open access

Noun

open access (uncountable)

1. A set of principles and practices through which research outputs are distributed online, free of access charges or other barriers.
   • The amenities of the institute include a well-arranged open-access library of 18,000 volumes, and a small but valuable reference library of railway literature; the present writer is Librarian.1944 May and June, Arthur B. Longbottom, “The Derby Railway Institute”, in Railway Magazine, page 149

   Synonyms:

   OA

2. Public access to infrastructure, such as railways.
   • Dominguez-González explained: "The Spanish market is no longer a monopolistic one, and there is great interest among both the existing open access operators and potential future ones in providing services on other lines."2023 July 26, Ben Jones, “EU open access growth offers pointers for UK hopefuls”, in RAIL, number 988, pages 32–33