49 U.S.C. § 5302 - Definitions

• Cite as: 49 U.S.C. § 5302

Except as otherwise specifically provided, in this chapter the following definitions apply:

(1) ASSAULT ON A TRANSIT WORKER.-The term "assault on a transit worker" means a circumstance in which an individual knowingly, without lawful authority or permission, and with intent to endanger the safety of any individual, or with a reckless disregard for the safety of human life, interferes with, disables, or incapacitates a transit worker while the transit worker is performing the duties of the transit worker.

(2) ASSOCIATED TRANSIT IMPROVEMENT.-The term "associated transit improvement" means, with respect to any project or an area to be served by a project, projects that are designed to enhance public transportation service or use and that are physically or functionally related to transit facilities. Eligible projects are-

(A) historic preservation, rehabilitation, and operation of historic public transportation buildings, structures, and facilities (including historic bus and railroad facilities) intended for use in public transportation service;

(B) bus shelters;

(C) functional landscaping and streetscaping, including benches, trash receptacles, and street lights;

(D) pedestrian access and walkways;

(E) bicycle access, including bicycle storage shelters and parking facilities and the installation of equipment for transporting bicycles on public transportation vehicles;

(F) signage; or

(G) enhanced access for persons with disabilities to public transportation.

(3) BUS RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM.-The term "bus rapid transit system" means a bus transit system-

(A) in which the majority of each line operates in a separated right-of-way dedicated for public transportation use during peak periods; and

(B) that includes features that emulate the services provided by rail fixed guideway public transportation systems, including-

(i) defined stations;

(ii) traffic signal priority for public transportation vehicles;

(iii) short headway bidirectional services for a substantial part of weekdays and weekend days; and

(iv) any other features the Secretary may determine are necessary to produce high-quality public transportation services that emulate the services provided by rail fixed guideway public transportation systems.

(4) CAPITAL PROJECT.-The term "capital project" means a project for-

(A) acquiring, constructing, supervising, or inspecting equipment or a facility for use in public transportation, expenses incidental to the acquisition or construction (including designing, engineering, location surveying, mapping, and acquiring rights-of-way), payments for the capital portions of rail trackage rights agreements, transit-related intelligent transportation systems, relocation assistance, acquiring replacement housing sites, and acquiring, constructing, relocating, and rehabilitating replacement housing;

(B) rehabilitating a bus;

(C) remanufacturing a bus;

(D) overhauling rail rolling stock;

(E) preventive maintenance;

(F) leasing equipment or a facility for use in public transportation;

(G) a joint development improvement that-

(i) enhances economic development or incorporates private investment, such as commercial and residential development;

(ii)

(I) enhances the effectiveness of public transportation and is related physically or functionally to public transportation; or

(II) establishes new or enhanced coordination between public transportation and other transportation;

(iii) provides a fair share of revenue that will be used for public transportation;

(iv) provides that if equipment to fuel privately owned zero-emission passenger vehicles is installed, the recipient of assistance under this chapter shall collect fees from users of the equipment in order to recover the costs of construction, maintenance, and operation of the equipment;

(v) provides that a person making an agreement to occupy space in a facility constructed under this paragraph shall pay a fair share of the costs of the facility through rental payments and other means; and

(vi) may include-

(I) property acquisition;

(II) demolition of existing structures;

(III) site preparation;

(IV) utilities;

(V) building foundations;

(VI) walkways;

(VII) pedestrian and bicycle access to a public transportation facility;

(VIII) construction, renovation, and improvement of intercity bus and intercity rail stations and terminals;

(IX) renovation and improvement of historic transportation facilities;

(X) open space;

(XI) safety and security equipment and facilities (including lighting, surveillance, and related intelligent transportation system applications);

(XII) facilities that incorporate community services such as daycare or health care;

(XIII) a capital project for, and improving, equipment or a facility for an intermodal transfer facility or transportation mall;

(XIV) construction of space for commercial uses; and

(XV) technology to fuel a zero-emission vehicle;

(H) the introduction of new technology, through innovative and improved products, into public transportation;

(I) the provision of nonfixed route paratransit transportation services in accordance with section 223 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 12143 ), but only for grant recipients that are in compliance with applicable requirements of that Act, including both fixed route and demand responsive service, and only for amounts-