KEY ISSUES IN LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT STATION PLANNING AND DESIGN

Abstract

Planning for light rail transit (LRT) systems often focuses on the development of alignment alternatives to maximize use of available rights-of-way. The selection of station locations sometimes seems to follow almost as an afterthought. Ideally, station sites should be planned first, and the alignments should be developed to connect the stations. In practice, however, LRT planning involves a balance between locating alignments and locating stations. Some of the major issues planners must address in locating and designing stations include station spacing, station location, mix of land uses served, pedestrian access to stations, station layout and its relation to operations, and implementation. How LRT planners can address each issue to maximize ridership and reduce costs is illustrated by examples from recently constructed LRT systems and systems still in planning.