In the jargon sense, it is commonly used to mean the full diameter of the smallest circle, but in technical usage the turning radius is still used to denote the radius. The term turning radius is a technical term that has become popular automotive jargon. When new streets are designed or routes for transportation are planned it is essential that architects and engineers keep in mind the turning radius of the vehicles that will use that street.
The turning radius is the space a vehicle needs to make a certain turn, usually within the confines of a road.
