Light rail systems

Mass transportation is any kind of transportation system in which large numbers of people are carried within a single vehicle or combination of vehicles. Airplanes, railways, buses, trolleys, light rail systems, and subways are examples of mass transportation systems. The term mass transit is commonly used as a synonym for mass transportation. 

The popularity of mass transportation systems varies inversely with the availability of the private automobile. Over the past century, as cars have become less expensive, consumers have opted for private transportation over subways, buses, trolleys, light rail systems, and other forms of mass transit. Between 1915 and 1980, au-... 

Travel in urban areas reflect similar patterns. After intensive efforts to increase ridership on public transportation systems, most city and suburban dwellers still rely on their own cars for transportation. In Los Angeles, for example, the city s upgraded bus system and new light rail system are now used by no more than about 2% of the local population. 

Light rail system—Transportation systems in which vehicles move along railway tracks on vehicles that are significantly smaller and lighter than traditional railroad cars. 

A similar pattern—based on factors that had nothing to do with technological merit—devastated the extensive electric trolley and in-terurban light rail systems that commanded billions in ridership in the early 1900s. In 1921, when Americans wanted to go somewhere, they used rail 90 percent of the time, mostly electrical rail systems and... 

GENERAL RULE—Eor purposes of section 202 of this Act and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794), it shall be considered discrimination for a public entity that provides designated public transportation to fail, in accordance with the provisions of this subsection, to make key stations (as determined under criteria established by the Secretary by regulation) in rapid rail and light rail systems readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities, including individnals who nse wheelchairs. 

Mass Transit Transportation modes in areas with high-density populations that provide alternatives to automobile use examples include trains, subways, light rail systems, and buses. 

ITS International (1463-6344) http //www.itsinternational.com/ (accessed September 1, 2010). Swanley, Kent, U.K. Route One Publishing bimonthly. Focuses on the deployment of technology for intelligent transportation systems and covers the full range of applications, including mass transit and light rail systems. 

Transportation systems can be categorized into modes defined by the type of inliastructure needed to run them. Buses, for example, need a fleet of vehicles and a network of roads and streets. Systems that need rails include trains, subways, light rail and monorail (considered separate categories from standard train systems such as commuter rail), and streetcars and trams. Ferries are used in many cities with extensive waterfront areas. Airports also fall within the domain of transportation engineering. While most transportation systems are designed with the needs of a geographically focused population in mind, airports are unique in that they serve passengers from all over the country—or the world. 

Where stray currents from a man-made source of direct current are a potential problem, metallically bonding the structure of concern to the source of the dc is often used to mitigate the corrosion that would otherwise occur. This is a common method of control where pipelines are subject to the adverse effects from stray currents generated by light rail transit systems, d-c welding machines, and impressed current cathodic protection systems installed on other nearby structures. 

For light rail travel, such as streetcars on rails or tires, it may be advantageous to combine a fuel-cell system with cabled supply, for bimodal operation because cables are not appropriate in certain town centers, or on the other hand for suburban travel for non-equipped journeys. 

Light-Rail Transit-System Safety-Related Issues... 

Light-rail transit systems are being used in about 20 cities in the United States and Canada. Some of the main reasons for their usage are their relatively low costs and ability to operate both on and off city streets, with interm iate capacity to transport passengers and with frequent stops in urban areas. 

Over the years, there have been many light-rail transit-system-related accidents resulting in fatalities and injuries. For example, in the three-year period from the opening of the Metro Blue Line (MBL) in Los Angeles, there were 158 train-vehicle and 24 train-pedestrian accidents/incidents resulting in 16 deaths and many injuries [22]. 

List at least eight light-rail transit system safety-related issues. 

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