What Is Light Rail? |
| In my opinion, light rail is like a train and a bus mixed together. Often light rail is called by many different names: street car, trolley or tramway all of these can be called light rail. Light rail is defined as “An electric railway system, constructed in the 1970s or later, characterized by its ability to operate single or multiple cars consists along exclusive (or shared) right-of –ways at ground level, on aerial structures, in streets, track, or car-floor level, and normally powered by overhead electrical wires” (www.lightrail.com) and sometimes by diesel engines. Light rail has been designed with the capability to make frequent stops while having the ability to reach speeds up to 55 mph. The lower operating speed and the ability to make stops, it compatible with the automobile and pedestrians. |
What Is Heavy Rail? |
|
Heavy
rail is also be called by many different names:
usually commuter rail or high- speed rail, It is
defined as “An electric railway with the capacity
for a "heavy" volume
traffic, and characterized by exclusive
rights-of-way, multi-car trains, high speed and
rapid acceleration, sophisticated signaling and
high-platform loading. Or as High-speed, passenger
rail cars operating singly or in trains or two or
more cars on fixed rails in separate rights-of-way
from which all other vehicular and pedestrian
traffic is excluded (also known as Rapid Rail).
Heavy rail trains tend to run faster than commuter
rail with speeds around 80 mph.. Source: The
American Public Transit Association (http://ohio.serraclub.org)
Some are so fast they average at 300 km per hour. (http://www.atkielski.com/inlink.php?/PhotoGallery/Paris/General/TGVSmall.html) |
How is Light rail different? |
|
Primarily powered by overhead fixed electrical wire.
vLower operating speeds and ability to make frequent stops.
vLow floor loading capacities. Less Expensive. |