Light rail success factors: 6 best practices for LRT projects

Why is light rail transit so popular?

Over 400 cities worldwide are reaping the transformative benefits of light rail^[1]: moving large numbers of people efficiently, driving socio-economic growth, and optimising the use of limited urban space. The evidence is clear: studies from across Germany, UK, France, and North America show that homes and rents near light rail lines often command a premium^[2]. Add in the quiet ride, zero local emissions, and the potential for deep carbon cuts when powered by renewables, and it is easy to see the appeal.

But delivering light rail is not without hurdles: from securing finance and integrating with wider mobility systems to winning public support. Done right, however, it can spark transit-oriented development (TOD) that regenerates neighbourhoods, lifts land values, boosts social equity, and connects people to jobs, education, healthcare, and entertainment - especially in communities with few transport options.

How do we ensure the success of a light rail scheme?

Ramboll’s new guide, Six Critical Success Factors for Light Rail Schemes, distils the following key actions and considerations for effectively planning, delivering, and operating light rail projects based on industry best practices and inspirational cases:

1. Engage with the community early to ensure LRT truly serves local needs

Early and meaningful community involvement builds trust, prevents costly delays, and ensures the light rail scheme aligns with local expectations. Involving residents from the start enables better routing decisions and helps transform the system into a shared civic asset.

See how Kiel applied this approach

2. Secure blended finance to make the project into reality

Blended financing combines national support, EU-funded grants, contributions from local authorities, and innovative tools like land value capture. This approach ensures long-term viability, enables delivery amid shifting political contexts, and spreads risk across multiple funding sources.

3. Embed sustainability from design to delivery

Designing for environmental, economic, and social sustainability boosts long-term performance and benefits. Light rail offers low-carbon transit and can help regenerate communities.

Learn more about the Finnish city of Vantaa’s approach to embedding sustainability

4. Integrate light rail into broader urban planning

When light rail is aligned with city planning, it becomes more than infrastructure - it becomes a catalyst for growth and better land use. Early collaboration with planners, developers, and transport agencies maximises investment returns and public benefits. Examples of effective spatial integration include aligning light rail with affordable housing plans and planning for multi-modal hubs with cycle, bus, and walk access.

5. Build in resilience to withstand climate extremes

Climate resilience must be embedded to ensure light rail systems can endure future conditions like heatwaves and flooding. Resilient infrastructure safeguards service continuity, protects public safety, and aligns with wider city adaptation goals. Examples of measures to embed climate resilience include green and permeable trackbeds, stormwater infiltration basins, and heat-reflective materials and tree-lined corridors.

6. Deliver with a collaborative alliance model

Alliance contracting unites all key parties into a single team with shared goals and accountability. This model reduces delays and disputes, fosters innovation, and is especially suited to the complexity of light rail projects.

See how Helsinki's Line 15 benefited from the Alliance delivery model

References

^[1] Statistics-Brief-LTR-May2023.pdf

^[2] Economic impact of light rail - the results of 15 urban areas in France, Germany, UK and North America - TRID