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Urban Rail Transit

Urban rail transit is a general term for various types of local rail systems providing passenger service within and around urban or suburban areas.The set of urban rail systems can be roughly subdivided into the following categories.

Urban Rail Transit Types

Tram

A tram，streetcar or trolley system is a rail-based transit system that runs chiefly or completely along streets，with relatively low capacity and frequent stops.Passengers usually board at street-level or curb-level，although low-floor trams may allow level boarding.Longer-distance lines are called interurbans or radial railways.Few interurbans remain，most having been upgraded to commuter rail or abandoned.

The term“tram”is used in most parts of the world.In North America，these systems are referred to as“streetcar”or“trolley”systems.

Light rail

A Light rail system is a rail-based transit system that has higher capacity and speed than a tram，but it is not fully grade-separated like rapid transit.It emerged as an outgrowth of trams/streetcars.Light rail systems vary notably in terms of speed and capacity.They range from slightly improved tram systems to systems that are essentially rapid transit with level crossings.

The term“light rail”is the most common term used，though German systems are called“Stadtbahn”（City Rail）.

Rapid transit

A rapid transit，underground，subway，tube，elevated，or metro system is a railway—usually in an urban area—with a high capacity and frequency of service，and grade separation from other traffic.

In most parts of the world these systems are known as a“metro”which is short for“metropolitan”.The term“subway”is used in many American systems as well as in Glasgow and Toronto.The system in London uses the terms“underground”and“tube”.Systems in Germany are called“U-Bahn”，which stands for“Undergrundbahn”（underground way）.Many systems in East and Southeast Asia such as Taipei and Singapore are called MRT which stands for Mass Rapid Transit.Systems which are mainly elevated may be referred to as“L”as in Chicago or“Skytrain”，as in Bangkok and Vancouver.Other less common names include“MTR”and“T-bane”.

Monorail

A Monorail is a metro with a track consisting of a single rail，as opposed to the traditional track with two parallel rails.

Commuter Rail

A commuter rail or regional rail system operates on mainline trackage which may be shared with intercity rail and freight trains.Systems tend to operate at lower frequencies than rapid transit systems，but tend to travel at higher speeds and cover longer distances.Though many European and East Asian commuter rail systems operate with frequencies and rolling stock similar to that of rapid transit，they are not described as such because they share tracks with intercity trains.

Comparison of Types

New Words and Expressions

urban［′əːbən］　adj.　of，relating to，or located in a city　都市的，城市的，有关城市的，或居住在城市的

rail［reil］　n.　the railroad as a means of transportation　铁路；铁轨

transit［′trænsit，-zit］　n.　conveyance of people or goods from one place to another，especially on a local public transportation system　运输（把人或货物从一个地方运到另一个地方，尤指通过本地公共运输系统的运送）

suburban［sə′bəːbən］　adj.　of，or in a suburb　城郊的；在郊区的

roughly [ ′rʌfli]　adv.　made or done without attention to detail；approximately　粗略地；大概；大约

subdivide［'sʌbdi′vaid，′sʌbdivaid］　vt.　to divide a part or parts of sth.into smaller parts　细分，再分

category［′kætiɡəri］　n.　a specifically defined division in a system of classification；a class　种类，分类；范畴

tram［træm］　n.　（chiefly British）a streetcar　【多用于英国】有轨电车

capacity［kə′pæsiti］　n.　capability；the maximum amount that can be contained　能力；最大容量

board［bɔːd］　v.　to enter or go aboard（a vehicle or ship）　上车，上船：进入或登上（交通工具或船）

curb［kəːb］　n.　a concrete border or row of joined stones forming part of a gutter along the edge of a street　路缘；路边

interurban［'intə′əːbən］　adj.　relating to or connecting urban areas　市际的；都市间的

n.　the railway between cities　市间铁路，城间铁路

radial［′reidiəl］　adj.　of，relating to，or arranged like rays or radii　光线的，射线的；辐射状的

upgrade［′ʌpɡreid，ʌp′ɡreid］　vt.　to raise to a higher grade or standard；to improve the quality of sth.　提高；改善；使升级，提升

commuter［kə′mjuːtə］　n.　one that travels regularly from one place to another，as from suburb to city and back　通勤者，经常乘公共车辆往返者；月季票乘客

abandon［ə′bændən］　vt.to withdraw one’s support or help from；to give up by leaving or ceasing to operate　放弃；遗弃

emerge［i′məːdʒ］　vi.　to come into existence；appear；to rise from or as if from immersion　发生，使出现（存在）；浮现

outgrowth［′autɡrəuθ］　n.　the act or process of growing out；a result or consequence　结果；副产物；自然的发展；分枝

vary［′vεəri］　v.　to make or cause changes；to give variety to；to be different　改变；使多样化；不同

notably［′nəutəbli］　adv.　to a notable extent　显著地；尤其

range［reindʒ］（～from…to…）　v.　to vary within specified limits　在…范围内变动

metropolitan［'metrə′pɔlitən］　adj.　of，relating to a major city or urbanized area　大城市的，大都会的

n.　a citizen of a metropolis　大城市人

Glasgow［′ɡlɑːsɡəu］　n.　largest city in Scotland；a port on the Clyde in west central Scotland；one of the great shipbuilding centers of the world　格拉斯哥（英国城市名）

Toronto［tə′rɔntəu］　n.　the provincial capital and largest city in Ontario（and the largest city in Canada）　多伦多（加拿大城市）

Taipei［′tai′pei；-′bei］　n.Taibei　台北

Singapore［'siŋɡə′pɔː］　n.　the capital of Singapore；one of the world’s biggest ports　新加坡

elevated［′eliveitid］　adj.　raised especially above the ground　抬高的（特指抬高于地面）

n.　an elevated railway　抬高的　[口]高架铁路

Chicago［ʃi′kɑːɡəu］　n.　largest city in Illinois；a bustling Great Lakes port that extends 26 miles along the southwestern shoreline of Lake Michigan　芝加哥（美国中西部城市）

Bangkok［bæŋ′kɔk］　n.　the capital and largest city and chief port of Thailand；a leading city in southeastern Asia；noted for Buddhist architecture　曼谷（泰国首都）

Vancouver［væn′kuːvə］　n.　a port city in southwestern British Columbia on an arm of the Pacific Ocean opposite Vancouver Island；Canada’s chief Pacific port and third largest city　温哥华（加拿大主要港市）

parallel［′pærəlel］　adj.　being an equal distance apart everywhere　平行的

regional［′riːdʒənəl］　adj.　of or relating to a particular region or district　地区的；局部的；整个地区的

frequency［′frikwənsi］　n.　the property or condition of occurring at frequent intervals　频繁；频率

characteristic［'kærəktə′ristiks］　n.　a feature that helps to identify，tell apart，or describe recognizably；a distinguishing mark or trait　特性，特征；特色；特质

locomotive［′ləukə'məutiv，'ləukə′m-］　n.　a self-propelled vehicle，usually electric or diesel-powered，for pulling or pushing freight or passenger cars on railroad tracks　机车；火车头

MTR　地下铁　（如：香港地铁/港铁 Mass Transit Railway）

T-bane　地铁　（如：奥斯陆地铁 Oslo T-Bane）

Skytrain　a light rapid transit metro system in Greater Vancouver，British Columbia，Canada　架空列车，空中列车

注：空中轨道列车（Skytrain）也称为空中铁路，简称空轨，是轨道交通的一个分支，基本原理与地铁、轻轨相似，在设计思维上与地铁则相反，采用悬挂式动力转向架，车厢亦是悬挂式。空中铁路主要由控制中心、运行车辆、动力装置和轨道建设四个部分组成。

Stadtbahn　城市铁路　（如：德国慕尼黑市卡尔广场城铁站 Karlsplatz Stadtbahn Station）

U-Bahn　地铁　（如：法兰克福地铁 Frankfurt U-Bahn；慕尼黑地铁 Munich U-Bahn；柏林地铁 Berlin U-Bahn；维也纳地铁 Vienna U-Bahn）

urban rail transit　城市轨道交通

passenger service　旅客运输；客运服务

rail-based transit system　轨道运输系统

low capacity　低运量

frequent stop　停车频繁

low-floor tram　低地板有轨电车

level boarding　水平上车（乘客抬脚就能上车）

longer-distance line　长距离线路

radial railway　径向铁路，辐射形铁路

commuter rail=suburban rail　市郊铁路

light rail　轻轨

higher capacity　高运量

city rail　城市铁路

rapid transit　an urban public transit system using underground or elevated trains　地铁，（城市）高速（轨道）交通

level crossing=美式英语grade crossing，railroad crossing　a place where a railway line crosses a road　（铁路和公路交会的）平交道口，平面交叉处

grade separation　a crossing that uses an underpass or overpass　立体交叉

Mass Rapid Transit=MRT　an urban public transit system using underground or elevated trains　大众捷运系统；大运量快速交通

as opposed to=in contrast to　与……对照；与……对比

regional rail system　区域轨道交通系统，地区铁路系统

mainline trackage　干线铁路，干线轨道

intercity rail　城际铁路

freight train　（Syn：rattler）　a railroad train consisting of freight cars　货物列车，货运列车

low frequency　低频率

rolling stock　［UN］　collection of wheeled vehicles owned by a railroad or motor carrier　机车车辆，全部车辆

intercity train　城际列车

operating standard　操作标准[规范]；运行规程

metropolitan rail system　城市轨道系统

rail track　铁路线路，轨道

power supply　供电

units per train　列车编组

average speed　平均速度

passengers per train　列车容量，每列车的乘客数量

maximum passengers per hour per direction　高峰小时单向运送能力，每小时每方向最大乘客

at grade　[美]在同一水平面上，平面

mixed traffic　混合运输[客货]，混合交通

overhead line　高架线路，架空线

DMU=Diesel Multiple Unit　内燃动车组

third rail　a rail through which electric current is supplied to an electric locomotive　第三轨；输电轨；导电轨

fourth rail　第四轨，第四接触轨

heavy rail　重轨

Notes

1. Passenger service （or public transport；North American English： public transportation or public transit ）is a shared passenger transport service which is available for use by the general public，as distinct from modes such as taxicab，car pooling or hired buses which are not shared by strangers without private arrangement.

Public transport modes include buses，trolleybuses，trams and trains，rapid transit（metro/subways/undergrounds etc）and ferries.Public transport between cities is dominated by airlines，coaches，and intercity rail.High-speed rail networks are being developed in many parts of the world.

2.In a low-floor vehicle，access to part or all of the passenger cabin is unobstructed from one or more entrances by the presence of steps，enabling easier access for the infirm or people with push chairs.A further aspect may be that the entrance and corridors are wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair.Low-floor vehicles have been developed for buses，trolleybuses and trams.

3.The interurban was a type of electric railway，particularly prevalent in the United States and Canada，in the period 1900 to 1925，specializing primarily in the conveyance of passengers between cities.They also allowed fast and easy access to those cities to people who lived in the suburban or rural areas beyond.Interurban is a term that referred to both the interurban company and to the passenger cars that ran on the rails.

4. Grade separation is the method of aligning a junction of two or more surface transport axes at different heights（grades）so that they will not disrupt the traffic flow on other transit routes when they cross each other.The composition of such transport axes does not have to be uniform；it can consist of a mixture of roads，footpaths，railways，canals，or airport runways.Bridges，tunnels，or a combination of both can be built at a junction to achieve the needed grade separation.

In North America，a grade-separated junction may be referred to as a grade separation or as an interchange—in contrast with an intersection or an at-grade，which are not grade-separated.

5.The Glasgow Subway （格拉斯哥地铁）is an underground metro line in Glasgow，Scotland.Opened on 14 December 1896，it is the third-oldest underground metro system in the world after the London Underground and the Budapest Metro.It is the only heavy rail underground metro system in the British Isles outside London，and also the only one outside London which operates completely underground.It is also one of the very few railways in the world with a track running gauge of 4 ft（1，219mm）.Formerly a cable railway，the Subway was later electrified，but its twin circular lines were never expanded.

6.The Toronto Subway and RT （多伦多地铁）is a rapid transit system in Toronto，Ontario，Canada，consisting of both underground and elevated railway lines，operated by the Toronto Transit Commission（TTC）.It was Canada’s first completed subway system：the first line was built under Yonge Street，which opened in 1954 with 12 stations.Since then，the system has expanded to become Canada’s second largest and second busiest rapid transit rail network with an average of 1058100 passenger trips each weekday（as of Q4 2012），after the Montreal Metro.The subway and RT encompass four lines and 69 stations on 68.3 kilometres of track，with six more stations and 8.6 kilometres scheduled to open in Fall 2016.

The TTC sometimes uses the term“rapid transit”internally to describe all four lines，but in public usage they are called subway lines，with the exception of the Scarborough RT，which is commonly called“the RT”.

7.The London Underground （伦敦地铁）（also known as the Tube or simply the Underground ）is a public metro system serving a large part of Greater London and parts of the counties of Buckinghamshire，Hertfordshire and Essex.The system serves 270 stations and has 402 kilometres of track，55 percent of which is above ground.The network incorporates the world’s first underground railway，the Metropolitan Railway，which opened in 1863 and is now part of the Circle，Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines；and the first line to operate underground electric traction trains，the City & South London Railway in 1890，now part of the Northern line.The network has expanded to 11 lines，and in 2012/2013 carried over 1 billion passengers.

The system’s first tunnels were built just below the surface using the cut and cover method.Later，circular tunnels—which give rise to its nickname the Tube—were dug through the London Clay at a deeper level.The early lines were marketed as the UNDERGROUND in the early 20th century on maps and signs at central London stations.

8.The Taipei Metro ，more commonly known as the MRT or formally as the Taipei Rapid Transit System （台北大众捷运系统），is a rapid transit system serving metropolitan Taipei in Taiwan.The system is built by the Department of Rapid Transit Systems（DORTS）and operated by the Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation（TRTC） （台北大众捷运公司）.It consists of 103 stations（109 stations if transfer stations are double-counted）and 11 lines，operating on 121.4 kilometres of revenue track.The system carried an average of over 1.78 million passengers per day in December 2012.

The Taipei Metro is Taiwan’s first metro system.Since it first began operations in 1996，the system has been effective in relieving some of Taipei’s traffic congestion problems.The system has also proved effective as a catalyst for urban renewal，as well as increasing tourist traffic to outlying towns such as Tamsui.Conversions to existing railway lines were made to integrate them into the metro system.

9.The Mass Rapid Transit or MRT（Singapore） （新加坡大众捷运系统/地铁）is a rapid transit system forming the major component of the railway system in Singapore，spanning the entire city-state.The initial section of the MRT，between Yio Chu Kang and Toa Payoh，opened in 1987，making it the second-oldest metro system in Southeast Asia，after Manila’s LRT System.The network has since grown rapidly in accordance with Singapore’s aim of developing a comprehensive rail network as the backbone of the public transport system in Singapore，with an average daily ridership of 2.649 million in 2012，approximately 76％ of the bus network’s 3.481 million in the same period.

10. Chicago“L” （芝加哥地铁/芝加哥捷运）：The CTA“L” （sometimes written as “L” or“el”），short for“elevated”is the rapid transit system serving the city of Chicago and some of its surrounding suburbs，in the U.S.state of Illinois.It is operated by the Chicago Transit Authority（CTA）.It is both the third largest rapid transit system in total track mileage in the United States and the third busiest rail mass transit system in the United States after the New York City Subway and the Washington Metro.

11. BTS Skytrain： The Bangkok Mass Transit System （曼谷大众运输系统/曼谷轻轨），commonly known as the BTS or the Skytrain ，is an elevated rapid transit system in Bangkok，Thailand.It is operated by Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited（BTSC）under a concession granted by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration（BMA）.The system consists of 34 stations along two lines：the Sukhumvit Line running northwards and eastwards，terminating at Mo Chit and Bearing respectively，and the Silom Line which plies Silom and Sathon Roads，the Central Business District of Bangkok，terminating at the National Stadium and Wongwian Yai.The lines interchange at Siam Station and have a combined route distance of 55km.The system is formally known as the Elevated Train in Commemoration of HM the King’s 6th Cycle Birthday.

12. SkyTrain（Vancouver） （温哥华架空列车）： SkyTrain is a light rapid transit metro system in Greater Vancouver，British Columbia，Canada.SkyTrain has 68.7km of track and uses fully automated trains on grade-separated tracks，running mostly on elevated guideways，which gives passengers views across the city and helps SkyTrain to hold consistently high（over 95％）on-time reliability.It also uses the world’s longest cable-supported transit-only bridge，the Skybridge，to cross the Fraser River.

13. Inter-city rail services are express passenger train services that cover longer distances than commuter or regional trains.

14. Rail freight transport is the use of railroads to transport cargo as opposed to human passengers.A freight train or goods train is a group of freight cars（US）or goods wagons（UIC）hauled by one or more locomotives on a railway，transporting cargo all or part of the way between the shipper and intended destination as part of the logistics chain.Trains may haul bulk material，intermodal containers，general freight or specialized freight in purpose-designed cars.Rail freight practices and economics vary by country and region.

15.The track on a railway or railroad，also known as the permanent way ，is the structure consisting of the rails，fasteners， railroad ties （sleepers，British English）and ballast（or slab track），plus the underlying subgrade.For clarity it is often referred to as railway track （British English and UIC terminology）or railroad track（predominantly in the United States）.

16.An at-grade intersection is a junction at which two or more transport axes cross at the same level（or grade）.With areas of high or fast traffic，an at-grade intersection normally requires a traffic control device such as a stop sign，traffic light or railway signal to manage conflicting traffic.

17.A railway electrification system supplies electrical energy to railway trains and trams so that they can operate without having an on-board prime mover.Railway electrification has many advantages over other power systems for traction，but it requires significant capital expenditure for installation.

18.An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages，using electricity as the motive power.An EMU requires no separate locomotive，as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number of the carriages.Most EMUs are used for passenger trains.An EMU is usually formed of two or more semi-permanently coupled carriages，but electrically powered single-unit railcars are also generally classed as EMUs.

19.An overhead line ，or overhead wire ，is used to transmit electrical energy to trams，trolleybuses or trains at a distance from the energy supply point.Overhead line is designed on the principle of one or more overhead wires or rails（particularly in tunnels）situated over rail tracks，raised to a high electrical potential by connection to feeder stations at regular intervals.

20.A third rail is a method of providing electric power to a railway train，through a semi-continuous rigid conductor placed alongside or between the rails of a railway track.It is used typically in a mass transit or rapid transit system，which has alignments in its own corridors，fully or almost fully segregated from the outside environment.In most cases，third rail systems supply direct current electricity.

21.The London Underground in England is one of the few networks that uses a four-rail system.On the London Underground，a top-contact fourth rail is located centrally between the running rails at 210 V DC，which combine to provide a traction voltage of 630 V DC.The same system was used for Milan’s earliest underground line，Milan Metro’s line 1，whose more recent lines use an overhead catenary or a fourth rail.

Exercises

Ⅰ.Answer the following questions according to the text.

1.What is the definition of urban rail transit？

2.What are the types of urban rail transit？

3.What kind of system is a tram？

4.What are longer-distance lines called？

5.What are tram systems referred to in North America？

6.What kind of system is a light rail？

7.What is the range of light rail？

8.What are“light rail”systems called in German？

9.What is a rapid transit？

10.What is“metro”short for？

11.What are“rapid transit”systems called in different languages？

12.What is a monorail？

13.What is a commuter rail？

14.What kind of rail tracks for Metro？

15.What are maximum passengers per hour per direction for light rail？

Choose the best answer to each question.

Ⅱ.Choose the best answer to each question.

1.The units per train for light rail is___________.

A.1-2　　B.2-6　　C.Up to 10　　D.Up to 12

2.The average speed for commuter rail is___________km/h.

A.10-20　　B.30-40　　C.35-45　　D.45-65

3.Commuter rail systems tend to operate at___________frequencies than rapid transit systems，but tend to travel at___________speeds and cover___________distances.

A.higher，higher，shorter　　B.lower，higher，longer

C.lower，lower，shorter　　D.higher，lower，longer

4.The number of passengers per train for metro is___________.

A.125-250　　B.260-900　　C.800-2，000　　D.1，000-2，200

5.The power supply for tram is___________.

A.overhead lines　　B.third rail　　C.fourth rail　　D.locomotive

Ⅲ.Translate the following sentences into Chinese.

1.Urban rail transit is an all-encompassing term for various types of local rail systems providing passenger service within and around urban or suburban areas.

2.A tram，streetcar or trolley system is a rail-based transit system that runs mainly or completely along streets，with relatively low capacity and frequent stops.

3.A light rail system is a rail-based transit system that has higher capacity and speed than a tram，but is not fully grade-separated like rapid transit.

4.A monorail is a metro with a track consisting of a single rail，as opposed to the traditional track with two parallel rails.

5.A commuter rail or regional rail system operates on mainline trackage which may be shared with intercity rail and freight trains.

Ⅳ.Summary writing

In not more than 80 words give an account of this passage.Use your own words as far as possible. rw3r7Qm7rvumNrLLOC3atceXOhnWW+GWbMmcaluOVKbb0BwdnklvD1icax+UdTRg