Tramways and tramway networks

Different types of tramway systems

Tramway systems are urban or suburban guided transport systems with the following main technical characteristics:

• the line, which is at most a few dozen kilometres long, shares most of its space with the road network and is designed to blend in with its surroundings;
• vehicles are operated on one or more lines and their operating speed does not exceed 70 km/h;
• the system is operated with drivers.

Tramway system infrastructure can be connected to infrastructure used for commercial long-distance travel (i.e. on a regional, national or European scale). They offer high frequency service and frequent stops. They blend into the urban area without breaking up the space for other users (road vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, etc.). They are designed and operated to manage interactions with third parties, based on the drive-on-sight principle.

There are several types of tramway systems :

Traditional trams on rails
These are trams with iron wheels running on railway tracks, generally consisting of grooved rails embedded in the road.

The tracks of these trams generally have a standard gauge (i.e.: 1.435m between two rails), but some networks have a one-metre gauge (i.e. 1 m between two rails

Trams on tyres
There are also systems with trams on tyres. These networks feature a central guide system provided by a single rail.

Tram-trains
Tram-trains are a special type of rolling stock, capable of operating on both inner-city tramway segments and regional railway segments. Equipment must therefore be compatible with both types of systems, in terms of gauge, resistance, signalling, etc. Their use helps to avoid intermodal connections between the different networks.

Tramway lines, mixed systems and light rail systems in service

The map below shows all urban areas with one or more tramway, mixed system and light rail lines in operation in France (2022 Activity Report data).