Historically dmu's have only had marginal success and often represent the last gasp prior to abandonment of passenger service. They are the Galloping Geese of the railroad world.

SMART would have been better off with either traditional heavy passenger rail(wine trains would be possible)or with electric light rail ala Phoenix. They are going to have to relay anyway - why not put in a second track and let NCRA-NWP fend for themselves?