Monorail and light rail are both rapid transit systems designed for efficient transportation of people in large cities. While they share some similarities, there are several key differences that set them apart.
Key Takeaways
- Monorail operates on a single elevated rail, while light rail runs on two ground-level rails.
- Construction costs for monorail systems are typically higher than those for light rail systems.
- Monorail trains generally move at faster speeds and are better suited for longer distances, while light rail trains have slower speeds and are more suitable for shorter distances and multiple stops within a city.
Monorail systems utilize a single rail, hence the name, which is in contrast to conventional railways that operate on two rails. Monorail systems require an elevated track in the middle of the city and run without interference from city traffic. These systems are usually more expensive than traditional railway systems, which is why they are limited to only a few cities. One advanced monorail system, called maglev (magnetic levitation), was developed by German scientists and allows trains to reach speeds of up to 500 km/h.
Light rail, on the other hand, is a ground-level rapid transit system used in many cities worldwide. Light rail trains consist of multiple cars joined together and have a lower capacity and slower speed than monorail trains. In many ways, light rail systems resemble the tram systems used in earlier times. Light rail systems are better suited for those needing to travel short distances and make multiple stops throughout a city. These trains run on two rails, similar to other rail systems.
