LIGHT RAIL RENAISSANCE BEYOND EUROPE: THE NORTH AMERICAN CASE

Mexico, the United States and Canada are provided as examples of how the light rail vehicles (LRVs) are becoming the transportation solutions of choice beyond Europe. Their low infrastructure cost and reliability have gained public acceptance in major cities throughout North America and are expanding their lines every year. The paper uses Canadian city Edmonton as the example that led the way of adapting European technology to American conditions. Discussed are existing and planned LRT systems in North America, with an outlook for the future.