HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 3952
City of Palo Alto (ID # 3952)
City Council Staff Report
Report Type: Consent Calendar Meeting Date: 8/5/2013
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Summary Title: Resolution Authorizing Federal Funding from MTC (VERBS)
Title: Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the Filing of an Application for
Federal Vehicle Emissions Reductions Based At Schools (VERBS) Funding for
the Arastradero Road Schoolscape – Multiuse Trail and Committing the
Necessary Non-Federal Match and Stating the Assurance to Complete the
Project
From: City Manager
Lead Department: Planning and Community Environment
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Council adopt the attached resolution in support of the Santa Clara
Valley Transit Authority (VTA) submitting an application to the Metropolitan Transportation
Commission (MTC) on behalf of the City of Palo Alto for the Palo Alto Arastradero Road
Schoolscape – Multi-use Trail Project. This application is part of the VTA – Vehicle Emissions
Reductions Based at Schools (VERBS) program.
Background
The Santa Clara County Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) released a call for projects for the
Vehicle Emissions Reductions Based at Schools (VERBS) Program on November 19, 2012. The
VERBS Program funds both capital and non-capital projects aimed at promoting alternative
transportation modes for schools. In response to the call for projects, staff prepared an
application for the capital category for the Arastradero Road Schoolscape – Multi-use Trail
Project between Georgia Avenue and Miranda Avenue to improve walking and bicycling
facilities. The project ranked the highest in the VERBS Program scoring because of the safety
improvements and connectivity benefits. The project also directly supports Safe Routes to
School commute activities for students attending Gunn High School and Terman Middle School.
Discussion
City of Palo Alto Page 2
The Arastradero Road Schoolscape – Multi-use Trail project proposes a reconstruction of the
sidewalk along the south side of Arastradero Road between the Hetch Hetchy-Los Altos
Pathway and Miranda Avenue. This project would include a multi-use trail with complementary
streetscape treatments such as lighting and landscaping to provide a comfortable and safe
environment for the high volume of school-aged users in the corridor. The project includes:
A new .26 mile multi-use pathway along the south side of Arastradero Road between
the Hetch Hetchy-Los Altos pathway and Miranda Avenue with pedestrian rails to
restrict access across Arastradero Road and complimentary hardscape/landscape
treatments;
Upgrades to the Hetch Hetchy-Los Altos Trail Path near Terman Middle School, including
low-level lighting in conjunction with trail maintenance and access improvements;
Schoolscape measures along Arastradero Road including pedestrian-scaled lighting and
landscaped median islands to encourage vehicle speed reductions on Arastradero Road;
Schoolscape intersection treatments at Gunn High School including study and
consideration of exclusive pedestrian signal phasing, enhanced textured crosswalk
treatments, and ADA upgrades.
Resource Impact
There is no immediate resource impact in submitting the resolution for the project so that VTA
may submit an application to MTC for funding. If the project is funded by MTC, a mid-year
capital improvement project for $1.5 million will be requested. Approximately $1,000,000 of
the project would be grant-reimbursed and a local match of $502,000 will need to be identified.
Policy Implications
The Arastradero Road Schoolscape – Multi-use Trail Project is consistent with City Council
policy, the 2012 Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan, and activities in promoting the
City/School/Community Safe Routes to Schools Partnership.
Environmental Review
Adoption of this resolution is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Action
(CEQA).
Attachments:
City of Palo Alto Page 3
Attachment A: Resolution of Local Support for VERBS (PDF)
Attachment B: VERBS Project Application (PDF)
NOT YET APPROVED
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Resolution No. ______
Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Authorizing the Filing of an
Application for Federal Vehicle Emissions Reductions Based At Schools (VERBS)
Funding for the Arastradero Road Schoolscape – Multiuse Trail and Committing the
Necessary Non-Federal Match and Stating the Assurance to Complete the Project
R E C I T A L S
A. The City of Palo Alto (herein referred to as APPLICANT) is submitting an application to the
Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) for $1 million in funding assigned MTC for
programming discretion, including by not limited to federal funding administered by the Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA) such as Surface Transportation Program (STP) funding, Congestion
Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) funding and/or Transportation Alternatives (TA)
funding (herein collectively referred to as REGIONAL DISCRETIONARY FUNDING) for the Arastradero
Schoolscape - Multi-Use Trail (herein referred to as PROJECT) for the Vehicle Emissions Reductions
Based at Schools (VERBS) program (herein referred to as PROGRAM).
B. The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (Public Law 112-141, July 6, 2012)
and any extensions or successor legislation for continued funding (collectively, MAP 21) authorize
various federal funding programs including, but not limited to the Surface Transportation Program
(STP) (23 U.S.C. § 133), the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ)
(23 U.S.C. § 149) and the Transportation Alternatives Program (TA) (23 U.S.C. § 213).
C. State statutes, including California Streets and Highways Code 182.6 and 182.7 provide
various funding programs for the programming discretion of the Metropolitan Planning Organization
(MPO) and the Regional Transportation Planning Agency (RTPA).
D. Pursuant to MAP-21, and any regulations promulgated thereunder, eligible project sponsors
wishing to receive federal funds for a project shall submit an application first with the appropriate
MPO for review and inclusion in the MPO's Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
E. MTC is the MPO and RTPA for the nine counties of the San Francisco Bay region.
F. MTC has adopted a Regional Project Funding Delivery Policy (MTC Resolution No. 3606,
revised) that sets out procedures governing the application and use of federal funds.
G. The APPLICANT is an eligible sponsor for REGIONAL DISCRETIONARY FUNDING.
H. As part of the application for REGIONAL DISCRETIONARY FUNDING, MTC requires a
resolution adopted by the responsible implementing agency stating the following:
1. the commitment of any required matching funds of at least 11.47%.
2. the sponsor understands that the REGIONAL DISCRETIONARY FUNDING is fixed at the
programmed amount, and therefore any cost increase cannot be expected to be funded
with additional REGIONAL DISCRETIONARY FUNDING.
3. the project will comply with the procedures, delivery milestones and funding deadlines
specified in the Regional Project Funding Delivery Policy (MTC Resolution No. 3606, revised).
4. the assurance of the sponsor to complete the project as described in the application, and if
NOT YET APPROVED
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approved, as included in MTC's federal Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
5. the project will comply with all project-specific requirements as set forth in the PROGRAM.
6. the project (transit only) will comply with MTC Resolution No. 3866, revised, which sets
forth the requirements of MTC’s Transit Coordination Implementation Plan to more
efficiently deliver transit projects in the region.
The Council of the City of Palo Alto RESOLVES as follows:
SECTION 1. The APPLICANT is authorized to execute and file an application for funding for the
PROJECT for REGIONAL DISCRETIONARY FUNDING under MAP-21 for continued funding; and be it
further RESOLVED that the APPLICANT by adopting this resolution does hereby state that:
1. APPLICANT will provide $501,605 in matching funds.
2. APPLICANT understands that the REGIONAL DISCRETIONARY FUNDING for the project is
fixed at the MTC approved programmed amount, and that any cost increases must be
funded by the APPLICANT from other funds, and that APPLICANT does not expect any cost
increases to be funded with additional REGIONAL DISCRETIONARY FUNDING.
3. APPLICANT understands the funding deadlines associated with these funds and will comply
with the provisions and requirements of the Regional Project Funding Delivery Policy (MTC
Resolution No. 3606, revised) and APPLICANT has, and will retain the expertise, knowledge
and resources necessary to deliver federally-funded transportation projects, and has
assigned, and will maintain a single point of contact for all FHWA-funded transportation
projects to coordinate within the agency and with the respective Congestion Management
Agency (CMA), MTC, Caltrans and FHWA on all communications, inquires or issues that may
arise during the federal programming and delivery process for all FHWA-funded
transportation projects implemented by APPLICANT.
4. PROJECT will be implemented as described in the complete application and in this resolution
and, if approved, for the amount approved by MTC and programmed in the federal TIP.
5. APPLICANT and the PROJECT will comply with the requirements as set forth in MTC
programming guidelines and project selection procedures for the PROGRAM.
6. APPLICANT (for a transit project only) agrees to comply with the requirements of MTC’s
Transit Coordination Implementation Plan as set forth in MTC Resolution 3866, revised; and
therefore be it further RESOLVED:
SECTION 2. The APPLICANT is an eligible sponsor of REGIONAL DISCRETIONARY FUNDING
funded projects; and be it further RESOLVED:
1. The APPLICANT is authorized to submit an application for REGIONAL DISCRETIONARY
FUNDING for the PROJECT.
2. There is no legal impediment to APPLICANT making applications for the funds.
3. There is no pending or threatened litigation that might in any way adversely affect the
proposed PROJECT, or the ability of APPLICANT to deliver such PROJECT.
4. The APPLICANT authorizes its Executive Director, General Manager, or designee to execute
and file an application with MTC for REGIONAL DISCRETIONARY FUNDING for the PROJECT
as referenced in this resolution.
5. A copy of this resolution will be transmitted to the MTC in conjunction with the filing of the
application.
NOT YET APPROVED
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6. The MTC is requested to support the application for the PROJECT described in the resolution
and to include the PROJECT, if approved, in MTC's federal TIP.
SECTION 3. The Council finds that the adoption of this resolution does not meet the
definition of a project under Public Resource Code Section 21065, thus no environmental
assessment under the California Environmental Quality Act is required.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
____________________________ ____________________________
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED:
____________________________ ____________________________
Senior Assistant City Attorney City Manager
____________________________
Director of Planning and
Community Environment
____________________________
Director of Administrative
Services
VEHICLE EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS BASED AT SCHOOLS (VERBS)
GRANT APPLICATION
FY2012/13‐FY2015/16
SECTION ONE: PROJECT SUMMARY
Project Title
Arastradero Road Schoolscape – Multi‐use Trail
Project Description
(Specific goals and objectives that
result from VERBS funding. Include
how many schools, which grades
and how many schools are
expected to benefit from this
program.)
The Arastradero Road Schoolscape – Multi‐use Trail
project proposes a reconstruction of the sidewalk along
the south side of Arastradero Road between the Hetch
Hetchy‐Los Altos Pathway and Miranda Avenue to a multi‐
use trail to support Safe Routes to School activities to
Gunn High School and, complimented by Schoolscape
treatments, to provide a comfortable environment for the
high volume of school‐aged users in the corridor. The
project includes:
A new .26 mile multi‐use pathway along the south
side of Arastradero Road between the Hetch
Hetchy‐Los Altos pathway and Miranda Avenue
with pedestrian rails to restrict access across
Arastradero Road and complimentary
hardscape/landscape treatments
Upgrades to the Hetch Hetchy‐Los Altos Trail Path,
including low‐level lighting in conjunction with trail
maintenance and access improvements
Schoolscape measures along Arastradero Road
including pedestrian ‐scaled lighting and
landscaped median islands to encourage vehicle
speed reductions on Arastradero Road
Schoolscape intersection treatments at Gunn High
School including study and consideration of
exclusive pedestrian signal phasing, enhanced
textured crosswalk treatments, and ADA upgrades.
Grant Funds Requested ($) $1,000,000
VEHICLE EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS BASED AT SCHOOLS (VERBS) GRANT APPLICATION – PALO ALTO
Page | 2
Grant Funds Fiscal Year (FY) 2015
Program Component Non‐infrastructure Infrastructure
Local Match (11.47% Min) $501,605 (33%)
Total Project Cost $1,501,605
Member Agency City of Palo Alto
Contact Person Jaime O. Rodriguez
Address 250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Email Address Jaime.Rodriguez@cityofpaloalto.org
Phone (650) 329‐2136
Fax (650) 329‐2154
Other Project Partners
VEHICLE EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS BASED AT SCHOOLS (VERBS) GRANT APPLICATION – PALO ALTO
Page | 3
SECTION ONE: PROJECT SUMMARY CONTINUED
1. A map and/or photos of the project, including the benefiting school location
Project Maps
The Charleston Road/Arastradero Road corridor is a residential arterial on the City’s school
commute corridor network. The corridor serves as one of three east‐west corridors in Palo Alto
connecting South Palo Alto and Highway 101 to the east to Los Altos Hills, the Stanford
Research Park, Foothill Expressway, and I‐280 to the west. Along the way, the entire corridor
serves eleven public and private schools, five public parks, two community centers, and three
shopping centers while traversing the Caltrain railway at Alma Street.
The Arastradero Road Schoolscape – Multi‐use Trail project shown in Figure 1 will improve the
connection between the Hetch Hetchy‐Los Altos Trail and Arastradero Road by using
Schoolscape treatments to guide bicyclists and pedestrians along the south side of the
Arastradero Road to improved bicycle and pedestrian facilities at Gunn High School. Gunn High
School serves students from Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Los Altos Hills. The proposed multi‐use
trail improvements extend to Miranda Avenue and support Safe Routes to School activities for
students from all three communities. The project also upgrades the Hetch Hetchy‐Los Altos
path maintained by the City of Palo Alto to provide low‐level pedestrian lighting to open the
pathway to users during all periods of the day and Schoolscape enhancements to buffer the
pathway from the adjacent traffic on Arastradero Road.
VEHICLE EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS BASED AT SCHOOLS (VERBS) GRANT APPLICATION – PALO ALTO
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Figure 1: Project Map
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VEHICLE EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS BASED AT SCHOOLS (VERBS) GRANT APPLICATION – PALO ALTO
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Project Proximity to adjacent Public and Private Schools
Three public schools and two private schools are in the immediate vicinity of this project:
Gunn High School – 0 FT
The project traverses immediately adjacent to and provides improvements to the
existing traffic signal at Arastradero Road & Gunn High School servicing students from
Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Los Altos Hills.
Young Life Preschool – 200 FT
Young Life Preschool is immediately adjacent to the east end of the Arastradero Road
Schoolscape – Multi‐use Trail project. The proposed project improves safety of young
students accessing the adjacent trail by providing Schoolscape measures along
Arastradero Road to buffer the proposed multi‐use trail from adjacent Arastradero Road
traffic.
Terman Middle School – 250 FT
Terman Middle School is located on Arastradero Road at Terman Drive which runs
parallel to the Hetch Hetchy‐Los Altos Trail and provides access to both Terman Middle
School and the adjacent Terman Park.
Bowman International School – 250 FT
Bowman International School is a private institution located immediately adjacent to
Terman Middle School and benefits from the same trail access points for the Hetch
Hetchy‐Los Altos Trail.
Juana Briones Elementary School – ¼ Mile
Juana Briones Elementary School is located one‐quarter mile northeast of the proposed
project. Recommended Safe Routes to School commute routes to Juana Briones School
include use of Georgia Avenue and Donald Drive located adjacent to the Hetch Hetchy‐
Los Altos Trail. The proposed project better channelizes student traffic accessing those
facilities from the trail, improving bicycle and pedestrian access to the school.
Figure 2: Project Location Adjacent to Public Schools highlights the proximity of the public
schools above and their attendance boundaries to the proposed Arastradero Road Schoolscape
– Multi‐use Trail project. The proposed project supports recently completed Safe Routes to
School Walk ‘n Roll map recommendations for each of the three public schools: Gun High
School, Terman Middle School, and Juana Briones Elementary School.
VEHICLE EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS BASED AT SCHOOLS (VERBS) GRANT APPLICATION – PALO ALTO
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SECTION ONE: PROJECT SUMMARY CONTINUED
Figure 2: Project Location Adjacent to Public Schools
Project Location
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VEHICLE EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS BASED AT SCHOOLS (VERBS) GRANT APPLICATION – PALO ALTO
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SECTION ONE: PROJECT SUMMARY CONTINUED
2. Proposed project cost estimate and schedule
City of Palo Alto
Contact Name: Jaime Rodriguez
Contact Phone #: (650) 329‐2136
Contact email: jaime.rodriguez@cityofpaloalto.org
Project Title: Arastradero Road Schoolscape – Multi‐use Trail
FUND TABLE
PROJECT COST ($1,000s) PROJECT SCHEDULE
(mm/yy)
PROJECT
PHASE
FUNDS
REQUESTED
LOCAL
MATCH $
LOCAL
MATCH %
OTHER FUNDS
TYPE/$
START
DATE END DATE
ENV $0 $35 100%7/13 12/13
$ ‐
PSE $0 $161 100%10/13 6/14
$ ‐
ROW $0 $0 N/A N/A N/A
$ ‐
CON $1,000 $306 18.9%9/14 3/15 $
‐
TOTAL $1,000 $502 33%
VEHICLE EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS BASED AT SCHOOLS (VERBS) GRANT APPLICATION – PALO ALTO
Page | 11
BUDGET
Item #Description Units Quantity Unit Cost Cost
1 Demolish and remove existing pathway LS 1 40,000.00$ 40,000.00$
2 1/2" AC pathway @ 2" depth tons 207 165.00$ 34,100.00$
3 Class II AB @ 6" depth cy 648 75.00$ 48,600.00$
4 Pressure Treated 2x12 header boards lf 3,200 4.00$ 12,800.00$
5 Decomposed Granite SF 6,400 13.00$ 83,200.00$
6 Pedestrian Barrier Rail LF 1,375 75.00$ 103,125.00$
7 Demo existing curb on sidewalk LF 1,375 7.00$ 9,625.00$
8 Remove exisitng soil and landscaping SF 4,125 5.00$ 20,625.00$
9 Install new concrete sidewalk SF 4,125 10.00$ 41,250.00$
10 Center median concrete curb LF 2,750 55.00$ 151,250.00$
11 Center Median Landscaping SF 5,500 6.00$ 33,000.00$
12 Center Median Irrigation SF 5,500 4.00$ 22,000.00$
13 Illuminated Bollard EA 60 1,300.00$ 78,000.00$
14 Install New Street Light EA 6 7,500.00$ 45,000.00$
15 Remove Exisitng Street Light EA 6 6,000.00$ 36,000.00$
16 Electrical Conduit and wiring LF 2,000 45.00$ 90,000.00$
17 Textured Crosswalks SF 1,300 30.00$ 39,000.00$
18 ADA Curb Ramp EA 7 5,000.00$ 35,000.00$
19 Traffic Control LS 1 50,000.00$ 50,000.00$
20 Striping & Signage LS 1 50,000.00$ 50,000.00$
21 Schoolscape Intersection Treatments LS 1 50,000.00$ 50,000.00$
SUBTOTAL 1,072,575.00$
Design (15%)160,886.25$
Construction Manager (5%)53,628.75$
Permits (1%)10,725.75$
Testing (3%)32,177.25$
Art (1%)10,725.75$
Contingency (15%)160,886.25$
TOTAL 1,501,605.00$
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Project Need
Safety concerns on Arastradero Road include high vehicular speeds and volumes and the
presence of a relatively high number of vulnerable users. The Arastradero Road corridor
realizes over 1,000 student‐age users daily because of the unusual cluster of public and private
schools along the roadway. The City has taken proactive measures to implement traditional
traffic calming measures along Arastradero Road that were approved for permanent retention
and installation of permanent measures. The Arastradero Road Schoolscape – Multi‐use Trail
implements innovative Schoolscape measures that build upon the past traffic calming measures
and community momentum for the creation of a student‐first multi‐modal corridor. The Multi‐
use Trail project is the western anchor of the larger Arastradero Road ‘Schoolscape Project’ that
will extend to El Camino Real.
The Arastradero Road ‘Schoolscape Project’, of which this Multi‐use Trail proposal is the
westernmost component, seeks to make permanent recent roadway configuration changes by
installing landscaped center medians, pedestrian‐scaled lighting, enhanced crosswalks, and bus
stop improvements. The corridor project goes beyond typical traffic calming, however, to
create a school‐focused mobility corridor complete with reconfiguration of the problematic El
Camino Real intersection, enhanced bicycle lane treatments, student bicyclist comfort stations
at bulb‐outs (with repair stands, water fountains, and other amenities), and first‐of‐their‐kind
Walk ‘n Roll pavement and sidewalk markers to promote coordination with the Safe Routes to
School ‘Walk and Roll’ program. The intersection and trail upgrades included in this proposal,
along with the extension of the Hetch Hetchy‐Los Altos pathway, are essential parts of the
overall Schoolscape initiative at the western end of the corridor.
High Traffic Speeds and Volumes
The 2004 Charleston/Arastradero Road Corridor Plan1 documented high‐speed, high volume
conditions for Arastradero Road. The existing conditions report identified 85th‐percentile
vehicle speeds of 36.9 mph on Arastradero at Pomona Avenue, the second‐highest speed along
the Charleston‐Arastradero corridor. The report also observed average daily motor vehicle
volume on Arastradero of approximately 20,500 (both directions). Peak hour volumes ranged
from 900 to 1,200 vehicles per hour.
The 2008 Charleston‐Arastradero Corridor Trial Improvements Evaluation documented average
vehicle volumes on Arastradero Road at 18,300 vehicles daily, or 18 percent higher traffic
volumes than on Charleston Road.
The Charleston/Arastradero Corridor Traffic Accident Analysis (2011) found that crashes on the
Charleston/Arastradero corridor constitute four to seven percent of the yearly crashes in Palo
1 http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/gov/topics/projects/transit/charleston.asp
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VEHICLE EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS BASED AT SCHOOLS (VERBS) GRANT APPLICATION – PALO ALTO
Page | 17
Community Support and Engagement
The Charleston‐Arastradero corridor has been the focus of many planning efforts in the last
decade. As such, the bicycle and pedestrian improvements of this proposed project
represent years of public involovement and municipal support. Key documents include the
following:
Charleston/Arastradero Corridor Plan (2004)
Charleston-Arastradero Corridor Trial Improvements Evaluation (2008)
Charleston/Arastradero Corridor Traffic Accident Analysis (2010)
Palo Alto Bicycle + Pedestrian Transportation Plan (2012)
2012 City Council Vote
Palo Alto Capital Improvement Projects (2012-2016)
Arastradero Road is also a designated School Commute Corridor, as defined by the City/
School Transportation Safety Committee (CSTSC), a partnership between community
leaders at each of the public schools in the City, Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD)
administrators, and City staff.
Charleston/Arastradero Corridor Plan (2004)
The Charleston/Arastradero Corridor Plan sought to address school commute and other
travel safety concerns for pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers. The Plan included two
community meetings in July 2003.
In response to the Plan, the City implemented at “Travel Smart, Travel Safe” Residential
Arterial program, which included advanced traffic detection, traffic‐adaptive system,
communication system upgrade, adjusted signal timing, V‐calm electronic speed signs, and
enhanced crosswalks.
A trial restriping project on Arastradero Road was identified through stakeholder groups
from adjacent neighborhood associations, school staff and Parent‐Teacher Associations and
implemented in 2012.
Charleston‐Arastradero Corridor Trial Improvements Evaluation (2008)
The Evaluation involved a stakeholders group and a meeting in November 2006. The
Evaluation considered options for the trial restriping on Arastradero Road, particularly
considering the congestion issues around the Gunn High driveway and a midblock crosswalk
near Briones Park. Based on the analysis, the Evaluation recommended providing two
inbound lanes into the Gunn High parking lot, noting that, “without Gunn High School
working correctly, it is unlikely that the public will accept the reduced mobility and poorer
operations of Arastradero as a three‐lane arterial route.” The Evaluation also recommended
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VEHICLE EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS BASED AT SCHOOLS (VERBS) GRANT APPLICATION – PALO ALTO
Page | 19
Palo Alto Capital Improvement Projects
Palo Alto supported the recommendation in the BPTP and from previous public engagement
efforts by including project PE‐13011: Charleston/Arastradero Corridor Project in the City’s
Capital Improvement Projects list for 2012‐2016. The program implements a permanent
reconfiguration to formalize the Charleston/Arastradero Corridor Plan recommendations.
Safe Routes to School Program
The City of Palo Alto was designated as a Gold level Bicycle Friendly City in 2003, based not only
on its well‐known bicycle facilities but on the commitment to bicycle safety education. The city
is currently expanding its Safe Routes to School program (with the help of VERBS funding) by
updating curricula for students and parents, conducting walk and bike audits at all schools,
developing school commute maps for all schools, updating adult crossing guard and school
speed limit policies, developing a school loading zone policy, improving bicycle and pedestrian
data collection methods, and enhancing encouragement and outreach tools.
The Palo Alto Police Department is a strong partner in this SRTS partnership. The traffic
sergeant prioritizes enforcement around schools not just during Operation Safe Passage, but all
during the school year. The Chief of Police sends home a letter to K‐8 parents at the start of
every school year. (See the 2012 letter in Attachment A).
VEHICLE EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS BASED AT SCHOOLS (VERBS) GRANT APPLICATION – PALO ALTO
Page | 20
SCORING CRITERIA
Infrastructure Improvements
1. Gap Closure
The proposed .26‐mile long multi‐use trail along Arastradero Road improves an existing
substandard sidewalk facility and channelizes uncontrolled access across Arastradero Road
between the Hetch Hetchy‐Los Altos Trail to Miranda Avenue servicing high volume
pedestrian and bicycle demand from the Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Los Altos Hills
communities. Student using the Hetch Hetchy‐Los Altos Trail currently either ride in the
wrong direction on Arastradero Road against high‐speed, high‐volume traffic or cross
uncontrolled in traffic gaps; either condition is unsafe for student commuters.
The Charleston Road‐Arastradero Road corridor is one of only three east‐west corridors in
Palo Alto. The traffic calming aspects of this project will enhance a connection from the
Arastradero Road Trail (west of Foothill Expressway) to El Camino Real and will overcome
significant existing obstacles to use of the corridor.
2. Access to/from school
This project is within one‐third of a mile walking distance of two public schools and two
private schools: Gunn High (public), Terman Middle (public), Bowman International
(private), and Young Life Preschool (private).
One of the many benefits of the new multi‐use trail is that it constitutes a new link between
Gunn High School and Terman Middle School that is essentially free of car traffic. Students
using the new multi‐use trail and the Hetch Hetchy‐Los Altos path will be able to travel
between Gunn High and Terman Middle School or Terman Park without interacting with
vehicles on the road except at the signalized crosswalk at Gunn High.
In addition, taken together, the Hetch Hetchy‐Los Altos Bike Path and Los Altos Avenue
form an alternative low‐traffic/low‐stress route to Gunn High School or Terman Middle
School for less experienced cyclists coming from the east side of El Camino Real. This route
is illustrated in Figure 4: Draft Gunn High School Walk and Roll Map. (This map will be
finalized in the spring of 2013.)
Complementing the proposed Arastradero Road Schoolscape – Multi‐use Trail project, the
City of Palo Alto will dedicate a portion of its One Bay Area Grant – Guaranteed Fund
allocation, $950,000, to the improvements to Arastradero Road between Foothill
Expressway and the West City Limit near Deer Creek Road including reconstruction of the
existing multiluse path in that section. Together with the proposed Arastradero Road
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VEHICLE EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS BASED AT SCHOOLS (VERBS) GRANT APPLICATION – PALO ALTO
Page | 22
3. Safety
Wrong‐Way Riding
Wrong‐way riding on Arastradero Road by Gunn and Terman students has been the cause
of bicycle‐vehicle crashes in this corridor. Since the Phase 2 Trial, collisions on Arastradero
have decreased, but when collisions have occurred, they have been shown to involve
bicyclists riding in the wrong direction of travel with vehicle traffic. This project will allow
students to walk or ride on a side path in either direction between Gunn and the Hetch
Hetchy‐Los Altos Path.
Uncontrolled Crossing
As noted elsewhere, students reaching the end of the Hetch Hetchy‐Los Altos Bike Path at
Arastradero must wait for gaps in traffic on this high‐volume, high‐speed stretch to cross to
the high school (north) side of the street. This is an unsafe condition for commuting
students. This project will direct trail users to the signalized crossing at Gunn High School.
Poor Cyclist and Pedestrian Visibility
The project will include warning signage for drivers, pavement markings, vegetation
removal, and lighting to improve the visibility of cyclists at the Hetch Hetchy‐Los Altos
bicycle path intersection with Arastradero Road. Cyclists entering the bike lane on
Arastradero Road would have improved visibility over the current condition of overgrown
trees that obscure signage and create shadows that drivers at speed cannot differentiate
from cyclists.
In addition, the Hetch Hetchy‐Los Altos path traverses a wooded area, and roots have
degraded the pavement condition. This project will bring the portion of the path that is
within city limits up to standards for a multi‐use pedestrian and bicycle facility and will
install low‐level lighting for enhanced visibility and safety.
4. Air Quality Improvements
The congestion issues observed around Gunn High and at the intersections of Foothill
Expressway and El Camino Real result in higher greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) due to the
numbers of idling automobiles. Promoting alternatives to driving can reduce congestion and
improve air quality. In addition, planned operational enhancements at the Gunn Driveway
intersection and at other intersections along the corridor will reduce idling time and
minimize the number of drivers slowing down suddenly, which also causes pollution.
VEHICLE EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS BASED AT SCHOOLS (VERBS) GRANT APPLICATION – PALO ALTO
Page | 23
Arastradero Road is one of the most heavily‐used bicycle corridors in Palo Alto. A recent
analysis of school‐related travel activity estimates over 1,000 daily bicycle and pedestrian
trips are supported by Arastradero Road. Bicycle and pedestrian improvements encourage
alternatives to driving solo and promote transit use, reducing VMT. As previously discussed,
several schools are located along this corridor. Despite the high walking and bicycling
numbers, congestion in the morning drop‐off and evening pick‐up periods decreases safety
for all users and leads to greenhouse gas emissions, which decrease air quality. The
proposed bicycle and pedestrian improvements encourage alternatives to driving solo,
reducing vehicle miles traveled and thereby improving air quality.
The proposed improvements will reach 2,900 public school students at the three campuses
adjacent to this project. Based on the 2012 District‐wide Parent Survey and tallies of parked
bicycles, it is safe to assume approximately 65 percent of students attending neighborhood
schools are driven to school in a single‐family car: 1,885 students. This represents the target
group that may switch to alternative modes as a result of the proposed improvements. The
City estimates that 5 percent of the target group will shift to biking and walking. This will
result in walking and biking trips replacing 236 motor vehicle miles on a typical school day.
This is in addition to the over 2,500 miles already walked, biked or skated by the over 1,000
students who currently walk, bike or skate to school on a normal day. The total annual VMT
replaced as a result of the project will be approximately 42,400 miles.
5. Community of Concern
Approximately 560 students from the Ravenswood School District in East Palo Alto and
Menlo Park attend PAUSD schools as part of the Voluntary Transfer Program. Each of the
six public schools along the Charleston‐Arastradero Road corridor serves Communities of
Concern identified by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission both within Palo Alto
and in adjacent cities such as the City of East Palo Alto. The proposed capital improvements
along Arastradero Road will directly benefit low‐income families within those
neighborhoods as a majority of those students are driven to school or ride a school bus. In
addition, over 13% of Juana Briones Elementary students are socioeconomically
disadvantaged. The proposed project will create a safe environment while traveling down
the corridor to the three public schools and two private schools in the project area.
6. Local Plan(s)
The Hetch Hetchy‐Los Altos Path is a key Proposed Multi‐Use Trail in the City of Palo Alto’s
2012 Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan (BPTP) and is included in the Plan’s
Proposed Bikeway Network. In addition, the Arastradero Road and Hetch Hetchy‐Los Altos
Bike Path improvements are listed in the BPTP as BK‐1: Charleston/Arastradero Road
Enhanced Bikeway. The upgrades to the Los Altos Path are referenced in the BPTP as TR‐4:
Bol Park/Gunn HS/Los Altos Path Lighting and Upgrades.
VEHICLE EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS BASED AT SCHOOLS (VERBS) GRANT APPLICATION – PALO ALTO
Page | 24
As mentioned earlier, this project has been included in the City’s Capital Improvement
Projects list for 2012‐16 as PE‐13011: Charleston/Arastradero Corridor Project. The
program implements a permanent reconfiguration to formalize the Charleston/Arastradero
Corridor Plan recommendations.
7. Local Match
The City estimates the Arastradero Road Schoolscape ‐ Multi‐use Trail to cost approximately
$1.5M and is proposing a 33% local match of $502,000.
8. Project Readiness
Environmental
The environmental review of this project is included in the Mitigated Negative Declaration
for the City of Palo Alto Bicycle + Pedestrian Transportation Plan 2012.
Design
The City will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the design phase of both the Charleston
Road‐Arastradero Road Schoolscape segments in spring 2013. Since the potentially
controversial elements of the roadway redesign have been implemented and approved with
the Arastradero Trial Restriping Phase 2 project, the design process for the Arastradero
Schoolscape Project is anticipated to be relatively straightforward. At the same time,
numerous opportunities will be realized for public participation and engagement,
particularly with school families and students.
Right‐of‐Way
The City of Palo Alto owns the necessary right‐of‐way for this project.
VEHICLE EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS BASED AT SCHOOLS (VERBS) GRANT APPLICATION – PALO ALTO
Page | 25
Attachment A
Letters of Support
Palo Alto Housing Corporation
Palo Alto Unified School District
Palo Alto Council of PTAs
Gunn High School PTSA
Terman Middle School PTA
Briones Elementary PTA
Police Chief’s Letter to Parents
Attachment A
Attachment A
Attachment A
Attachment A
Attachment A
Attachment A
Juana Briones Elementary School PTA
4100 Orme St, Palo Alto, California 94306
February 28, 2013
Valley Transportation Authority
Attn: Celeste Fiore
3331 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95134
Dear Ms. Fiore,
Juana Briones Elementary School PTA supports the City of Palo Alto VERBs grant application
for streetscape improvements to Arastradero Road.
Charleston/Arastradero is a heavily traveled crosstown residential arterial providing connections
into Palo Alto for work commuters from 280 and Hwy101, carrying nearly 20,000 car trips each
day. It is also serves eleven public and private k-12 schools, including Juana Briones Elementary
School, as well as: our nearby residential neighborhoods, parks and playing fields, two
community centers, a public library, and a number of other after-school destinations for children.
Children who live south of Arastradero must travel along or across this street to get to our school
site.
During the morning peak hour Arastradero is severely congested due to convergence of
commuter traffic with the bell times of so many schools. Enrollment at most of the public
schools on the corridor is increasing so creating transportation mode shift among school
commuters is increasingly important for traffic congestion management as well as health and
safety. After-school, when auto volumes are lighter, auto speeds and uncontrolled turning
movements have been two key safety problems. The City, in partnership with the community,
developed and implemented a trial lane reduction project along Arastradero Rd in 2010 that was
unanimously approved by the City Council in 2012 with pursuit of final treatments including
hardscape treatments, landscape median islands, pedestrian-scaled streetlights, and enhanced
bikeway improvements. The VERBs grant partnership in the implementation of these final
improvements will help to complete the community vision for Arastradero Road.
Juana Briones Elementary School PTA works in partnership with the city and school district to
provide bicycle and pedestrian safety education in grades k-5 and events that encourage students
to use alternative modes of transportation for school commutes. Safety of commute routes to our
school site is a very important priority for us so we have worked closely with the city through the
course of the trial. We look forward to implementation of the final corridor improvements
envisioned as part of the Arastradero Road Corridor Improvements project. Particularly, we look
forward to the addition of usable pedestrian refuges in the middle of long crossings and bulb-outs
that will shorten crossing distances and enable young foot-powered commuters to see and be seen
by on-coming traffic.
Attachment A
We are very appreciative ofthe city's efforts to improve safety on this critical school commute
corridor. We hope you will approve their application for funding it.
Sincerely,
Jaimi Kerr
Juana Briones Elementary PTA, 2012-2013 President
Attachment A
Attachment A