Rail transit

From Transit.Wiki
(Redirected from Train)
Redsub.jpg

Rail transit encompass various public transit lines that operate on tracks. Historically, public transit lines began in most cities in the 19th century with rail vehicles (horse or steam propelled, later cable and electric propelled). As automotive technology advanced and roadways improved, many rail lines were converted to buses during the Great Depression and after World War II. Today only some pre-World War II rail transit systems remained. Other rail transit systems were constructed since the 1960s to provide a high speed, high capacity alternative to buses and freeways.

Rail transit service vary depending on the infrastructure and operating environment.

Types of rail transit

Street railway

Rail vehicles that primarily run on the streets similar to buses, providing local transit service.

  • Historic streetcar - Service using actual historic vehicles or historic replicas. Some lines provide key transit service while some operate as tourist/excursion trips.
  • Modern streetcar - Service using modern vehicles.

Light rail

5thavestn.jpg

Light rail is a lower capacity rail mode that can operate on-street and other off-street environments including subways.

Rapid transit

Rapid transit (or heavy rail) is a high capacity rail mode that operate on segregated right of way mostly on elevated structures or in subways.

Commuter rail

Commuter rail is a mode where trains operate according to railroad rules and can share tracks with intercity and freight trains. Many commuter rail routes are of commuter nature (picking up from the suburbs and going to downtown) and have limited or no service during off peak hours, in non-commute direction, and on weekends.

Hybrid rail

Hybrid rail is a newer form of rail transit combining characteristics of light rail and commuter rail. These systems use lighter weight, short diesel multiple unit trains on railroad corridors.

Automated people mover

Bartoac.jpg

Automated people mover is a transit mode with driverless vehicles, operate in a grade separated environment similar to heavy rail, but operate on short routes essentially functioning as a horizontal elevator.

Intercity trains

Inter-city trains generally mean trains traveling long distances connecting metropolitan areas. Although the distances covered by some of these trains are comparable to airlines, inter-city trains generally operate at highway speed. Long distance inter-city trains may provide amenities not found on most other forms of transportation, including sleeper-cars and cafe/dining cars.

Amtrak is the operator of inter-city trains in the United States.

High speed trains

High speed trains are generally defined as trains that can operate 125mph or faster. High speed trains generally connect large metropolitan areas (with very few stops in between) and are competitive with airlines in terms of overall travel time for short and moderate distance.