The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
  (1) Accident data--Information detailing the number of motor vehicle traffic accidents or casualties at or on a particular highway location, segment of highway, or type of highway.
  (2) Bond--A public security issued by the State of Texas under the authority of Transportation Code, §222.003, for improvements to the state highway system and secured by a pledge of and payable from revenue deposited to the credit of the state highway fund.
  (3) Commission--The Texas Transportation Commission.
  (4) Department--The Texas Department of Transportation.
  (5) Executive Director--The executive director of the department or the director's designee.
  (6) Grade crossing--The intersection of a railroad and a public roadway.
  (7) Grade separation--A structure that separates two highways, a highway and a railroad line, a highway and a county road, or a highway and a city street.
  (8) Hazard Elimination Program--A federal construction program mandated under 23 U.S.C. §152 to reduce the number and severity of traffic accidents.
  (9) Hazardous location--A location on the state highway system that requires improvement in order to increase safety at a location, as determined by the department through accident data analysis or engineering judgment.
  (10) Highway--A public road, including right of way and all appurtenances, that is on the designated state highway system.
  (11) Narrow two-lane highway--A two lane road on the state highway system with a width of less than 24 feet, including any paved shoulder.
  (12) Pavement geometry--The vertical, horizontal and pavement structure design elements of a highway or bridge feature.
  (13) Safety appurtenance--Highway safety features such as breakaway sign supports, breakaway utility poles, traffic barriers, impact attenuators, traversable terrain, and hardware features such as drainage inlets, barriers, and other safety related fixtures.
  (14) Safety project--A project that reduces accidents or corrects or improves a hazardous location.
  (15) State highway system--The system of highways in the state included in a comprehensive plan prepared by the executive director with the approval of the commission, in accordance with Transportation Code, §201.103.
  (16) State highway improvement project--Improvement projects designed to improve mobility, reduce congestion, or make other needed upgrades to the state highway system.
  (17) Texas Highway Trunk System--A planned rural network of four or more lane divided roadways that will serve as a principal connector for Texas cities of greater than 20,000 population as well as major ports and points of entry.
  (18) Unified Transportation Program--The 10-year financial plan of the Texas Department of Transportation outlining project development and construction.

Source Note: The provisions of this §15.171 adopted to be effective April 15, 2004, 29 TexReg 3649; amended to be effective August 21, 2008, 33 TexReg 6609