Generating opportunities for city sustainability through investments in light rail systems: Introduction to the Special Section on light rail and urban sustainability

Quality transport plays a critical role in perceptions, plans and development of sustainable urban centres and sustainable mobility futures (Banister, 2008; Goetz, 2013). This Special Section focuses on Light Rail Transit (LRT) development and its role in wider sustainability initiatives, particularly those focused on economic growth and, to a lesser extent, social and cultural dimensions. Light rail is commonly recognised as an efficient, smart and lower polluting form of rapid transport that structures passenger mobility in and around urban centres (Hickman et al., 2013)