Transit Oriented Development (TOD) near Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Rail, like CityLine and the continued growth in the Cedars south of downtown Dallas, is driving the North Texas economic boom with more than $7 billion in economic impact from new or planned construction within a quarter mile of rail stations, according to a new study.
Researchers from the Economics Research Group at the University of North Texas, led by Michael Carroll, Ph.D., also determined this activity in 2014 and 2015 generated more than 43,000 jobs resulting in nearly $3 billion in wages, salaries, and benefits. A 2014 study from UNT identified $5.3 billion in TOD near DART Rail stations between 1996 and 2013.
Ad Loading...
“DART, and the projects around it, will sustain our continued growth,” Carroll says. “This very rapid increase in investment and development activity around DART stations reflects the improvement in our regional economy.”
The regional economic benefit takes many forms. Completed or under-construction TOD near DART stations has already generated $69 million in state and local tax revenue. The study also projects potential spending for planned or proposed developments could produce another $160 million in state and local tax revenue.
“Increased property values and the revenues generated from that is another way Dallas and the other DART cities are benefitting from our investment,” Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings says. “DART has created new connections to attract developers to fertile areas for investment. We see that transformation in all parts of our city...”
Investment paying dividends The 93-mile light rail system, the nation’s longest, was built at a cost of $5.5 billion. The most recent extension, three miles, connecting a renewed Ledbetter Station to the campus of the University of North Texas Dallas, opened Oct. 24.
“This study reminds us transportation is more than a ride from one point to another,” DART President/Executive Director Gary Thomas says. “Developers see the benefit. That’s why they’re putting their money into new live/work/play communities close to our stations. The value of those projects significantly exceeds the regional investment in rail and they are changing the face of our region.”
Development magnet in good times and bad Authors of the 2014 study found DART could make substantial contributions to regional economic health even when the area experienced an economic downturn not seen since the Great Depression of the 1930s. “Even through difficult economic times, DART has demonstrated its ability to boost the North Texas economy through its daily operations, capital spending and attracting private investment,” said Terry L. Clower, Ph.D., principal author of the 2014 study and now director of the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University.
But the authors of the 2016 study believe the regional environment has fully recovered noting, “The region is one of the fastest growing nationwide in terms of population and continues to be the destination for corporate relocations.” To prove the point, they identified 11 projects in various stages of development, in all parts of the DART Service Area, with a total economic impact of $5.1 billion for the region. The list of projects includes development of the Dallas High School site near Pearl Station, an expanded Southwest Airlines Training Facility, and Northshore and the Irving Entertainment District in Las Colinas.
DART’s economic impact reports and more information are available at DART.org/EconomicImpact.
Operation Lifesaver awarded $220,200 in grants to 12 states to support rail safety campaigns focused on grade crossing awareness and trespass prevention.
The survey showed that commute trips still make up the majority of ridership, with most riders boarding 2 to 3 days a week, reflecting hybrid work schedules. Two-thirds of Caltrain riders have access to a car, while 37% of Caltrain riders are considered low-income.
Advances in data and analytics are giving transit agencies new opportunities to refine maintenance practices, improve efficiency and make more informed decisions about asset performance.
In this Consultant Roundtable, Carmen C. Cham shares insights on how agencies can create spaces that are intuitive, connected and built for long-term impact.
The Red Line Extension Project will provide the Far South Side of Chicago with rapid rail transit for the first time by extending the Red Line by 5.5 miles from 95th Street to 130th Street, including the construction of four new Red Line stations at 103rd, 111th, Michigan, and 130th streets.
The Siemens CBTC System, Trainguard MT, in compliance with New York Subway Interoperability Interface Specifications, enables trains to run as close as 90 seconds apart, using next-generation signaling and continuous communication to keep operations moving seamlessly.
While recognizing regional economic constraints and continuing to improve service, the budget increases the jurisdictional subsidy to less than 1.8%, significantly below the inflation rate and the 3% regional target, said agency officials.
With more than 59,400,000 boardings since the service’s debut, the A Line’s utilization surpassed that of all other RTD rail services in 2025, the agency reported.
The plan outlines funding for transit operations, capital projects, and freight and passenger rail initiatives, as state officials seek public input on priorities shaping mobility and infrastructure across the Commonwealth.
