Does DART plan to...

[DarkWolf]

Originally Posted by justme02

Calgary got dense because its a city ordinance that you cant build tall buildings outside the core. Thats not the Texas way. Texas is a pro-business, do what you want as long as its good for business kind of place.

Alberta is pretty pro Business , there economy is very strong and powerful. A City should restrict Tall skyscrapers to its core or along a corridor......Cities that don't do that tend to be messy and complex....

[dv1033]

Originally Posted by dfwcre8tive

DART's rail system is the best solution for the area. There's not enough density to require a fully grade-separated heavy rail system, but the light rail still runs in its own double-tracked corridor (not in the street). There's plenty of capacity on the lines to add more frequent service or longer trains if demand warrants in the future. The planned downtown rail tunnel will also help speed service. What Dallas needs next (and is under planning) is a modern streetcar system connecting neighborhoods and pockets of activity to these regional lines. DART's current lines primarily serves commuters, bringing them from the suburbs to downtown.

This. Also, Dallas needs to work on changing it's ordinances to make it's streetscapes more urban. It's kind of ironic how Texas tout's it lax land use policies but it's difficult to get a large area of urban continuity due to ordinances that favor suburban style development and infrastructure.

[CMDallas]

^
They're working on it. They have the little park planned, connecting uptown and downtown.
It's still nothing compared to other cities... probably never will be, or at least not in out lifetime.

The need will eventually be there. And thinking only 10 years in advance is what has Dallas into the mess it has become (e.g. the light rail that goes right through the street in Downtown...who is the genius who thought that one up?? They ended up costing us more in the long run by just postponing a change that would eventually have to take place). A faster heavy rail system probably will be necessary. They're projecting Downtown's population to hit 50,000 by 2030, which isn't that far away really.
It's not Manhattan, but Dallas will develop an urban core.
In addition to this, you will have other areas, especially in North Dallas (Galleria, DT Plano, parts of Richardson) and Las Colinas that will also develop urban qualities.
There has been a big push to revive urban life in Dallas. I think this will facilitate the need for adequate public transportation.

They should also make a line that passes by the Galleria. It would a way to avoid the awful traffic and parking, not to mention help that area urbanize.

DFW's public transportation is underused, no doubt.
It will cost a lot, no doubt.
But in terms of the future, I think the necessity will come.