§5302 Definitions

Summary

Defines key words used in the chapter and gives short meanings for 25 terms people and agencies need to understand. Assault on a transit worker — when someone knowingly harms, disables, or interferes with a transit worker while they are doing their job and acts in a way that risks people’s safety. Associated transit improvement — projects that improve or connect to transit facilities, like shelters, signs, bike and pedestrian access, landscaping, historic transit buildings, or better access for people with disabilities. Bus rapid transit system — a bus system that mostly runs in its own lanes during busy times and has rail-like features such as stations, traffic signal priority, frequent two-way service, and other high-quality elements the Secretary decides. Capital project — the kinds of transit work and costs covered for funding, including buying or building vehicles and facilities, repairs and preventive maintenance, leasing, joint development with private investment, new technology, limited paratransit funding (up to 10% of annual formula funds, or up to 20% if the recipient meets at least two specified conditions), debt reserves, mobility planning (not operating), major maintenance, and other related improvements. Designated recipient — the entity chosen under planning rules to receive and split certain funds for urbanized areas of 200,000 or more, or a state/regional authority responsible for a capital project and for providing transit. Disability — has the same meaning as in the Americans with Disabilities Act. Emergency regulation — a rule the Secretary can make that takes effect right away if delaying it would seriously harm the public interest, frustrate the law, or cause serious damage. Fixed guideway — a transit path with exclusive use, such as rail, a fixed catenary system, a passenger ferry system, or a bus rapid transit system. Governor — the State’s chief executive, the DC mayor, a territorial chief executive, or their designee. Job access and reverse commute project — transit projects to help welfare recipients and low-income people get to jobs, including trips from cities or rural areas to suburban jobs; low-income means family income at or below 150% of the poverty line, and a welfare recipient is someone who received certain public cash assistance in the past 3 years. Local governmental authority — a local government unit, a multi-jurisdictional authority, an Indian tribe, or a public board or commission set up under state law. Low-income individual — a person whose family income is at or below 150% of the poverty line. Net project cost — the part of a project cost that cannot reasonably be paid for from project revenues. New bus model — a bus design not used in U.S. transit before or a model with major changes from a previous version. Public transportation — regular shared-ride surface services open to the public or defined groups, excluding things like intercity rail or bus, charter buses, school buses, sightseeing, private courtesy shuttles, and inside-terminal shuttles. Regulation — any rule the Secretary issues to carry out the chapter. Rural area — a place with fewer than 50,000 people that the most recent census did not mark as an urbanized area. Secretary — the U.S. Secretary of Transportation. Senior — a person 65 years old or older. State — a U.S. State, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, or the Virgin Islands. State of good repair — the meaning the Secretary sets by rule under section 5326(b). Transit — means public transportation. Urban area — a built-up place the Secretary decides is suitable for local public transportation. Urbanized area — an area with at least 50,000 people as defined in the most recent decennial census by the Secretary of Commerce. Value capture — recovering increases in nearby property value that happen because of public transportation investments.