Michigan § 462.109 - Definitions; R to W.

(1) "Railroad" means a person, partnership, association, or corporation, their respective lessees, trustees, or receivers, appointed by a court, or other legal entity operating in this state either as a common carrier for hire or for private use as a carrier of persons or property upon cars operated upon stationary rails and includes any person, partnership, association, corporation, trustee, or receiver appointed by a court or any other legal entity owning railroad tracks.

(2) "Road authority" means a governmental agency having jurisdiction over public streets and highways. Road authority includes the department, any other state agency, and county, city, and village governmental agencies responsible for the construction, repair, and maintenance of streets and highways.

(3) "Serious impairment of a body function" means that term as defined in section 58c of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.58c.

(4) "Street railway" means an organization formed under the laws of this state for the purpose of operating a street railway system other than a railroad train for transporting persons or property. A street railway system is operated upon rails principally within a municipality utilizing streetcars, trolleys, and trams for the transportation of persons or property. Such organizations may accumulate, store, manufacture, conduct, use, sell, furnish, and supply electricity and electric power. Street railway does not include a street railway organized under the nonprofit street railway act, 1867 PA 35, MCL 472.1 to 472.31.

(5) "Street railway system" means the facilities, equipment, and personnel required to provide and maintain a public transportation service. Street railway system does not include a street railway system under the nonprofit street railway act, 1867 PA 35, MCL 472.1 to 472.31.

(6) "Traffic control device" means a sign, signal, marking, or other device placed on or adjacent to a street or highway by the road authority having jurisdiction over that street or highway to regulate, warn, or guide traffic.

(7) "Watchperson" means a railroad employee who is stationed at an at-grade crossing to signal to operators of vehicles approaching the crossing of the impending movement of a train or other railroad on-track equipment over the crossing.