Vasona Light Rail Line: Answers and Actions

Updated December 2005 (New Information is in Bold Type)

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) staff prepared this update to respond to residents' questions and concerns regarding light rail operations on the Vasona Line. 

Why must trains sound horns and bells?

Safety requirements of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), which regulate VTA's Light Rail operations, state:

• That the bell or horn must be sounded before the train makes a forward movement
• To warn people on or near the track of the approaching train
• As the train passes through a station platform
• Whenever the operator believes it is necessary.

In each of these circumstances, the light rail operator determines which level of bell or horn is needed to adequately warn pedestrians and/or motorists that a train is nearby. VTA has eliminated the routine sounding of light rail bells and horns at all at-grade crossings protected by gates and/or bells between West San Carlos Street in San Jose and Kennedy Avenue in Campbell. Operators may still sound the  bell or horn for safety reasons.  VTA has instructed all operators to use the minimum level of audible warning necessary in this circumstance.

In addition, in June 2005, a new Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Horn Rule went into effect requiring VTA light rail trains operating in parts of San Jose and Campbell to sound long-long-short-long blasts of the horn at all grade crossings under FRA jurisdiction (those shared with freight trains). FRA Quiet Zones were established on October 8, 2005 in Campbell and on December 14, 2005 in San Jose, exempting VTA train operators from sounding the long-long-short-long blasts of horns.  At-grade crossings subject to the Quiet Zone include Civic Center Drive, Campbell Avenue, Orchard City Drive and Kennedy Avenue in Campbell, and in San Jose, West San Carlos, Sunol, Race and Stokes Streets, and Auzerais, Lincoln, Parkmoor, Fruitdale, Leigh, and Bascom Avenues.  To further address the noise at these intersections, VTA is working with the appropriate regulatory agencies to reduce the gate bell noise at intersections (refer to paragraph below).

Why must the bells ring at gate crossings?

The CPUC also regulates gates and bells at all street crossings. This includes the sound level and duration of the stationary bells on crossing gates and flashers.  All gate bells have been lowered to the minimum allowable level.  VTA will apply for a CPUC variance that would allow the gate bells to ring only until the gate is down.  This would greatly reduce the time the bells ring at crossings. To further address the issue of bell sounds, VTA is investigating measures over the gate bells to minimize gate bell noise.

Why are there so many station and train operator announcements?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that VTA announce each trains destination. VTA is in the process of adjusting these announcements to the lowest audible level. Train operators have been instructed to make outside audio announcements only when there is a safety concern. 

Vasona Light Rail Community Impacts Meeting held in Campbell onNovember 29, 2005

VTA held this public meeting to hear residents’ and businesses’ concerns regarding the new Vasona Light Rail Extension, to solicit potential solutions to their concerns, and to respond to questions. Based on input from this meeting, VTA staff will continue to work on measures to address the community’s concerns and provide status reports to the public on a regular basis. These status reports will be posted on this website and sent by email or U.S. mail to interested residents and businesses.

If you would like to be included on this notification list or have any questions regarding the Vasona Light Rail Line, please contact Gail Collins, VTA Community Outreach at (408) 321-5754, or by email: gail.collins@vta.org or TDD for the hearing impaired (408) 321-2330.