DART Quiet Zones Installed Along Silver Line North of Dallas

Introduction to the Silver Line Regional Rail

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is set to launch its new Silver Line Regional Rail by the end of 2025. This commuter line will stretch from Plano to DFW Airport, offering a crucial transportation link for residents and travelers alike. As part of this expansion, DART is implementing a quiet zone along most of the 26-mile route. This initiative means that trains will no longer honk their horns as they pass through intersections, significantly reducing noise pollution in the surrounding communities.

Establishing the Quiet Zone

To create this quiet zone, DART has collaborated with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and six of the seven cities that the Silver Line will cross. The goal of these quiet zones is to minimize noise disruption while ensuring safety remains a top priority. Trains will only sound their horns when there is an obstacle or situation that could affect their passage on or near the tracks.

During testing, which has been ongoing since mid-2024, trains were required to sound their horns at all rail crossings to help motorists and pedestrians become familiar with the presence of the train. However, this will change soon, as quiet zones are expected to become active by the following dates:

• July 30: Coppell
• August 1: Addison and Dallas
• August 22: Carrollton, Richardson, and Plano

All dates are tentative and pending FRA approval.

Commitment to Safety

Safety has been a primary concern throughout the development of the Silver Line. DART’s Vice President of Capital Programs, Trey Walker, emphasized the importance of safety in a statement: “Safety has been one of our biggest priorities as we’ve pushed through on this project, so we want to thank everyone for their patience as we’ve worked through all the requirements needed with FRA officials to get these quiet zones active.”

Once the quiet zones are activated, residents, motorists, and pedestrians will no longer hear the train horn consistently as vehicles approach a rail crossing or station. Horns will only be used when necessary for safety, such as when an object is blocking the track.

Additional Safety Measures

DART has worked closely with city and FRA officials to ensure that all areas along the rail alignment meet the necessary safety standards for establishing quiet zones. These measures include fencing, quad gates at rail crossings, and unmountable curbs that prevent vehicles from driving around gates. Once activated, both passenger and freight trains must comply with all quiet zone regulations.

Understanding the Silver Line

It's important to note that the Silver Line is not light rail. The vehicles are powered by electric diesel multiple-unit (DMU) engines manufactured by Stadler in Salt Lake City. These engines meet strict Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards. The trains offer seating for more than 220 passengers and include amenities such as multidirectional seats, overhead storage, and internal closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras. This design makes them more similar to Trinity Metro’s TexRail vehicles than DART’s existing light rail fleet operating on the Red, Blue, Orange, and Green Lines.

Overview of the Silver Line Route

The DART Silver Line is a 26-mile commuter rail that connects seven North Texas cities: Grapevine, Coppell, Dallas, Carrollton, Addison, Richardson, and Plano. It stretches between DFW Airport and Shiloh Road in Plano. The new regional rail line features 53 miles of a double-track alignment that crosses three counties—Collin, Dallas, and Tarrant. This expansion aims to enhance mobility and accessibility across the northern portion of the DART service area, providing a reliable and efficient transportation option for residents and visitors alike.