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As part of its Rail Modernization Program, Metro wants to add safety upgrades to Red Line trains — the Washington DC-area system's most popular line.
The proposed upgrades, outlined in notes before a July 23 committee meeting, include the addition of glass barriers and doors at all 27 stations on the Red Line.
Metro says the doors will help prevent people from falling onto the tracks. There have already been 10 track-related deaths in 2026, more than all of 2025 and 2024.
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"The baseline concept for the partial height platform doors will honor Metro’s architectural legacy and adhere to world-class standards," Metro says in the documents. "All current functionalities of the platform edge will be maintained using modern platform doors. Although platform doors already improve safety and accessibility to Metro stations by eliminating risk of falling onto the track, Metro is also considering additional accessibility and wayfinding features."
What else does Metro say in its proposal? Here's what to know.
What will the Red Line safety upgrades do?
The 5-foot, 6 inch tall doors would be placed before the exit/entry points beside tracks. When a train arrives at a station, the doors will open to allow riders to exit and enter.
Metro says the doors will provide a physical barrier that would reduce the risk of injury or death by preventing "intrusions onto the track," allowing trains to "safely enter and depart stations at full speed."
They are modeled after ones already in place in Copenhagan, London, Madrid and Honolulu.
Other benefits include greater capacity, as the design will allow for faster trips and thus more trains running per hour, along with better efficiency and reliability, Metro says.
"Peer agencies show platform door-enabled rail lines are rated highest for customer satisfaction," according to the proposal.
Currently, there are flashing lights on the floor beside track that alert riders that a train is approaching. With the upgrades, the lights would be on the doors.
Riders will have to wait a while for the proposed upgrades. The engineering phase of the Rail Modernization Program is scheduled for 2028.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why does Metro want to add platform screen doors for Red Line trains?
