What is the difference between streetcars and light rail?
They use very similar technologies. A main difference is that light rail lines usually operate mainly on exclusive rights of way (i.e., on the ground, in tunnels and on elevated structures) whereas streetcars usually operate mainly in the streets. This is one reason that light rail generally provides faster speeds than streetcars; others include the facts that the stops are typically spaced farther apart and the vehicles are designed for higher speeds. In addition, light rail vehicles are usually larger and have greater passenger capacities. However, the differences are not always clear, as some streetcar lines have light rail-like characteristics and some light rail lines run on streetcar tracks for part of their routes.
