Maryland Purple Line officials announced last week that they have begun dynamic testing of their light rail vehicles.
All eight light rail vehicles on-site are ready for this testing phase, which will take place on a one-mile track adjacent to the project’s Operations and Maintenance Facility along Veterans Parkway in Glenridge.
Dynamic testing involves running the trains on the tracks to evaluate multiple mechanical systems under real-world conditions. As the 142-foot light rail vehicles travel back and forth over the track, a team of safety, testing, operations, and engineering personnel, along with train operators, assesses various onboard components, including braking, propulsion, electrical systems, signaling, and communication systems.
According to a press release, Purple Line Transit Operators conduct dynamic testing during the daytime and nighttime to ensure thorough evaluations. Once they complete dynamic testing on the test track, future phases will involve running the trains on longer sections of the mainline track.
Currently, all testing remains confined to the test track, and the Purple Line trains do not operate on public roadways or interact with other vehicles or pedestrians at this stage.
The 16-mile, 21-station Maryland Purple Line is over 75 percent complete and is on track to begin service in winter 2027. Officials expect testing to continue throughout 2026 as new light rail vehicles arrive, leading to the start of passenger service.
“This is a monumental moment for the Purple Line as the project begins systems testing and brings us closer to service,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “With the project at 76% complete, seeing the light rail vehicles on the tracks is a welcome sight that shows our continued progress. Thank you to the team for their hard work and the public for your continued patience as we move closer to finishing the Purple Line.”
More information about the Maryland Purple Line is available online at purplelinemd.com.
Photo Courtesy of the Purple Line Project