Heavy rail is a term used to describe a type of railway system that operates on a dedicated track, with trains that are typically larger and faster than those used on lighter rail systems. Synonyms for heavy rail include commuter rail, intercity rail, and regional rail, all of which refer to trains that serve larger metropolitan areas and connect them with neighboring cities and towns. In some cases, heavy rail may also be referred to as rapid transit or metro rail, depending on the specific characteristics of the system. Ultimately, the term heavy rail is used to distinguish this type of transportation from more lightweight forms, such as trams or light rail.