The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) operates the second largest rail transit system in the United States and the fifth largest bus network. More than one-third of the federal government employees commute to work on the public transit system, and millions of tourists rely on public transportation for sightseeing in the nation’s capital.

Shotcrete lining of mined tunnels

Parsons began working with WMATA in 1966 as its general engineering consultant for the Metrorail system, initially contributing rail transit expertise under the DeLeuw, Cather banner. From project inception through buildout, our work on the original 103-mile network encompassed a full range of engineering services: planning; preliminary design; development of general plans, standards, and directives; final design management; and support to construction. Based on our continuous 40+ years of experience as WMATA’s general engineering consultant, we are currently leading a joint venture consortium by providing on-call task order services to ensure that the rail and bus system facilities remain in a sound state of good repair and will accommodate future growth.

Since project inception, Parsons’ responsibilities for the Metrorail system have included the following deliverables:

• Passenger station vault construction

  Preliminary engineering design of entire system
• Planning and route location
• Surveying and rights-of-way requirements
• Design criteria, standards, and directives
• Standard construction specifications
• Construction estimates and schedules
• Management of all final design contractors
• Construction management and start-up support for the first revenue section

We also managed the design of the following project components:

• The American Public Transit Association presented an Outstanding Achievement Award for excellence in planning, construction, safety, operation, and maintenance

  Aerial, at-grade, and subway structures
• Trackwork
• Traction power
• Train control and communications
• System safety evaluation
• Noise and vibration control
• Corrosion control
• Tunnel ventilation

A significant portion of the system was constructed within heavily developed commercial and residential areas. The Metrorail network includes 50 underground transit stations and 48 miles of subways (22 miles of cut-and-cover tunnels, 11 miles of earth tunnels, and 15 miles of rock tunnels).

Because Parsons encountered virtually all possible soil conditions during underground construction, we developed techniques to underpin foundations for major buildings and introduced many tunneling innovations:

• All stations and trains are accessible to people with disabilities WMATA photo by Larry Levine

  Leader in U.S. application of the New Austrian Tunnel Method (NATM), developing NATM tunneling designs for both line sections and station caverns
• Applied techniques for gasketed and bolted segmental concrete lining
• Incorporated floating slabs to reduce ground-borne vibrations
• Designed single-pass and two-pass soft-ground tunnels
• Integrated benefits of incorporating a large-diameter earth pressure balance machine

In close association with WMATA staff, we developed the criteria and coordinated the design of the Metrorail automatic train control system. This system includes a dual, computer-based operations control center and vital control equipment installed throughout the transit system to provide safe, automatic systems for train protection, operations, and supervision.

Currently, as the lead firm of the P²D joint venture, Parsons is involved in more than $60 million worth of task orders to support WMATA’s mature transit operations:

• Articulated bus passes Gallery Place-Chinatown Metrorail Station WMATA photo by Larry Levine

  Train leaving New York Avenue WMATA photo by Larry Levine

  Projections indicate Metrorail ridership will double by 2025 WMATA photo by Larry Levine

  Foremost in our current assignments are more than 40 task orders under WMATA's Infrastructure Renewal Program, which maintains the rail and bus systems in a good state of repair. This work includes inspection and repair of various station and bridge structural facilities, electrical and mechanical systems serving the rail system, rail and bus maintenance facilities, and communications, train control, and command systems supporting rail and bus operations.
• A second major element of our current work is in support of the Metro Matters program, which is preparing the rail system for increased ridership demands in coming years. Projections indicate that Metrorail ridership will double by 2025, and WMATA is taking steps now to increase its operating capacity and overall efficiencies in order to accommodate the forecast growth. Under this program, Parsons is upgrading the existing traction power system to provide for longer trains operating at shorter headways over the routes.
• Planning activities include transportation-oriented development studies, evaluations of new and additional entrances for rail stations, and studies for new bus maintenance and parking facilities.
  
  
  
  
  

Parsons continues to bring its depth of experience and innovation to WMATA and to urban transit systems around the world.

Project Awards Our original designs for traction power capacity provided for future expansion WMATA photo by Larry Levine Washington Building Congress Craftsmanship Award in recognition of outstanding work: Traction Power Equipment Installation SS1-12 Washington Building Congress Craftsmanship Award in recognition of outstanding work: Greenbelt Service and Inspection Shop Engineering Achievement Award presented by the American Society of Civil Engineers for the Metrorail Green Line, Waterfront to Anacostia Outstanding Achievement Award presented to WMATA by the American Public Transit Association for excellence in planning, construction, safety, operation, and maintenance Designated as “America’s Number 1 Transit System” by the American Public Transit Association Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award presented by the American Society of Civil Engineers Award for Excellence in Design Using Precast Concrete presented by the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute for the DuPont Circle Metro Station Award for Superior Design Achievement presented by the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute for the Rhode Island Avenue Station Canopy New escalator shelters for underground stations WMATA photo by Larry Levine

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