As used in sections 5501.70 to 5501.83 of the Revised Code:

(A) “Affected jurisdiction” means any unit of government within the state in which all or part of a transportation facility is located or any other public entity directly affected by the transportation facility.

(B) “Force majeure” means an uncontrollable force or natural disaster not within the power of the operator or the state.

(C) “Maintenance” includes routine maintenance, major maintenance, and any other categories of maintenance that may be designated by the department of transportation.

(D) “Material default” means any failure of an operator to perform any duties under a public-private agreement that jeopardizes delivery of adequate service to the public and remains unsatisfied after a reasonable period of time and after the operator has received written notice from the department of the failure.

(E) “Operate” means any action to maintain, repair, improve, equip, or modify a transportation facility.

(F) “Operator” means a private entity that has entered into a public-private agreement under sections 5501.71 to 5501.83 of the Revised Code.

(G) “Private entity” means any natural person, corporation, general partnership, limited liability company, limited partnership, joint venture, business trust, public benefit corporation, nonprofit entity, or other business entity.

(H) “Public-private agreement” means the agreement between a private entity and the department that relates to the development, financing, maintenance, or operation of a transportation facility subject to sections 5501.70 to 5501.83 of the Revised Code.

(I) “Public-private initiative” means an arrangement between the department and one or more private entities, the terms of which are stated in a public-private agreement, that provides for all of the following:

(1) Acceptance of a private contribution, including a money payment, for a project or service for a transportation facility;

(2) Sharing of resources and the means of providing a project or service for a transportation facility;

(3) Cooperation in researching, developing, and implementing projects or services for a transportation facility.

(J) “Transportation facility” has the same meaning as in section 5501.01 of the Revised Code and also includes a tunnel, ferry, port facility on navigable waters that are used for commerce, intermodal facility, or similar facility open to the public and used for the transportation of persons or goods, and any building, structure, parking area, or other appurtenances or property needed to operate a transportation facility that is subject to a public-private agreement.

(K) “User fee” means a rate, toll, fee, or other charge established under section 5531.14 of the Revised Code and imposed by an operator for use of all or part of a transportation facility in accordance with that section.

(L) “Utility” means a privately, publicly, or cooperatively owned line, facility, or system for producing, transmitting, or distributing communications, cable television, power, electricity, light, heat, gas, oil, crude products, water, steam, waste, storm water not connected with highway drainage, alternative or renewable energy sources such as wind or solar, or any other similar commodity, including a fire or police signal system or street lighting system that directly or indirectly serves the public.