Stadtbahn

A light rail is a rail transport system of public transport (LPT ). The term is used for individual vehicles ( LRVs, tram-train ), a light rail line, a line network or its operator and as a short form for a light rail route.

• 2.1 Comparison of average travel speeds

• 3.1 Urban tracks with tunnels
• 3.2 rail as a term for modernized tram systems
• 3.3 Regional light rail
• 3.4 planning 3.4.1 Suggestions for further rail systems
• 3.4.2 Discarded planning

• 6.1 Europe and North Africa
• 6.2 North America
• 6.3 Asia

Conceptual history

In the story are mainly three periods to differ. It is especially popular while the development in the 1970s in West Germany, which presents itself as a mixed form of subway and tram. While these cars in inner cities or other traffic-related bottlenecks operate mainly as underground trains in tunnels and at times also a viaduct or in the trough, other routes have a modified, upgraded tram character. Consideration is a traffic separation (see car-friendly city ); also aboveground trails are mostly on special rail tracks, level crossings with the same private transport are backed railway similar. This railway systems were intended as a precursor for a later fully converted to independent train operating body. Because of the high cost of construction thereof, however, was taken in all cases clearance.

Railway Similar LRVs

The term light rail is from the end of the 19th century and was first developed in Berlin for a railway in the local and long distance traffic between the former city of Charlottenburg and Berlin ( Berlin Stadtbahn ), he thus descended from the railroad. Nevertheless, was the name Stadtbahn at the turn of the 19th to the 20th century, often part of the proper names of individual operating companies tram networks. Examples include the tram opened in 1882 in Halle ( Saale), which opened in 1897 tram Solingen, opened in 1902, the tram Marienbad and 1909 electrified tram Salzburg.

Ideas for the design of an urban transport in Vienna led to the building of the Vienna Stadtbahn. This opened in 1898 as a steam-powered elevated railway track learned 1925 reopening as Electric Vienna Stadtbahn. It can be considered due to their design, the electric light rail vehicles used and the normal tram network changing line as a predecessor of the above " modern" light rail systems.

Under the name of Hamburg- Altona City and Suburban Railway was opened in another city railway in 1906 between the then towns Blankenese, Altona (Elbe ) and Hamburg, today's S- Bahn Hamburg, the contracted electrical equipment did not begin until the following year. In today French Mulhouse also perverted 1908-1918 called the Trackless rail Mulhouse, an early trolleybus operation.

A distinction between two types of systems (comparable to today's S- or U-/Stadtbahnen ) can already be found in Meyers encyclopedia of 1908: " stay light rail to either the within urban passenger transport, possibly together with luggage Wi- suburban services, limited and are then screened for their construction and mode completely independent, so can be adapted to the peculiarities of urban passenger transport in the most perfect manner; or give, at their end points as in other places by direct connection to external long-distance and suburban trains the transition from trains to and from these tracks and then take the remote, suburban and within urban passenger transport, may also carry freight on. "

The term S-Bahn city suburban railway and the white S on a green background as a symbol, however, were only introduced in December 1930, when in Berlin electrification ( " electrification " ) of the local suburban network was as good as finished.

Rail road and road -justified as a combination of independent power sections

From the 1960s, more and more tram lines were laid in the inner cities in the tunnel in Germany. While hardly developed tram systems are referred to with a few installed in the tunnels as U- trams, the term light rail is established for the modernized systems with a high proportion of tunnels. In the Cologne - Bonn area (Cologne is considered a model for other similar systems ) has even the regional, formerly operated as a railroad section, named the " light rail ". Further developments used for designation as regional rail or RegioTram. In the French- speaking countries similar systems are called "Métro Léger " or " PREMETRO ", the second term refers to the operation of the tunnels with trams as a precursor of a crossing-free subway. Other countries use " fast tram " (eg the Netherlands sneltram ).

Nonspecific term use

In a third period of use of the term only referred to the purely inner-city operation of the railways - comparable to the local bus. Thus, inter alia, the conventionally -built tram Erfurt today as light rail. The concept developed in this sense also a collective name for all intra- urban rail transport and can streetcars, subways and commuter trains or light rail systems after 1970 model include (the " actual" light rail ). A light rail is that no special modes of transport more, but simply a path of the town, and trams, underground or S -Bahn.

Light rail

(see also → Light rail vehicle - LRV)

In the English -speaking world, the term "light rail" is widespread. However, he referred to the German term light rail public transport more different transport systems, compared with conventional trams have higher standards but do not meet the criteria of a full-fledged subway. Light -rail (german light rail ) is the opposite term to heavy rail (English heavy rail) for rapid transit and light rail systems. While the latter can also operate on mainline routes, ride light rail similar to trams largely in its own rail network.

In the more recent meaning Light Rail is used for the characterization of Light Rail Transit ( LRT) / light rail systems, which have a higher capacity and higher speed than trams, but make do with a lighter rolling stock and lower requirements on security systems as the national railways.

The term light rail was the first time in 1972 by the U.S. Urban Mass Transportation Administration (now the Federal Transit Administration) used enact the regulations for urban passenger transport (including monorails, ferries, etc.). Originally they wanted to take over the German term light rail, the direct English translation "city rail", but decided otherwise. The "light" / "light" in this case does not stand for the weight (even if the vehicles usually are lighter than suburban railways ) but for lighter requirements / lower passenger numbers ( "intended for light loads and fast movement" ). In addition, the investment in routes " easier" to do so at a lower cost and simpler route facilities. Literally it means " An electric railway with a 'light volume' traffic capacity Compared To heavyrail. June Light rail use shared or exclusive rights -of -way, high or low platform loading and multi -car trains or single cars. " Although not covered by this definition, also use some diesel electric railways the name Light -rail, for example, the O -Train in Ottawa.

The term light rail transit also fall Tram-Train and Rail Bus concepts (with their light burning railcar ), which are classified in the German language rather below the branch lines and correspond to the former category of commuter trains, for example, the River Line in New Jersey. However, It does not include the railways referred to in British English light railway.

Following the adoption on use of rail vehicles, the first light -rail transit system in 1978 in Edmonton ( Canada ) was established. Were used for the Edmonton LRT there the Siemens Duewag U2 LRVs. The newer light rail systems were so successful that there are now more than 30 LRT systems in the United States. Note that in the U.S. use many tram systems are classified as LRT - one chooses the term light rail here in contrast to the previous streetcar that also included other road trails Guided transport means. However, the term Light Rail Transit remains on systems with at least partially their own roadways ( exclusive rights -of -way).

In the UK, however, former suburban railways were converted to LRT systems, where one of these in 1896 designated by recourse to the Light Railways Act as light rail, even if they are more like a train, for example, the Tyne and Wear Metro. The trend continued with the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) in London (1987 ) and the Manchester Metrolink (1992 ) continued. The Manchester Metro -Link illustrates the light-rail trend because there heavy -rail suburban railways were reactivated as LRT link, where they were connected to each other, in the in the city center take the lines as tram ( with raised platforms ), and thus the construction of an expensive railway tunnel under the city ( Picc -Vic tunnel) do not need.

Newer light -rail routes are mainly built with modern low-floor trams, which harmonize with low platform height. In addition to low costs, this station also allows greater flexibility, because even if the LRT routes run normally on separate paths, they can be slipped punctually as trams on the market. Compared to historical trams that went mostly with one or two cars, light -rail trains are longer - on the basis of EMUs (electric multiple unit / electric trains ) up to 10 compartments. This is also based on that bus in comparision with short trams in the same capacity at a lower cost, and so newer LRT routes are established only with appropriate passenger volumes.

General

Most light rail systems are mixed systems that run on both crossing-free sections in the tunnel ( subway ), a viaduct, the incision or at ground level as well as on tram routes. Rail vehicles usually have their own track body. You have - unlike the completely separate from other traffic underground or S -Bahn - level at-grade intersections with traffic. Free crossing rail lines are usually signaled. Tram Similar routes are, however, usually operated on sight. LRVs are often accelerated by traffic light priority control at intersections.

Most older systems use high-floor light rail vehicles. For a stepless entry into the trains all tunnel stations of these systems have high-level platforms, so they are hardly distinguishable from real subway stations. Because of a mixed mode with trams with low floor entry but were in some cities such as Cologne not all stations equipped from the outset with high platforms. In Duisburg, go to today trams through the tunnel of light rail, which is why both high-and low platform sections are present in the tunnel stations. On the aerial connecting lines high platforms were created when city railway construction at most stops also. In some cities, however, there are still aboveground stops without high-level platforms, be it because of a mixed operation with normal trams or for reasons of space or aesthetic reasons. For stations without high-level platforms, many high-floor light rail vehicles have so-called fold-up steps.

Newer light rail systems are, however, mostly operated with low-floor trams that do not require high-level platforms and even in poorly -developed bus stops, where there are no platforms that enable a relatively easy entry. The cost of retrofitting existing tram, but also railway lines can be kept low. In Cologne it was decided in the nineties not to equip two trunk routes and the associated line branches with high platforms and dismantle the few already built high platforms again. Through the use of low-floor light rail vehicles, the boundary between light rail and trams blurred but increasingly, also because regular tram lines without major expansion, including the construction of raised platforms, can be connected to tunnels.

Comparison of average travel speeds

Average operating speeds in Dusseldorf in 2002:

Germany

City tracks with tunnels

In the early 1960s investigated many midsized cities for new ways to make the public transport system in addition to the private transport more attractive and to separate from it. The city planners felt the mitschwimmende in increasing car traffic tram impediment to traffic. A switch to pure bus was often because of the high ridership does not make sense, however, was especially carried out in West Germany in many middle - and large cities. Cities with U- and S-Bahn systems (eg Hamburg, Berlin) replaced trams by broken traffic and bus stations built to rapid transit stations. The construction of pure metro systems proved to be too expensive and time- consuming to, hence only Munich ( Munich subway ) and Nuremberg ( Nuremberg U -Bahn ) went this route. In both cities, reduced tram networks have been preserved as a supplement to the subway. As an alternative model, the light rail, which should be performed at least on its own rail body, in inner-city areas but underground and could be connected by ramps to existing tram routes originated. This opens up new tunnel sections or track beds were quickly integrated into existing systems. On the whole network rail vehicles are converted considerably cheaper than full - metros, since an existing tram infrastructure can continue to be used.

The first light rail network with metro lines were opened in 1966 in Stuttgart ( Stuttgart Stadtbahn ), it followed the end of 1968 in Frankfurt am Main ( Frankfurt am Main city railway ) and Cologne ( Cologne Stadtbahn ). Except in Frankfurt normal tram vehicles were first used. The Main metropolis relies on a line until today tramway compatible rail cars with fold-up steps a (U 5). In Stuttgart, only upgraded lines were meter standard gauge called Stadtbahn (now, all routes umgespurt ).

The tunnels were therefore designed so that they could be driven by normal tramcar. Since most businesses inserting device car, emerged in the majority of light rail cities in the tunnel stations side platforms - first at low altitude. With the transition to special rail cars central platforms were increasingly built on rail lines. These have been the same as a high-level platforms, side platforms were rebuilt in almost all farms with rail cars to high platforms.

In the Ruhr and Dusseldorf (city rail network Rhein- Ruhr ) and Frankfurt am Main and Stuttgart Stadtbahn lines carry the pure underground systems (Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Nuremberg) famous " U" before the line number. The entrances to the platforms or train stations trains are also equipped with this sign.

In Hanover ( Hanover Stadtbahn, opened 1975), the entrances to the metro stations and the surface stops are equipped with a raised platform with a modified U- numerals ( color so the top two ends of the U: by this OB is thus on the operator üstra pointed Hanover transport services). The remaining above-ground stations with low platforms will be equipped with long-term high platforms. They are marked with the classic green - yellow "H " character.

In Cologne are all underground and aboveground those stops that correspond to a complete breakdown by rail standard, marked with the classic blue "U". All other breakpoints carry the trams and buses usual green-yellow "H" in the labeling. Only Karlsruhe uses the S -Bahn icon. Cologne was a model for other cities, among others, for the light rail Bielefeld.

In large sections of the population, the networks are therefore perceived as a subway. The term " light rail " has not prevailed in common usage everywhere. That's right many companies because the brand "U -Bahn " proves to be very effective in advertising; on the other hand continue to preferred use of " streetcar " by some companies is considered very critical (eg, Bielefeld). A subsequent transition to pure underground operation was considered in many systems ( Frankfurt, Hannover, Stuttgart), but this development would seem very unlikely.

In Dusseldorf (city rail Dusseldorf ) is on the currently under construction Wehrhahnlinie with the new rail lines U71, U72 and U73, an operation with low-floor trams will, as for the above-ground use of these vehicles less disturbing special extensions ( low - rather than high-level platforms ) required are compared to a conventional high-floor light rail. This is reflected, among other things, the U78 and U79, reminiscent in parts still more of a road and a rail.

In Hanover, the conversion of the tram is largely completed a light rail since 1996, in Stuttgart is the case since 2008. In other cities, in addition to the light rail even further to the conventional tram (Bonn, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Essen, Oberhausen ), however, recorded in low floor. The rail network in Cologne is divided as a special feature in a high-and low -floor network. In Mülheim an der Ruhr, Essen and Bochum lying in the tunnel meter gauge sections are performed as tram lines and increasingly traveled by modern low-floor trams, while the older high-floor models are to be replaced in the medium term. Duisburg moves tram and light rail lines on common routes. There, the trams have only a short low-floor part segment. In Bielefeld Stadtbahn is operated as underground tram meter track, a conversion to standard gauge would be possible.

In Dortmund, the classic tramway was replaced by a light rail since 1983. This conversion has been provisionally closed since 2008 with the commissioning of the east-west tunnel ( Tunnel III). The tunnel sections I and II have already expanded light rail as standard and are operated with high-floor light rail vehicle of the type B80C and B100S, but in the new tunnel on the east-west grid modern low-floor tramcars Bombardier Flexity Classic are used. This entry is also on the surface stops already much more convenient, but the full barrier-free expansion of these stops along the new rail lines U43 and U44 with low platforms is expected to take until 2018.

When tunneling is between the expansion in tram - style with many level crossings, and branches (typical of Cologne) and distinguished the construction in metro style with mostly without crossing executed branches ( Bielefeld, light rail network Rhein- Ruhr, Frankfurt, Hannover, Stuttgart). The alignment design of the light rail tunnels are similar to those of a subway. However, the expansion part is more expensive, since light rail in contrast to most full - metros get their electricity through overhead lines. Therefore, the tunnel profile must be kept larger than electrically operated rail metros. In a few cases, a constructed at the tunnel ceiling busbar is applied.

For the U -Bahn Frankfurt DUEWAG made ​​in 1965 for the first time two six-axle tram prototypes that are largely based on the previously supplied tramcars, such as the N- car. It was established in 1965 first presented at the International Transportation Exhibition in Munich. New were the electronic control system of the type Simatic and the possibility to couple several railcars to train sets. Mass production, however, remained under. They were mainly used for driving school and test drives and wrong only a few years in regular service. They were already parked in 1976 because they were incompatible with the light rail cars of the type U2. The experience gained with the prototype were integrated into the successor U2, which was delivered in a total of 104 copies to Frankfurt and there is in use to this day. Also, Edmonton, Calgary and San Diego procured in the period following the U2 railcars.

In the GDR, no city railways were built. There they sat on classic tram networks with many lines, so that thereby a higher surface coverage was (compared to light rail ) is achieved.

Rail as a term for modernized tram systems

Since the mid- 1990s, some pure street railway companies designate their networks as a rail. So the Erfurt tram was renamed in 1996 by council resolution in rail Erfurt. The Freiburger traffic AG has moved to designate their trams as light rail. The city of Chemnitz Chemnitz led after the model a light rail Chemnitz, where the tram and partially reversed mainly from road traffic separated only above ground on railroad tracks. The mentioned light rail went Streckenneu and capacity extensions with independent from individual track guides ahead, but no tunnel sections have been scheduled. The top speed was increased (eg, in the outskirts of Erfurt to 60 km / h), but the average speed in the city center remained low. The term now refers to the purely intra- urban transport regardless of the mode of transport. A light rail can be a tram on a different level too easy.

The vehicles run continue to run, but are green track, own track beds etc. separated from road traffic and this can therefore make as rapid transit competition. Is used in contrast to the U-, S- and rail transport preferred the low-floor technology. In Leipzig after 1990 three high-traffic streetcar lines were largely expanded with its own rail body to rail lines (see Leipzig Transport ). In Dresden, the low-floor vehicles have been used for initial delivery referred to as rail cars and expanded the routes to that effect. There are three tram lines that can compete with the "classical" light rail lines entirely, as they are mainly separated from the road by 2009. The aim of the Dresden Transport is an almost complete removal of the tram lines to light rail lines.

This is the distinction, if there is a road or "classic" light rail, blurred. According to this concept, which compared to light rail with stringent structural separation has its advantages, especially in low construction costs for road transport, the politically failed rail Hamburg was planned, which should be partially performed together with the road.

Regional light rail

The network expansion took place in several cities through joint use or reactivation of rail lines, such as the Kassel tram was conducted on the railway line Kassel- Naumburg and led to Baunatal. In the area of ​​Cologne -Bonn ( Rhine railway and Vorgebirgsbahn the former Cologne-Bonn Railways ) was created by converting two former railway lines an operating entity ( high-floor sections) of the Cologne city railway opened in 1974 with the rail Bonn.

Likewise, in Karlsruhe with the Albtalbahn. Leading the way was then there is the "Karlsruhe model ". The concrete contains so-called dual-system railcars that can also refer to the 15 kV AC from the normal DB catenary next to the DC of tram lines (750 volts). So Railroad (or S-Bahn ) and tram network are connected to change trains. The often copied, while sometimes varied "Karlsruhe model " is international, especially in France, commonly referred to as tram -train, sometimes referred to as "light rail" (see above).

Keel extends the term world to the city regional train Kiel, Saarbrücken to the Saarbahn, Kassel to RegioTram. As part of the network expansion of urban areas into regions and the partial use of multi-system vehicles new names such as regional light rail, regional rail, or City-Bahn, city -suburban railway were formed. Similar expressions with historical origins are circular path, local railway, interurban tram. Similar to bus routes here was "On Land " by " regional " replaced ( → suburban regional bus ). A regional train is now in Germany but only one railroad. In Zwickau, however diesel railcar Vogtlandbahn ride on tram tracks in the city center.

Planning

The following rail systems are or were in the planning stage:

• Stadtbahn Halle ( Saale) (since March 2013, construction)
• Campus web Aachen (vote of the City Council for the project on 19 December 2012, Council referendum of the citizens of the city of Aachen on 10 March 2013), see also downtown route for the Euregiobahn
• City -suburban railway Erlangen ( Erlangen City Council on September 27, 2012 majority decided to support the construction of the city -suburban train ( StUB ) )
• City regional train Kiel
• Rail Ludwigsburg
• City -suburban railway Munich
• Tramtrain Neckar -Alb
• Regional tangent West
• Rail Wiesbaden ( 1997-2001 planning and 2011-2013)

Proposals for additional rail systems

In addition, is discussed in the following cities and regions on light rail systems:

• Bremerhaven / Cuxhaven / Langen ( resumption of discussion by the Traffic Club Bremerhaven ( VCD) in August 2013 ), see rail Bremerhaven
• Dortmund- Lünen Mountain Kamen -Werne -Hamm, Hamm- see Osterfelder web
• Fürth
• Geesthacht Hamburg, see Bergedorf - Geesthacht Railroad
• Göttingen
• Hamm
• Ingolstadt, the Greens presented on 6 October 2011, a request to the mayor to investigate a rail in Ingolstadt, Ingolstadt see light rail
• Lübeck, Lübeck see light rail
• Münster (Westfalen)
• Osnabrück, Osnabrück see light rail
• Passau
• Pforzheim
• Regensburg, Regensburg see light rail
• Rosenheim
• Trier, Trier see light rail
• Tuttlingen / Villingen -Schwenningen / Rottweil, in the course of Ringzug extension
• Wolfsburg

Discarded planning

Already discussed rail plans were rejected in the following cities and regions:

• Braunschweig / Salzgitter / Wolfenbüttel, see regional rail Brunswick
• Dortmund -Hagen - Lüdenscheid, see tramtrain Hagen
• Flensburg
• Frankenthal (Pfalz ) Worms- Ludwigshafen- Mannheim, see railway Mainz- Ludwigshafen
• Hamburg, see Hamburg rail
• Hanau (urban decision against realization in 2004), see Main Line and Light Rail Hanau
• Hemer Iserlohn - Menden, see rail Hemer Iserlohn- Menden -
• Kempten ( Allgäu), the object of the plans for station installation and dismantling of some routes by the Federal Railways, see rail Kempten ( Allgäu)
• Marburg
• Plettenberg Hershey, the introduction of a diesel-powered light rail was tested in 1998, see rail Plettenberg - Hershey
• Dusseldorf Ratingen, Ratingen see Western Railway
• Rostock (Plan abandoned), see rail Rostock

Austria

In Vienna, there were from the late 1920s until 1945 been a combination of tram and light rail. At that time the tram line 18G from Ostbahnhof Coming changed to Gumpendorferstrasse the belt line of the Vienna Stadtbahn. The motor coaches used were suitable for tram and light rail operations - so that this line was a precursor of modern light rail systems. Today, the running part as a cut path, partly on a viaduct waistline part of the underground ( U6). The operation is done today with low-floor vehicles.

The Badner Bahn is an interurban tram with speed 80 km / h From the Vienna Opera Vienna to Schedifkaplatz and between Baden Baden and Leesdorf Josefsplatz it wrong as streetcar, interurban area between Vienna and Baden Schedifkaplatz Leesdorf as a full track on its own rail body.

In the Innsbruck area, the line STB (former name: Stubaitalbahn ) are referred to as tram-train. It operates between Fulpmes and Innsbruck- Wilten on its own rail body and continues its journey from there to the central station on the Innsbruck tram tracks partly in mixed traffic continued. She is legally no tram, but a branch line, but will operate in the same vehicles as the tram lines. Since 2003, the infrastructural upgrading runs on standard rail, it is the north-south road of the future T-shaped Innsbruck's city rail network.

Line 1 of the Graz tram runs in the direction Maria Trost from the bus stop " Hilmteich " largely on its own track body as it follows the route of the formerly independent Mariatroster train which was rebuilt in 1941 and integrated into the regular tram network. On the main train station since November 2012 ride the tram lines 1, 3, 6 and 7, a new underground station at the train station where the train station is under belt drive from this stop in a tunnel.

The Linz tram has a downtown tunnel, on the approach all three lines to the central station. It also has two underground stations and an open top bus stop on the route.

On the lines Salzburg Lamprechtshausen and Bürmoos - Trimmelkam Salzburg AG is on the overland sections between Salzburg Itzling and Lamprechtshausen or Trimmelkam a light rail operation on a full train track. The existing tunnel section between Salzburg and Salzburg Itzling local railway station and its planned extension through the entire city center, which is currently in the planning stage, is a pure light rail route with limited light rail gauge. On her only light rail vehicles are used. The two routes are incorporated into the S -Bahn Salzburg, it is currently a lack of suitable vehicles ( different current systems ) in the passenger but no transition between the power of Salzburg AG and ÖBB- net instead.

A small section of the narrow- set Ybbstalbahn will continue in Waidhofen as light rail, with the rail Waidhofen there after setting the tram Ybbs in Austria again a rail on Bosnaspur (760 mm).

Switzerland

In Switzerland, various transport paths are referred to as light rail. The Glattalbahn connects several communities and the Kloten airport in the north of Zurich with three lines. It represents a mixture of tram / ​​tram and a train; most of the Glattalbahn is eigentrassiert, and as rolling stock known as Cobra Tram vehicles of the Zurich transport services are used. Another light rail will be located on another side of the Limmat in Zurich with a train. Similarly, today present various Basel suburb routes, but the BLT has some Einspurabschnitte.

The light rail Lausanne ( line m1) was designed as a light rail during construction, it is largely single track with passing places and has railway moderately secure road junctions. After the successive renewals today presents the overland line 5 (from December 2013 Line 215) Neuchâtel Boudry, in the same way.

Many narrow gauge suburban railways in Switzerland have come through expansions and modernization to a rail -like standard, although they use vehicles with the standard width for narrow gauge railways. Exceptions to this are the Forchbahn and Trogenerbahn who drive in the downtown area in the road area without its own route.

Partially Finished light rail moderately today are also tram networks of Zurich (eg tunnel to Schwamendingenstrasse ), Bern (eg line 9 to Wabern, line 6 after Worb ), Geneva ( mostly newly created routes) and Basel (eg. 6 line to Riehen ).

The light rail train is actually an S -Bahn, as six stations are operated in the city train is referred to them as light rail. It operates primarily as Stadler FLIRT composition on the tracks of the Swiss Federal Railways.

Other countries

Similar systems, such as in Central Europe originated in part as a self-development, but also partly through the acquisition of concepts from Austria ( Unterpflaster tram in Vienna) or Germany ( Karlsruhe model). In North America the term is often Metrorail (short for Metropolitan rail) used in Latin countries partially Métro Léger / Metropolitana leggera.

Europe and North Africa

The rail network in Newcastle upon Tyne ( UK ) was founded in 1984., Where in addition to new tunnels and railway lines were included in the net. Manchester and Birmingham also received light rail systems. For the Midland Metro Birmingham - Wolverhampton the name MetroTram used.

In London originated with the Docklands Light Railway, a system based on light rail technology with the appropriate vehicles and is operated with power rail. Part of the purchased cars there is now after renovations at the Essen city rail lines in use.

In Alicante (Spain ) an existing narrow-gauge railway line was developed into a regional light rail system further. The city of Alicante railway was taken in May 2007 with the first part of the downtown tunnel and two underground stations in operation.

In Porto (Portugal ), the Metro do Porto was born. The track uses new tunnels and meter standard gauge upgraded railway lines.

Rail systems, which are partly performed as a tram and partly as underground or elevated railway or on inner-city sections of railway lines, Léger as Metro ( " Light Metro" ) or as a metro tram are locally referred to as developed from an existing tram Métro Léger de Charleroi in Belgium, since 1985, the Métro léger de Tunis ( المترو الخفيف لمدينة تونس / al - MiTru al - chafīf al - Madina Tūnis ). The tram was opened on December 12, 2012 from Casablanca ( ترامواي الدار البيضاء / Tramway ad - Dār al - Bayda ') is sometimes called Métro Léger.

In Italy, two tram routes exist that were built on old railway lines and operate as fast trams. They are called Metrotranvia and operate in Bergamo ( Bergamo rail albino ) and Cagliari (city rail Cagliari). The years in the 80en designed as light rail in Genoa and Naples systems were now operated as a pure subways, so the subway Genoa and the line 6 subway Naples.

In Poland, there are light rail moderately developed and operated sections in two tram networks. In Poznan there are two non-intersecting rail lines. The older of the routes in the north- west of the city, which was built partly in cut and partly as a high web is (2013 ) extended to the city center of Poznan in the incision and into a tunnel. The newer section in the southeast of the city is out in the incision and in the tunnel with two glass-roofed tunnel stops. Also existiertin Krakow a light rail line with a tunnel and two underground stations. The light rail in Poznan and Krakow are operated by low floor vehicles and carry a designation Fast Tram ( Szybki tramwaj ). In other Polish cities are, however, at the routes that are designated as Fast tram to conventional tram lines cross at level crossings.

In the Netherlands, single lines of the metro trains run to Amsterdam and Rotterdam sections as a rail, referred to there as sneltram. The vehicles will be supplied in the tunnels by a power rail, the rail sections on the other hand, as usual, by a catenary. The sneltram Utrecht is largely comparable as pure light rail system with the high-floor networks in the Ruhr and Cologne, but has no tunnels. In the region of The Hague, 2006, the rail network Randstadrail been put into operation, which also used the tram network of The Hague as well as the metro network of Rotterdam next to converted railway lines.

The Metro Volgograd in Russia and the Krivoy Rog -speed railway in Ukraine are called MetroTram.

In Belgrade, the Belgrade Metro for years planned to be built as light rail.

On 18 December 2012, the city council of Maastricht in the Netherlands decided that the transnational project " Tramverbinding Vlaanderen- Maastricht " will be implemented. This is to connect the centers of Hasselt in Belgium and Maastricht in the Netherlands. Between the cities she performs tasks such as Euregiobahn in Aachen, within the places she goes as planned campus web Aachen to the city center. Most of the route is located on Belgian territory. This part belongs to the 300 million heavy Spartacus plan to bring a number of improvements in regional transport in Belgian Limburg. In Belgian Limburg is to fall in 2013, the decision for the project. This then paved the way for the new project would be provided, and if everything would go according to plan, the first light rail would already 2018 roll through Maastricht and Hasselt.

North America

In the 1970s and 1980s created systems with German automotive engineering ( Frankfurter type U2). A first network was opened in 1978 in Edmonton, Canada, in the same province in 1981 also opened one in Calgary. Also opened in 1981 in San Diego a light rail with German vehicles. Later, St. Louis followed ( with tunnels ), Baltimore, Salt Lake City, Denver, Dallas and Jersey City (across from New York City located ) and other cities. From existing tram routes, the rail networks in Pittsburgh, Newark, New Jersey and San Francisco have been developed. New light rail networks with German technology parameters with tunnels emerged also in the Mexican cities Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. In 2005, a city railway was opened with airport connection in Minneapolis. In Houston, Texas, since 2004 a Light Railway runs 12 km through the city center. 2009, the Link Light Rail Light Rail opened in Seattle. In this there is the peculiarity that a downtown tunnel in mixed operation of trams and buses duo is busy. Another light rail system moves to San Jose.

The green line of the Boston Metro (light rail) could be described as light rail, since otherwise operate streetcars in the downtown area in tunnels, as trams. The line was opened in 1897 /98 and was the first underground propelled tram in the world.

Asia

The London Docklands model was replicated in the Turkish capital Ankara with the " Ankaray " system. Other rail systems were built in Istanbul, Izmir, Bursa and Antalya.

In East Asia, the Philippine capital Manila received a light rail system. This was built as good as crossing-free and is operated with vehicles in the Belgian tram - standard design ( Liege, Oostende), as well as vehicles from the Czech manufacturer Tatra CKD.

In Singapore Mass Rapid Transit runs.

In Saudi Arabia, the second section of the Mecca Metro 2011 was put into operation.