What is the difference between Light Rail and Commuter Rail?
A – Light Rail essentially is a modern evolution of the conventional trolley. Light Rail Transit (LRT) operates electric or diesel vehicles carrying up to 200 passengers at speeds up to 55 mph. LRT runs either on tracks on exclusive lanes in city arterials or in a separate right-of-way. LRT is designed to adapt to a variety of environments, including streets, freeway medians, railroad rights-of-way (operating or abandoned), pedestrian malls, underground or arterial structures or even in the beds of drained canals. This design flexibility most clearly distinguishes it from other rail modes. Light Rail vehicles can be tailored to the needs of specific operating environments, such as track alignments that include sharp turns and steep grades. Commuter Rail, also known as “regional rail” or “suburban rail,” refers to passenger trains operated on main line railroad tracks between metropolitan and suburban areas, whether within or across the geographical boundaries of a state. These usually
