Monorail development and application in Japan

Abstract The monorail has emerged recently as a serious mode for transit use in Japan. Three monorail lines are operational, and three more are being constructed. Approximately thirty other cities in Japan are considering the introduction of the monorail. This paper reviews the recent development of the monorail in Japan, examines its components, compares its performance with other transit modes, and assesses its potential in the context of the family of urban transit modes. This examination and comparison will be based on the features of the monorail designs recently adopted in Japan.