AASHTO Journal - Maryland Begins ‘Dynamic Testing’ of Purple Line Equipment

The Maryland Transit Administration – a division of the Maryland Department of Transportation – recently began “dynamic testing” of Purple Line light rail equipment on a one-mile test track located adjacent to the project’s operations and maintenance facility along Veterans Parkway in Glenridge, MD.

[Above photo by the Maryland DOT]

Dynamic testing for light rail equipment involves running trains on the tracks to evaluate multiple mechanical systems under real-world conditions.

The unveiling of Purple Line rail cars. Photo by David Trozzo for Maryland DOT.

All eight of the 142-foot light rail vehicles currently on hand will go back and forth over the one-mile track, with transit team members overseeing safety, testing, operations and engineering as well as train operators will evaluate various onboard components such as the braking, propulsion, electrical, signaling and communication systems.

Testing – which will be conducted during both daytime and nighttime hours – is initially confined to the test track, Maryland DOT stressed, as Purple Line trains will not yet operate on any public roadways or interact with other vehicles or pedestrians.

Once dynamic testing on the test track is complete, future phases of light rail vehicle testing will involve trains running on longer sections of the mainline track, the Maryland DOT noted.

Dynamic testing is expected to continue throughout 2026 as new light rail vehicles are received, with full passenger service expected to begin in late 2027.

“This is a monumental moment for the Purple Line as the project begins systems testing and brings us closer to service,” said Maryland DOT Secretary Paul Wiedefeld in a statement.

“With the project at 76 percent complete, seeing the light rail vehicles on the tracks is a welcome sight that shows our continued progress,” he added. “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.”

“[This is] another major milestone for the Purple Line; it means a big step forward for Maryland’s public transit future,” said Holly Armold, administrator of the Maryland Transit Administration. “As the project transforms from primarily heavy construction into the testing phases, we are closer to our goal of connecting Maryland communities of Prince George’s County, Montgomery County and the region.”