Department of Rapid Transit Systems

A rapid transit system is for electric multiple unit (EMU) trains running on exclusive right-of-way tracks in the crucial transportation corridors of a metropolitan area and can be underground, elevated, or at ground level. With exclusive right-of-way, it runs without interference from other traffic. Moreover, it operates automatically or via a semi-automatic controlled system and provides fast, punctual, safe, and comfortable service with dense headway and great transportation volume. For these reasons, it is known as "mass rapid transit (MRT)." In general, the six prevailing modes of MRT adopted around the world are: Heavy Rail Rapid Transit, Light Rail Rapid Transit, Rubber-tyred Rapid Transit, Monorail Rapid Transit, Automated Guideway Transit, and Magnetic Levitation Transit.

Factors taken into consideration when selecting which kind of MRT to adopt are:

To reach the average operating speed of 34 kph (including dwell time), DORTS' planning manual states that the high-capacity system's maximum train speed shall be 90 kph and the maximum operating speed 80 kph; the medium-capacity system's maximum operating speed shall be 80 kph and the automatic operating speed shall be at least 70 kph.