When the VTA Operations Division approached the Engineering Program Delivery (EPD) Division with an urgent request, the challenge was clear: improve passenger flow at Great America Station before major events, including Super Bowl 60 and the FIFA World Cup.
During special events at Levi’s Stadium, large crowds exiting the venue often experience confusion when boarding trains. The Blue, Green, and Orange Line trains all use the same eastbound platform, and while queue lines help organize passengers before they reach the platform, crowd density can make it difficult to determine which train is boarding and which train is arriving next. Existing digital display boards only show regular revenue service trains and do not include special event trains, leaving passengers without real-time information when they need it most.
To address this challenge, Operations proposed a simple, highly visible solution: three colored indicator lights, each corresponding to one of the three light rail lines. A steady light indicates the train currently boarding, while a flashing light identifies the next arriving train. This intuitive system allows passengers to understand train sequencing at a glance without relying on announcements or navigating through crowds.
Delivering the project on an accelerated timeline required close coordination across multiple teams. EPD’s Transit Engineering Group partnered with the Contracts Department to quickly navigate procurement requirements, identify a vendor, and keep design, fabrication, and installation on schedule.
Despite industry-wide supply chain delays, the lighting system was successfully installed in October 2025, giving Operations several months to refine its use during special events before Super Bowl 60.
The results were immediate. Staff reported improved communication between platform supervisors and queue line personnel, allowing real-time train information to be shared with passengers. Riders quickly adapted to the system, creating more organized queue lines and reducing confusion about which train was arriving next.
“The lighting system worked well for passenger notification as the crowds seemed to understand the lighting right away. There were not as many questions concerning which train was coming next,” said Transportation Supervisor Martin Fregoso.
This project demonstrates how collaboration, innovation, and practical problem-solving can improve the customer experience—even under the tightest deadlines. This is VTA lighting the way home.