COTA light rail

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After my previous study of a heavy-rail transit system for Columbus, Ohio, I started to investigate a more practical light-rail system. Columbus already has an extensive system of freight rail tracks, some unused, which extend out to most of Columbus's suburbs and exurbs. I studied these existing rails and created a light-rail system that runs entirely on existing freight rail tracks and rights-of-way.

For clarity, layout of the system can be abstracted somewhat into five main spokes radiating from the city center. The system reaches most of the suburbs and exurbs, and several lines end at transfer points where connections can be made to neighboring towns like Marion, Newark, and Lancaster.

A light-rail system sharing rails with freight trains is an optimal way to start Columbus's rail transit system. It make sense to start with a small number of trains, spaced widely apart, to minimize the initial outlay for the system, reducing one of the major initial hurdles. As ridership increases, it is likely that citizens will be more willing to spend money on the system. Eventually, the demand for increased service frequency might warrant laying separate light-rail tracks parallel to the existing freight tracks.