Behind the Ride: The Team Keeping MARTA on
Track
You step onto a
MARTA station platform and notice a sign that reads single tracking in effect,
and you know train service is going to be slowed. What you don’t see is a
carefully coordinated operation that keeps MARTA’s entire rail system running
safely and efficiently.
The track
allocation team at MARTA is responsible for managing every component of work
that impacts the rail schedule. From nightly maintenance to corrosion control,
heavy cleaning, and major construction projects, their goal is the same: keep
trains moving while crews perform essential work.
Because of the way
MARTA rail lines were engineered, there isn’t a third track to utilize when
track or wayside work needs to be completed, just the two tracks, meaning all
trains must operate on a single track through an area.“Single tracking is like
turning a two-lane road into a one-lane road,” says Wendee Sexton, Senior
Manager of Track Allocation and Operations Scheduling. “It allows us to safely
perform critical work without having to shut down rail service completely.”
Single tracking
occurs regularly, allowing crews to perform essential work while minimizing
disruption for riders. Some projects require only a few hours, while larger
maintenance or construction tasks may take longer to complete. The team must
balance the needs of riders, the operating schedule, and the safety of both
passengers and employees. “We’re often coordinating multiple projects on the
same track,” Sexton explains. “From cleaning to preventative maintenance and
construction work, all of it is carefully scheduled so trains can keep running
safely.”
The work is highly
technical. Track allocation must be precise, using exact measurements, to
ensure trains and people can operate near each other without risk. Schedules
are monitored in real time, and adjustments are made as needed to keep
operations smooth. Cedric Edwards, Track Allocation and Operations Scheduling
Administrator, adds, “Our goal is to minimize impact for riders while making
sure all work gets done safely. It’s a complex puzzle every day, but seeing
trains move safely after a night of work makes it all worth it.”
For riders, the
impact of single tracking can be significant, especially on weekends when rail
service is operating with less frequency. MARTA recognizes that single tracking
can be inconvenient, but it is a vital part of preventing larger and longer service
impacts such as the closure of entire rail lines for months to complete work.
“It may not feel
like it at times, but I promise we are always thinking about our customers,”
Sexton says. “Single tracking may slow a train temporarily, but it protects
everyone in the long run and keeps the system reliable.”
From routine
maintenance to major upgrades, MARTA’s track allocation and single tracking
operations ensure that every ride is as reliable and safe as possible.
###