Electric rail transit system with exclusive right-of-way and high volume passengers. Called subways, elevated (or “els”) and metros.

A transit mode that is an electric railway with the capacity for a heavy volume of traffic. This mode is characterized by high speed and rapid acceleration passenger rail cars operating singly or in multi-car trains on fixed rails; separate rights-of-way from which all other vehicle and pedestrian traffic are excluded; and, high platform loading. These systems are found in large urban areas, such as Miami; Atlanta; Washington, D.C.; San Francisco; and, New York City.

An electric railway with the capacity for a "heavy" volume of traffic and characterized by exclusive rights-of-way, multi-car trains, high speed and rapid acceleration, sophisticated signaling and high-platform loading. Also, high-speed, passenger rail cars operating singly or in trains of two or more cars on fixed rails in separate rights-of-way from which all other vehicular and pedestrian traffic is excluded. Additionally, "Rapid rail" transit service using rail cars powered by electricity which is drawn from a third rail and usually operated on exclusive rights-of-way. It generally uses longer trains and has longer spacing between stations than light rail.