Dallas DART Light Rail Expansion, USA

The light rail system of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is to be doubled in size over the next decade following agreement on a US$2.4bn investment programme. The year 2006 marked the tenth anniversary of the opening of the first 17.6km (11 mile) line with 14 stations, since grown to 72km (45 miles) with 35 stations.

Rail, light rail and bus operator DART was formed in 1983. DART light rail was instigated in the mid-1990s, as a forward-thinking project associated with a major redevelopment of Dallas. It is reaping the rewards of its major investment, having grown from carrying 1.4 million passengers in 1996 to 17.5 million in 2005. DART has become one of the largest light rail systems in the USA, after Los Angeles, Newark, New Jersey, San Diego and Portland MAX.

Expansion has nevertheless been stifled by a lack of revenue, but July 2006 saw DART receive a US$700m grant from the United States Federal Transport Administration towards the total project cost. Construction has encouraged developments along the route, and there are now plans for $3bn in private activity alongside the routes. A 1% sales tax approved by residents of the 13 cities benefiting from DART services helps to fund the operation.

The area continues to suffer from massive traffic congestion issues and rising pollution, and it is hoped that the planned new lines will significantly reduce the number of car journeys.

THE PROJECT

Dallas was a centre for electric railways in the early 20th century, when it was served by the extensive network of the Texas Electric Railway.

Suburban areas were served by an additional network of city lines, run by the Dallas Railway and Terminal Company, but this declined in the late 1950s, hastened by the introduction of the Interstate highway programme in 1956.

However, by the mid-1970s, thanks to increased traffic congestion and growing fears of pollution, attempts to improve public transport were back on the agenda. In 1996 the first DART line opened.

A series of new lines and extensions are planned to open between 2009–18, the main projects being a 34km (21.25 mile) Green Line on a north-west-south-east alignment and the construction of the Orange Line to Las Colinas and Dallas Fort Worth airport. In total, the extensions planned will double the network's length from 72km (45 miles) to 144km (90 miles).

INFRASTRUCTURE

The first phase was greatly scaled down from initial objectives, comprising just two light rail routes forming a 32km (20 mile) starter railway.

The first was 17.6km (11 miles) in June 1996. This was followed in 1997 by a 9.6km (6 mile) extension of the Red/Blue line and a 4.8km (3 mile) extension of Blue Line to South Oak. In September 2001, a 5km (3.1 mile) line north east on Blue Line opened, followed in May 2002 by a further 3.5km extension of the Blue Line. Subsequent work in 2002 added 12.5km to the network, and the latest opened in 2004.

New funding released by the United States Federal Transportation Administration will allow the doubling of the network by 2013, including a 34km (21 mile) Green Line with 24 stations. It will serve regional destinations including Deep Ellum, Baylor University Medical Center, Fair Park, Victory Park and Dallas Market Center. A second branch will extend from the Green Line to Carrollton, to become the Orange Line. This line will also serve Dallas Fort Worth International, the world’s sixth busiest airport by passenger numbers, by 2013.

Design and planning consultation for the Green and Orange lines is by Sasaki Associates of Boston and San Francisco. The company has been involved in several high profile projects in the Dallas area including the Addison Circle Park which is served by light rail.

Services will extend from Garland to Rowlett in 2012, giving an additional 60,000 passenger trips each weekday, doubling the current ridership.

ROLLING STOCK

After visiting San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system in 1987, the executive director of the Dallas project recommended the purchase of 210 cars, each with a 75ft (23m) rigid body, 10ft 10in (3.3m) wide, and mounted on two two-axle bogies, at a cost of $1.1m each.

However, realisation by DART staff that articulated cars, each 2ft narrower, could seat the same number of passengers resulted in this specification being adopted.

The initial tranche of 40 vehicles was completed by Japanese manufacturer Kinki Sharyo of Osaka in 1995.

All vehicles are serviced and maintained at a three-storey purpose-built facility in the Fair Park district of Dallas, reached by a spur off the lines between Cedars and 8th and Corinth.

The Green Line opening, scheduled for 2010, will need 56 LRVs. 38 of the present fleet will be retro-fitted with a low-floor section and a new order of 18 'Super LRV' due 2008–9 from Kinki Sharyo will also include such a section. Another 19 Super LRV will be supplied for the Orange Line.

SIGNALLING/COMMUNICATIONS

The most complex section is the Central Business District (CBD) stretch. This street-level section contains 13 crossings at grade, the remainder of the network has 42 level crossings.

Intersections in the CBD are equipped with train signals linked to traffic lights. Additionally, several intersections have special traffic lights to restrict specific vehicle movements while trains are passing.

Outside the CBD, signals are the traditional three-colour (red, amber, green) type, with level crossings protected by flashing red lights and gates. Cab signalling integrated with emergency braking is to be introduced on DART LRVs.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

Consultation was completed in October 2006 to assess the area's transport needs up to 2030, by when the conurbation is projected to reach eight million and freeway average speeds will drop by one third.

In addition to works already in hand, the main rail aspects include around 69km (43 miles) of extra light rail routes and extensions to Red, Green and Blue lines. West Dallas is projected to gain a new heavy rail commuter line and redeployment of an existing freight line for passenger use is under consideration.

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