The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

“Accelerated maintenance.” The replacing of ties and other track and structural materials in quantities as to be sufficient functionally to restore a railroad line to the level necessary for compliance with Federal Railroad Administration Class I Track Safety Standards for five years after completion of a project.

“Capital project.” Acquisition of property, labor and materials for equipping, furnishing, constructing, reconstructing, rehabilitating or improving rail freight transportation systems or facilities, but shall not include accelerated maintenance.

“Committee.” The Rail Freight Advisory Committee created by this act.

“Department.” The Department of Transportation.

“Municipality.” Any county, city, borough, incorporated town, township or home rule municipality.

“Rail freight transportation services, systems and facilities.” Transportation provided by any and all persons or corporations holding out, offering or undertaking, directly or indirectly, service for compensation to the public for the transportation of property by rail; systems shall include any lines, rail corridors or properties necessary in providing rail freight transportation services, including easements or other rights-of-way; facilities shall include freight cars, locomotives, wires, poles and equipment for electrification of rail lines, rails, tracks, roadbeds, elevated structures, buildings, stations, terminals, loading docks, sidetracks, shelters, parking areas, tunnels or such similar items as may be necessary in the provision of rail freight transportation services.

“Railroad company.” Any person, firm or corporation rendering common carrier rail freight transportation service in this Commonwealth, pursuant to authorization from the Public Utility Commission or the Interstate Commerce Commission, where such authorization is required by law.

“Railroad user.” Any person, firm or corporation which is a direct user or promoter of the development of any rail freight transportation system, facility or service in this Commonwealth.

“Secretary.” The Secretary of Transportation.

“State Transportation Commission.” The commission created in section 2011 of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175),¹ known as The Administrative Code of 1929, or any successor organization.

“Transportation organization.” Any municipal authority, mass transportation, port or other authority, or any combination of two or more such entities, now existing or hereafter organized under the laws of Pennsylvania, or pursuant to an interstate compact, empowered to render rail freight transportation service or assist in rendering rail freight transportation service in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, even though it may also render rail freight transportation service in adjacent states.