Cost-effective public transit options suitable for serving all demand levels include: bus service in mixed traffic, bus service in reserved lane, transitway/buswdy, light rail transit (LRT) (segregated right of way), intermediate capacity advanced light rail transit (ALRT), and heavy rail rapid transit. This classification of transit options takes into account right-of-way access (that is, mixe...

Recent system advances in the rapid transit sector have led to a position where the various modes are trying to look and feel like a mode which they are not buses acting like trams, trams pretending to be metro or even heavy rail (tram-train). There are issues associated with this blurring of boundaries that makes the definition within the existing typology redundant. Added to this there is a p...

This report evaluates criticism of rail transit systems. It examines claims that rail transit is ineffective at increasing public transit ridership and improving transportation system performance, that rail transit investments are not cost effective, and that transit is an outdated form of transportation. It finds that critics often misrepresent issues and use biased and inaccurate analysis. Th...

This article uses a trip attribute approach to examine the relative passenger attractiveness of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems compared to other transit modes. It examines how passengers value trip attributes for on-street bus, BRT, and light rail and heavy rail systems in passenger behavior research. Empirical data is presented which suggests that passengers value trip attributes for BRT and ...

In recent years, there has been a proliferation of research on the effects of the built environment, including mass transit systems, on health-related outcomes. While there is general agreement that the built environment affects travel choices and physical activity, it remains unclear how much of a public health benefit (in dollars) can be derived from land use policies that support walking, bi...

This study evaluates rail transit benefits based on a comprehensive analysis of transportation system performance in major U.S. cities. It finds that cities with large, wellestablished rail systems have significantly higher per capita transit ridership, lower average per capita vehicle ownership and annual mileage, less traffic congestion, lower traffic death rates, lower consumer expenditures ...

A model to compare three alternative forms of public transport – light rail, heavy rail and bus rapid transit is developed for an urban network with radial lines emanating from the borders to the city centre. The theoretical framework assumes an operation aimed at minimising the total cost associated with public transport service provision, which encompasses both operator and users costs. The d...

Selection of transit modes is one of the most important decisions in the transit planning process. A particularly important decision is the selection between bus and rail modes, because it influences the type of service that will be offered and, more importantly, the role transit will play in the city. Ultimately, such a decision has an impact on the quality of life in the city. It is therefore...

Light Rail Transit (LRT) is a kind of rail vehicle form which includes from modern tramcars to speed transport. These vehicles go on special road, underground, floor or specific altitude. Today the number of active serving LRT systems in 50 countries is more than 400. Moreover, a forceful increase has been expected for next years. It is clear that this growing up has certain reasons. In this st...

the planning of a rail transit system is a complex process involving the determination of station locations and rail line alignments connecting the stations. There are many requirements and constraints to be considered in the planning process, with complex correlations and interactions, necessitating the application of optimization models in order to realize reliable and cost-effective rail tra...