A portion of the grant funds also may be used to identify other safety improvements at the Caltrain corridor's vehicular crossings, Caltrains said.

Installation of the advanced signal system is a component of the $1.5 billion Caltrain Modernization Program and includes PTC. Caltrain modernization plans also include conversion of its diesel fleet to electric train operations, expected to reduce Caltrain's greenhouse gas emissions by more than 90%.

The federal grant will be used along with local and regional investments to match $705 million in voter-approved HSR funding appropriated by the State Legislature last month for investment in Caltrain modernization.