Light rail systems are cost-effective and low-emission mass transportation found in urban areas. They are flexible and can run on tracks in the middle of street traffic or be separate from highways. Light rail has smaller capacity than heavy rail but can carry more passengers than buses or trolleys. Passengers purchase tickets or passes, and many systems offer daily, weekly, or monthly passes at reduced prices. Light rail systems have increased in popularity since the mid-20th century, with over thirty systems in the US.
Designed as a cost-effective, low-emission form of mass transportation, light rail systems are often found in urban areas. A light rail is often considered an intermediate step between a tram or streetcar system and heavy rail transportation such as traditional trains. Light rail is a flexible form of mass transit that can run in the middle of street traffic on the tracks or be completely separate from the highways, allowing city planners ample room to maneuver routes around structures. existing.
After the great popularity of the automobile began to level off in the mid-20th century, planners and engineers began paying more attention to the concept of efficient mass transportation. Although automobiles allowed personal freedom to travel, the increasing population of cities quickly made the need for travel alternatives apparent, particularly in urban settings. The term light rail was coined in the 1970s, to describe transportation systems that would be free of road traffic, unlike buses, but easily integrated into city streets, unlike traditional railways.
A light rail should make travel convenient and efficient for customers. A light rail generally has a smaller capacity than a heavy passenger rail, but can carry many more passengers than a bus or trolley, thanks to the multi-train carriages. The interior of a light rail often resembles that of a subway, with seating and standing room available to accommodate large crowds.
To travel on a light rail, passengers usually purchase a ticket or pass, depending on the rules of the transit system. Many light rail systems offer daily, weekly, or monthly passes at reduced prices to encourage use of the system and reward frequent travelers. In large cities, it is also common for students, seniors, and older customers to be offered discounted rates. For those who like to plan ahead for any train trip, many light rail systems offer an informative website that lists fare information as well as schedules and maps. In many cities, light rail coordinates stops and transfers with other public transportation methods, such as buses, subways, and even airports, to provide customers with more destinations.
Around the world, light rail systems have increased in popularity since the mid-20th century as population growth has increased the need for fast and reliable mass transportation. The city of Edmonton in Canada adopted one of the first light rail systems in 1978, using cars originally designed for the Frankfurt subways in Germany. In the United States, the light rail system gained considerable popularity in the late 20th century, leading to the construction of more than thirty systems across the country.
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