The Light Rail Transit Planning Process: Case Materials

Abstract

In recent years, American cities have initiated light rail transit (LRT) plan ning and implementation because of its affordability, technological feasi bility, and environmental benefits. In spite of these alleged advantages, LRT planning has confronted the same obstacles faced by other major transportation infrastructure projects. In 1988, Hennepin County, Minne sota (within the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area) adopted a Comprehensive LRT System Plan. This case study describes the organiza tional decisionmaking, the politics, the technical analysis, and citizen in volvement associated with producing this plan. Following the case mate rials, a teaching note presents a cri tique of the LRT planning process.

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References

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