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Tram is a type of urban rail transport designed for carrying passengers along specially laid tracks, usually located on streets or dedicated tram lines. Trams consist of one or more linked carriages that run on rails, providing regular and convenient transportation within populated areas.

Tram tracks are often laid within the city, passing through residential and business districts, as well as connecting important transport hubs, institutions, and public spaces. The external infrastructure of tram lines includes rails, an overhead contact system for electricity supply, stops with platforms, and sometimes special tram depots for maintenance and storage of vehicles.

The rolling stock can vary in size and design—from small compartment carriages to long multi-section units with several connected bodies. The external shape of the carriage is usually adapted for operation on city streets, including relatively narrow dimensions and a low floor level to facilitate boarding and alighting, including for people with disabilities.

The tram primarily operates on electric traction, using current supplied through a contact wire and pantograph, which ensures environmentally friendly and relatively quiet operation. Travel speed varies depending on the density of urban development, traffic light controls, and track features, but it is usually maintained at a level sufficient for efficient passenger movement within the urban agglomeration.

In addition, the tram is part of a comprehensive public transportation system, forming together with buses, trolleybuses, and metro a unified network that provides accessible and timely transportation for city residents and visitors. Trams can run both on separate dedicated routes and mixed with other road traffic, which determines the specifics of their operation and interaction with other road users.

The infrastructure and technical characteristics of a tram depend on the historical, social, and technical conditions of each specific city, varying in track layout details, track gauge width, and the power of rolling stock. Nevertheless, the tram remains one of the recognizable and functional elements of urban transport, contributing to the rational distribution of passenger flows and sustainable urban development.

tram

Night cityscape with tram in the rain

Scene of a rainy city street with a tram and neon lights

City Street on a Rainy Night with a Tram