Earlier quoted context omitted.
In Seattle, we built the light rail down the middle of a main roadway. The train has to stop for red lights to let cars through. It's so backwards, it's ridiculous. Always fun when the train driver notices it late and slams on the brakes.
Minneapolis built their light rail right down the middle of a main roadway, and the train does have to stop for red lights, but there is no train conductor because the train is wired into the stoplight system and slows down/stops/accelerates appropriately. The lights have also been re-timed to allow for the train. Works pretty well in my experience.
They've obviously learned from that experience. The new southwest light rail being built has a ridiculous number of bridges - it's going to rival Chicago's "L" when it opens in two years, at least as it goes through the suburbs.