June is National Safety Month, so we’re taking the opportunity to show how safety informs everything we do.
Now that 10 percent of the conceptual design for the D2 Subway is complete, it’s the perfect time to explore the safety features that are part of the design of the D2 stations and platforms.
The D2 Subway project involves four new stations: Museum Way, an at-grade station, and Metro Center, Commerce, and CBD East, all underground stations. |
Access and Emergency Services
Stations will be designed to ensure emergency services can respond to any incidents as quickly as possible and also so DART can maintain air quality and ensure adequate emergency exits
Platform Edge Doors
DART is considering use of platform edge doors in the subway stations. Platform edge doors are an automatically controlled barrier to the tracks, which only allows passengers access when a train arrives and stops at a station. These barriers:
As a bonus, platform edge doors prevent litter build up on the rack as well as improve the sound quality of platform announcements.
Signage and Lighting
Ensuring that people using the D2 Subway know where they are going and can get there safely is critical – especially in an emergency situation. That’s why the D2 stations will have intuitive signage throughout, to make it easy for passengers to access their train, but also connect from stations to local attractions and destinations. People’s ease of getting around will be further enhanced by effective lighting design, which will keep the platform open, visible and well-lit, and will support security and surveillance technology.
For more information on what goes into building the D2 Subway, check out our “Anatomy of a Subway” series, and stay tuned to DART Daily for updates on the project’s progress.