New Transit Technologies: An Objective Analysis is Overdue

New urban transit systems incorporating inefficient and obsolete technical features are being promoted, discussed and funded. Typically they involve automatic operation with rubber tire guidance and very frequent headways. Rail systems which are clearly superior are concurrently ignored. The authors urge transit planners, operators and equipment manufacturers to exploit the great potential of rail technology rather than pursuing innovation for its own sake. The viable, proven concept of rail technology is neglected because of acceptance of irrational claims that "rail is obsolete" by those unaware of modern rail technology. Appropriate research and development for rail systems should include full automation for LRT, smaller rail vehicles, reduction of cost of construction and operation, and reduction of vehicle weight with consequent lower energy consumption and noise.