APPLICATION OF LIGHT-RAIL TRANSIT FLEXIBILITY: DALLAS AREA RAPID TRANSIT EXPERIENCE

The planning, design, and construction of a light-rail transit (LRT) line require that a wide range of complex issues be resolved. Although no one mode of transit can serve as the best alternative for every corridor, light rail has significant advantages in many applications. A unique feature of LRT is its flexibility, versatility, and ability to develop incrementally. It can be adapted to a wide variety of geographic and topographic conditions, financial capabilities, rights-of-way, and existing infrastructure. In addition, this flexibility can have a direct impact on the design of light-rail stations and the vehicle to be operated on the system. The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) initial three line operating environments are described. DART's application and implementation of LRT technology in a variety of complex operating environments are summarized, and the paper concludes with a status report on the light-rail starter system construction program. Almost every segment of the 32.2-km (20-mi), 21-station starter system presents a different situation, ranging from on-street to grade separated conditions. The starter system includes a new Trinity River Bridge, grade separations, aerial alignments, a subway, a central business district mall, joint use of a utility corridor, median running, and standard railroad environments. This flexibility has also been incorporated into the specifications for the light-rail vehicles and the stations that will be served. Revenue service is expected to begin in June 1996.