Subway - same as light rail?

Hi Maria, is that the only type of transit service or are there others? If there are multiple transit types then refer to Table 1.

Subway would be within the 1/2 mile distance. Its odd that streetcars as a tracked system would be grouped with rubber wheeled systems ege bus or rideshare in the credit.

Light and heavy in rail terminology refers to ability of rail to carry a specific weight of a fully loaded vehicle.  Light rail occasionally has a different gauge or width between track but more frequently it is the same gauge and heavy rail.  In terms of operations, light rail is slower speed, smaller car, shorter length train, travelling shorter distances with more frequent stops- this configuration is mostly seen in intracity systems. A subway often is just a light rail system located underground.  Heavy rail is faster speed, larger cars,longer trains travelling longer distances and less frequent stops- typically service between cities. Heavy rail passenger service can share track with freight train service.  High speed rail is heavy rail with higher operational speeds.  Commuter train is really just passenger service for shorter distances often between city and suburbs and can be light rail or heavy rail.

Hi Maria,

Is your question specifically about which type you should select on the LEED online form? I do agree with James that no matter what category you label a subway, it needs to be within the 1/2 mile category. I see two options for the LEED online form... either use "other" and specify subway, as you suggested, OR, make a judgement call about what type of subway it is. For example, in New York City, I would classify their subway system as more of a commuter rail (even though they also have a separate commuter rail) and in San Francisco, I would classify their subway system as a light rail (since it has shorter train cars and mirrors a light rail definition more closely). 

As Marilyn said, if you have other transit types, and you use Table 1, you will be safe no matter what you label your subway. 

I agree with you that there should be an option for subways to alleviate this confusion!

Hi all, 

I emailed LEEDCoach and asked for clarification on their definitions of rail types. Hope this helps. I'm posting the response on the threads I can find where people are looking for clarifications.

"As you note, heavy and commuter rail stations are not defined in the Definitions section of this credit. Thus, teams should use their best judgment in determining if a rail system falls within these categories. Staff experts have provided additional details below to help with this determination for commuter rail:

Commuter rail transit typically includes 1-2 stops per city/town/suburb along a greater rail corridor, versus inner-city transit with stops as frequent as every few blocks (such as a subway line) which qualifies as "light rail". Additionally, commuter rail often operates on tracks located at ground/grade level. Well-known U.S. examples of commuter rail, for reference, include Metro-North (New York/Connecticut) and Metra trains (Chicago). Note that regional rail (i.e. Amtrack) typically would not comply, as these types of transit often have a significant distance between stops, comparable with flights, and are not utilized for daily commuting; however, some project-specific circumstances may justify contributions from this type of rail transit."

I think what you just described is two different types of regional trains. I am guessing the second one you mentioned is more of a high speed rail system? Nevertheless, it still travels more regionally, and has stops much farther apart than a commuter rail.

Thanks Emily for the helpful answer earlier!