Rail transit in the next millennium: Some global perspectives

Abstract

Worldwide rail transit is discussed, focusing on grade-separated metro and light rail systems. Systems are compared by continent and country, number of lines per urban area, line lengths, station spacing, rail kilometers per million persons, annual rides per capita, and riders per route kilometer. Nine countries-the United States, the former Soviet Union, Germany, Japan, France, China, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and Canada-account for 68 percent of all rail transit systems. Ridership per capita is generally lowest in North America and highest on systems in the former Soviet Union. Europe has the largest number of systems, the most rail kilometers per million persons, and the third highest level in annual rides per capita. Comparisons and trends suggest a need for additional rail transit in the next millennium, as urban areas throughout the world continue to grow.