light railway (english) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

Noun

Phonetic Transcription

/lʌɪt ˈreɪlweɪ/

Meaning and Usage

The term "light railway" refers to a type of railway that typically uses lighter weight vehicles and infrastructure compared to traditional heavy rail systems. Light rail is often designed for urban transportation, connecting different neighborhoods and areas within a city or region. It is generally characterized by lower capacity than heavy rail, runs on tracks that may be shared with other vehicles, and can sometimes be integrated with street-level traffic.

• Frequency of Use: The term is commonly used in both oral and written contexts, particularly in discussions about urban transport systems, city planning, and public transportation infrastructure.
• More Common Context: It is frequently encountered in written contexts such as transportation policy documents, city planning reports, and articles about public transit.

Example Sentences

1. The city council approved the construction of a light railway to improve public transport.
   El consejo de la ciudad aprobó la construcción de un tren ligero para mejorar el transporte público.

2. Many cities worldwide are investing in light railway systems to reduce traffic congestion.
   Muchas ciudades en todo el mundo están invirtiendo en sistemas de tren ligero para reducir la congestión del tráfico.

3. The new light railway line will connect the downtown area with the suburb.
   La nueva línea del tren ligero conectará el área del centro con el suburbio.

Idiomatic Expressions

"Light railway" is not a common part of idiomatic expressions; however, related transportation terms often appear in phrases or contexts discussing urban infrastructure.

Example Sentences with Related Idioms

1. The city's transportation network is a work in progress, with the introduction of a light railway being a step in the right direction.
   La red de transporte de la ciudad está en progreso, con la introducción de un tren ligero siendo un paso en la dirección correcta.

2. The light railway project was the talk of the town for several months.
   El proyecto del tren ligero fue el tema de conversación de la ciudad durante varios meses.

3. If we want to modernize, we need to get on board with the light railway initiative.
   Si queremos modernizarnos, necesitamos alinearnos con la iniciativa del tren ligero.

Etymology

The phrase "light railway" combines the adjective "light," which denotes a lower weight or capacity, and "railway," which comes from the Old English "raile" (to move or travel by rail), stemming from the Middle English "raile" or "rayl," referring to a metal rail on which trains run.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms: - Light rail - Tram (in some contexts) - Light transit

Antonyms: - Heavy railway - Freight train - Metro (in terms of capacity and infrastructure)

This comprehensive overview captures the essence of "light railway," providing insight into its meaning, usage, and relevance in discussions of public transportation and urban planning.