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

"ASHMA." All additional State funds from the highway maintenance appropriation, the secondary roads, maintenance and resurfacing executive authorization and supplemental distributions pursuant to section 9502(a)(2)(i) and (3)(ii) (relating to imposition of tax) in excess of all counties' base allocations.

"Base allocation." The annual expenditure for routine maintenance operations by a county maintenance district averaged over the immediately preceding five years.

"BMD." The Bridge Maintenance Deficiency index based upon bridge safety inspections conducted by certified professionals who have physically evaluated the condition of all State highway bridges greater than or equal to eight feet in length on a periodic basis in accordance with the National Bridge Inspection Standards. The criteria for determining any State highway bridge maintenance deficiencies shall include, but not be limited to, the priority and urgency of maintenance needs and the bridge deck area of all bridges greater than or equal to eight feet in length.

"c." When used alone or in conjunction with any formula part, any given county.

"Highway maintenance." A program to preserve, repair and restore a system of existing State roadways with its elements to its designed or accepted configuration. System elements include but are not limited to travelway surfaces, shoulders, roadsides, drainage facilities, bridges, tunnels, signs, markings, lighting and fixtures. Included in the program are such traffic services as lighting and signal operation, snow and ice removal and operation of roadside rest areas. Highway maintenance programs are developed to offset the effects of weather, organic growth, deterioration, traffic wear, damage and vandalism. Deterioration would include effects of aging, material failures and design and construction faults to existing State highways.

"LM." The number of actual State highway lane miles in each county as a proportion of the total number of State highway lane miles in this Commonwealth.

"Routine maintenance operations." Highway maintenance activities including traffic, roadside and winter services performed by a county maintenance district and also including costs incurred for personnel services, operational expenses and fixed assets. The term shall not include the costs of roadway repair and restoration.

"RPQ." The Relative Pavement Quality Index which shall be based upon a Road Quality Report which entails the evaluation of the conditions of the highways in each county on a periodic basis. The criteria for determining any road deficiencies shall include but not be limited to road surface, foundation, drainage, shoulders and other safety features such as road striping, guardrails, median barriers and signs. The index shall provide a reasonable comparison of highway quality and conditions between all counties. The report indicating methodology utilized and the resulting data shall be submitted annually to the Transportation Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives for their review.

"Vehicle miles." The total number of miles traveled by all vehicles on State maintained roads within a county as determined by the department.

"VM." The number of vehicle miles traveled in each county as a proportion of the total vehicle miles traveled in this Commonwealth.

(Apr. 17, 1997, P.L.6, No.3, eff. July 1, 1997)