The temptation of light rail which results in a light transit approach The temptation of light rail in the Netherlands has already been present for quite some time, but has hardly reached the passenger. After the introduction of light rail the euphoria was great, as light rail promised high quality against low costs. Light rail was to offer advantages to the passengers concerned, transport authorities, environmental planners and politicians. In the lengthy and complex process which follows, the unanimous enthusiasm erodes. A great deal of aspects played a role in this process, among which interests, administrative uncertainties, technology, safety , implementation and exploitation. The feasibility of light rail has thus come under pressure and new temptations develop as an alternative or predecessor of light rail. Examples are the superbus and the light train. Transport concepts which come close to the quality of light rail, but can be realised more easily. Together with light rail this creates a range of high quality transport solutions. Collectively this range is summarised as light transit. This makes light transit more a level of quality than a system concept. At the level of quality an optimal transport concept can be defined, depending on the circumstances, transport demand, network, development plans, etc. The choice of a superbus, light rail, light train or people mover is a matter of elaboration. For the development of light transit connections the lessons learnt from the light rail process can thankfully be used, so that light transit will quickly succeed in seducing the potential passenger. (Author/publisher)
Abstract