Streetcar Manufacturers See Boom Ahead in U.S.

Siemens, Bombardier and United Streetcar are just a few of the big companies courting the streetcar market:

"Bombardier is finalizing a common streetcar platform specifically for use in North America, says Jacques Drouin, the company's senior specialist in product management. The 100 percent low-floor design will be a key feature for the U.S. market, he says."

Sneider writes that "Alstom planners, too, are keeping a close eye on the North American market."

Snieder looks at some of the emerging technologies in this market, such as designs that don't require overhead wires.