LRV

LRV is an acronym with several widely used meanings in different technical domains. In public transit, LRV stands for Light Rail Vehicle, a rail vehicle used on light rail systems. LRVs are generally lighter and shorter than heavy rail trains and are designed for frequent stops and street-running service. They can operate on dedicated rights-of-way or in mixed traffic, and most modern designs are low-floor to improve accessibility. LRVs are powered by electricity supplied from overhead lines or, in some systems, onboard energy storage, such as batteries, allowing flexible operation in urban environments.

In space exploration, LRV refers to the Lunar Roving Vehicle, an electrically powered rover used by astronauts on the Moon during the Apollo program. The Lunar Roving Vehicle extended the explorers’ range beyond walking distance, enabling visits to multiple sites and on-site sample collection across the lunar surface. It was designed to operate in lunar gravity and harsh environmental conditions and was deployed on Apollo missions 15, 16, and 17.

The acronym LRV may appear in other contexts as well; as with many abbreviations, its meaning is determined by the field of use. When encountering LRV, consulting surrounding text or domain-specific references clarifies whether it denotes a Light Rail Vehicle, a Lunar Roving Vehicle, or another concept.