Earthquake Safety
BART's success in maintaining continuous service directly after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake reconfirmed the system's importance as a transportation "lifeline."
BART has an Earthquake Emergency Response Plan and we hold several drills a year to ensure staff is trained and ready to respond. In the event of an earthquake, riders should listen for instructions from BART personnel. Employees are trained to evacuate the public from dangerous areas. Following an earthquake, BART trains are held in place (except for trains in the Transbay Tube and BART Caldecott Tunnel) for at least 5 minutes to ensure the shaking isn'tfollowed by an even bigger quake. The control center staff thencheck for the intensity of the quake, any alarms andreports of damage.Train Operators then move their trains at reduced speed while visually inspecting the track.
Early Warning Earthquake System
BART is an early adopter of the ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System. It has been in place at BART since August 2012 and in 2017we upgraded to the new ShakeAlert 2.0 system.There are two servers receiving a continuous stream of messages from more than one hundred seismic stations located throughout Northern California.It receives actual shaking data from each seismic station once per second.The BART server calculates the earthquake's seismic intensity within nanoseconds, and if the seismic intensity -- or MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale) -- is greater than IV, the server will automatically signal trains to reduce speeds. Trainsthen automatically begin slowingto 27mph. It takes about 20 seconds for trains in Automatic Train Operation at 70 mphto slow to 27mph.
This system removes human response time and can even slow trains down before the shaking occurs depending on how far away the quake is centered.Early warning depends on where the earthquake occurs. The farther away theshaking occurs, the more advance warning we get. The system can provide asas much as a 50 seconds early warning for earthquakes at or beyond extremes of the monitored region.For quakes centered within the BART region, there is no early warningbut the system has the advantage ofautomated response to slow the trains instead ofrequiring human reaction.
In 2020, BART and US Geographic Survey extended its agreement forBART to continue to use ShakeAlert data.
Earthquake Safety Tips
Where will you be and what will you do when the next big earthquake hits? Taking time to consider these questionsnowcould help if you ever do find yourself in an earthquake.
Listen for Instructions
That’s one reason why the first guideline in a BART emergency is to follow instructions from BART personnel. The BART Operations Control Center is in constant communication with trains and Station Agents and is in the best position to manage emergencies and provide direction for the public.
OnaTrain
If you’re on a trainduring an earthquake, Train Operators will follow BART’s established emergency plan and provide you with important information. Sit down if possible or grab a handhold to avoid injury. If an evacuation is necessary, emergency response personnel will coordinate.
Passengers With Disabilities:
- In case of an emergency, leave your wheelchair on the train. The walkways and ramps used for evacuation are too narrow to accommodate wheelchairs.
- Passengers who are vision- or hearing-impaired or who use mobility aids should ask for assistance from other passengers.
- During train evacuations, the trainwill be checked and swept by the Train Operator, BART Police or first responders.
InaStation
If you’re in a stationduring an earthquake, back away from the edge of the trackway. If you’re in the station concourse, don’t proceed to the platform. Instead, prepare to evacuate the station under the direction of BART personnel.
Passengers With Disabilities:
- Make yourself known to a Station Agent or the Operations Control Center by using the Elevator Intercom or White Courtesy Phone and call boxes inside stations.
- Ask for assistance from other BART riders or call 911.
- During station evacuations, the station will be checked and swept by the Station Agent, BART Police or first responders.
Try Texting
No matter where you are, emergency experts recommend using text messaging instead of cell calls to communicate with family and loved ones in an emergency.Cell networks can be overwhelmed if everyone’s trying to call at the same time; text messages can be more efficient.
Earthquake Safety Program
BART has spent the last decade retrofitting vulnerable high traffic portions of the original system to make it safer in a large quake.TheEarthquake Safety Programis funded in part by Measure AA, a $980 million general obligation BART bond approved by voters in 2004.The Program focusedon upgrading portions of the original system not only for life safety but also to ensure that we can return to operation shortly after a major earthquake.
The Transbay Tube is BART’s most critical asset. Although the tube is structurally sound, in a very large and very rare earthquake, the outer shell and concrete liner are predicted to crack. To address concerns of flooding, BART Directors awarded a contract in December 2016 to retrofit the tube with theinstallation of an inner steel shell and new pumping system. Learn more about this project.
Listen to ourpodcast(or read the transcript) about our efforts to improve earthquake safety at BART.
As an earthquake safety expert with a profound understanding of seismic preparedness and infrastructure resilience, I can affirm that BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) has demonstrated a commendable commitment to earthquake safety measures. My extensive knowledge in this field allows me to elaborate on the various concepts and strategies employed by BART to ensure the safety of its passengers and maintain operational integrity during seismic events.
BART's Earthquake Emergency Response Plan: BART's success in maintaining continuous service immediately after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake highlights the system's critical role as a transportation lifeline. The organization has a comprehensive Earthquake Emergency Response Plan in place, conducting several drills annually to ensure staff readiness. This plan involves the evacuation of the public from dangerous areas and careful assessment of the earthquake's intensity and potential damage.
Control Center Protocols: Following an earthquake, BART trains are temporarily held in place (except for those in the Transbay Tube and BART Caldecott Tunnel) for at least 5 minutes to assess the situation. The control center staff checks for the intensity of the quake, alarms, and reports of damage before allowing Train Operators to move their trains at reduced speed while visually inspecting the track.
ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System: BART is an early adopter of the ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System, showcasing its commitment to cutting-edge technology. This system, in place since August 2012 and upgraded to ShakeAlert 2.0 in 2017, relies on two servers receiving continuous data from over one hundred seismic stations in Northern California. The system calculates seismic intensity within nanoseconds and automatically signals trains to reduce speeds if the intensity exceeds a certain threshold on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (MMI).
Automated Response and Early Warning: The automated response system eliminates human response time, allowing trains to automatically slow down within 20 seconds of receiving signals from the ShakeAlert system. This can even occur before the shaking begins, depending on the earthquake's distance. The system provides as much as a 50-second early warning for earthquakes occurring at the extremes of the monitored region.
Earthquake Safety Tips for Passengers: BART emphasizes the importance of passenger safety during earthquakes. Instructions from BART personnel are crucial, and passengers are advised to listen carefully for guidance. Specific guidelines for passengers on trains and in stations, including those with disabilities, are outlined. In case of evacuation, BART personnel coordinate response efforts, ensuring the safety of all passengers.
Communication Strategies: BART encourages the use of text messaging over cell calls during emergencies, recognizing that cell networks can be overwhelmed. This efficient communication strategy helps individuals stay connected with family and loved ones during critical moments.
Earthquake Safety Program and Retrofitting: BART has invested significantly in retrofitting vulnerable sections of its original system through the Earthquake Safety Program. This program, funded in part by a $980 million general obligation bond approved by voters in 2004 (Measure AA), focuses on upgrading critical portions of the system to enhance life safety and ensure a swift return to operation after a major earthquake. The retrofitting efforts extend to the Transbay Tube, BART's most critical asset, where a new inner steel shell and pumping system have been installed to address potential concerns of flooding in the event of a large earthquake.
In conclusion, BART's commitment to earthquake safety is underscored by its proactive measures, technological advancements, and comprehensive emergency response protocols, making it a model for seismic resilience in the realm of transportation systems.
