Traffic & Transit
DART is slowing down light rail speed due to heat
In order to prevent equipment damages and maintain the safety of both passengers and employees, DART reduced light rail speed due to heat
Dallas - Due to forecasted high temperatures, the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) announced a reduction in the speed of its light rail service for last Thursday, Dallas Metro News reported according a release by DART.
The extreme heat can lead to a plethora of track issues including expansion, deformation, and even buckling, which are detrimental to safe and smooth rail operations. Overhead wiring on the train can also be adversely affected by the heat.
Travelers utilizing DART's light rail service were informed to be prepared for a potential delay in their commutes, with expected waits of an additional 10-15 minutes.
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"We encourage riders to allow extra travel time to make connections," DART said in a statement Thursday.
DART emphasized its ongoing commitment to monitor the North Texas weather conditions vigilantly. The decision is rooted in prioritizing the safety of both passengers and employees, and to decide if further speed reductions will be required in the future.
Find out what's happening in Dallasfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
DART has been reducing the speed due to extreme heat in past years too.
To keep updated on any changes to DART's services, riders are urged to register for DART Alerts at www.dart.org. For any further inquiries, the DART Customer Information line is available at 214-979-1111.
Credit: Dallas Metro News, DART
