Purple Line Light-Rail Vehicle Testing to Begin

Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer Charles R. Reuning sent the following message to the campus community on Monday:

The Purple Line contractor is scheduled to begin light-rail vehicle (LRV) testing on the tracks from the WMATA College Park Metrorail station through the UMD campus core to the University of Maryland Global Campus this week. 

During this first phase, testing will occur between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. on select nights through the Spring semester. For the most up-to-date information on testing dates, visit the UMD Purple Line construction notices webpage. 

Impacts During Testing
The following impacts are planned for the duration of the overnight testing. See the map for details.

• Temporary holds of up to 15 minutes will occur along the Purple Line tracks and all cross streets as the LRV travels back and forth across campus. Crews will be deployed ahead of the police-escorted LRVs to briefly block cross streets and crosswalks for driver and pedestrian safety.
• The following roads will be closed from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. the next morning each night of testing:
  • Campus Drive between Preinkert Drive (near Anne Arundel Hall) and Union Drive (near the Benjamin Building)
  • Connector road between Lot C1 (near Turner Hall) and Lot L (Lot C1 exit)
  • Rossborough Lane between Yale Avenue and Diamondback Drive
• Some crosswalks will be closed, and others will experience periodic holds to allow the LRV to pass safely. Please follow pedestrian detour signage and flagger directions. See the map for details.

Emergency vehicles will have unfettered access at all times. Expect delays as the LRV passes through. Use caution when traveling through the area.

Shuttle-UM service may experience delays or detours. Check the Transit App for alerts and real-time arrival information.

General Purple Line Safety Precautions
As Purple Line activity increases, please keep the following safety precautions in mind:

• Overhead Power Lines: The high-voltage overhead wires that will power the LRVs are safe at ground level and should be treated with the same caution you would use with any overhead power lines:
  • Never get near them with any tall object, such as a ladder
  • Never throw anything onto the lines
  • If you see a downed power line, call 911 to report it
• Rail Safety:
  • The Purple Line tracks are embedded in the roadway in many locations. We urge caution for micromobility riders and wheelchair users when traveling near the tracks, due to gaps in the rails:
    • Micromobility vehicles should use designated bike paths where available, and wheelchair users should use sidewalks
    • Avoid riding parallel to the rails, and always cross the tracks at a 90-degree angle to prevent wheels from getting stuck in the rail gap
  • Never park on the tracks, including delivery vehicles

Additional Information
The Purple Line light-rail route will extend from New Carrollton in Prince George’s County to Bethesda in Montgomery County, and five of the 21 stations will be on or around the UMD campus. With direct connections to Metrorail, Amtrak and MARC, the Purple Line will provide more accessible and reliable transportation for students, faculty and staff.

To stay up to date on project progress, visit UMD's Purple Line website for impacts on campus and the official Purple Line website for impacts beyond campus. If you have questions or encounter issues while traveling around campus, including accessibility concerns, contact purpleline@umd.edu.

Sincerely,