Impact of DART Light Rail (Dallas) on
Traffic Congestion
Based upon Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and Texas Transportation Institute data, it is estimated that the existing light rail lines are removing approximately
0.1 percent of traffic volume in the Dallas area (not Dallas-Fort Worth). This represents 2.3 percent of the 1995-7 average daily increase in vehicle miles (latest
data available).
This means that DART's light rail lines have removed the equivalent of 8.3 days of traffic growth in the Dallas area.
It is thus estimated that the traffic volume level that would have been reached on June 22, 1998 without light rail was postponed
as a result of
light rail to June 30, 1998
The capital cost per day's volume of traffic is an estimated
$102 million.
|
Traffic Volume and Air Pollution Levels Reached on this Day without Light Rail |
June 22, 1998 |
|
Are Estimated to Have Been Reached Instead on this Day as a result of Light Rail |
June 30, 1998 |
|
Days of Traffic Growth that Nullify Light Rail's Traffic Reduction Impact: |
8 |
|
Cost per Day |
$102,000,000 |
Calculations and methodology are shown below
|
Annual Light Rail Passenger Miles |
58,916,771 |
1998 National Transit Database |
|
Estimated Weekday Passenger Miles |
196,389 |
Annual divided by 300 |
|
Auto Driver Diversion Rate |
35.5% |
DART Survey: Assumes 0.5 Driver Car Pool Ratio |
|
Light Rail Transfer from Drivers: Vehicle Miles |
69,708 |
Weekday Passenger Miles times Auto Driver Diversion Rate |
|
Annual Daily Increase in Roadway Vehicle Miles |
3,000,000 |
Texas Transportation Institute: 1995-7 Annual Rate |
|
Light Rail Related Reduction in Roadway Vehicle Miles Relative to Growth in Vehicle Miles |
2.3% |
Light Rail Transfer Divided by Total Travel |
|
Days of Traffic Volume Increase Transfered to Light Rail |
8.3 |
Percentage Reduction times 365 |
|
Capital Cost per Day of Traffic Volume Reduction |
$102,000,000 |
Days of Traffic Volume Reduction Divided by Light Rail Capital Cost |
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