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Streetcar And Interurban Deployment In The United States: 1894–1926

Author

Listed:
  • Haoang Li
  • Bahman Lahoorpoor
  • David Levinson

    (TransportLab, School of Civil Engineering, University of Sydney)

Abstract

We compile operating track lengths for US streetcar and interurban systems from the McGraw American Street Railway Investments Directories for 1894–1926, aggregated by state and by metro area, with a national total. The United States network reaches an observed maximum of 80,660 km (50,120 miles) in 1918, with a logistic asymptote of 84,208 km, inflection year 1901, and R 2 = 0.89. We report cities and states by extent and timing, and show that most city and state series follow logistic S-curves.

Suggested Citation

  • Haoang Li & Bahman Lahoorpoor & David Levinson, 2026. "Streetcar And Interurban Deployment In The United States: 1894–1926," Working Papers paper-2026-08, University of Minnesota: Nexus Research Group.
    • Handle: RePEc:nex:wpaper:paper-2026-08
    DOI: 10.32866/001c.155283
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    File URL: https://doi.org/10.32866/001c.155283
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    JEL classification:

    • R40 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - General

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