LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT TRACKS IN PAVEMENT

One of the important features of light rail transit (LRT) is the ability to locate tracks in downtown streets and transit malls, thus eliminating the high capital cost of grade-separated aerial structures or subways. The designs of transit tracks in pavement have evolved over the past 100 years in domestic streetcar systems. This paper traces this evolution by looking back at the initial streetcar track designs, by reviewing the development of heavy streetcar tracks, and finally by reviewing the track details and costs of seven recent North American LRT projects. Comparison of these seven projects shows a wide variation in design criteria and a resultant cost range of $67 to $270 per single-track feet. The conclusion is that much work remains to be done to establish cost-effective design criteria for transit track in pavement.