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The middle portion of the Red Line takes it along
a stretch of Fannin densely packed with nearby high-rise medical facilities.
The destination guide distributed at the time of the
route's opening noted that the Texas Medical Center was the largest in
the world, home "to 13 teaching hospitals, two medical
schools and four colleges of nursing, among other institutions."
There is much rail traffic generated by area workers and visitors.
This view is from inside a northbound train
approaching Dryden/TMC.
There are numerous locations along this stretch where the left-turn lane for
road
traffic intrudes into the rail lane. Autos may enter
the turn lane when the
downward-slanted arrow is green -- but that arrow turns to a red "X"
when a train is approaching, and entry is forbidden.
It is a bit confusing, perhaps, and there is much opportunity for
conflict here, and elsewhere on the system. There have
been numerous accidents between car traffic and light
rail, and safety has been the subject of much media attention and
study by the transit agency. Early on this observer noted some very vigorous law enforcement
of
infractions by motorists and errant pedestrians. |
