For the technically minded

Modern light rail vehicles can be up to 50 metres in length and can carry up to 300 passengers per vehicle. They are built in modules and therefore can be expanded as the demand increases.

They are driven by electric motors mounted under the floor which take current from an overhead wire at 750 volts DC.

An electric motor drive is extremely efficient in converting electricity to vehicle power achieving a figure of between 85% & 90%, far higher then any internal combustion engine. Interestingly by contrast with internal combustion engines, electric motors deliver their maximum torque at zero revs. This means you get maximum acceleration, up to 1.4 m/sec2 from a standing start, ideal for transport. Additionally electric motors can become generators when a vehicle is braking.

The term is known as regenerative braking and puts power back into the grid. This can be a substantial saving as; dependent upon the specific operation, between 30% and 40% of power used can be put back into the system.

The top speed of light rail vehicles is usually no more than 80 kph as there is no advantage in higher speeds between relatively close stops; however on longer sections 100 kph can be attained.

Because light rail vehicles travel on a fixed rail system they are able to avail themselves of sophisticated automated rail control systems. This feature provides a much safer system which both reduces the chance of driver error and allows controlled headways.

Light Rail vehicles are bi-directional with doors both sides and a cab at each end and thus do not need the real estate for turning.

The vehicles have a design life of 30 years and although their initial cost is high, their life cycle costs are less than other modes.