For purposes of implementing the requirements of RCW 47.01.425 and 47.17.001, relative to the transportation commission, the following definitions shall apply:

Commission—When commission is used in this chapter, it refers to the transportation commission.

Connecting link—Connecting links should provide system continuity, including needed alternate routing of regionally oriented through-traffic or access to major regional-based public facilities or traffic generators. Generally, links bypass the central business district and/or the central city and form loops and beltways.

Connection to places—Places may be considered connected if they are within approximately two miles of a state highway.

Corridor—A corridor may vary depending on the characteristics of a region and the use of the facilities. The corridor limits used by the commission to analyze a state highway route will be as described by the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) or regional transportation planning organization (RTPO) for the area where the route is located.

Parallel highway route—Parallel route consideration is used to analyze alternative routes within the same corridor. Outside a corridor, a route should be considered a viable highway route if it meets the other criteria in this chapter.

Population equivalency of one thousand or more—To determine the equivalent population of a recreation area, refer to the WSDOT publication, "Guidelines for Amending Urban Boundaries, Functional Classifications, and Federal-Aid Systems."

Rural highway route—A rural highway route is the portion of a route that lies outside a federal urban area boundary.

Urban highway route—An urban highway route is the portion of a route that is within a federal urban area boundary.