WMATA Eight Car Train Studies

Location

Washington, D.C.

Status

Design Completed 2013

Client

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

Cost

$9 Million

In 2002 Metro initiated the Core Capacity Study to analyze the effect on the core stations and rail network if the Board’s ridership and system expansion goals were met. This study found that daily Metrorail ridership could reach 1.4 million by 2025 and that peak hour transfers in the morning could more than double in that same period. By moving to an Eight Car Train configuration WMATA will be able to make a significant increase in capacity. However, the new configuration necessitates station modifications to ease congestion on the platforms, escalators, and egresses to enable the increased number of passengers to move through the system. In 2013 KGP created concept designs and produced 3D models for station modifications based not only on the longer trains but other studies addressing constraints to station access. The twelve Core Stations modifications were all drawn and quantified demonstrating added capacity, costs, and improved access.