05-07-2015, 09:57 PM
This past week I was in Texas, and rode several systems, including Houston and Dallas' LRT systems, and even made a special trip out to IAH to ride their Linear-motor powered peoplemover which connects the terminals (it's been on my list of must-ride systems for a decade!). The Las Colinas APT was down for refurbishment so I didn't get a chance to ride it.
Dallas' Kinki-Sharyo vehicles are interesting in that when the system opened, each train consisted of two high-floor halves (much like Toronto's ALRV's). In a move I suspect was to comply with ADA/wheelchair requirements, a centre section has been added to each train with a sunken floor that provides a low-floor area where a wheelchair can go.
Houston runs Siemens S70 trains with a fixed-bogie centre section. As Houston has had something like 90 accidents in the first year (and you thought I was kidding when I said when not if an accident occurs here), many of the crossings have full railway barriers and extra stoplights, red illuminated rings around the stoplights, etc... to try and mitigate collisions.
Dallas' Kinki-Sharyo vehicles are interesting in that when the system opened, each train consisted of two high-floor halves (much like Toronto's ALRV's). In a move I suspect was to comply with ADA/wheelchair requirements, a centre section has been added to each train with a sunken floor that provides a low-floor area where a wheelchair can go.
Houston runs Siemens S70 trains with a fixed-bogie centre section. As Houston has had something like 90 accidents in the first year (and you thought I was kidding when I said when not if an accident occurs here), many of the crossings have full railway barriers and extra stoplights, red illuminated rings around the stoplights, etc... to try and mitigate collisions.