Tram-Train: Mixed Use of Rail Corridors

One of the new forms of suburban rail services is the joint operation of light and conventional rail equipment on existing rail infrastructure. Beginning with the conversion of the light rail system in Karlsruhe, Germany, several cities in Europe and United States have found the advantage of using light rail vehicles to extend rail service from city center to suburbia via existing conventional railroad irresistible. This seamless mode of transportation offers the most attractive and cost-effective rail system to move a large number of people through the metropolitan area. Using the lessons learned from Europe and America, this paper describes the technical issues involved and its benefits for adoption by transportation planners of this emerging trend.