What is the difference between commuter rail and light rail?
Light rail transit, or LRT, uses smaller passenger vehicles powered by overhead wires. Light rail trains can operate within exclusive right-of-way like railroad corridors or a freeway, or share street space with other vehicles, similar to a bus. LRT tracks are safe to cross because the power is overhead, so the tracks do not have to be grade-separated from other traffic. LRT usually operates in fully developed, urbanized areas, where it can access congested areas such as downtowns. Because they are smaller than freight train vehicles, for safety reasons the Federal Railroad Administration prohibits LRT trains from operating interspersed with freight trains.
