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Purple Line Sharing Roadway Will Pose Safety Challenges

By: David Schultz // May 20, 2011
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The Purple Line's light rail cars would run on the street, next to moving traffic -- in many places, along busy, six-lane roads.

The Maryland Transit Administration's Mike Madden, who's in charge of the project, says figuring out a way to design the Purple Line so it's safe for riders, drivers, and pedestrians is his most important challenge.

"We need to make sure that people standing on a platform that's in the roadway are safe, that they're not going to go out into traffic," Madden says. "We need to very much direct the pedestrian flows."

That's not to say the other major challenge for Madden and the Transit Administration -- money -- will be a piece of cake. Earlier this week Maryland [increased0(http://wamu.org/news/11/05/19/princegeorgesstandsbehindpurplelinedespite_cost.php) the estimated cost for the Purple Line for the second time in three years. It's now expected to cost almost $2 billion.

Purple Line Lpa Map 2010-04-14

Arts & Culture

NPR

'Epic' Movie Role For Music Superstar Pitbull

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Food

NPR

Canned Peaches Are As Nutritious As Fresh. Really?

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Politics

NPR

CBC Chair Marcia Fudge Wants Caucus To Be Heard On The Hill

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Technology

NPR

3-D Printer Makes Life-Saving Splint For Baby Boy's Airway

A 3-D printer is being credited with helping save an Ohio baby's life, after doctors "printed" a tube to support a weak airway that caused him to stop breathing. The innovative procedure has allowed Kaiba Gionfriddo, of Youngstown, Ohio, to stay off a ventilator for more than a year.

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