Passenger Rail Terminology - Comparison of Types

Comparison of Types

Comparison of Characteristics and Operating Standards of Types of Metropolitan Rail Systems
Characteristics Streetcar Tram/
Light Rail		 Metro/
Heavy Rail		 Commuter/
Suburban Rail
Rail tracks At grade Mixed - mostly
grade separated		 Grade separated Grade separated
Power supply Overhead lines Overhead lines Third rail
Fourth rail		 Overhead lines
Third rail
Locomotive
Units per train 1-2 2-6 Up to 10 Up to 12
Average speed (km/h) 10-20 30-40 30-40 45-65
Passengers per train 125-250 260-900 800-2,000 1,000-2,200
Maximum passengers
per hour per direction		 7,500 18,000 40,000 48,000

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