Light Rail Central
Austin Light Rail
Lightrail.com's definition:An electric railway system, constructed in the 1970s or later, characterized by its ability to operate single or multiple car consists (trains) along exclusive rights-of-way at ground level, on aerial structures, in subways or in streets, and to board and discharge passengers at station platforms or at street, track, or car-floor level.
Simply stated: Light Rail = Trolley = Streetcar = Tram = Tramway
APTA Glossary of Transit Terminology definition:
"An electric railway with a "light volume" traffic capacity compared to heavy rail. Light rail may use shared or exclusive rights-of-way, high or low platform loading and multi-car trains or single cars. Also known as "streetcar," "trolley car" or "tramway."
Transportation Research Board definition:
Light rail transit is a metropolitan electric railway system characterized by its ability to operate single cars or short trains along exclusive rights-of-way at ground level, on aerial structures, in subways or, occasionally, in streets, and to board and discharge passengers at track or car-floor level.