The report investigates the state of the art of low-floor light rail vehicles and assesses the applicability of their use in North America. Low-floor light rail vehicle categories have been developed to facilitate the understanding of the different types of vehicles and their applications. The report describes the growing trend toward low-floor light rail vehicles and the reasons for this growth. It provides an extensive compilation of data on low-floor light rail vehicles, information on North American light rail system characteristics, and an analytical perspective on key issues relevant to the applicability of this technology in North America. The report also develops example applications to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of using low-floor light rail vehicles, the source of risk, and the trade-offs regarding the use of low-floor versus high-floor light rail vehicles.

The 1995 National Conference on Light Rail Transit (LRT), "Building on Success--Learning from Experience", emphasizes the lessons resulting from the maturing of North American LRT systems. The conference adds to the growing body of knowledge and real-world experiences with modern LRT applications. Volume 1, contains 36 conference papers, organized in four parts. Volume 2, contains both conference papers and associated papers presented at the 1996 Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board in Washington, D.C.