VTA is committed to sustainability. VTA’s Sustainability Program strengthens VTA’s commitment to the environment through the conservation of natural resources, the reduction of greenhouse gases, the prevention of pollution, and the use of renewable energy and materials. As part of the Sustainability Program, VTA has developed Sustainable Landscaping Guidelines for planting management, water conservation management, and storm water management/pollution prevention.

To the furthest practicable, the design and operations of BART Silicon Valley would incorporate sustainable project features that reduce energy, water, waste, and resource consumption and improve indoor environmental quality.

View the BART Silicon Valley Sustainability Fact Sheet

Daylighting – Stations have been designed with skylights and other light-permeable surfaces to increase levels of daylight in the station and reduce electric power demands.

Renewable Energy – VTA is considering photovoltaic solar panels on the parking garages to offset electric power demands. Parking garages will be pre-wired for solar power and will provide electrical outlets for electric vehicle charging.

Multi-Modal Access – Station campuses have been designed to encourage station access by other means than the single-occupant vehicle including: pedestrians, bicycles, private shuttle, local bus, bus rapid transit, light rail, and carpools.

Water Conservation – Strategies to save water include: native and/or drought-resistant plants, low flow fixtures, metering water use, and recycled water supplies for landscaping (where available).

Greenhouse Gas Reductions – Daily transit ridership from the project will reduce regional traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions.

Low Impact Development – The project will have no net increase in storm water runoff from existing to developed conditions through the use of permeable and porous paving.

Recycling – A minimum of 50 percent of nonhazardous construction and demolition debris will be recycled or salvaged.  In addition, 100 percent of trees, stumps, rocks, and associated vegetation and soils resulting primarily from land clearing will be reused or recycled.