DART rolls out new ‘super’ light-rail vehicles

By Angela Cotey, Associate Editor

How’s this for killing two birds with one stone: Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is addressing both accessibility and capacity issues by upgrading its light-rail vehicles to “super light-rail vehicles” (SLRV).

Last month, the agency began operating the modified LRVs, which feature a “C-car” insert between the “A” and “B” cars’ articulation point — the first time such an insert has been used on LRVs in North America, says DART Senior Vice President, Rail Program Development Tim McKay.

The low-floor center section features seating capacity for an additional 25 passengers and allows for level boarding, enabling passengers with disabilities — as well as those with strollers, bicycles, luggage, etc. — to step or roll directly onto the trains.

The inserts, which provide space for wheelchairs, strollers and bikes, will enable DART to continue operating its high-floor LRV fleet through the end of its useful life rather than converting to low-floor vehicles, says McKay.

“Ten years ago, low-floor technology just didn’t exist,” he says. “These vehicles have a 30-year life, and we can’t afford to sell them and buy all low-floor vehicles, so this is a way of transitioning to level boarding.”

More modifications

As part of the SLRV transition, DART also is modifying its station platforms to accommodate the level boarding (with the exception of Victory Station, which already was built for level boarding).

Work began in November 2007 and will continue for two years.

Under the $190 million SLRV program, DART will upgrade its entire 115-car fleet with the inserts by 2010’s end. Vehicles will be placed into service as they’re converted.

DART is conducting the program in partnership with rail vehicle manufacturer Kinkisharyo.

“In addition to giving us level boarding, these inserts allow us to add capacity without having to schedule more trains, which is especially important because we only have one alignment downtown,” says McKay.