April 5, 2005

Light rail vehicle testing underway

By Campbell Mayor Jane Kennedy
Special to the Times

As reported previously, light rail vehicle (LRV) testing is now underway on the Vasona corridor between downtown San Jose and the Campbell Winchester Station, just south of downtown Campbell.

Testing includes such tasks as checking for clearance at station platforms and monitoring the new communications system.

From now until July 2005, Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is conducting extensive testing on the newly constructed project before it opens to the public for service. Testing includes checking for clearance at station platforms, communications between train and traffic signals, evaluating the overhead power lines that deliver power to the light rail vehicles and monitoring the new communications system.

After the testing process, LRV operators will begin training on the new Vasona extension.

Pedestrians and motorists may observe testing and training at any time of the day or night. The public is advised that the test trains will run on irregular schedules and may not stop at all stations during the testing and training period.

Furthermore, trains may run in either direction on either track. Therefore, for safety reasons, the station platforms will remain closed until regular fare service begins which is anticipated sometime this summer.

For more information about the Vasona Light Rail Project, go to www.vta.org or call Jennifer Lemus, VTA Community Outreach at (408) 546-7985.