
RCRC - Ryder Customer Response Center – 24-hour customer assistance center for roadside emergencies of Ryder customers.
Ryder Fleet Products - Subsidiary of Ryder that warehouses and distributes aftermarket maintenance products to Ryder locations and to customers.
RyderShares - Stock purchase plan for employees of Ryder only.
Supply Chain Management (SCM) - The management and control of all materials, funds and related information in the logistics process from the acquisition of raw materials to the delivery of finished products to the end-user.
TMC - Transportation Management Center. Located in Fort Worth, Texas, this Ryder facility manages the transportation needs of multiple clients, with round-the clock customer service to assist customers in getting their products delivered.

Sales^ top
Agreement - A legal document between Ryder and the customer for renting, leasing or providing services for a vehicle(s). (For lease, see TLSA).
D&B - Dun & Bradstreet. Used as reference in establishing credit or Ryder billing.
Fleet - Pool of units available for rental or lease to customers—refers to vehicles assigned to a customer (Customer’s Fleet), or a Ryder branch (Rental Fleet).
Full Service Lease - A system that provides the customer with a vehicle and a variety of support services for a single monthly lease payment. Full service leases may include features such as preventive maintenance, emergency roadside repairs, equipment evaluations and specifications, fuel, administrative support, driver support and safety programs.
Inbound Calls - Telephone calls that ring in to a Ryder location; in contrast to outbound calls.
Lease - A long-term, contractual agreement between Ryder and a customer for specific vehicle(s) maintenance and other services, during a specified length of time (term); (see also TLSA).
Lease Extra - Additional vehicle to a lease customer (besides the customer’s lease vehicle) needed for peak seasonal needs. Applicable to customers who have existing lease agreements with Ryder.
Lease Renewal - Continuation of existing lease for a new period of time as opposed to establishing a new lease.
Lessee - A customer who leases a vehicle(s) from Ryder.
Lessee Number - Unique numeric code assigned to each individual lease customer; also called “customer number.”
Lessor - The company (Ryder) who leases a vehicle(s) to a customer.
National Customer (National Account) - An FMS customer that is setup for billing at any Ryder location across the country.
Order Cycle - The time and process involved from the placement of an order to the receipt of the shipment.
Outbound Calls - Calls placed from the Ryder location, typically by sales center personnel, to prospect for business.
Prospect - A prospective or potential customer.
Rental Day - The basic unit used to measure fleet utilization rates by companies that are in the business of renting vehicles. The total number of rental days recorded by commercial truck rental companies is an indicator that measures businesses' incremental need to ship products.
TLSA - Truck Lease & Service Agreement– Ryder’s standard vehicle leasing contract.
Truck Rental - A short-term transaction, generally under 12 months, that allows a customer the use of a truck for a specified period of time, generally measured in "rental days." Rental can be used to supplement a leased or privately owned fleet during short periods of peak need to execute rush orders or handle excess volume, or to test new routes and distribution channels.

Technology^ top
Business Intelligence Tools - Software that enables business users to see and use large amounts of complex data. The following three types of tools are referred to as Business Intelligence Tools: 1. Multidimensional Analysis Software - Software that gives the user the opportunity to look at the data from a variety of different dimensions (also known as OLAP or Online Analytical Processing). 2. Query Tools - Software that allows the user to ask questions about patterns or details in the data. 3. Data Mining Tools - Software that automatically searches for significant patterns or correlations in data.
CBT - Computer Based Training. The use of a computer to deliver training (either by using a CD-ROM or by connecting to the Web).
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) - A standard formart for exchanging business data. The standard is ANSI X12 and it was developed by the Data Interchange Standards Association. ANSI X12 is closely coordinated with an international standard, EDIFACT. An EDI message contains a string of data elements, each of which represents a singular fact, such as a price, product model number, and so forth, seperated by delimiter. The entire string is called a data segment. One or more data segments framed by a header and trailer form a transaction set, which is the EDI unit of transmission (equivalent to a message). A transaction set often consists of what would usually be contained in a typical business document or form. The parties who exchange EDI transmissions are referred to as trading partners.
ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) - An industry term for the broad set of activities supported by multi-module application software that helps a manufacturer or other business manage the important parts of its business, including product planning, parts purchasing, maintaining inventories, interacting with suppliers, providing customer service, and tracking orders. ERP can also include application modules for the finance and human resources aspects of a business.
ERS - Expense Reporting System. An intranet site that allows employees to submit and reconcile expense reports.
FAME - Forms And Manuals Electronically. A Ryder intranet site that contains many Ryder operational forms and manuals for reference by Ryder employees. Most information on this site is downloadable and printable.
FIS - Field Information System – Commercial BU computer system.
Intranet - Ryder’s internal website, accessible only by Ryder employees. The intranet carries information and training to all Ryder employees who can access the system.
Infocenter - Technology/Maintenance: Intranet site that contains maintenance manuals, policies and procedures, vendor libraries, etc.
IT - Information Technology. Computer systems used to distribute and store information within an organization.
LMS - Learning Management System. System that manages training records of employees, as well as provides online training and testing to Ryder employees.
OBC - On-Board Computer. A computer installed in a motor vehicle that is used during a trip to record, store and communicate driver, vehicle, and freight information.
RIDE - Ryder Interactive Decision Exchange. A Ryder intranet site that provides information on various topics including, vehicle info, customer performance, billing opportunities, asset utilization programs, UVC metrics, Redeployment programs, etc.
SAM - Simplified Asset Management. Computer system used to manage Ryder assets.

Transportation^ top
Backhaul - The return movement of a vehicle from its desitination back over a part or all of a route to its point of origin with a payload.
Bill of Lading (BOL or B/L) - A contract of carriage between a shipper (the cosignor) to consign a load to a carrier for delivery to another party (the consignee).
Cargo (Payload) - Goods that are transported in a vehicle.
Carrier - Transportation service provider.
Contract Carrier - A for-hire carrier that serves only shippers with which the carrier has a continuing contract, and not the general public.
Cross Dock - An on-route dock where shipments are transferred from one vehicle to one or more vehicles without intermediate storage.
DCC - Dedicated Contract Carriage. A third party contractual service that dedicates vehicles and drivers to a single customer for its exclusive use, usually done in a closed loop or fixed route situation.
Distribution Center - Facility where goods are handled (e.g. consolidated, packaged, etc.) and stored only as long as necessary before being distributed. (Also known as a warehouse.)
Dock Height - A van or trailer with the floor at the same height as a loading/unloading dock, typically 48" to 54" from the ground.
DOT - Department of Transportation - a Federal agency responsible for regulating federally funded highways.
Fleet Listing - Booklet listing specifications, component, size, type, and any pertinent information on a vehicle. This information must be exact and available to Ryder in order to meet customer requests to properly/legally load, unload, and haul products.
Fleet Mix - Number and type of units that comprise a fleet of vehicles.
GVW - Gross Vehicle Weight. The total maximum weight that a power unit can carry; generally only used when speaking of a straight truck or tractor without a trailer (sometimes referred to as Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or GVWR).
Harmonized Tariff Code - A code to numerically describe all articles in international trade managed by the World Customs Organization. This code is used by countries to determine duties and taxes for shipping across international borders.
ICC - Interstate Commerce Commission
Intermodal - Transporting freight by using two or more transportation modes. An example would be freight in containers, which might first be taken to a port by truck, transported by ship, then carried by rail, and finally be transferred back to a truck for delivery.
Interstate Operation - Movement of a vehicle from one point in one state to another point in another state (between states), regardless of route traveled.
Intra-state Operations - Movement of a vehicle from one point to another within the same state, regardless of route traveled.
LTL - Less-than-Truckload - Occurs when small shipments of freight by various consignees are consolidated and transported utilizing a network of terminals and relay points.
Milk Run - A pick-up route with multiple stops.
N.M.F.C. (National Motor Freight Classification) - A tariff that contains descriptions and classifications of commodities and rules for domestic movement by motor carriers in the U.S.
Payload - Weight of cargo or load to be transported by a vehicle.
Peddle Route - A delivery route with multiple stops.
Permit - Document issued verifying some form of tax (road, mileage, etc.) has been paid on the vehicle; Cab card and/or sticker issued verifying some form of tax (road, mileage, etc.) has been paid on that truck.
Registration - Legal document issued by a state verifying license fees have been paid on an individual vehicle.
Second Structure Tax - Taxes on fuel usage and reporting. Compare to first and third structure taxes which cover licensing and operation of the vehicle respectively.
Third Structure Taxes - A tax on vehicle operation in addition to licensing and fuel tax (first and second structure taxes respectively).
TL - Truckload - Movement of full truckloads of freight directly from the point of origin to its destination.
TRALA - Truck Rental & Leasing Association
Transportation Management System (TMS) - System used to optimally plan freight movements, do freight rating and shopping across all modes, select the appropriate route and carrier, tender and provide visibility to shipments.
Trip Record - Document, required by law, to record miles run and fuel purchased in each state in which that the vehicle has traveled.
Transportation Planning and Scheduling - Specifies how, when and where to transport goods. Transportation planning and scheduling applications may provide weight/size restrictions, merge-in-transit, continuous move, mode or carrier selection, and less than truckload (LTL)/truckload (TL) planning functionality.

Vehicle^ top
Air Ride - Suspension system used on tractors and trailers that replace metal springs with air filled bags. Valves control the pressure in the air bags which result is a smoother, jar-free ride, used to protect delicate cargo.
Bobtail - A straight truck (non-tractor); also, a tractor that is not pulling a trailer.
Body - A cargo-carrying component separately installed on a cab and chassis directly behind the cab.
Box (van body) - Same as “body.”
Cab/Chassis - The component of a complete vehicle unit that contains the driver/passenger compartment, engine compartment, frame, suspension, wheels, and all mechanical equipment.
Cabover - A truck or tractor cab that sits over the engine compartment. This is in contrast to a conventional cab wherein the driver compartment is behind the engine.
CFC - Container on a Flat Car
Commercial Vehicle - Any vehicle operated for the transportation of property, in the course of any commercial or industrial enterprise. A BU owned vehicle.
Conventional - Any vehicle (straight truck or tractor) built so that the engine is in front of the driver (as opposed to underneath). This is also called a “long nose.”
Cubed Out - A term that refers to the percentage of a vehicle's cubic hauling capacity that is utilized. If a particular vehicle is 100% "cubed out," it has no additional space in which to carry freight.
Diesel Engine - An engine in which the fuel charge is ignited by compression of the fuel, rather than by a spark: the engine burns diesel fuel, which is similar to home heating oil.
Dual Wheels - Two wheels on the same side of the same axle.
Fifth Wheel - A sliding plate mounted on the rear frame of a tractor (with a slot for the trailer king pin and a locking device) that supports and pulls the trailer behind the tractor.
Flatbed - A trailer or truck body with no sides or top, which can be fitted with removable stake sides. Used for hauling lumber, machinery or other cargo not affected by weather.
Hub odometer - A meter attached to the axle of a trailer that is like an odometer on a truck. It registers mileage on the trailer.
Kingpin - A large steel pin, welded underneath the front of a trailer that fits into the fifth wheel of a tractor. It totally supports the front of the trailer on top of the tractor's rear wheels and allows the tractor to change direction.
Landing Gear - Set of two legs, near the front of a trailer that swing down to give support when the trailer is standing alone.
Liftgate - Mechanical device attached to the rear of a vehicle with a platform (usually operated by hydraulic pressure) used to raise and lower cargo between the ground and the floor of the vehicle. The typical liftgate capacity is 2500 lbs.
Light Duty Vehicle - Gas or diesel powered vehicles 26,000 GVW and under.
Model Number - Manufacturers’ designation of a particular type of vehicle. Can be used to distinguish various types of vehicles, or various load capacities.
Odometer - Meter that measures miles traveled, located in the instrument panel in the truck cab.
Parcel Van - Unit comprised of a “cutaway” cab and chassis (a vehicle normally designed to have a cab and body in one piece, that is built with only the cab) with a separate body mounted behind and attached to the cab.
Power Unit - Vehicle supplying the power (tractor) to move the load.
Pup - A small trailer usually attached to the back of another trailer.
Ramp - Walkway, used in loading a truck, which extends from the rear of the body floor to the ground. When not in use, the ramp is stored under the truck body in a channel that allows it to slide in and out.
Reefer - Trailer or body with insulated sides, floor and ceiling, and equipped with a refrigeration unit for internal cooling. Used for cargo that must be kept at a specific temperature. The refrigeration unit itself can be referred to as a “reefer unit.”
Rig - A tractor-trailer combination. Also called an eighteen-wheeler.
Roll-up door - Rear door of a body or trailer built from horizontal panels, which are hinged to each other and raised or lowered in channels at each side.
RPM - Revolutions per Mile - relating to wheels, tires, speedometer cables.
Sand Shoe - Flat plate on the bottom of the trailer landing gear to give support to the trailer when not hooked to the tractor.
Semi (Semi-Trailer) - A trailer that is supported by its own wheels at the rear, and by the fifth wheel of the tractor at the front. Sometimes the entire tractor-trailer combination is referred to as a “semi” (pronounced sem-eye).
Single Axle - Tractor with one axle.
Sleeper - A sleeping compartment for the driver integrated with or attached directly behind the cab of a tractor. Also refers to a tractor with a sleeping compartment.
Stake Truck - A flatbed truck (or trailer) with stakes and railings along and in the rear to secure cargo.
Straight Truck - A van, stake, flatbed or reefer truck without the ability to pull a trailer (sometimes called a bobtail).
Tandem Axle - Two rear axles – can refer to a tractor, trailer, or straight truck.
Tie Down Rings - Rings inside a van that is used to secure cargo.
Tilt Cab - A truck cab that tilts forward, allowing access to the engine directly underneath.
Tractor - Power unit including a cab and chassis with a fifth wheel on the rear frame; used to pull a trailer.
Trailer - Vehicle towed behind a power unit. Most trailers have one or two axles at the rear. A cargo vehicle that is pulled by a tractor; it can be flat or stake bed, dry, reefer or electronics van.
Unit - A vehicle (truck, tractor or trailer)
Unit I.D. (Identification) - 6 digit number assigned by Ryder to each truck or trailer. Can also be known as the unit number.
Van - Any truck or trailer with an enclosed body, the body itself, or a truck with an integral body and cab.
Wheel Base - Distance, usually expressed in inches, from the centerline of the front wheels to the centerline of the rear wheels.