INTEGRATION OF LIGHT RAIL OPERATIONS AND ROADWAY TRAFFIC CONTROL -- THE DALLAS AREA RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM APPROACH

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is constructing a 20-mile double track light rail transit (LRT) starter system. Much of this system will operate at-grade, crossing 66 roadways. These crossings will occur in median-running, side-running, and mid-block, and transitway mall environments. Each condition requires special traffic control, coordination, and safety features. Because there are so many at-grade crossings in the DART LRT starter system, the provision of a safe and efficient LRT/traffic interface is necessary for the success of the system. This paper discusses the approach used to control and coordinate light rail and motor vehicle traffic in each operating environment.