As the Salt Lake Valley continues to grow and evolve, UTA remains committed to providing sustainable, desirable, and efficient transportation options that meet the needs of our vibrant community.
The TRAX light rail system has served Salt Lake valley for over 25 years, and UTA continually seeks to modernize TRAX to meet the community's needs and step into the future with a resilient system that will continue to serve the region for generations to come.
TRAX Forward is a unified program that modernizes the TRAX system through targeted investments, improving reliability, resiliency, and the customer experience to meet changing travel needs and technology.
UTA has identified a preliminary group of 4 priority investment programs to prepare TRAX for the world stage and support UTA’s strategic long-term goals, providing an exceptional light rail system by 2034.
Early Morning and Late Night Service
UTA is exploring approaches to extend the hours of TRAX service to enhance regional connectivity and improve access to the airport. By extending service into the early morning and late night, riders will benefit from increased flexibility and more travel options throughout the day.
- Install infrastructure that will allow UTA to operate more flexible service
System-Wide Level Boarding
The introduction of modern vehicles will enable level boarding across the entire TRAX system. This improvement will make the light rail more accessible for all users, including those with mobility devices, strollers, or luggage, and will streamline the boarding process.
- Station modernization to support level-boarding from all doors
- S70 Fleet updates, including advanced collision detection and static speed control
- New City Link vehicles entering the fleet
Modernized Train Control and Detection
System-wide upgrades to next-generation control and communications systems will enhance the safety, reliability, and efficiency of train operations by utilizing state-of-the-art technology for train control and detection.
- Replacement and rehabilitation of TRAX train control equipment to implement signal compliance, train speed enforcements, enhanced collision prevention, work zone protection, and increased operational efficiency.
Customer Experience Enhancements
TRAX Forward is focused on making the system more comfortable, convenient, safe, dependable, and easier to use. These efforts aim to deliver a world-class transit experience that meets the evolving needs of all riders.
- Standardizing station signage and wayfinding across the system—providing more information to all customers, including adding public announcement systems to all TRAX stations
- Improving real-time information available at stations and on apps
- Improving lighting at stations system-wide
- Enhancing bike facilities at stations, in vehicles, and on UTA property
Other Improvements
Along with the near-term investments identified above, UTA is exploring other modernization programs to enhance TRAX in the medium and long term.
- In collaboration with UDOT, the Orange Line includes 8 new stations and new service between the Airport and the U of U Research Park.
- Modified Blue and Green line termini to provide simpler single-seat service
- Future fleet investments to keep TRAX vehicles modern, safe, and comfortable for all riders.
- Exploring areas for new service expansion to move Utahns, connecting the region
- Pursuing UTA’s exclusive rights to access to the trunk Line, enabling an even wider span of service
- Overhead catenary system rehab & replacement on the Trunk Line, Red Line, and Green Line to maintain efficient power delivery to TRAX’s electric vehicles
- Rail Switches & Trackwork Controls Rehab & Replacement to keep train movements nimble and respond to evolving technologies and efficiencies
- Updating system-wide fiber to provide fast, reliable, and secure communications that improve safety, keep trains running on time, and support real‑time information for riders now and into the future.
- Traction Power Substation Component Replacement and traction power rehab to ensure the light rail system has safe, reliable, and sufficient electrical power to support daily operations, reduce service disruptions, and accommodate future growth.
- Exploration of potential to implement Communication Based Train Control (CBTC), which uses continuous wireless communication between trains and track systems to safely run light rail trains closer together, improving service frequency, reliability, and overall passenger experience.
Sources of TRAX Forward Program Components
Future of Light Rail study, 2023
UTA Five Year Service Plan, 2023
UTA Long-Range Transit Plan, 2024
UTA 10-Year Capital Plan, 2024
TechLink TRAX Study, 2025