The Dallas fixed guideway rapid transit mode analysis: A prototype for suppliers and decision makers

This paper presents the findings of the Dallas Fixed Guideway Rapid Transit Mode Analysis conducted for the City of Dallas, Texas, in early 1983. The study examined straddle beam monorail technology for urban transit use and compared it with light rail, pre-metro, rapid rail, and ICTS. This technology investigation: 1) evaluated key procurement, operational, and urban integration issues; 2) examined performance in typical highway and railroad corridors; and 3) provided detailed cost analyses for comparison among four system capacity levels. This study, and its results, could have important implications for the suppliers of new or uncommon technologies for urban transit applications.