Medium-capacity rail transport system
Encyclopedia
Rail transport
Rail transport is a means of conveyance of passengers and goods by way of wheeled vehicles running on rail tracks. In contrast to road transport, where vehicles merely run on a prepared surface, rail vehicles are also directionally guided by the tracks they run on...
, a medium-capacity system (MCS) is a non-universal term coined to differentiate an intermediate system between light rail
Light rail
Light rail or light rail transit is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems...
and heavy rail. The concept is similar to Light Metro, seen in European countries (see section Variants of the term). A medium-capacity system is proposed when an area requires a rapid transit
Rapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...
service but the predicted ridership falls between the gap of the other two rail tiers. In contrast with light rail, a medium-capacity system is usually running on an exclusive right-of-way. Furthermore, the distance between station
Train station
A train station, also called a railroad station or railway station and often shortened to just station,"Station" is commonly understood to mean "train station" unless otherwise qualified. This is evident from dictionary entries e.g...
s is much longer. An MCS may also be a branch connection
Branch line
A branch line is a secondary railway line which branches off a more important through route, usually a main line. A very short branch line may be called a spur line...
to another mode of a heavy-capacity transportation system, such as an airport
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
or the main route of a metro network.
Suggested system
Standardization
Standardization is the process of developing and implementing technical standards.The goals of standardization can be to help with independence of single suppliers , compatibility, interoperability, safety, repeatability, or quality....
. This can exist even within a relatively small country. For example, the Taiwan Ministry of Transportation and Communications
Ministry of Transportation and Communications (Republic of China)
The Ministry of Transportation and Communications of the Republic of China is a cabinet-level governmental body of the Executive Yuan. It is in charge of all policy and regulation of transportation and communications networks and administration of all transportation and communications operations...
states that each train can board around 6,000 to 20,000 passengers per hour per direction (p/h/d). However, the Taiwan Department of Rapid Transit Systems (TCG) suggests an MCS has a capability of boarding around 20,000 to 30,000 p/h/d.
The train may have a shorter configuration than the standard metro
Rapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...
system, usually 3 to 6 cars
Railroad car
A railroad car or railway vehicle , also known as a bogie in Indian English, is a vehicle on a rail transport system that is used for the carrying of cargo or passengers. Cars can be coupled together into a train and hauled by one or more locomotives...
, allowing shorter platforms
Railway platform
A railway platform is a section of pathway, alongside rail tracks at a train station, metro station or tram stop, at which passengers may board or alight from trains or trams. Almost all stations for rail transport have some form of platforms, with larger stations having multiple platforms...
to be built. Rather than using steel wheels, rubber-tyred metro
Rubber-tyred metro
A rubber-tyred metro is a form of rapid transit system that uses a mix of road and rail technology. The vehicles have wheels with rubber tyres which run on rolling pads inside guide bars for traction, as well as traditional railway steel wheels with deep flanges on steel tracks for guidance through...
technology, such as the VAL system used on the Taipei Metro, is sometimes recommended, due to its low running noise
Noise pollution
Noise pollution is excessive, displeasing human, animal or machine-created environmental noise that disrupts the activity or balance of human or animal life...
, as well as the ability to climb steeper grades and turn tighter curves, thus allowing more flexible alignments.
Variants of the term
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, the "Light Metro" (Лёгкое метро) Л1 - Butovskaya Line
Butovskaya Light Metro Line
Butovskaya Line is a Light Metro line of the Moscow Metro. The line symbolizes an experiment of building rapid-transit in areas where tunnel boring is considered expensive and impractical...
has been built to serve the residents of outer Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
. This line connects the passengers with the main routes of Moscow Metro
Moscow Metro
The Moscow Metro is a rapid transit system serving Moscow and the neighbouring town of Krasnogorsk. Opened in 1935 with one line and 13 stations, it was the first underground railway system in the Soviet Union. As of 2011, the Moscow Metro has 182 stations and its route length is . The system is...
. VAL, the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
rubber-tyred fully automated metro system, also applies the term "Light Metro" to define its capacity (up to 30,000 p/h/d.) These can thus also be categorized into the medium-capacity system family.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Light metros can generally operate faster than heavy-rail rapid transit systems, due to shorter dwell times at stations and the faster acceleration/deceleration of lighter trains. For example, express trains on the New York City SubwayNew York City Subway
The New York City Subway is a rapid transit system owned by the City of New York and leased to the New York City Transit Authority, a subsidiary agency of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and also known as MTA New York City Transit...
are about as fast as the Vancouver SkyTrain
SkyTrain (Vancouver)
SkyTrain is a light rapid transit system in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. SkyTrain has of track and uses fully automated trains on grade-separated tracks, running mostly on elevated guideways, which helps SkyTrain to hold consistently high on-time reliability...
, but express trains skip most stops on lines where they operate.
Medium-capacity systems have a latent weakness in that as the service district's population increases, the increased transportation demand might create bottlenecks. But it is difficult to extend the platforms once in operation, since it must be done without interfering with traffic, especially for underground railway systems. Some railway planners may make provisions such as longer platforms than necessary so that they will be capable, in future, of accommodating trains with more cars or longer cars. The Taipei Rapid Transit System
Taipei Rapid Transit System
The Taipei Metro, more commonly known as the MRT or formally as the Taipei Rapid Transit System, is a rapid transit system serving metropolitan Taipei in Taiwan. The system is built and operated by the Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation and consists of 89 stations and of revenue track...
, for example, left extra space for two extra cars in all Wenshan Line and Neihu Line stations. The Ma On Shan Line in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
has even applied the railway standard (with less car configuration) for a possible link with the other existing heavy rail route without reconstructing the current system.
Examples
- AnkaraAnkaraAnkara is the capital of Turkey and the country's second largest city after Istanbul. The city has a mean elevation of , and as of 2010 the metropolitan area in the entire Ankara Province had a population of 4.4 million....
-- Ankaray light metro (3-car config, 77 metres length).
- BangkokBangkokBangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
-- BTS Skytrain (3-car config.)
- BusanBusanBusan , formerly spelled Pusan is South Korea's second largest metropolis after Seoul, with a population of around 3.6 million. The Metropolitan area population is 4,399,515 as of 2010. It is the largest port city in South Korea and the fifth largest port in the world...
-- Busan-Gimhae Light Rail TransitBusan-Gimhae Light Rail TransitThe Busan-Gimhae Light Rail Transit is a light rail transit system between the cities of Busan and Gimhae in South Korea. The line has a length of 23.92 km with 21 stations, and a design capacity of 176,000 passengers per day...
(2-car config.) - Busan Subway Line 4Busan Subway Line 4Busan Subway Line 4 is a line of the Busan Subway network that connects part of Gijang-gun, Busan, and upper Haeundae-gu, Busan, into Dongnae-gu, Busan. It is operated by the Busan Transportation Corporation. Opened on March 30, 2011, the line is a rapid transit system consisting of 14 stations -...
(6-car config. rubber tires)
- Busan-Gimhae Light Rail Transit
- CopenhagenCopenhagenCopenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
-- Copenhagen MetroCopenhagen MetroCopenhagen Metro is a rapid transit system serving Copenhagen, Frederiksberg and Tårnby in Denmark. The system opened between 2002 and 2007, and has two lines, M1 and M2. The driverless light metro supplements the larger S-train rapid transit system, and is integrated with DSB local trains and...
(3-car config, 39 metres length).
- Copenhagen Metro
- GuangzhouGuangzhouGuangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
-- Line 3Line 3, Guangzhou MetroLine 3 of the Guangzhou Metro or Southern-Northern Express Line is a 67.3-kilometer Y-shape line connecting Tianhe Coach Terminal to Panyu Square. Currentl all stations are underground...
(began with 3-car configuration, changed to 6-car in 2010)
- Line 3
- Hong KongHong KongHong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
-- Ma On Shan Line (4-car config.)
- South Island LineSouth Island LineThe South Island Line is a proposed line of the Hong Kong MTR metro system. Construction to the southern end of Hong Kong Island, which is at present not serviced by any rail transport, has been approved by the Executive Council of Hong Kong...
(planning, rubber-tyred) - Kwun Tong Line (had in the past run with 4-car and 6-car configuration)
- IstanbulIstanbulIstanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
-- Istanbul Hafif MetroIstanbul LRTThis article is about the M1 and T4 lines. For the M2 line, see the article M2.The Istanbul LRT , which consists of the M1 and T4 lines, is a light metro system in Istanbul with a total length of 32 km There are 36 stations, including 12 underground and 3 viaduct...
(4-car config).
- Istanbul Hafif Metro
- Kuala LumpurKuala LumpurKuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
-- Kelana Jaya LineKelana Jaya LineThe Kelana Jaya Line is a medium-capacity rail transport system and one of the three rail transit lines in the Kuala Lumpur Rail Transit System operated by RapidKL Rail network...
: (Mixed 2-car, 4-car fleet config)
- Kelana Jaya Line
- LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
-- Docklands Light RailwayDocklands Light RailwayThe Docklands Light Railway is an automated light metro or light rail system opened on 31 August 1987 to serve the redeveloped Docklands area of London...
- Docklands Light Railway
- Los AngelesLos ÁngelesLos Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
-- Los Angeles County Metro Rail (Green Line)LACMTA Green LineThe Green Line is a light rail line running between Redondo Beach and Norwalk within Los Angeles County; it is one of five forming the Los Angeles County Metro Rail system. In addition to Redondo Beach and Norwalk, the route also serves El Segundo, Hawthorne, Lynwood, South Gate, and Willowbrook...
- Los Angeles County Metro Rail (Green Line)
- New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
-- AirTrain JFKAirTrain JFKAirTrain JFK is a 3-line, -long people mover system and elevated railway in New York City providing service to John F. Kennedy International Airport...
- AirTrain JFK
- ManilaManilaManila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
- LRTLRTLRT may stand for:*IATA airport code for Lorient South Brittany Airport, France*Lewis Roberts-Thomson*Lithuanian National Radio and Television *Light rail, a form of urban rail public transportation...
- MRTMRT- Rapid transit systems :* Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit* Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit system in Kaohsiung, Taiwan* Manila Metro Rail Transit System* Mass Rapid Transit system in Singapore* MRT , officially named Mass Rapid Transit...
- LRT
- RussiaRussiaRussia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
-- Moscow MetroMoscow MetroThe Moscow Metro is a rapid transit system serving Moscow and the neighbouring town of Krasnogorsk. Opened in 1935 with one line and 13 stations, it was the first underground railway system in the Soviet Union. As of 2011, the Moscow Metro has 182 stations and its route length is . The system is...
: Л1 - Butovskaya LineButovskaya Light Metro LineButovskaya Line is a Light Metro line of the Moscow Metro. The line symbolizes an experiment of building rapid-transit in areas where tunnel boring is considered expensive and impractical...
(6.7k pph, 3~4-car config.)
- Moscow Metro
- ShanghaiShanghaiShanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
-- Line 5, Shanghai Metro
- Line 6, Shanghai Metro
- SingaporeSingaporeSingapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
-- Singapore MRT: Circle MRT LineCircle MRT LineThe Circle Line is Singapore's fourth Mass Rapid Transit line, operated by SMRT Corporation. This underground line is currently long with 28 stations and is fully automatically operated...
(3 car config.)
- Singapore MRT: Circle MRT Line
- TaipeiTaipeiTaipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
-- Taipei Rapid Transit SystemTaipei Rapid Transit SystemThe Taipei Metro, more commonly known as the MRT or formally as the Taipei Rapid Transit System, is a rapid transit system serving metropolitan Taipei in Taiwan. The system is built and operated by the Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation and consists of 89 stations and of revenue track...
:- Wenshan Line (TRTS) (rubber-tyredRubber-tyred metroA rubber-tyred metro is a form of rapid transit system that uses a mix of road and rail technology. The vehicles have wheels with rubber tyres which run on rolling pads inside guide bars for traction, as well as traditional railway steel wheels with deep flanges on steel tracks for guidance through...
, 4-car config.) - Neihu Line (TRTS)Neihu Line (TRTS)The Taipei Metro Neihu Line is a medium-capacity rapid transit system and runs on an elevated corridor except near Songshan Airport and Dazhi. The line's service length is and it is joined to the Wenshan Line at Zhongshan Junior High School Station, providing direct service through Neihu, Nangang,...
(Extension of the Wenshan line)
- Wenshan Line (TRTS) (rubber-tyred
- Taipei Rapid Transit System
- TorontoTorontoToronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
-- Scarborough RT (part of Toronto Subway and RTToronto subway and RTThe Toronto subway and RT is a rapid transit system in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, consisting of both underground and elevated railway lines, operated by the Toronto Transit Commission . It was Canada's first completed subway system, with the first line being built under Yonge Street, which opened in...
)
- Scarborough RT (part of Toronto Subway and RT
- VancouverVancouverVancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
-- SkyTrainSkyTrain (Vancouver)SkyTrain is a light rapid transit system in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. SkyTrain has of track and uses fully automated trains on grade-separated tracks, running mostly on elevated guideways, which helps SkyTrain to hold consistently high on-time reliability...
- SkyTrain
- WuhanWuhanWuhan is the capital of Hubei province, People's Republic of China, and is the most populous city in Central China. It lies at the east of the Jianghan Plain, and the intersection of the middle reaches of the Yangtze and Han rivers...
-- Line 1, Wuhan MetroWuhan MetroThe Wuhan Metro is an elevated and underground metro system in the city of Wuhan, Hubei, China. The system opened on 28 July 2004, making Wuhan the fifth city in mainland China to have a metro system after Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Guangzhou...
(4 car config.)
- Line 1, Wuhan Metro
External links
- Urban rail transit definitions by the USA's Transportation Research BoardTransportation Research BoardThe Transportation Research Board is a division of the National Research Council, which serves as an independent adviser to the President, the Congress and federal agencies on scientific and technical questions of national importance...
and the American Public Transportation AssociationAmerican Public Transportation AssociationThe American Public Transportation Association is a non-profit organization which serves as an advocate for the advancement of public transportation programs and initiatives in the United States. Since its founding in 1882, APTA has educated the public about the benefits of public transportation... - (Jane's) Urban Transit Systems