What elements make the light rail system less expensive than a heavy rail system?
The word “light” says a lot here. Freight railroads are heavy haul folks. This means that the railroad roadbed takes a tremendous beating, also meaning it needs constant maintenance, which is the next highest dent in the operating ratio outside of fuel and running maintenance expenses. These are not the problems faced by light rail, or any other transportation system, for that matter, as the trucks are subsidized by public roadway infrastructure maintenance with our tax dollars hard at work, which leaves the skies and the oceans free. Likewise, light rail rolling stock is, well, light, and therefore carries a lower price tag than the equipment designed for moving many thousands of tons at a whack. Ditto for the rail itself. With a lighter gauge (heavy haul rail is usually 139 lbs per yard), the costs here are commensurately less. In addition, light rail lines do not move people (or freight) thousands of miles, either. Further cost savings here. Ditto for associated fuel and/or power co
