HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-04-18 Rail Agenda PacketCity Council Rail Committee
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Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Special Meeting
Council Chambers
8:00 AM
Agenda posted according to PAMC Section 2.04.070. Supporting materials are available in
the Council Chambers on the Thursday 12 days preceding the meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENT
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Call to Order
Oral Communications
Members of the public may speak to any item NOT on the agenda.
Action Items
1.Introduction of new Railroad Grade Separation Consulting Team
2.Continued Discussion on the Initial Screening of the Master List of
Ideas for the Connecting Palo Alto: Rail Program (Continued From
March 21, 2018)
3.Verbal Update on Interagency Activities
Future Meetings and Agendas
Adjournment
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City of Palo Alto (ID # 9160)
City Council Rail Committee Staff Report
Report Type: Action Items Meeting Date: 4/18/2018
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Summary Title: Initial Screening of the Master List of Ideas
Title: Continued Discussion on the Initial Screening of the Master List of
Ideas for the Connecting Palo Alto: Rail Program (Continued From March 21,
2018)
From: City Manager
Lead Department: Planning and Community Environment
Recommendation
Staff recommends that Committee receive a report on the Initial Screening of the Master List of
Ideas for the Connecting Palo Alto: Rail Program. Staff does not recommend any action until
early April 2018.
Background
The Connecting Palo Alto: Rail Program is a community-based process to address long-standing
challenges associated with at-grade crossings on the Caltrain corridor that runs through Palo
Alto. This process will inform decisions affecting both community aesthetics and mobility
choices for many future generations, and has some urgency because of expected increases in
rail service (and resulting delays at at-grade crossings) enabled by ongoing Caltrain
electrification and the long development timeline for solutions. Community feedback and
collaboration has been a vital part of the decision-making process. Engagement activities that
inform, educate, gather input and connect citizens about potential rail design alternatives will
help prepare the City for the transit landscape of the future. For more information on the
Connecting Palo Alto: Rail Program, and the work completed to-date, please visit
http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/connectingpaloalto.
Throughout 2017 and early 2018, community comments were collected through a project
website, stakeholder interviews, an on-line questionnaire with 800 responses, two community
workshops with 228 attendees, and four community roundtables with 381 attendees. To-date,
Staff has received an additional 63 public comments or inquiries related to the project. All of
the input received has been entered into a public comment database.
Figure 1. Alternatives Screening Diagram
City of Palo Alto Page 2
Source: City of Palo Alto, February 2018
Staff has reviewed all of the input received to-date and drafted a Master List of Ideas. This list
contains all of the various grade separation projects suggested by members of the public and as
a result of previous planning efforts. A total of 34 discrete Ideas were identified by Staff (this
was previously described as ~40 Ideas). This Master List of Ideas is included as Attachment A. As
presented at the City Council retreat and Rail Committee meeting in February, the program
goals for 2018 are to identify four (4) to eight (8) Alternatives for Study in June and select a
Preferred Solution for Environmental Analysis and Preliminary Design by December. In order to
move toward the goal of identification of the handful of Alternatives for Study, Staff
recommends the early elimination of financially or technically infeasible Ideas through the use
of Initial Screening Criteria, which are based on the Tier 1 and Tier 2 Evaluation Criteria adopted
by City Council on September 6, 2017. A glossary of the terms used in this staff report is
included below.
Glossary
Option: A standard type of railroad grade crossing improvement or grade separation treatment.
Examples of Options include: safety upgrades, closure, road under rail, road over rail, hybrid, rail
under road, and rail over road.
Idea: An initial concept for a treatment at one or more specific grade crossings. An Idea has not
been evaluated for financial feasibility or constructability.
Master List of Ideas: A comprehensive list of all grade crossing treatment Ideas. All Ideas on The
Master List of Ideas were identified in public comments or in previous planning efforts.
Alternative for Study: An Idea that has been initially screened for financial and technical
feasibility and selected for further analysis. The cost to further analyze each Alternative for
Study is estimated at $200,000 to $300,000*.
City of Palo Alto Page 3
Solution: A combination of one Alternative for Study for each of the four grade crossings (e.g.,
closing one crossing, putting a hybrid at two crossings, and putting a trench at one crossing
would equal one Solution). The Alternatives for Study within a Solution must be compatible with
one another.
Preferred Solution: The Solution selected by City Council to move into the environmental
analysis and preliminary design phase in 2019.
* The further analysis of an Alternative for Study will likely include traffic circulation and multi-
modal access evaluations, geotechnical investigations, structural type selections, hydraulic
analysis, utility conflict evaluations, constraints analysis, preliminary cost analysis, economic
and community impact analysis, construction phasing impacts, and multi-modal transportation
impact analysis).
Figure 2. Adopted Evaluation Criteria
Source: City of Palo Alto, March 12, 2018
Discussion
Using the methodology outlined below, Staff conducted an Initial Screening exercise based on
the adopted Evaluation Criteria, as well as three new criteria: 1) Estimated Community Support,
City of Palo Alto Page 4
2) Constructability, and 3) Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Opinion. Much of this scoring is
qualitative in nature and relies on the professional judgement of Staff. An internal working
group comprised of staff from the Planning and Community Environment Department, Public
Works Department, and Utilities Department coordinated on the evaluation under the technical
screening criteria.
It’s important to recognize, however, that cumulatively, a minor change to the score under one
criterion is unlikely to change the results of the Initial Screening. Two exceptions to this are the
so-called Fatal Flaw criteria of 1) Funding Feasibility and 2) Constructability. It will likely be the
Staff recommendation that the Ideas that face substantial funding or construction challenges
be removed from consideration. An additional criterion on TAC Opinion remains blank, as the
Master List of Ideas was not presented to the Connecting Palo Alto: Rail Program Technical
Advisory Committee until March 13, 2018. The scoring under this criterion will be included in
the Rail Committee agenda packet for the early April meeting.
Tier 1 Evaluation Criteria
Facilitate Movement – All Modes
At year of completion, the project will likely improve access and mobility compared to a
scenario with no project.
At year of completion, the project will likely result in similar levels of access and mobility
compared to a scenario with no project.
At year of completion, the project will likely worsen access and mobility compared to a
scenario with no project.
Reduce Delay and Congestion
At year of completion, the project will likely decrease motor vehicle delay at signalized
intersections compared to a scenario with no project.
At year of completion, the project will likely result in similar levels of motor vehicle
delay at signalized intersections compared to a scenario with no project.
At year of completion, the project will likely increase motor vehicle delay at signalized
intersections compared to a scenario with no project.
Ped-Bike Circulation
The project is likely to substantially improve bicyclist and pedestrian connectivity across
the rail corridor and between key destinations.
The project is likely to moderately improve bicyclist and pedestrian connectivity across
the rail corridor and between key destinations.
The project is likely to degrade bicyclist and pedestrian connectivity across the rail
corridor and between key destinations.
Support Rail Operations
City of Palo Alto Page 5
The project will likely facilitate improved rail operations.
The project will likely have no impact on rail operations.
The project will likely constrain flexibility for future rail operations and expansion of
service.
Funding Feasibility (Fatal Flaw)
✔It’s possible that the entire project can be funded with established revenue
sources.
X It’s possible that the majority of the project can be funded with established
revenue sources, although some portion of the project will likely require new
funding mechanisms, and that portion is likely to be eligible for competitive grant
funding.
X The estimated cost of the project likely exceeds the capacity of existing
revenue sources and potential new funding mechanisms, and the project would be
unlikely to be eligible for competitive grant funding.
Tier 2 Evaluation Criteria
Reduce Noise
The project will likely reduce noise from trains—air horns and roadway crossing warning
bells—while not increasing other noise.
The project will likely reduce some sources of noise—air horns and roadway crossing
warning bells—while potentially increasing the degree or intensity of noise from other
sources.
The project will likely not reduce noise.
Minimize Visual Changes
The project will likely either improve or not substantially alter the appearance of the
project area.
The project will moderately alter the appearance of the project area.
The project will likely substantially alter the appearance of the project area.
Minimize Right-of-Way
The project will likely require very minimal or no permanent property acquisition.
City of Palo Alto Page 6
The project will likely require moderate permanent property acquisition, possibly
impacting only small portions of affected parcels.
The project will likely require substantial permanent property acquisition.
Minimize Construction Impacts
The extent and duration of project construction will likely have minimal impact on the
public and be mostly within the existing railroad right-of-way.
The extent and duration of project construction will likely have a moderate impact on
the public and be partially outside the existing railroad right-of-way.
The extent and duration of project construction will likely have a significant impact on
the public and be mostly outside the existing railroad right-of-way.
Estimated Community Support
Based on recent community engagement activities, Staff believes that the project may
have broad support within the community.
Based on recent community engagement activities, Staff believes that the project may
have some support within the community.
Based on recent community engagement activities, Staff believes that the project may
have little support in the community.
Constructability (Fatal Flaw)
✔Project can be constructed under existing technical standards and within
existing political framework. “Political framework” refers to the City’s ability to
obtain necessary approvals from other agencies.
X Project cannot be constructed under existing technical standards or within
existing political framework.
X Project cannot be constructed under existing technical standards and within
existing political framework.
TAC Opinion
As of April 1, 2018, the Connecting Palo Alto: Rail Program Technical Advisory
Committee members have not expressed any concerns with the project.
As of April 1, 2018, the Connecting Palo Alto: Rail Program Technical Advisory
Committee members have expressed minor concerns with the project.
City of Palo Alto Page 7
As of April 1, 2018, the Connecting Palo Alto: Rail Program Technical Advisory
Committee members have expressed major concerns with the project.
The results of the Initial Screening of the Master List of Ideas is included as Attachment B (the
detailed scoring from the Initial Screening will be distributed at the meeting). A total of 18 Ideas
have been identified by Staff for potential early elimination, which would leave 16 Ideas on the
Master List of Ideas. These 16 Ideas are summarized below, and reflect the results of Initial
Screening only. Some of these Ideas may prove unworkable and/or be viewed unfavorably by
the community as the screening process moves forward. Ultimately, the City Council will be
asked to identify four (4) to eight (8) Ideas worthy of in-depth analysis.
Ideas that Include Grade Crossing Closure Option
CAE Close Churchill Avenue crossing and widen existing Embarcadero Road roadway undercrossing
CAS
Close Churchill Avenue crossing and build a new bicycle and pedestrian crossing near the
planned Seale Avenue bicycle boulevard to connect to the existing Peers Park and planned
Stanford Avenue bicycle boulevard
MDL Close Meadow Drive crossing and build a new bicycle and pedestrian crossing near Loma Verde
Avenue to connect to the planned Matadero Avenue bicycle boulevard
PCE Close Palo Alto Avenue crossing and build planned Everett Avenue bicycle and pedestrian
undercrossing
PCU Close Palo Alto Avenue crossing and widen existing University Avenue roadway undercrossing
Ideas that Include Hybrid Option (Railroad Raise Slight and Roadway Depressed Slightly)
CAH Roadway under railroad hybrid at Churchill Avenue crossing
CRH Roadway under railroad hybrid at Charleston Road crossing (maintain connection between
Charleston Road and Alma Street)
MCH Roadway under rail hybrid at Meadow Drive and Charleston Road crossings
MCL
Roadway under railroad hybrid at Meadow Drive and Charleston Road crossings; new hybrid
path under rail bicycle and pedestrian crossing near Loma Verde Avenue
MDH Roadway under railroad hybrid at Meadow Drive crossing (maintain connection between
Meadow Drive and Alma Street)
City of Palo Alto Page 8
PAH Continue proposed Menlo Park hybrid alternative across San Francisquito Creek and Palo Alto
Avenue on a viaduct structure
Ideas that Include No Build Option (Safety Upgrades Only)
CAN
No grade separation at Churchill Avenue crossing; implement minor safety improvements
(quad-gates and wayside horns) in addition to planned Section 130 project to be completed in
2018-2019.
MDN
No grade separation at Meadow Drive crossing; implement minor safety improvements (quad-
gates and wayside horns) in addition to potential Section 130 project to be completed in 2020-
2022.
PAN No grade separation at Palo Alto Avenue crossing; implement minor safety improvements
(quad-gates and wayside horns) with the goal of making a quiet zone
Ideas that Include Rail under Road Option
MCT Railroad under roadway trench from Meadow Drive to Charleston Road; Alma Street not within
trench (maintain connections between Meadow Drive and Charleston Road)
MCX Railroad under roadway trench at Charleston Road; Close Meadow Drive crossing; Alma Street
not within trench (maintain connections between Meadow Drive and Charleston Road)
Timeline
Throughout March and early April, Staff will be recieving Connecting Palo Alto: Rail Program
Technical Advisory Committee feedback on the Master List of Ideas and also meeting with key
stakeholders to review the results of the Initial Screening of the Master List of Ideas. It is
recommended that the Rail Committee take up an action item to move forward with the early
elimination of Ideas at its first meeting in April.
Attachments:
Attachment A - Draft Master List of Ideas
Attachment B - Draft Initial Screening Results
Attachment C - Rail Committee Presentation 2018-03-21
Connecting Palo Alto: Rail Program Master List of Ideas 03/07/2018
Alternative
ID Description of Alternative
MCA Railroad under roadway trench within existing railroad corridor from Meadow Drive to Charleston Road; Alma
Street within trench (no connections between Meadow Drive and Charleston Road)
MCH Roadway under rail hybrid at Meadow Drive and Charleston Road crossings
MCL Roadway under railroad hybrid at Meadow Drive and Charleston Road crossings; new hybrid path under rail bicycle
and pedestrian crossing near Loma Verde Avenue
MCT Railroad under roadway trench from Meadow Drive to Charleston Road; Alma Street not within trench (maintain
connections between Meadow Drive and Charleston Road)
MCX Railroad under roadway trench at Charleston Road; Close Meadow Drive crossing; Alma Street not within trench
(maintain connections between Meadow Drive and Charleston Road)
WBE Citywide deep bore railroad tunnel from Menlo Park city limits to Mountain View city limits under El Camino Real
with two new underground rail stations
WBR Citywide deep bore railroad tunnel from Menlo Park city limits to Mountain View city limits under existing rail
corridor with two new underground rail stations
WCE Citywide cut‐and‐cover railroad tunnel from Menlo Park city limits to Mountain View city limits under El Camino
Real with two new underground rail stations
WCR Citywide cut‐and‐cover railroad tunnel from Menlo Park city limits to Mountain View city limits under existing
railroad corridor with two new underground rail stations
WER Citywide railroad berm from Menlo Park city limits to Mountain View city limits within existing rail corridor with
two new elevated stations
WTR Citywide railroad under roadway trench within existing railroad right‐of‐way from Menlo Park city limits to
Mountain View city limits with two new depressed rail stations
WVR Citywide railroad viaduct from Menlo Park city limits to Mountain View city limits within existing rail corridor with
two new elevated stations
Citywide or Multiple Crossing Alternatives
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Connecting Palo Alto: Rail Program Master List of Ideas 03/07/2018
Alternative
ID Description of Alternative
PAH Continue proposed Menlo Park hybrid alternative across San Francisquito Creek and Palo Alto Avenue on a viaduct
structure
PAN No grade separation at Palo Alto Avenue crossing; implement minor safety improvements (quadgates and wayside
horns) with the goal of making a quiet zone
PAT
Connect Alma Street south of Palo Alto Avenue to Sand Hill Road with a roadway undercrossing beneath the
railroad corridor and El Camino Real; dead‐end Palo Alto Avenue east of Alma Street; connect the bicycle path from
Menlo Park to El Camino Park
PCA Close Palo Alto Avenue crossing and connect Alma Street to Alma Street in Menlo Park
PCE Close Palo Alto Avenue crossing and build planned Everett Avenue bicycle and pedestrian undercrossing
PCQ Close Palo Alto Avenue crossing and extend Quarry Road under rail corridor to Alma Street to tie into Lytton Avenue
PCU Close Palo Alto Avenue crossing and widen existing University Avenue roadway undercrossing
CAE Close Churchill Avenue crossing and widen existing Embarcadero Road roadway undercrossing
CAH Roadway under railroad hybrid at Churchill Avenue crossing
CAK Close Churchill Avenue crossing and build a a new bicycle and pedestrian crossing near Kellogg Avenue to connect to the
existing Embarcadero Shared‐use Path
CAN No grade separation at Churchill Avenue crossing; implement minor safety improvements (quadgates and wayside horns) in
addition to planned Section 130 project to be completed in 2018‐2019.
CAS Close Churchill Avenue crossing and build a new bicycle and pedestrian crossing near the planned Seale Avenue bicycle
boulevard to connect to the existing Peers Park and planned Stanford Avenue bicycle boulevard
CAT Railroad under roadway trench at Churchill Avenue crossing
Palo Alto Avenue (AKA Alma Street) Alternatives
Churchill Avenue Alternatives
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Connecting Palo Alto: Rail Program Master List of Ideas 03/07/2018
Alternative
ID Description of Alternative
MDA No grade separation at Meadow Drive crossing; depress Alma Street into trench within existing Alma Street right‐of‐way
under Meadow Drive (no connection between Meadow Drive and Alma Street)
MDH Roadway under railroad hybrid at Meadow Drive crossing (maintain connection between Meadow Drive and Alma Street)
MDL Close Meadow Drive crossing and build a new bicycle and pedestrian crossing near Loma Verde Avenue to connect to the
planned Matadero Avenue bicycle boulevard
MDN No grade separation at Meadow Drive crossing; implement minor safety improvements (quadgates and wayside horns) in
addition to potential Section 130 project to be completed in 2020‐2022.
MDU Roadway under railroad undercrossing at Meadow Drive crossing (maintain Alma Street connection)
CRA Roadway under railroad undercrossing at Charleston Road crossing (no connection between Charleston Road and Alma
Street)
CRH Roadway under railroad hybrid at Charleston Road crossing (maintain connection between Charleston Road and Alma Street)
CRO Roadway over railroad overcrossing at Charleston Road crossing (no connection between Charleston Road and Alma Street)
CRU Roadway under railroad undercrossing at Charleston Road crossing (maintain connection between Charleston Road and
Alma Street)
Charleston Road (Only) Alternatives
Meadow Drive (Only) Alternatives
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Connecting Palo Alto: Rail Program
Matrix of Ideas – Top Scoring Ideas from Initial Screening of 34 Ideas
Connecting Palo Alto: Rail Program
Matrix of Ideas – Top Scoring Ideas from Initial Screening of 34 Ideas
Type of Separation
(Alphabetical Order) Citywide Palo Alto Churchill Meadow Charleston
Closure
Palo Alto Ave Closed,
Everett Bike/Ped (PCE)
Palo Alto Ave Closed, Widen
University (PCU)
Churchill Ave Closed, Widen
Embarcadero (CAE)
Churchill Ave Closed, Seale
Bike/Ped (CAS)
Meadow Dr Closed, Loma
Verde Bike/Ped (MDL)
Hybrid
(Road under Rail)
Palo Alto Ave Hybrid (PAH)
Churchill Ave Hybrid (CAH)
Meadow + Charleston
Hybrid, Loma Verde
Bike/Ped (MCL)
Meadow Dr Hybrid (MDH) Charleston Road
Hybrid (CRH)
No Build / Do
Nothing
Palo Alto Ave No Build,
Safety Upgrades (PAN)
Churchill Ave No Build,
Safety Upgrades (CAN)
Meadow Dr No Build,
Safety Upgrades (MDN)
Rail under Road
(Trench)
Meadow + Charleston
Trench (MCT)
Rail under Road
(Tunnel)
Road over Rail
(Berm/Viaduct)
Road under Rail
Abbreviations
CAE – Close Churchill Ave. crossing, widen existing Embarcadero Rd. undercrossing
CAH – Churchill Ave. crossing with roadway under railroad Hybrid
CAN – Churchill Ave. crossing with No grade separation. Implement minor safety improvements
CAS − Close Churchill Ave. crossing, build bike/ped crossing near planned Seale Ave. bike boulevard to connect to Peers Park
and Stanford Ave. bike boulevard
CRH − Charleston Rd. crossing with Hybrid (maintain connection b/w Charleston Rd. and Alma St.)
MCH − Meadow Dr. and Charleston Rd. crossings with roadway under rail Hybrid
MCL − Meadow Dr. and Charleston Rd crossings with roadway under rail Hybrid; new hybrid bike/ped path under rail near
Loma Verde Ave.
MCT − Meadow Dr. to Charleston Rd Trench; Alma St. not within trench (maintain connections between Meadow Dr. and
Charleston Rd.)
MCX − Close Meadow Dr. crossing; Railroad under roadway trench at Charleston Rd.; Alma St not (X) in trench (maintain
connection b/w Meadow Dr. and Charleston Rd.)
MDH − Meadow Dr. crossing with roadway under railroad Hybrid (maintain connection b/w Meadow Dr. & Alma St.)
MDL − Close Meadow Dr. crossing, build bike/ped crossing near Loma Verde Ave. to connect to planned Matadero Ave. bike
boulevard
MDN − Meadow Dr. crossing with No grade separation; implement safety improvements
PAH − Continue proposed Menlo Park Hybrid across San Francisquito Creek and Palo Alto Ave. on a viaduct structure
PAN − Palo Alto Ave. crossing with No grade separation; implement safety improvements (quad-gates and wayside horns)
with the goal of making a quiet zone
PCE − Palo Alto Ave. crossing Closed; build Everett Ave. bike/ped undercrossing
PCU − Palo Alto Ave. crossing Closed; widen University Ave. roadway undercrossing
Meadow + Charleston
Hybrid (MCH)
Meadow Dr Closed,
Charleston Trench
(MCX)
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Connecting Palo Alto: Rail Program
Master List of Ideas –Initial Screening
City Council Rail Committee
March 21, 2018
2
Potential Changes to Existing Crossings
INTERSECTIONS
Charleston Meadow
Churchill Palo Alto
Closed to Vehicles Only;
Pedestrians & Bicycles OK
Closed to All
Traffic
Independent
of Alma
Connects
to Alma
Road
Under Rail
Road Over
Rail
HybridClosureNo Build /
Do
Nothing
Rail Under
Road
Rail Over
Road
Alma Below
Grade
Alma at
Grade
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Types of Crossing Modification
Road Closure at Tracks
•Close City Road that crosses RR Property
•Fence RR Property
•Modify Alma intersection
•Reroute traffic to other crossings
Pros:
•Increased safety
•Eliminate train horn
•Traffic reduced
on/near closed road
•Alma traffic improved
•Low cost
•Low property impacts
Cons:
•Increased traffic
on/near other
crossings
•Longer routes for
bikes/peds
•More vehicle trips
Sample location: North
California Avenue, Palo Alto
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Types of Crossing Modification
Lower Road/Ped/Bikes under Tracks
•Change local road profile to go under tracks
•Bike/Ped under RR –higher than road
•Retaining Walls parallel to road
•Train crosses over road on bridge –same elevation.
•Lower Alma to local road elevation
Pros:
•Increased safety
•Eliminate train horn
•Improved traffic flow
on grade separated
street
Cons:
•Increased traffic on
local road(s)
•Increased noise from
vehicles
•Property impacts
•Potential impact to
street system
•Utility Impacts
Sample Location:
Jefferson Ave,
Redwood City
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Types of Crossing Modification
Raise Road/Ped/Bikes over Tracks
•Change local road profile to go over tracks
•Bike/Ped follow road profile
•Retaining Walls parallel to road
•Train crosses under road on existing ground
•Alma crosses under local road
Pros:
•Increased safety
•Eliminate train horn
•Improved traffic flow
Cons:
•Increased traffic on
local road(s)
•Increased noise from
vehicles
•Property impacts
•Local street
connections lost
•Utility Impacts
Sample Location:
Scott Boulevard,
Santa Clara
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Types of Crossing Modification
Hybrid –Lower Road/Ped/Bikes and Raise Tracks
•Change local road profile to go under tracks
•Bike/Ped higher than road profile
•Retaining Walls parallel to road & parallel to tracks
•Train crosses over road at higher elevation
•Alma lowered to elevation of local road
Pros:
•Increased safety
•Eliminate train horn
•Improved traffic flow
•Reduced property
impacts from other
alternatives
Cons:
•Increased traffic on
local road(s)
•Increased noise
from vehicles and
train travel
•Property impacts
•Utility Impacts
Sample Location:
Holly Street, San
Carlos
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Types of Crossing Modification
Lower Railroad Tracks under Local Road
•Change RR profile to go under local road
•Bike/Ped stay at road elevation
•Retaining Walls parallel to tracks
•Road crosses over RR tracks on bridge
•No impact to Alma (after construction)
Pros:
•Increased safety
•Eliminate train horn
and reduce travel
noise
•Improved traffic flow
•Few property
impacts (after
construction)
Cons:
•Increased traffic on
local road(s)
•Increased noise from
vehicles
•Utility Impacts
•Major construction
Impacts
Sample Location:
E Compton
Boulevard,
Compton
(Alameda Trench
Corridor)
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Types of Crossing Modification
Elevate Railroad Tracks over Local Road
•Change RR profile to go over local road
•Bike/Ped stay at road elevation
•Retaining Walls parallel to road
•Train crosses over road on elevated tracks
•No impact to Alma (after construction)
Pros:
•Increased safety
•Eliminate train horn
and reduce travel
noise
•Improved traffic flow
•Few property
impacts (after
construction)
Cons:
•Increased traffic on local
road(s)
•Increased noise from
vehicles
•Substantial visual impacts
•Utility Impacts
•Major construction
Impacts
Sample Location:
BART Central Contra
Costa Viaduct,
Contra Costa
9
Mission for 2018
34 Ideas
Initial
Screening
of 34 Ideas
(Begins today)
4 -8
Alternatives
for Study
(June)
1 Preferred
Solution
(December)
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Community Engagement
•Connecting Palo Alto website
www.cityofpaloalto.org/connectingpaloalto
•On-line questionnaire with 800 responses
•Held 2 Community Workshops, with 228
attendees
•Held 4 Community Roundtables, with 381
attendees
•Held 13 Rail Committee meetings
•Collected 63 public comments / inquiries
•Built a database of interested stakeholders
•Produced Connecting Palo Alto e-newsletter
•Posted extensively on social media
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Master List of Ideas
•Community Engagement produced
40 grade separation ideas
•Examples:
•Close Palo Alto Avenue
crossing and connect Alma
Street to Alma Street in Menlo
Park
•Citywide railroad under
roadway trench within existing
railroad right-of-way from
Menlo Park city limits to
Mountain View city limits with
two new depressed rail
stations
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Refining Process for Decisions
Tier 1 Criteria: Most Important
•East-West connectivity: facilitate movement across the corridor for all modes of
transportation
•Traffic congestion: reduce delay and congestion for automobile traffic at rail crossings
•Ped/Bike circulation: provide clear and safe routes for pedestrians and bicyclists seeking
to cross the rail corridor, separate from automobile traffic
•Rail operations: support continued rail operations and Caltrain service improvements
•Cost: finance with feasible funding sources
Tier 2 Criteria: Also Important
•Environmental impacts: reduce rail noise and vibration along the corridor
•Environmental impacts: minimize visual changes along the rail corridor
•Local access: maintain or improve access to neighborhoods, parks, schools and other
destinations along the corridor while reducing regional traffic on neighborhood streets
•Cost: minimize right-of-way acquisition by eminent domain
•Construction: minimize disruption and the duration of construction
Technical
Financial
Property
Construc-
tion
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Refining Process for Decisions
Tier 1: Finance with feasible
funding sources
Tier 2: Minimize right-of-way acquisition Tier 2: Minimize disruption and duration
Technical Financial
Property Construction
Tier 1:
Facilitate movement
Reduce delay and congestion
Provide safe ped / bike routes
Support rail operations
Tier 2:
Reduce rail noise
Minimize visual changes
Maintain or improve local access
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Evaluation Criteria with Sample Ideas
Standard
Scoring:
ID Description of Alternative
Initial Screening Criteria
Advance
into Study
Tier 1 Tier 2 New
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Alternatives
A Grade Separation Idea A X X ?N
B Grade Separation Idea B ✔✔?Y
C Grade Separation Idea C ✔X ?N
D Grade Separation Idea D X X ?Y
E Grade Separation Idea E ✔X ?Y
= Highest weight
= Middle weight
= Lowest weight
Fatal Flaw
Scoring:
✔= Feasible
X = Possibly Feasible
X = Not Feasible
15
Results of Initial Screening
Type of Separation
(Alphabetical Order)
Citywide Palo Alto Churchill Meadow Charleston
Closure
Palo Alto Ave Closed,
Everett Bike/Ped (PCE)
Palo Alto Ave Closed,
Widen University (PCU)
Churchill Ave Closed,
Widen Embarcadero
(CAE)
Churchill Ave Closed,
Seale Bike/Ped (CAS)
Meadow Dr Closed,
Loma Verde Bike/Ped
(MDL)
Hybrid
(Road under
Rail)
Palo Alto Ave Hybrid
(PAH)
Churchill Ave Hybrid
(CAH)
Meadow +Charleston Meadow +
Hybrid,Loma Verde Charleston
Bike/Ped (MCL) Hybrid (MCH)
Meadow Dr Hybrid
(MDH)
Charleston Road
Hybrid (CRH)
No Build / Do
Nothing
Palo Alto Ave No Build,
Safety Upgrades (PAN)
Churchill Ave No Build,
Safety Upgrades (CAN)
Meadow Dr No Build,
Safety Upgrades (MDN)
Rail under Road
(Trench)
Meadow + Charleston Meadow Dr Closed,
Trench (MCT) Charleston Trench
(MCX)
Rail under Road
(Tunnel)
Road over Rail
(Berm/Viaduct)
Road under Rail
16
Results of Initial Screening –Closure Ideas
PCE:Palo Alto Ave Closed, Everett Bike/Ped
PCU: Palo Alto Ave Closed, Widen University
CAE:Churchill Ave Closed, widen Embarcadero
CAS: Churchill Ave closed, Seale Ave Bike/Ped
MDL:Meadow Dr Closed, Loma Verde Bike/Ped
Road Closure at Tracks:
North California Avenue, Palo Alto
17
Results of Initial Screening –Hybrid Ideas
PAH: Palo Alto Ave Hybrid
CAH: Churchill Ave Hybrid
MCL:Meadow + Charleston Hybrid, Loma Verde
Bike/Ped
MCH: Meadow + Charleston Hybrid
MDH: Meadow Dr Hybrid
CRH: Charleston Rd Hybrid
Hybrid (Road Under Rail):
Holly Street, San Carlos
18
Results of Initial Screening –No Build Ideas
PAN:Palo Alto Ave No Build, Safety Upgrades
CAN:Churchill Ave No Build, Safety Upgrades
MDN: Meadow Drive No Build, Safety Upgrades
No Build:
Safety
Improvements,
e.g. Quad Gates,
Redwood City
19
Results of Initial Screening –Rail Under Road Ideas
MCT: Meadow + Charleston Trench
MCX: Meadow Closed, Charleston Trench
Rail Under Road (Trench):
Alameda Trench Corridor, Compton
20
Connecting Palo Alto: Rail Program
Master List of Ideas –Initial Screening
City Council Rail Committee
March 21, 2018