Metro systems in Latin America, comparison of planning and development models versus other regions in the world

Abstract

The population growth in cities pushes to seek solutions for the mobility of people, one of the most efficient but at the same time more expensive solution is a rapid transport system, commonly known as metro systems. In last 50 years, Latin America has seen how many of its cities have grown to have populations of several million inhabitants and therefore they have considered the development of a first metro line or if they already had existing lines, expand the metro network. This study seeks to understand the planning and development models of metros in Latin America and analyze the traits of these systems, compared to metros in other regions of the world. The conclusions of this study will not only be useful for local planners, but also for development banks and other international organizations in a way that they can understand and adapt their processes to local conditions. The research uses statistical information from benchmarking groups of metro systems throughout the world, as well as information presented in annual reports of companies operating metro systems. Academic documents are also used, as well as reviews and analytical studies by experts from international organizations and multilateral banks. In the first section of the paper, planning models to develop a metro project are analyzed, then a comparison is made between levels of demand or passenger flows and economic-financial variables and finally the operation models are studied. Conclusions are presented with the most relevant factors to consider when planning and developing a metro system in Latin America.