Objective: MALTESE has the following objectives: - To assess the energy balance of recently implemented Light Rail Transit systems - To identify and classify critical parameters that influence energy consumption - To test the transferability of critical energy-related parameters - To review the forecasted energy balance of planned LRT systems - To define generic models for estimating the energy efficiency of LRT systems taking into account the trade-offs between energy consumption, air pollution, demand modal shifts and cost-related factors - To elaborate pan-European guidelines for energy efficiency in the design, implementation and operation of LRT systems. General Information: MALTESE deals with the assessment of energy management and efficiency in light train systems and will be based on case studies of existing and planned LRT systems of different types (ranging from 'pre-metro' to 'ultra light tramway') covering many EU countries. It aims at the horizontal assessment of the energy efficiency of Light Rail Transit systems and the identification of the factors likely to increase that efficiency. The project will assess the global energy balance relative to those systems either measured (ex post) or estimated (ex ante) in comparison with the competing modes. MALTESE will result in a set of Pan-European guidelines relative to improvements necessary to the above parameters required for the increase of energy efficiency in the design, implementation and operation of LRT systems.