Date of Award

6-2026

Document Type

Thesis

First Advisor

Godfrey Mungal

Abstract

Light rail systems can move large numbers of people at relatively high speeds as part of the transit networks critical to dense urban centers, lowering greenhouse gas emissions. However, costs associated with traditional light rail systems are incredibly high and hinder the implementation and expansion of such systems. In this paper, we detail the potential implementation of an inductively-charged, battery-powered light rail system with the potential to lower implementation and expansion costs. This system is compared to existing public transit networks and details of the subsystems required for the successful operation of the planned light rail system are established. As proof of concept, we built a ½ scale model light rail system to verify the performance characteristics of an inductively charged battery electric multiple unit locomotive. Through our testing, we were able to prove the viability of this prototype at scale.

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