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88-573: At the beginning of the 1960s, road traffic in the Rhine-Ruhr area increased like in other German metropolitan areas. Existing trams were regarded as obstacles for car-oriented cities. Therefore, these trams should be relocated to underground sections below city centers (as Stadtbahn lines) if they were not replaced by bus lines. The cities of Bochum , Castrop-Rauxel , Dortmund , Duisburg , Essen , Gelsenkirchen , Herne , Mülheim an der Ruhr , Oberhausen , Recklinghausen and Wattenscheid founded

176-402: A radar unit) to measure the speed of vehicles, and pull over any vehicle found to be in violation of the speed limit. In Brazil , Colombia and some European countries, there are computerized speed-measuring devices spread throughout the city, which will automatically detect speeding drivers and take a photograph of the license plate (or number plate), which is later used for applying and mailing

264-465: A stop sign at every entrance, called four-way stops. A failed signal or a flashing red light is equivalent to a four-way stop, or an all-way stop . Special rules for four-way stops may include: In Europe and other places, there are similar intersections. These may be marked by special signs (according to the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals ), a danger sign with a black X representing

352-405: A breach to turn, and this might cause inconvenience for drivers that follow them but do not want to turn. This is why dedicated lanes and protected traffic signals for turning are sometimes provided. On busier intersections where a protected lane would be ineffective or cannot be built, turning may be entirely prohibited, and drivers will be required to "drive around the block" in order to accomplish

440-471: A concept of a major road and minor road. The default give-way-to-the-right rule used in Continental Europe causes problems for many British and Irish drivers who are accustomed to having right of way by default unless otherwise indicated. A very small proportion of low-traffic junctions are unmarked – typically on housing estates or in rural areas. Here the rule is to "proceed with great care" i.e. slow

528-420: A crossroads. This sign informs drivers that the intersection is uncontrolled and that default rules apply. In Europe and in many areas of North America the default rules that apply at uncontrolled four-way intersections are almost identical: A number of features make this protected intersection . A corner refuge island, a setback crossing of the pedestrians and cyclists, generally between 1.5–7 metres of setback,

616-411: A double white line means that the lane change is prohibited. When a street is wide enough to accommodate several vehicles traveling side-by-side, it is usual for traffic to organize itself into lanes , that is, parallel corridors of traffic. Some roads have one lane for each direction of travel and others have multiple lanes for each direction. Most countries apply pavement markings to clearly indicate

704-501: A forward stop bar, which allows cyclists to stop for a traffic light well ahead of motor traffic who must stop behind the crosswalk. Separate signal staging or at least an advance green for cyclists and pedestrians is used to give cyclists and pedestrians no conflicts or a head start over traffic. The design makes a right turn on red, and sometimes left on red depending on the geometry of the intersection in question, possible in many cases, often without stopping. This type of intersection

792-500: A fully separated U-Bahn (metro) network independent of other forms of transport, others planned for a lesser degree of separation, one that would accommodate additional tram-like sections in the long run. For both the interim and the long-term based concepts, the following terms came into use U-Straßenbahn or Untergrund-Straßenbahn ('underground tramway', abbreviated as U-Strab , Schnellstraßenbahn ('rapid tramway'), and finally Stadtbahn . An older term already used in

880-677: A main line that would have run more or less east-west. Due to financial constraints and the downturn of the economy in the region, many sections or the originally planned system have not been built. As a result, there are isolated standard gauge Stadtbahn lines inside of metre gauge tram systems – one example would be the U35 line in Bochum. There are five Stadtbahn systems that make up the Rhine-Ruhr Stadtbahn (their operating companies are shown in parentheses): As of 2016, there are 23 lines altogether in

968-519: A major road from a smaller road or alley must yield to the traffic of the busier road, but signs are often still posted. The boulevard rule can be compared with the above concept of a major and minor road, or the priority roads that may be found in countries that are parties to the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals. Also known as a "four-way" intersection, this intersection is the most common configuration for roads that cross each other, and

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1056-486: A particular road at a busy intersection may be dominant – that is, its traffic flows – until a break in traffic, at which time the dominance shifts to the other road where vehicles are queued. At the intersection of two perpendicular roads, a traffic jam may result if four vehicles face each other side-on. Drivers often seek to turn onto another road or onto private property . The vehicle's blinking turn signals (commonly known as "blinkers" or "indicators") are often used as

1144-490: A phenomenon known as traffic waves . A complete breakdown of organization may result in traffic congestion and gridlock . Simulations of organized traffic frequently involve queuing theory , stochastic processes and equations of mathematical physics applied to traffic flow . The word traffic originally meant "trade" (as it still does) and comes from the Old Italian verb trafficare and noun traffico . The origin of

1232-463: A public road usually has priority over other traffic such as traffic emerging from private access; rail crossings and drawbridges are typical exceptions. Uncontrolled traffic comes in the absence of lane markings and traffic control signals . On roads without marked lanes, drivers tend to keep to the appropriate side if the road is wide enough. Drivers frequently overtake others. Obstructions are common. Intersections have no signals or signage, and

1320-491: A square containing the word 'Tram'. Although the design is the same nationwide, the colour varies from city to city to match local public transport operators' systems of colour-coding. The logo is part of the 'S logo scheme' initially developed by Berlin public transport operator BVG , based on the established logos for urban metro ('U', for U-Bahn ) and suburban metro ('S', for S-Bahn ) and including bus ('Bus') and ferry ('F', for Fähre ) operations. The logo also helped spread

1408-405: A way to announce one's intention to turn, thus alerting other drivers. The actual usage of directional signals varies greatly amongst countries, although its purpose is to indicate a driver's intention to depart from the current (and natural) flow of traffic well before the departure is executed (typically 3 seconds as a guideline). This will usually mean that turning traffic must stop and wait for

1496-457: Is guilty of a misdemeanor simply for travelling 5 miles over the speed limit. Trail ethics are a set of informal rules for right of way for users of trails , including hikers, mountaineers, equestrians, cyclists, and mountain bikers. Vehicles often come into conflict with other vehicles and pedestrians because their intended courses of travel intersect, and thus interfere with each other's routes. The general principle that establishes who has

1584-537: Is achieved by giving the trams their own right of way on the surface. Stadtbahn in this wider meaning is thus not a clearly defined concept, but a vague one linked to a set of attributes, much in the same way that Straßenbahn ('tram') is linked to very different, sometimes mutually incompatible attributes. A system that is called Stadtbahn today may not have all of the Stadtbahn attributes: barrier-free access, higher cruising speed than tramways, doors on both sides of

1672-466: Is common for drivers to observe (and trust) the turn signals used by other drivers in order to make turns from other lanes. If several vehicles on the right lane are all turning right, a vehicle may come from the next-to-right lane and turn right as well, in parallel with the other right-turning vehicles. In most of Continental Europe , the default rule is to give priority to the right , but this may be overridden by signs or road markings. There, priority

1760-438: Is common in the bicycle-friendly Netherlands . Pedestrians must often cross from one side of a road to the other, and in doing so may come into the way of vehicles traveling on the road. In many places pedestrians are entirely left to look after themselves, that is, they must observe the road and cross when they can see that no traffic will threaten them. Busier cities usually provide pedestrian crossings , which are strips of

1848-436: Is formally organized in many jurisdictions, with marked lanes , junctions , intersections , interchanges , traffic signals , cones , or signs . Traffic is often classified by type: heavy motor vehicle (e.g., car , truck ), other vehicle (e.g., moped , bicycle ), and pedestrian . Different classes may share speed limits and easement, or may be segregated. Some jurisdictions may have very detailed and complex rules of

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1936-569: Is generally expected to move to the lane closest to the direction they wish to turn. For example, traffic intending to turn right will usually move to the rightmost lane before the intersection. Likewise, left-turning traffic will move to the leftmost lane. Exceptions to this rule may exist where for example the traffic authority decides that the two rightmost lanes will be for turning right, in which case drivers may take whichever of them to turn. Traffic may adapt to informal patterns that rise naturally rather than by force of authority. For example, it

2024-427: Is often used narrowly to mean only road traffic. Rules of the road and driving etiquette are the general practices and procedures that road users are required to follow. These rules usually apply to all road users, though they are of special importance to motorists and cyclists . These rules govern interactions between vehicles and pedestrians . The basic traffic rules are defined by an international treaty under

2112-546: Is permitted in the "slower" lanes, though many require a special circumstance. See "Lanes" below. In the United Kingdom and Canada, notably on extra-urban roads, a solid white or yellow line closer to the driver is used to indicate that no overtaking is allowed in that lane. A double white or yellow line means that neither side may overtake. In the United States, a solid white line means that lane changes are discouraged and

2200-536: Is that in systems like Cologne-Bonn's the tracks were converted for Stadtbahn use by changing the electrification, while in Karlsruhe the trains were equipped to run on both types of track. Straßenbahn (tram) and Stadtbahn in the Karlsruhe region are differentiated more by the nature of their city-border crossings only, and not by the technical dimension (Dual-System Light Rail Vehicles). Only those services that extend into

2288-459: Is whether to utilize the left or right half of the street. In many countries, the rules of the road are codified, setting out the legal requirements and punishments for breaking them. In the United Kingdom , the rules are set out in the Highway Code , which includes not only obligations but also advice on how to drive sensibly and safely. In the United States , traffic laws are regulated by

2376-731: The Rhine-Ruhr area. By 2022, the only full independent lines in the Rhine-Ruhr area are the Dortmund H-Bahn , Düsseldorf SkyTrain , Wuppertal Schwebebahn (also referred as line 60 in the Stadtbahn numbering scheme) hanging and suspended monorails, the U18 line in Essen and U46 in Dortmund. The very ambitious original plans have not paid enough attention to financial restrictions and increased tunneling costs in

2464-563: The Stadtbahngesellschaft Ruhr in 1969 for coordinating the plans to transform tram routes into Stadtbahn routes. Düsseldorf and Hattingen joined in 1972; since then, the cooperation has been called Stadtbahngesellschaft Rhein-Ruhr . Witten joined in 1981, Recklinghausen left in 1982. Original Stadtbahn plans proposed upgrading up to 300 kilometers of tram lines step by step. Most of these proposed lines were planned in north-south direction and would have branched off of

2552-500: The direct current of Straßenbahn lines (750 V) could also draw power from the 15-kV- alternating current from normal DB catenary. In Karlsruhe this network reached as far as Heilbronn , 84 kilometres (52 mi) away, where a Stadtbahn network was created going out from this line. Both in Karlsruhe and in Heilbronn the Stadtbahn filled both the roles of a classic tramway system as well as an S-Bahn. The Karlsruhe mixed-operation concept

2640-563: The traffic signal is used to establish the right of way on the busy roads. Its primary purpose is to give each road a duration of time in which its traffic may use the intersection in an organised way. The intervals of time assigned for each road may be adjusted to take into account factors such as difference in volume of traffic, the needs of pedestrians, or other traffic signals. Pedestrian crossings may be located near other traffic control devices; if they are not also regulated in some way, vehicles must give priority to them when in use. Traffic on

2728-406: The 'U' logo is used at stops on services that are essentially 'classic' tram lines, not 'second-level' at all. The concept of Regionalstadtbahnen (also known by RegioStadtbahn or other names) arose as a result of the harmonisation or integration of railway lines into Stadtbahn networks. In the area of Cologne–Bonn a single operational system (of so-called above ground lines or Hochflurstrecken )

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2816-454: The 1920s is "Unterpflasterbahn" ('sub-pavement train'); this term has fallen almost entirely out of use by the 21st century. In French-speaking regions (particularly Wallonia and the bilingual Brussels Capital Region ), these concepts were labelled " pre-metro ", stressing their – then-planned and advertised – interim nature. All German cities that had a "true" U-Bahn network had plans to abandon their tramway network at one point or another. In

2904-421: The 1960s ' pre-metro ' meaning, both the 'U' (for U-Bahn ) and the 'Tram' logo are used on city maps (to indicate the location of stops) and on railway station signage (to indicate connections). The 'U' Logo is normally used both where stops or stations are underground and where they serve 'second-level' pre-metro type lines. In cities which prefix all their Stadtbahn line numbers with a 'U' (e.g. Stuttgart ),

2992-467: The 19th century, firstly in Berlin and followed by Vienna , where rail routes were created that could be used independently from other traffic. In the 1960s and 1970s, Stadtbahn networks were created again but now by upgrading tramways or light rail lines. This process includes adding segments built to rapid transit standards – usually as part of a process of conversion to a metro railway – mainly by

3080-490: The Italian words is unclear. Suggestions include Catalan trafegar "decant", an assumed Vulgar Latin verb transfricare 'rub across', an assumed Vulgar Latin combination of trans- and facere 'make or do', Arabic tafriq 'distribution', and Arabic taraffaqa , which can mean 'seek profit'. Broadly, the term covers many kinds of traffic including network traffic , air traffic , marine traffic and rail traffic, but it

3168-470: The North. Some operators and cities decided to identify the term Stadtbahn with the eventual goal of installing an U-Bahn so that both the original U-Bahn logo (e.g. Frankfurt U-Bahn , Cologne Stadtbahn , Hanover Stadtbahn ) and the derived U-Stadtbahn logos (e.g. North Rhine-Westphalia , Stuttgart Stadtbahn ; see example above) mark station entries and stops. The numbering scheme for Stadtbahn services

3256-591: The Rhine-Ruhr Stadtbahn, new standardised Stadtbahn trains named Stadtbahnwagen B were developed. However, Stadtbahn companies ordered them with different lengths, layout of doors etc.. Tram lines still use former rolling stock and new low-floor trams where Stadtbahn projects were stopped or severely delayed. Road traffic Traffic comprises pedestrians , vehicles , ridden or herded animals, trains, and other conveyances that use public ways (roads/sidewalks) for travel and transportation. Traffic laws govern and regulate traffic, while rules of

3344-763: The Rhine-Ruhr Stadtbahn: All plans included the following standards: Cross-platform interchanges were planned wherever useful and possible. All Stadtbahn lines have been electrified with overhead catenary and are powered with direct current like former trams . However, most of Rhine-Ruhr tram lines still use metre gauge ( 1,000 mm ( 3 ft  3 + 3 ⁄ 8  in )). Combined Stadtbahn and tram tracks use three-rail tracks ( Essen ) or even four-rail tracks ( Krefeld ). Some sections in Mülheim an der Ruhr , Bochum und Essen were constructed with metre gauge and temporary integrated into

3432-485: The Stadtbahn also operates on EBO on parts of the route where track is shared with mainline rail . All four German subway systems are regulated entirely by BOStrab while parts of some tram, light rail or Stadtbahn systems – most notably Karlsruhe Stadtbahn – are regulated under EBO. Meanwhile all S-Bahn systems – including those using third rail electrification like Berlin S-Bahn – are regulated entirely under EBO. While

3520-509: The applicable rules of the road allow them to be where they happen to be. In addition to the rules applicable by default, traffic signs and traffic lights must be obeyed, and instructions may be given by a police officer, either routinely (on a busy crossing instead of traffic lights) or as road traffic control around a construction zone, accident, or other road disruption. Traffic heading in inverse ways ought to be isolated so as to not hinder each other's way. The most essential guideline

3608-492: The authority of the United Nations, the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic . Not all countries are signatory to the convention and, even among signatories, local variations in practice may be found. There are also unwritten local rules of the road, which are generally understood by local drivers. As a general rule, drivers are expected to avoid a collision with another vehicle and pedestrians, regardless of whether or not

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3696-435: The behaviors of all road users’ traffic. Specifically, it has a main role in crashes. Some jurisdictions forbid crossing or using the road anywhere other than at crossings, termed jaywalking . In other areas, pedestrians may have the right to cross where they choose, and have right of way over vehicular traffic while crossing. In most areas, an intersection is considered to have a crosswalk, even if not painted, as long as

3784-402: The building of metro-grade tunnels in the central city area. In the first years after the opening of the tunnel sections, often regular trams vehicles (but adapted for tunnel service) were used. These trams were followed by specially designed vehicles like the Stadtbahn B series. By the 1980s virtually all cities had abandoned the long-term goal of establishing a full-scale metro system due to

3872-561: The case of Hamburg, those plans resulted in the shutdown of the Hamburg tramway by 1978. In the case of Berlin, the network in West Berlin was shut down in 1967 while the plans to shut down the system in East Berlin were reversed and ultimately the tram network started expanding again in the last years of East Germany; it now serves some portions of the former West again. In Nuremberg and Munich

3960-565: The circle, but there remain some notable exceptions that operate on the old rule, such as the Place de l'Étoile around the Arc de Triomphe . Priority to the right where used in continental Europe may be overridden by an ascending hierarchy of markings, signs, signals, and authorized persons. In the United Kingdom, priority is generally indicated by signs or markings, so that almost all junctions between public roads (except those governed by traffic signals) have

4048-503: The distinction in terms while large parts of the general public and non-specialist press by and large do not. By the 1980s conventional tramways had been seen by decision-makers as overloaded systems for more than two decades. However, public attention focused on them at this time for two reasons. The Stadtbahn cities' second level plans faced unexpected complications in the form of lengthy construction work, budgetary problems for tunnel projects, and protests against elevated sections. At

4136-423: The excessive costs associated with converting the tramways. Most Stadtbahn systems are now a mixture of tramway-like operations in suburban and peripheral areas and a more metro-like mode of operation in city centres, with underground stations. This 20th century Stadtbahn concept eventually spread from Germany to other European countries, where it became known as pre-metro . The term Stadtbahn first arose in

4224-561: The first half of the 20th century as a name for the cross-city lines in Berlin and Vienna . The Berlin Stadtbahn line is an elevated heavy rail line linking the East and the West. Long distance, regional, suburban, and urban services ( S-Bahn ) are operated on it. In Berlin unqualified use of the term Stadtbahn is still widely understood to refer to the Berlin Stadtbahn. The Vienna Stadtbahn

4312-519: The fleets and the infrastructure were in need of massive investment and improvement. After the reunification of Germany in 1990, the use of the Stadtbahn term became popular in the former East Germany as well, as in Erfurt and Dresden . However, neither the Erfurt tramway nor the Dresden tramway have any significant tunnel or elevated sections or plans to build any. In their case separation from road traffic

4400-409: The flow of traffic. See related traffic wave and Pedestrian Crossings, above. Overtaking (or passing ) refers to a maneuver by which one or more vehicles traveling in the same direction are passed by another vehicle. On two-lane roads, when there is a split line or a dashed line on the side of the overtaker, drivers may overtake when it is safe. On multi-lane roads in most jurisdictions, overtaking

4488-404: The greater the damage if a collision does occur. Therefore, many countries of the world limit the maximum speed allowed on their roads. Vehicles are not supposed to be driven at speeds which are higher than the posted maximum. To enforce speed limits, two approaches are generally employed. In the United States, it is common for the police to patrol the streets and use special equipment (typically

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4576-401: The issue of "lane ownership": in some countries, drivers traveling in a lane will be very protective of their right to travel in it while in others drivers will routinely expect other drivers to shift back and forth. Designation and overtaking The usual designation for lanes on divided highways is the fastest lane is the one closest to the center of the road, and the slowest to the edge of

4664-436: The limits of each lane and the direction of travel that it must be used for. In other countries lanes have no markings at all and drivers follow them mostly by intuition rather than visual stimulus. On roads that have multiple lanes going in the same direction, drivers may usually shift amongst lanes as they please, but they must do so in a way that does not cause inconvenience to other drivers. Driving cultures vary greatly on

4752-528: The location. These default priority rules differ between countries, and may even vary within countries. Trends toward uniformity are exemplified at an international level by the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals , which prescribes standardised traffic control devices (signs, signals, and markings) for establishing the right of way where necessary. Crosswalks (or pedestrian crossings) are common in populated areas, and may indicate that pedestrians have priority over vehicular traffic. In most modern cities,

4840-509: The mining areas. So, the schedule for opening the planned sections has been severely delayed with some routes even cancelled. The next step to transform Stadtbahn routes to metro standards is no longer foreseen. To use of constructed sections, existing tram lines have been operated further on the new alignments including temporary use of tram gauges and low-floor platforms. Some stations even contain both low-floor and high-floor platforms in case of mixed tram and Stadtbahn operation. For

4928-463: The most basic type. If traffic signals do not control a four-way intersection, signs or other features are typically used to control movements and make clear priorities. The most common arrangement is to indicate that one road has priority over the other, but there are complex cases where all traffic approaching an intersection must yield and may be required to stop. In the United States, South Africa, and Canada, there are four-way intersections with

5016-448: The names Stadtbahn and S-Bahn have common origin ('rapid urban train'), their meaning today is different. S-Bahn is commuter rail , usually integrated into the railway network and mostly operated by the German national railway company Deutsche Bahn . Stadtbahn , on the other hand, generally use light rail vehicles (either high-floor or low-floor ), and are usually integrated into

5104-482: The network, being able to be converted easily to standard gauge at a later point of time. Since the start of Rhine-Ruhr Stadtbahn, existing tram routes were integrated and partly developed as pilot routes . Among others, the former tram lines 8/18 Essen–Mülheim were chosen to become the most important pilot route with tracks in between the Ruhrschnellweg express highway lanes; the new pilot Stadtbahn line U18

5192-487: The outset to be eventually converted into a metro system. A final metro system may or may not be implemented in the end. This concept has the benefit of being cheaper in comparison with constructing a metro from scratch. Post-World War II transport policies in West German cities aimed for a separation of public and private transport. The conflicts that arose between increasing car usage and the existing tramway systems led to

5280-445: The pedestrian must push a button in order to assert their intention to cross. In some countries, approaching traffic is monitored by radar or by electromagnetic sensors buried in the road surface, and the pedestrian crossing lights are set to red if a speed infringement is detected. This has the effect of enforcing the local speed limit. See Speed Limits below. Pedestrian crossings without traffic signals are also common. In this case,

5368-476: The plans to shut down the tram networks were slowed down – in part due to protests by citizens against losing tram service without adequate replacement – ultimately abandoned and there are now plans for new tram construction in both cities. However, as late as 2011 the tram line through Pirckheimer Straße in Nuremberg was shut down in the course of the opening of a new section of subway line U3 which runs slightly to

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5456-405: The right to go first is called "right of way" or "priority". It establishes who has the right to use the conflicting part of the road and who has to wait until the other does so. Signs, signals, markings and other features are often used to make priority explicit. Some signs, such as the stop sign , are nearly universal. When there are no signs or markings, different rules are observed depending on

5544-409: The road include traffic laws and informal rules that may have developed over time to facilitate the orderly and timely flow of traffic. Organized traffic generally has well-established priorities, lanes, right-of-way, and traffic control at intersections . ( International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea govern the oceans and influence some laws for navigating domestic waters.) Traffic

5632-512: The road where pedestrians are expected to cross. The actual appearance of pedestrian crossings varies greatly, but the two most common appearances are: (1) a series of lateral white stripes or (2) two longitudinal white lines. The former is usually preferred, as it stands out more conspicuously against the dark pavement. Some pedestrian crossings accompany a traffic signal to make vehicles stop at regular intervals so pedestrians can cross. Some countries have "intelligent" pedestrian signals, where

5720-404: The road while others rely more on drivers' common sense and willingness to cooperate. Organization typically produces a better combination of travel safety and efficiency. Events which disrupt the flow and may cause traffic to degenerate into a disorganized mess include road construction , collisions , and debris in the roadway . On particularly busy freeways, a minor disruption may persist in

5808-412: The road. Drivers are usually expected to keep in the slowest lane unless overtaking , though with more traffic congestion all lanes are often used. Stadtbahn Stadtbahn ( German pronunciation: [ˈʃtatˌbaːn] ; German for 'city railway'; plural Stadtbahnen ) is a German word referring to various types of urban rail transport . One type of transport originated in

5896-439: The roads meet at approximate right angles. The United Kingdom and Croatia are among the exceptions. Pedestrian crossings may also be located away from intersections. A level crossing is an at-grade intersection of a railway by a road. Because of safety issues, they are often equipped with closable gates , crossing bells and warning signs. The higher the speed of a vehicle, the more difficult collision avoidance becomes and

5984-492: The same road (unless there were multiple lanes, but then one must take care in case a vehicle jumped lanes). New Zealand abolished this particular rule on 25 March 2012, except at roundabouts or when denoted by a Give Way or Stop sign. Although the rule caused initial driver confusion, and many intersections required or still require modification, the change is predicted to eventually prevent one death and 13 serious injuries annually. On roads with multiple lanes, turning traffic

6072-468: The same time, the smaller cities which had not started Stadtbahn plans reassessed their options in relation to their existing tram systems. Furthermore, relocating public transit or even pedestrians underground increasingly got a negative reputation and the concept of the automotive city – all but dominating public discourse in the 1950s and 1960s – was increasingly called into question. East German cities had no 1960s-style Stadtbahn plans in place, and

6160-404: The scheme. As far as the Stadtbahn terminology problem is concerned, however, the scheme serves only to add further confusion to the matter, since there is no nationwide logo for Stadtbahn services. The result appears to be a contraction in the use of the term Stadtbahn , especially in cities where it has been used in its wider 1980s 'light-rail system' meaning. In cities where Stadtbahn has

6248-556: The so-called 'second level' concept for future light rail schemes. This concept focused on the grade separation, i.e., elevation and/or tunneling of tram lines. Munich and Nuremberg decided to build pure, full-scale U-Bahn (metro) systems. Berlin and Hamburg planned expansions of their existing U-Bahn networks, while most West German cities decided to upgrade their tramway networks step by step, linking new 'second level' infrastructure to existing sections. While some cities regarded this solution as an interim step that would lead to

6336-588: The states and municipalities through their respective traffic codes . Most of these are based at least in part on the Uniform Vehicle Code , but there are variations from state to state. In states such as Florida, traffic law and criminal law are separate; therefore, unless someone flees the scene of an accident or commits vehicular homicide or manslaughter, they are only guilty of a minor traffic offense. However, states such as South Carolina have completely criminalised their traffic law, so, for example, one

6424-406: The suburbs are called Stadtbahn. They are represented by the 'S' logo that is used for S-Bahn ( Stadtschnellbahn ) in the rest of Germany and therefore partially conflict with it, as it has acquired a second meaning in Karlsruhe. As part of the redevelopment of their main city stations , national railway company Deutsche Bahn adopted a new logo to indicate Straßenbahn (tram) connections:

6512-548: The ticket. Many jurisdictions in the U.S. use this technology as well. A mechanism that was developed in Germany is the Grüne Welle , or green wave , which is an indicator that shows the optimal speed to travel for the synchronized green lights along that corridor. Driving faster or slower than the speed set by the behavior of the lights causes the driver to encounter many red lights. This discourages drivers from speeding or impeding

6600-405: The traffic laws usually states that the pedestrian has the right of way when crossing, and that vehicles must stop when a pedestrian uses the crossing. Countries and driving cultures vary greatly as to the extent to which this is respected. In the state of Nevada the car has the right of way when the crosswalk signal specifically forbids pedestrian crossing. Traffic culture is a determinant factor for

6688-475: The train, driver's cabs on both ends, higher operating voltage, wider cars with comfortable seats, and so on. In 1992 Karlsruhe started an innovative new service, using both heavy and light rail infrastructure, to link the wider region to the city. The vehicles were designed to comply with technical specifications for the (federal) heavy railway and for light rail (communal tramways). Such vehicles are called Dual-System Light Rail Vehicles. The meaning of Stadtbahn

6776-578: The tram network, though the Stadtbahn portions do not operate with street running as much as trams do. They also differ in legal status: S-Bahn systems are governed under the rail rules of the Eisenbahn-Bau- und Betriebsordnung (EBO) ('Ordinance on the Construction and Operation of Railways'), while Stadtbahn systems are usually tramways by law governed under the regulations of Verordnung über den Bau und Betrieb der Straßenbahnen (BOStrab) ('Ordinance on

6864-705: The turn. Many cities employ this tactic quite often; in San Francisco, due to its common practice, making three right turns is known colloquially as a "San Francisco left turn". Likewise, as many intersections in Taipei City are too busy to allow direct left turns, signs often direct drivers to drive around the block to turn. Turning rules are by no means universal. For example, in New Zealand (a drive-on-the-left country) between 1977 and 2012, left turning traffic had to give way to opposing right-turning traffic wishing to take

6952-418: The vehicle and check for traffic on the intersecting road. Other countries use various methods similar to the above examples to establish the right of way at intersections. For example, in most of the United States, the default priority is to yield to traffic from the right, but this is usually overridden by traffic control devices or other rules, like the boulevard rule . This rule holds that traffic entering

7040-583: The word "Tram" at the expense of Straßenbahn and elektrische ("electric [railway/tramway]") the latter of which having become somewhat antiquated. The term "Bim" (short for "Bimmelbahn" in turn derived from the semi- onomatopoetic "bimmeln" for the sound of a bell) meanwhile has become limited to Austria, particularly the "Bim" in Vienna . As the new logos became part of the information systems at more and more main railway stations, an increasing number of cities and public transport operators came to accept and adopt

7128-745: Was also adopted by the Saarbahn in Saarbrücken . This model is today referred to in France as the tram-train . Other Stadtbahn networks in Germany without tunnels, but which incorporate railway lines, are found in: Although a precise legal definition of Stadtbahn was planned in the 1970s, there is currently no such definition. By law, the BOStrab regulates all Stadtbahn systems as tram systems, as long as they are not mainline rail. However, all U-Bahn systems in Germany are likewise regulated by BOStrab. In some systems,

7216-663: Was created by the Cologne Stadtbahn and the Bonn Stadtbahn , opened in 1974, from the conversion of two former railway lines (the Rheinuferbahn and Vorgebirgsbahn belonging to the old Köln-Bonner Eisenbahnen ). Further developments led to tram-train networks that rather resembled an S-Bahn . This idea was first realised in 1992 in Karlsruhe ( Karlsruhe Stadtbahn ), where as part of the Karlsruhe model even so-called dual system railbuses were used, which in addition to

7304-543: Was enlarged to encompass this new type of " tram-train " service. In other regions, stimulated by the Karlsruhe example and planning to copy it, other terms are in use: Stadt-Umland-Bahn (city-to-region railway, e.g. Erlangen , also in discussion to connect the nearer surroundings of Munich , as far as not supplied with S-Bahn services so far, with the existing public transport there), Regional-Stadtbahn (regional light rail, e.g. Braunschweig ). The difference of this system to other systems where light rail mixes with heavy rail,

7392-448: Was in the beginning a system of heavy rail lines circling the city, free of level crossings, operated by steam trains. After World War I the Wiental , Donaukanal and Gürtel lines were converted into an electric light rail system with tram-like two-axle cars (which on line 18G until 1945 switched into the tram network at Gumpendorfer Strasse station). In the 1970s to 1990s the infrastructure

7480-460: Was initially given according to the social rank of each traveler, but early in the life of the automobile this rule was deemed impractical and replaced with the priorité à droite (priority to the right) rule, which still applies. At a traffic circle where priorité à droite is not overridden, traffic on what would otherwise be a roundabout gives way to traffic entering the circle. Most French roundabouts now have give-way signs for traffic entering

7568-407: Was opened in 1977. Most of today's Stadtbahn lines were developed out of former tram lines. Their line numbers were simply converted into two-digit numbers prepended by U for distinguishing between both standards; the U refers to both unabhängig (engl.: independent) and U-Bahn (metro) standards being the later target, although complete U-Bahn (metro) lines have in fact never existed in

7656-504: Was prefixed with a 'U', except in the Cologne Stadtbahn , Bielefeld Stadtbahn , and Hanover Stadtbahn . In local parlance some of those systems are referred to as "U-Bahn", especially when talking about tunnel sections. However, this somewhat misleading terminology is only officially used in Frankfurt am Main which calls its Stadtbahn "Frankfurt U-Bahn". Official documents and specialist publications or railfans and transit advocates maintain

7744-514: Was updated, and the lines were partially relocated: they are now part of the Vienna U-Bahn services 'U4' and 'U6'. The Vorortelinie line remained heavy rail and is now part of the Vienna S-Bahn . Since the 1960s the term Stadtbahn has become identified with a second, now dominant, meaning. Here Stadtbahn is an underground urban rail network that is used by conventional trams but planned at

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