Conclusion of Law
The application should be granted as set forth in the following order.
IT IS ORDERED that:
1. Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is authorized to construct an at-grade crossing of the Woz Way/West San Carlos Street Intersection, to be identified as crossing 82D-2.5, by the light rail transit line of the Vasona Light Rail Project in the City of San Jose, Santa Clara County, as set forth in Appendices A, B, C, and D and as more fully described in the application.
2. Clearances and walkways shall be in accordance with General Order 143-B.
3. Protection at the crossing shall be as indicated by text, plans attached to the application and as further described by Appendices A and B of this order.
4. Construction and maintenance costs shall be borne in accordance with an agreement that has been entered into between the parties. A copy of the agreement shall be filed with the Commission prior to starting construction.
5. Within 30 days after completion of the work under this order, VTA shall notify the Commission in writing that the authorized work was completed.
6. This authorization shall expire if not exercised within two years unless time is extended or if the above conditions are not complied with. Authorization may be revoked or modified if public convenience, necessity, or safety so require.
7. The application is granted as set forth above.
8. Application 01-03-034 is closed.
This order becomes effective 30 days from today.
Dated October 10, 2001, at San Francisco, California.
LORETTA M. LYNCH
President
HENRY M. DUQUE
RICHARD A. BILAS
CARL. W. WOOD
GEOFFREY F. BROWN
Commissioners
(End of Appendix A)
As part of the project to construct a light rail transit system, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) proposes to construct this at-grade crossing by the light rail transit line of the Vasona Light Rail Project in the City of San Jose, Santa Clara County. The Woz Way/West San Carlos Street Intersection, identified as 82D-2.5, shall be further protected as indicated by plans and text contained in the applications and as described below:
a) The southbound traffic movement of Woz Way consists of a left-turn lane and a shared through-right lane. The northbound movement has three lanes: a left turn, through, and right-turn lane. West San Carlos Street has a left turn, through and shared through/right-turn lane for the eastbound movement. The westbound movement for West San Carlos Street has a left turn, two through, and a right-turn lane. The existing Guadalupe LRT alignment changes from east-west direction to a north-south direction just east of the intersection. The Guadalupe LRT alignment travels the center of West San Carlos Street until it turns to the southeast of the intersection and then travels along the east side of Woz Way.
b) The existing traffic signal operations consist of a five-phase operation. The eastbound and westbound left turns have a protected movement while the northbound and southbound left turns are permissive. The existing Guadalupe LRT movements (both directions) are given priority with the westbound left turn traffic signal phase.
c) The traffic signal will be modified to provide eight-phase operation, three of which will be LRT phases. The approaching traffic on the east West San Carlos Street leg can operate with the westbound to southbound or northbound to eastbound LRT movements. The approaching traffic on the west West San Carlos Street leg can operate with the westbound and eastbound LRT movements. During arena events and other special service operations, when LRT movements are eastbound to southbound or northbound to westbound through the intersection, there is no associated phase and all traffic will be stopped.
d) To safely accommodate the LRT and the pedestrian movements on the south leg of Woz Way, the existing right-turn lane will be combined with the adjacent through lane. The westbound West San Carlos Street approach will be modified to provide a shared left-through lane. The stop bars for the eastbound approach will be pulled back to prevent vehicles from encroaching into the LRT dynamic envelope. Active "NO RIGHT TURN ON RED" signs will be placed for southbound and northbound Woz Way traffic. Both of these signs will be activated during arena events and other special service operations, and the northbound Woz Way sign will be activated during all westbound to southbound and northbound to eastbound LRT movements. Active TRAIN APPROACHING icon signs will replace existing TROLLEY COMING signs. Active TRAIN APPROACHING icon signs will also be placed on all the sidewalk approaches crossing the tracks. Pedestrian ADA tactile strips will be placed on all sidewalks crossing the tracks.
(End of Appendix B)
(End of Appendix C)
(End of Appendix D)
