Rail Transit Solutions
Release date:
2025-10-11
Source:
Author:
A transportation system used in cities, where vehicles operate on fixed guideways and are primarily designed for urban passenger transport, is known as urban rail transit. According to China’s national standard, "Common Terminology for Urban Public Transportation," urban rail transit is defined as "a general term for rapid, high-capacity public transportation systems that typically rely on electric power and utilize a wheel-rail transportation method."
A transportation system used in cities, where vehicles operate on fixed guideways and are primarily designed for urban passenger transport, is known as urban rail transit. According to China’s national standard, "Common Terms and Definitions for Urban Public Transportation," urban rail transit is defined as "a general term for rapid, high-capacity public transportation systems that typically rely on electric power and utilize wheel-rail technology."
Urban rail transit refers to public transportation systems characterized by fixed routes, dedicated tracks, and equipped with vehicles and supporting facilities. The term "urban rail transit" encompasses a broad range of concepts and lacks a unified definition internationally. Generally speaking, urban rail transit—understood in its broader sense—is a rail-based transportation system that serves as a key component of a city's public passenger transport network, offering medium-to-high passenger capacity (distinct from road-based transportation). It primarily provides public transit services within urban areas (as opposed to intercity railways, though it may extend into suburban and metropolitan regions), playing a vital role as the backbone of modern, multi-dimensional urban public transportation systems.
The Role and Significance of Urban Rail Transit in Urban Public Transportation
- Urban rail transit is the backbone of urban public transportation, serving as the vital artery for passenger flow—and it’s a lifeline project for the city. Once completed and operational, it will directly impact how city residents travel, work, shop, and live their daily lives.
- Urban rail transit is widely recognized worldwide as a low-energy, low-pollution "green transportation" system—and it’s a golden key to tackling “urban challenges,” playing a critically important role in enabling cities to achieve sustainable development.
- Urban rail transit is the largest public-benefit infrastructure in the history of urban development, profoundly influencing a city's overall structure and growth model. To build an eco-friendly city, we must shift from the sprawling, "pie-in-the-sky" urban development model to a more streamlined, "open-hand" approach—where the backbone of this palm-shaped urban expansion is precisely urban rail transit. By developing cities along the corridors of rail transit lines, we can stimulate economic prosperity, foster the emergence of suburban satellite towns and multiple secondary hub centers. This transformation not only alleviates common urban challenges such as overcrowding in city centers, housing shortages, limited green spaces, and severe air pollution but also paves the way for more sustainable and balanced urban growth.
- The construction and development of urban rail transit systems help enhance the efficiency of citizens' commutes, save time, and improve their overall quality of life. In internationally renowned metropolises, where rail transit is highly developed and incredibly convenient, people rarely rely on private vehicles for transportation—they primarily depend on subways, light rails, and other forms of rail-based transit. As a result, urban traffic flows smoothly, making it easy and efficient for residents to travel while saving valuable time.
