What is heavy rail vs light rail?
In North America, the American Public Transportation Association defines a heavy-rail system as an electric railway with the capacity to handle a heavy volume of traffic. The term is often used to distinguish it from light rail systems, which usually handle a smaller volume of passengers.
What is the difference between light rail and commuter rail?
Commuter rail systems are passenger trains that run on diesel-electric or electrically-propelled engines. Commuter rail systems often run most frequently during the standard commuting times for the average workday. Light Rail Systems. Light rail systems are passenger trains powered by overhead electrical wires.
How does light rail transit works?
The light-rail trains run on electricity, as most already know from seeing the power lines running above the tracks. When contact is established, direct-current electricity from the lines is converted to alternating current for train propulsion. The trains have two AC units, and can work with one if the other fails.
Why is it called a light rail?
However, UMTA finally adopted the term light rail instead. Light in this context is used in the sense of “intended for light loads and fast movement”, rather than referring to physical weight. The infrastructure investment is also usually lighter than would be found for a heavy rail system.
Is light rail the same as tram?
Light rail is a relatively modern term, and can be applied to quite a broad spectrum of systems. Virtually every tram systems can be considered as light rail, but only those light rail systems which feature street running can be called trams.
Why is light rail so popular?
Far cheaper to build than a subway, faster than a streetcar, and perhaps more alluring than a bus, light rail was seen as the answer to congested highways, growing populations, and civic fantasies of a dozen U.S. cities in the 1980s and early ’90s. In practice, the success of these systems varied quite a bit.
While commuter rail systems can operate over existing freight train tracks, light rail systems typically require its own set of tracks. Light rails are regulated by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
Is the light rail safe?
Light-rail transit is – as long as everyone obeys warning signs and complies with barriers. It’s not only unsafe but against the law to walk along light-rail tracks or to trespass on rail bridges or in tunnels. Pedestrians, motorists and bicyclists must cross only at designated crossings.
What is VTA light rail?
VTA Light Rail ( reporting mark SCCT) is a light rail system serving San Jose, California, and its suburbs in Silicon Valley. It is operated by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority , or VTA, and consists of 42.2 miles (67.9 km) of network comprising two main lines…
What does light rail mean?
light rail. n. A rail transportation system involving trolleys, streetcars, or other, usually electrified methods of conveyance, whose rails are primarily on surface streets that are shared with other forms of transportation.