Photo: Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, 2011.
Light rail transit systems emerged in the 1970s as a replacement and overhaul of streetcar systems that were becoming obsolete. While servicing similar high-density urban areas than their streetcar predecessors, they have the advantage of being longer, faster, and able to carry more passengers, with increased comfort. They commonly use dedicated rights of way and have stations for passengers to embark and disembark. It is common in central areas for light rail lines to share the road with pedestrians and vehicles.