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Example Locations |
Typical Station Spacing |
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Conventional Bus
Transit services using a system of buses on existing road rights of way according to a fixed schedule.
Express Bus
Fixed-route bus service with limited stops usually targeted to commuters between CBDs and suburbs.
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Local: 1-2 blocks
Express: 1+ miles
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Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
Transit services using buses to perform premium services on existing roadways or dedicated rights of way. BRT combines the flexibility of buses with the frequency and travel time advantages of rail transit.
Download: The Orlando LYMMO Story
Download: BRT Vehicle Catalog
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1/2 mile to several miles |
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Light Rail Transit (LRT)
Lightweight passenger vehicle with an overhead power supply that can operate in mixed traffic and wide-ranging alignment configurations |
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1/2 mile to 1 mile |
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Commuter Rail
Electric or diesel train consisting of local short distance travel between a central city and its suburbs |
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2 miles to 5 miles serves regional travel |
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Magnetic Levitation (Maglev)
A high-speed rail technology where the train is suspended on a magnetic cushion above a magnetized track and so travels free of friction.
Under development: Atlanta-Chattanooga, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Baltimore-Washington, D.C. |
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CBD:>1 mile
Periphery: 1mile to 3 miles Intercity: several miles
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Heavy Rail Transit
Steel wheeled/electric powered vehicles with multi-cars operating on a fully grade separated right of way |
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CBD:>1 mile
Periphery: 1mile to 3 miles |
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High Speed Rail
Applies rail technologies on specifically designed tracks for high speed operation on longer distance travel at an interregional level. |
Northeast US (Amtrak), Europe,
Asia |
Chain of stops in cities across states |
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Monorail
Electrical railway with a car or a train of cars suspended from or straddles a fixed guideway by a single beam or rail. Can be operated either manually or totally automated |
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1/3 mile to 1 mile |
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Automated Guideway Transit (AGT)
System of guided transit vehicles operating single or multi-car trains that are fully automated and travel on a grade separated rail network. Commonly used around downtowns and airports. |
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1/4 mile to 1 mile |
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Personal Rapid Transit
Small, low speed system designed to provide personalized service with driverless vehicles that operate on demand. |
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Closely spaced stations in dense area |
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Water Taxi
A fixed-route service across a body of water using a ferryboat or small watercraft that provides service between several points or docks located along the waterfront. |
Chicago,
Ft. Lauderdale, New York |
Varies |
