Mass Transit Options
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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. Example Locations Nashville | Franklin | Murfreesboro | Cleveland (OH) Typical Station Spacing 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. Example Locations Las Vegas | Eugene (OR) | Orlando | Los Angeles Typical Station Spacing 1/2 mile to several miles Additional Resources |
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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 Example Locations Portland | Charlotte | Denver | Cleveland | Baltimore Typical Station Spacing 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 Example Locations Albuquerque | Baltimore | Chicago | Dallas | Nashville Typical Station Spacing 1/2 mile to several miles |
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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 Example Locations China | Germany | Japan Locations Under Development Atlanta-Chattanooga | Los Angeles | Pittsburgh | Baltimore-Washington, D.C. Typical Station Spacing 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 Example Locations Atlanta | Chicago | Miami | Washington D.C. Typical Station Spacing 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 Example Locations Northeast US (Amtrak Acela Express) | Europe | Asia Locations Under Development Typical Station Spacing 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 Example Locations Las Vegas | Seattle | Walt Disney World Typical Station Spacing 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. Example Locations Typical Station Spacing 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 Example Locations Morgantown (West Virginia University) Typical Station Spacing 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. Example Locations Chicago | Ft. Lauderdale | New York Typical Station Spacing Varies |
