LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM EVALUATION

Evaluation of a light rail transit system involves many considerations that are specific to sites or systems and cannot be treated in a general study. However, it is possible to establish a value for reductions in running time relative to reductions in direct operating cost, savings in passenger time, and increases in net system revenue. These values, which depend on passenger volume, can be related to capital cost improvements. These include eliminating on-street running, eliminating grade crossings, instituting high-platform loading, and varying fare-collection systems. Brief commands are included on other factors of system evaluation including reliability, safety, and provision for future growth. The paper concludes that, although certain intensive improvements are likely to be justifiable, these must depend on a more detailed system-specific evaluation. In general it suggests that the planning and design of light rail transit should keep the system as simple as possible and, on the surface, avoid automatic application of rapid transit or railroad standards-and costs.