Abstract: In recent years, there is a phenomenon in many major cities that building more roads to relieve traffic congestion achieves nothing more than encouraging more vehicles to use them resulting in more congestion which is one of the prime sources of bad air quality and inefficient use of energy. Facing with these problems, a number of major cities are either building or planning to build mass transit railways as a backbone, supplemented by light rails and other transit modes to enhance mobility and network connectivity.

This paper reviews a number of emerging and innovative lightweight transit systems, from an urban mobility and sustainable development perspective. The objective of the paper is to serve as a reference to practitioners who are involved in the planning and design of sustainable transportation systems.

Key words: Urban Transit Planning, Innovative Transit Systems, Automatic People Mover, Personal Rapid Transit, Linear Induction Motor, Maglev, Cable drawn system, Monorail

摘要： 近年来，一些大城市通过修建大量的道路来缓解交通拥堵的压力，但这种做法却导致更多的车辆使用道路，从而加剧了交通拥堵，造成空气质量下降，资源浪费严重。为解决这些问题，一些城市已经开始或者计划构建以轨道交通主体，轻轨交通或者其他交通方式为补充的交通体系，以增强路网的流动性和可达性。本文从城市流动性和可持续发展的角度，对已有的和新型的轻型交通系统做综述。旨在为交通规划人员进行可持续发展交通运输系统的规划等工作提供参考。

关键词: 交通规划, 新型交通系统, 自动人员运输机, 个体快速公交系统, 直线感应电机, 磁悬浮, 电缆牵引系统, 单轨铁路