Urban Rail in 21st Century America

Several forms of urban rail transit serve American cities on the eve of the 21st century. Traditional rail rapid transit and commuter rail lines long established in many metropolitan areas have been joined in the last 40 years by new regional rapid transit, light rail, and commuter rail systems. More than 20 U.S. cities now have some form of urban rail service, with more in the planning or design phases. Rail transit systems (especially rapid transit and commuter railroads) are the main means of traveling to or from the downtown areas in most large cities. They account for more than half of all peak-hour entrants into downtown Ne