Tram and light rail transit (LRT) systems is a form of public transportation in cities. Although most tramways and light rail systems are powered by electricity, some are powered by diesel. Light rail differs from other forms of rail transportation (such as subways, heavy rail, and rapid transit systems) which all employ trains in many respects. The most significant distinction is that light rail frequently shares the public right-of-way with other modes of transportation. Many light rail train lines, for example, operate on public streets, sharing space with traffic. In certain circumstances, a light-rail train will travel on a designated section of the road, although it will still be subject to traffic regulations. Secondly, the system is built for speed and small loads, and it generally has relatively basic passenger carriages that are not meant for long distances.1
The tramway and light rail transit systems employ electrically powered carts with steel wheels that are moved over a steel track. A pantograph is used to extract propulsive power from an overhead distribution grid. The tramway and light rail systems and regular automobiles share the streets in the cities, which implies that automobiles, pedestrians, and LRT all use the same area. They are built on reserved areas where automobile traffic is not allowed.2
How it Helps
Implementing
Funding:
Funding is critical to guarantee that this strategy is successfully executed. Building a tramway and light rail system is costly, and it necessitates a significant investment. This is where shareholders like the U.S Department of Transportation, transportation agencies, and even private corporations come into play. These significant players may generate funding by forming critical partnerships.
Education:
Since the aim is to ensure that everyone has access to healthy transportation, awareness needs to be created for the masses so that they can be aware of the advantages of the light rail system.
Possible Challenges:
Rail deterioration and corrugation are accelerated in this challenging environment owing to excessive traffic frequency and short distances between halting points. Another issue that tramways and light rail systems face is the requirement to reduce lifecycle costs while lowering environmental effects like vibration and corrosion. Another major challenge is the cost of Tramway and light rail system. The expense of maintaining the train right-of-way, associated switches and signals, light rail stations, and associated parking lots can be costly.
Monitoring and Evaluation:
The effectiveness a tramway and light rail transit system in achieving the set objectives can be evaluated through:
– Assessing the number of individuals who make use of the light rail system
– Assessing the rate at which people shifted from automobiles to the light rail system
– The cost of transportation pre- and post-implementation of the strategy
Examples
1) Transdev Company, France
Transdev is a public transportation company headquartered in France that operates internationally. Transdev is a prominent participant in the rail transportation industry, designing and maintaining tramway and light rail systems and developing regional intermodal solutions. They provide adaptable and cost-effective services for specialized groups, particularly in low-density regions or when mobility is minimal. Transdev also ensures that everyone has access to transportation and ensures mobility for everyone by providing healthcare institutions with cars and transportation options adapted to their patients’ requirements.
https://www.transdev.com/en/our-solutions-and-innovations/tramway-and-tram-train/
2) Regional Transportation District (RTD)
The Regional Transportation District is a regional body that manages public transportation services. Its goal is to improve transportation across the eight-county region. RTD runs a bus and tramway system and a light rail system. Currently, RTD is building an extensive public transit development plan that includes additional commuter rail, tramway, light rail systems, and fast bus services. The Regional Transportation District is critical to resolving many urgent concerns including vehicle-related carbon dioxide emissions, poor air quality, traffic, widening wealth disparities, and skyrocketing living expenses fueled by increasing petrol prices.