Abstract:With the characteristics of moderate transport volume, green environmental protection, low investment, quick approval and short construction cycle, tram is suitable for medium and small cities to build public transportation backbone system. The functional groups or areas of some small and medium-sized cities in China present the characteristics of scattered layout, and the space distance between them is relatively long. Therefore, rapid tram system is needed to meet the needs of rapid travel within cities. At first, it was proposed that the operation speed of the rapid tram should reach 30km/h according to the travel time requirements of residents. Then, it analyzed the rapid tram lines in Lyon, Porto, Twin Cities and Suzhou. After that it summed up the function and the characteristics of rapid tram lines. Finally, it put forward suggestions on the development of rapid tram in China from applicable area, vehicle selection, station space, intersection design and code formulation.