Medium-capacity rail system


A medium-capacity system, also known as light rapid transit or light metro, is a rail transport system with a capacity greater than light rail, but less than typical heavy-rail rapid transit.
Since ridership determines the scale of a rapid transit system, statistical modeling allows planners to size the rail system for the needs of the area. When the predicted ridership falls between the service requirements of a light rail and heavy rail or metro system, an MCS project is indicated. An MCS may also result when a rapid transit service fails to achieve the requisite ridership due to network inadequacies or changing demographics.
In contrast with most light rail systems, an MCS usually runs on a fully grade separated exclusive right-of-way. In some cases, the distance between stations is much longer than typically found on heavy rail networks. An MCS may also be suitable for branch line connections to another mode of a heavy-capacity transportation system, such as an airport or a main route of a metro network.

Definition

The definition of a medium-capacity system varies due to its non-standardization. Inconsistencies in international definitions are even reflected within individual countries. For example, the Taiwan Ministry of Transportation and Communications states that each MCS system can board around 6,000–20,000 passengers per hour per direction, while the Taiwan Department of Rapid Transit Systems suggests an MCS has a capability of boarding around 20,000–30,000 p/h/d, and a report from the World Bank places the capacity of an MCS at 15,000–30,000 p/h/d. For comparison, ridership capacity of more than 30,000 p/h/d has been quoted as the standard for metro or "heavy rail" standards rapid transit systems, while light rail systems have passenger capacity volumes of around 10,000–12,000 p/h/d or 12,000–18,000 p/h/d. Generally speaking, medium capacity systems have lower ridership capacity when compared to other heavy rail systems in the same area. However, passenger capacity volume is just one possible criterion used to define a medium-capacity rail transit system.
Another criterion that can be used to define a medium-capacity rail system is vehicle type. For example, the train in an MCS may have a shorter configuration than the standard metro system, usually three to six traincars, allowing for shorter platforms to be built and used. Rather than using steel wheels, rubber-tyred metro technology, such as the VAL system used on the Taipei Metro, is sometimes recommended, due to its low running noise, as well as the ability to climb steeper grades and turn tighter curves, thus allowing more flexible alignments.
Fully heavy rail or metro systems generally have train headways of 10 minutes or better during peak hours. Some systems that qualify as heavy rail/metro in every other way, but which have network inadequacies can only achieve lesser headways which result in lower passenger volume capacities, and thus would be more accurately defined as "light metro" or "medium-capacity" systems as a result.

Terminology

In addition to MCS, light metro is a common alternative in European countries, India, and South Korea.
In some countries, however, light metro systems are conflated with light rail. In South Korea, Light Rail is used as the translation for the original Korean term, "경전철" – its literal translation is "Light Metro", but it actually means "Any railway transit other than heavy rail, which has capacity between heavy rail and bus transit". For example, the U Line in Uijeongbu utilizes VAL system, a variant of medium-capacity rail transport, and is therefore categorized "light metro" by LRTA and others, though the operator itself and South Korean sources refer to the U Line as "light rail". Busan–Gimhae Light Rail Transit is also akin to a light metro in its appearance and features, thought the operator refers it as a "light rail". Likewise, Malaysian officials and media commonly refer to the Kelana Jaya, Ampang and Sri Petaling lines as "light rail transit" systems; when originally opened, the original Malay abbreviations for the lines, PUTRA-LRT and STAR-LRT did not clearly distinguish between light rail and light rapid transit. Some articles in India also refer to some "light metro"-type systems as "light rail". The Light Rail Transit Association, a nonprofit organization, also categorizes several public transport systems as "light metro".
As mentioned above, VAL systems are categorized in the medium-capacity rail systems family because their manufacturer defines their passenger capacities as being up to 30,000 p/h/d.
In Hong Kong, MTR's Ma On Shan Line could, in some contexts, be classified as a MCS but can attain up to 32,000 p/h/d which is comparable to the passenger capacity of some full metro transit networks. This classification did not last for much longer as full-length, 8-car trains were being deployed on the line in advance of its extension and transformation into Tuen Ma line in 2020. Two other lines, the Disneyland Resort Line shuttle service to Hong Kong Disneyland Resort since 2005 and the South Island Line since December 2016, are also built to MCS standards.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main reason to build a light metro instead of a regular metro is to reduce costs, mainly because this system employs shorter vehicles and shorter stations.
Light metros may operate faster than heavy-rail rapid transit systems due to shorter dwell times at stations, and the faster acceleration and deceleration of lighter trains. For example, express trains on the New York City Subway are about as fast as the Vancouver SkyTrain, but these express trains skip most stops on lines where they operate.
Medium-capacity systems have restricted growth capacities as ridership increases. For example, it is difficult to extend station platforms once a system is in operation, especially for underground railway systems, since this work must be done without interfering with traffic. Some railway systems, like Hong Kong and Wuhan, may make advance provisions for longer platforms, for example, so that they will be able to accommodate trains with more, or longer cars, in the future. Taipei Metro, for example, constructed extra space for two extra cars in all its Wenhu Line stations.

List of medium-capacity rail systems

The following is the list of currently-operating MCSs which are categorized as light metros by the Light Rail Transit Association as of 2013, unless otherwise indicated.
CountryLocationSystemLinesYear openedComments
BulgariaSofiaSofia Metro – Line 312020 Driverless vehicle system – 60 m long trains; Siemens chosen as technology supplier
CanadaTorontoToronto subway: Line 311985Categorized by APTA as being "intermediate rail", and categorized as a "light metro" by LRTA.
CanadaVancouverSkyTrain31985While using equipment typically employed in medium-capacity systems, the Expo and Millennium lines approach the capacity of a full "rapid transit" system since they operate with longer 4- and 6-car Bombardier Innovia Metro trains. However, the Canada Line operates with 2-car Rotem trains.
ChinaGuangzhouZhujiang New Town Automated People Mover System12010The system uses 14 Bombardier Transportation's APM 100 cars built in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
ChinaHong KongDisneyland Resort Line
12005Trains: 3 compartments without drivers. Some of the M-Train cars used in the Disneyland Resort Line were originally ordered from 1994–1998 as subtype H-Stock train. Units A/C274 A/C281 A/C284 A/C289 A/C291 and B/C490 are now used on the Disneyland Resort Line.
ChinaHong KongSouth Island Line12016Trains: 3-car S-Trains Categorized as a "Medium-capacity rail transport system".
ChinaMacauMacau Light Rapid Transit12019using Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Crystal Mover APM vehicles with rubber tyres running on concrete tracks. Mitsubishi supplied 55 two-car trains that are fully automated and utilise a rubber-tyred APM system. They have a capacity of up to 476 passengers.
DenmarkCopenhagenCopenhagen Metro32002Driverless vehicle system. Trains: 3-car config., 39 metres length.
FranceLilleLille Metro21983VAL people mover system. Trains: 2-car config., 26 metres in length, with a maximum passenger capacity of 208–240 per train. Nevertheless, UrbanRail.net describes it as a "new generation of metro systems".
FranceParisOrlyval11991VAL people mover system, using VAL 206 vehicles.
FranceRennesRennes Metro12002VAL people mover system – while trains have 80 second headways, they can only carry 158 people per train. Described as a "mini-metro line".
FranceToulouseToulouse Metro21993Although a VAL system, LRTA defines the system as "Metro." On the other hand, UrbanRail.net describes it as a "light metro VAL system".
IndiaGurgaonRapid Metro Gurgaon12013Driverless vehicle system. The line is designed to carry up to 30,000 passengers per hour. Several articles define the system as "light metro."
IndonesiaJakartaJakarta LRT12019Trains: 3-car config,
IndonesiaPalembangPalembang LRT12018Trains: 3-car config, 51.8 metres length.
IndonesiaMedanMedan Light Rail Transit1TBDTrains: TBD
ItalyBresciaBrescia Metro12013Trains: 3-car config, 39 metres length.
ItalyCataniaCatania Metro11999Single-tracked at-grade section limits headways to 15 minutes. Currently of double track extension are under construction.
ItalyGenoaGenoa Metro11990Generally considered to be a "light metro" considering its low frequency, limited hours of operation and reduced transport capacity. It is actually categorized as "light rail" by LRTA.
ItalyMilanMilan Metro: Line 5 and Line 422013, 2020 Line 4 is under construction. Driverless vehicle system. Trains: 4-car configuration, 50.5 metres length, capacity for 536 passengers maximum.
ItalyNaplesNaples Metro11993Line 6 is categorized as "light metro", with only 16 minute headways. Line 1 has a single-tracked tunnel section.
ItalyPerugiaMiniMetro12008LRTA defines the system as a "light metro," while they regarded the same system in Laon, which ceased in 2016, as a "cable monorail."
ItalyTurinTurin Metro12006VAL people mover system.
JapanHiroshimaAstram Line11994Driverless vehicle system. A small part of the underground section was built as Metro system.
JapanKobeKobe New Transit21981, 1990Trains: Port Island Line and Rokkō Island Line. Both consist of 4-car config, but the platforms are made for fitting to 6-car config.
JapanOsakaNankō Port Town Line11981Trains: 4-car config, but the platforms are designed to apply to 6-car.
JapanSaitamaNew Shuttle11983Trains: 6-car config, rubber-tyred and operated manually.
JapanSakuraYamaman Yūkarigaoka Line11982Trains: 3-car config. An AGT with center-guideway system. Because of the form, LRTA defines the system as a monorail.
JapanTokorozawaSeibu Yamaguchi Line11985Trains: 4-car config, rubber-tyred and operated manually. Not mentioned LRTA nor UrbanRail.net.
JapanTokyoNippori-Toneri Liner12008Trains: 5-car config, driverless vehicle system.
JapanTokyoYurikamome11995Trains: 6-car config, driverless vehicle system.
JapanYokohamaKanazawa Seaside Line11989Driverless vehicle system.
MalaysiaKuala LumpurRapid KL – LRT Kelana Jaya, LRT Ampang and LRT Sri Petaling21998Bombardier INNOVIA ART 200 Trains: Mixed 2-car, 4-car config. fleet.
MalaysiaPenangBayan Lepas LRT line12024TBC
MalaysiaKuchingKuching Line12024
2022		Initially, it was proposed that the LRT will use hydrogen fuel cell rolling-stock with a travel speed of 70–140km/h. However since September 2019, the government of Sarawak choose China's Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit system than LRT due to its more affordable cost where the state transport minister said it will be ready by 2022.
MalaysiaKota KinabaluKota Kinabalu Line1TBCTBC
PhilippinesManila Manila Light Rail Transit System Line 1 11984Trains: LRT-1 Line began with 2-car configuration, reconfigured to 3-car in 2004, and procured new 4-car configurations in 1999 and 2007..
PhilippinesManilaManila Metro Rail Transit System Line 3 11999Trains: 3-car config., with a max. capacity of 1,182 passengers, and running with 4–5 minute headways. However, line is designed for 23,000 p/h/d capacity. Categorized as "light rail" by LRTA..
RussiaMoscowMoscow Metro: Line 12 – Butovskaya Line12003Can carry 6,700 p/h/d. Trains: 3-car config, ~85 metres length
SingaporeSingaporeSingapore MRT: Circle Line, Downtown Line, Thomson-East Coast Line and Jurong Region Line 4 2009, 2013, 2020, 2026 The Circle Line rolling stock consists of Alstom C830 and C830C trains in 3-car formations with a maximum capacity of 931 passengers. The Downtown Line rolling stock consists of Bombardier C951 & C951A trains also in 3-car formations with a maximum capacity of 931 passengers. The Thomson-East Coast Line rolling stock consists of Kawasaki Sifang CT251 trains in 4-car formations with a maximum capacity of 1,280 passengers. The Jurong Region Line rolling stock will consist of Hyundai Rotem CJ151 trains in 3-car formations with a maximum capacity of 600 passengers.
South KoreaBusanBusan Metro Line 412009Unmentioned by LRTA, though UrbanRail.net categorizes the line as a "light metro."
South KoreaBusanBusan–Gimhae Light Rail Transit12011Driverless vehicle system. Trains: 2-car config. Unmentioned by LRTA, but the operator calls the system "light rail".
South KoreaSeoulUi LRT12017Each train consists of 2-car trains and runs unmanned.
South KoreaUijeongbuU Line12012VAL driverless system. Trains: 2-car config.
Categorized as a "light metro" by LRTA and elsewhere, though there are also articles categorizing it as "Light Rail."
SpainBarcelonaBarcelona Metro: Line 8 and Line 1122003Driverless vehicle system. Trains: 2-car config. LRTA also categorizes Line 8 as "light metro."
SpainMálagaMálaga Metro12014System contains at-grade intersections on surface section of Line 1. Described as a "light metro" by at least one rail publication.
SpainPalma, MajorcaPalma Metro: Line M112007Mostly underground line operates with just 15-minute headways and two-car trains ; one reference even categorizes line as "light rail".
SpainSevilleSeville Metro12000Trains: 31.3 metres length with a max. capacity of 280 passengers. Described as a "light metro" by rolling stock manufacturer, CAF.
TaiwanTaipeiTaipei Metro: Brown Line and Yellow Line21996, 2019 Brown Line – Trains: Rubber-tire system; 4-car config; categorized as a part of the "metro" by LRTA.
Yellow Line – planned to open in 2019, will use AnsaldoBreda Driverless Metro vehicles, and is categorized as a "light metro" by LRTA.
ThailandBangkokBangkok MRT: MRT Purple Line120163-car configuration
TurkeyAnkaraAnkaray Light Metro 11996Trains: 3-car config, approx. 90 metres length. Categorized as a "light rail" by LRTA, though Current capacity: 27,000 p/h/d.
TurkeyIstanbulIstanbul Metro:
M1 Line 		11989Trains: 4-car config. "Hafif Metro" literally translates as "Light Metro". Categorized as a "light rail" by LRTA.
United KingdomGlasgowGlasgow Subway11896Gauge:. Trains: 3-car config.
United KingdomLondonDocklands Light Railway71987Driverless vehicle system. Trains: generally 2–3-car config. Categorized as a "light rail" by LRTA.
United StatesHonoluluHART12020 under construction
United StatesMiamiMetromover31986Considered to be a "people mover".
United StatesPhiladelphiaNorristown High Speed Line
11907Has been categorized by APTA as being "Light rapid rail transit".
VenezuelaMaracaiboMaracaibo Metro12006Trains: 3-car trainset config, ~58 metres length. Categorized as a "light rail" by LRTA.
VenezuelaValenciaValencia Metro12007Trains: 2-car Siemens SD-460 config, ~55 metres length. Categorized as a "light rail" by LRTA.

Former examples

The following is the list of former-MCSs that either developed into a full rapid transit system, or which are no longer in operation: