Coronavirus News

Face coverings now a mandatory thing at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport

DFW Airport travelers must now be masked.

Photo courtesy of AA

With coronavirus cases rising exponentially across the state of Texas, airports are starting to take precautions and that includes Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, which is now requiring all customers, employees, and partners to wear a face covering or mask while in airport facilities or riding in an airport vehicle.

In a release, DFW Airport CEO Sean Donohue says that the safety and well-being of customers and employees is a top priority.

"This policy aligns with mandates announced by Dallas and Tarrant counties that require face coverings in public settings," Donohue says. "We require everyone visiting our airport facilities to wear a face covering and strongly encourage following the guidelines for personal precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."

The release notes that face coverings have been proven an effective protective measure to help reduce and slow the spread of COVID-19.

Masks are required by the airlines once you board the plane, and the airport previously had a policy for all employees to wear masks. This extends it to include all passengers and visitors, as well.

Beginning July 2 and until further notice, anyone 2 years of age or older must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth in passenger terminals, the Airport rental car facility, and all Airport parking facilities, as well as vehicles and Airport transportation like SkyLink and Terminal Link.

Face coverings can be removed when eating or drinking, or when asked to verify identity by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, Airport Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers or airline staff.

Face coverings are not required of anyone with medical or physical conditions that would prohibit safely wearing one.

transportation science

DART News

DART launches scooter parking pilot program at 4 Dallas rail stations

DART

Scooter parking for DART

In a new pilot program, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is making room for scooters: According to a release, four DART stations will now have dedicated parking zones for scooters.

DART will unveil six designated scooter parking zones at four of its highest-traffic stations. Each of the zones will be specifically marked and provide a controlled space for users to park scooters, leaving them clear of walkways, platforms and rail or bus paths, where they can disrupt train and bus service.

The designated scooter parking zones can be found at:

CBD West Transit Center – just east and behind the bus shelter
Victory Station – next to tap and go pay stations along the walkway to the American Airlines Center and next to the southernmost crossing at the rail platform
EBJ/Union Station – on the sidewalk near the north and south entrances to Union Station
SMU/Mockingbird Station – next to bike racks along the walkway from station platform

The pilot program is expected to run a few months beginning in December.

DART will collaborate with the City of Dallas to process the data to scooter rental companies to ensure that the scooters are equipped with geofencing technology allowing the marking of their locations.

With motorized scooters becoming a common mode of "micro transit" for commuters, DART hopes to clear clutter and walking hazards for rail and bus customers, while also provide those who use scooters a quick and reliable way to access or park them.

“Whether people like them or not, scooters have become a popular form of transportation across our service area,” says DART VP of capital design and construction Trey Walker. “We’re acknowledging this fact while attempting to get ahead of scooter clutter at our stations with this pilot program. We want to ensure that our transit stations remain safe, and we continue to maximize efficiency with our train and bus operations.”

Scooter companies, Lime and Bird, are also partnering with DART to incorporate scooter locations near transit stations on the GoPass app, making it easier for riders to find scooters to utilize and complete their journey. DART staff will also monitor the usage of the scooter parking zones and gather public feedback regarding their effectiveness during the pilot.