5099

5099.1

When used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meaning set forth below:

Commuter railroad – a short-haul passenger railroad that transports public commuters on a fixed schedule between the District and locations in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. The term “commuter railroad” includes Virginia Railway Express (VRE) and Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) train services.

Department – the Department of Energy and Environment or its successor agency.

District – the District of Columbia.

Railroad – includes:

1. (a) Any form of non-highway ground transportation that runs on rails or electromagnetic guideways, including commuter or other short-haul railroad passenger service in the District; and
2. (b) High-speed ground transportation systems that connect the District with metropolitan areas, without regard to whether those systems use new technologies that are not associated with traditional railroads; except that
3. (c) The term “railroad” does not include rail system operations conducted by or on behalf of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority or the District Department of Transportation, or other rail system operations in the District that are not connected to the railroad.

Railroad car – a vehicle used for the carrying of cargo or passengers on a rail system, measured from coupler to coupler. The term “railroad car” does not include railroad engines used for motive power.

Railroad car entry – the entry into the District by rail from anywhere outside of the District of any railroad car.

Railroad car exit – the exit from the District by rail to anywhere outside of the District of any railroad car.

Railroad carrier – a person providing transportation by railroad or a group of commonly controlled railroad carriers that the United States Secretary of Transportation has ordered to be treated as a single railroad carrier as provided for

in 49 U.S.C. § 20102(3).

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 72 DCR 013177 (November 28, 2025).