; (8) imposition of mandatory standards applicable to arbitrators resolving arbitration disputes involving interstate Compact agencies operating in the national capital area will ensure that wages, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment, including work rules, are justified and do not adversely impact the ability of the interstate Compact agencies to provide affordable, safe, and reliable public transit services at levels sufficient to serve the needs of the Washington metropolitan area; (9) Federal legislation is required to ensure that interest arbitration decisions do not adversely impact the ability of interstate Compact agencies operating in the national capital area to emerge from periods of financial stress and avoid future periods of financial stress; and (10) Federal legislation is necessary under section 8 of article I of the Constitution to balance the need to moderate and lower labor costs while maintaining labor peace. (b) Purpose The purpose of this chapter is to adopt standards governing arbitration that arbitrators must apply exclusively in resolving disputes involving interstate Compact agencies operating in the national capital area in order to lower operating costs and facilitate the provision of safe, reliable, and affordable public transit services at sufficient levels in the Washington metropolitan area. 18302. Definitions In this chapter, the following definitions apply: (1) Arbitration The term arbitration — (A) means the arbitration of disputes, regarding the terms and conditions of employment, that is required under an interstate Compact governing an interstate Compact agency operating in the national capital area