November 7, 2019
Alma St
Emerson St
Bryant St
Church
ill Av
e
Lowell
Ave
El Camino Real
El Camino Real
Colerid
ge A
ve
Tenn
yson
Ave
Castilleja Ave
Madrano Ave
Madrano Ave
Kellog
g Ave
Seale
Ave
Rincon
ada A
ve
Seale
Ave
Rincon
ada A
ve
Mariposa Ave
Embarcadero Rd
Melville
Ave
1 to 2
cycle
s
3 to 5
cycle
s
1 to 2cycles
1 cyc
le
2 to 3
cycle
s
1 to 2cycles
Alma Street and Churchill Avenue Closure
Figure 3Alma Street and Churchill Avenue Vehicular Queues - Existing and “Do Nothing” Alternative (PM Peak-Hour)
= PM Queues
LEGEND
= PM Queues with Electrification
Alma St
Emerson St
Bryant St
Church
ill Av
e
Lowell
Ave
El Camino Real
El Camino Real
Colerid
ge A
ve
Tenn
yson
Ave
Castilleja Ave
Madrano Ave
Madrano Ave
Kellog
g Ave
Seale
Ave
Rincon
ada A
ve
Seale
Ave
Rincon
ada A
ve
Mariposa Ave
Embarcadero Rd
Melville
Ave
2 to 3
cycle
s
1 to 2
cycle
s
4 to 5 cyclesto clear
1 to 3
cycle
s
1 to 2
cycle
s
2 to 3 cyclesto clear
Alma Street and Churchill Avenue Closure
Figure 2Alma Street and Churchill Avenue Vehicular Queues - Existing and “Do Nothing” Alternative (AM Peak-Hour)
= AM Queues
LEGEND
= AM Queues with Electrification
Alma St
Emerson St
Bryant St
Church
ill Av
e
Lowell
Ave
El Camino Real
El Camino Real
Colerid
ge A
ve
Tenn
yson
Ave
Castilleja Ave
Madrano Ave
Madrano Ave
Kellog
g Ave
Seale
Ave
Rincon
ada A
ve
Seale
Ave
Rincon
ada A
ve
Mariposa Ave
Embarcadero Rd
Melville
Ave
2 to 3
cycle
s
1 to 2
cycle
s
4 to 5 cyclesto clear
1 to 3
cycle
s
1 to 2
cycle
s
2 to 3 cyclesto clear
Alma Street and Churchill Avenue Closure
Figure 2Alma Street and Churchill Avenue Vehicular Queues - Existing and “Do Nothing” Alternative (AM Peak-Hour)
= AM Queues
LEGEND
= AM Queues with Electrification
Alma St
Emerson St
Bryant St
Church
ill Av
e
Lowell
Ave
El Camino Real
El Camino Real
Colerid
ge A
ve
Tenn
yson
Ave
Castilleja Ave
Madrano Ave
Madrano Ave
Kellog
g Ave
Seale
Ave
Rincon
ada A
ve
Seale
Ave
Rincon
ada A
ve
Mariposa Ave
Embarcadero Rd
Melville
Ave
1 to 2
cycle
s
3 to 5
cycle
s
1 to 2cycles
1 cyc
le
2 to 3
cycle
s
1 to 2cycles
Alma Street and Churchill Avenue Closure
Figure 3Alma Street and Churchill Avenue Vehicular Queues - Existing and “Do Nothing” Alternative (PM Peak-Hour)
= PM Queues
LEGEND
= PM Queues with Electrification
RAIL FACT SHEETS
Connecting Palo AltoWhat is Connecting Palo Alto? There are currently six streets where people and vehicles can cross the railroad tracks in Palo Alto. Two of these intersections, called grade crossings, are above the road and already grade separated, but the other four cross the tracks at the same level. The four at-grade crossings are Palo Alto Avenue, Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, and Charleston Road. Traffic congestion is expected to increase at all four of these locations as Caltrain begins to run electric trains on a more frequent schedule and implement their 2040 Business Plan. Not building any improvements is always being evaluated, however, the City is actively studying alternatives to improve traffic circulation and increase public safety.Connecting Palo Alto is a community-based process to address the increased traffic congestion expected. Community feedback and collaboration are a vital part of this decision-making process that will affect future generations to come.
What happens if we do nothing?A total gate down time of 9 minutes during peak hours is expected with electrification, which is 15% of the peak hour time. At the Alma Street/Churchill Avenue intersection, the average queue length of the northbound left-turn movement would be significantly impacted and extend to Rinconada Avenue during the AM Peak (7-9am). It would take approximately four to five signal cycles (10 to 12 minutes) for the northbound left-turn to clear. In the PM peak (4-6pm), eastbound Churchill Avenue is expected to back up onto El Camino Real. With implementation of the Caltrain’s 2040 Business Plan and future growth of traffic, these queues will only get longer.
Alma Street and Churchill Avenue AM Peak Vehicular Queues Alma Street and Churchill Avenue PM Peak Vehicular Queues
Churchill Avenue and Caltrain Tracks
Meadow Drive and Caltrain Tracks
Charleston Road and Caltrain Tracks For more Rail Fact Sheets visit: https://connectingpaloalto.com/fact sheets/
For an Evaluation Summary for each alternative based on the Criteria visit: https://connectingpaloalto.com/fact sheets/
How will the alternatives be evaluated?The City Council adopted the below Criteria to be used to evaluate the alternatives.
Facilitate movement across the corridor for all modes of transportation
Reduce delay and congestion for automobile traffic at rail crossings
Provide clear, safe routes for pedestrians and bikes crossing the rail corridor, separate from automobiles
Support continued rail operation and Caltrain service improvements
Finance with feasible funding sources
Reduce rail noise and vibration
Minimize visual changes along the corridor
Maintain access to neighborhoods, parks, and schools along the corridor while reducing regional traffic on neighborhood streets
Minimize right-of-way acquisition
Minimize disruption and duration of construction
Who decides?City Council is the final decision maker for this project for a preferred rail grade separation for Palo Alto’s rail crossings. Council receives input from the community, from City staff, and from key stakeholders, and makes decisions based on this input. Council has already narrowed down the list of possible ideas from 37 to 7 alternatives. Council is expected to choose the preferred alternatives in Spring 2020.
Alma St
Middlefield Rd
Louis Rd
Waverley St
Pag
e M
ill R
d
San Antonio Rd
Aras
trade
ro R
dFremont Rd
Will
ow R
d
Sant
a C
ruz
Ave
Emba
rcad
ero
Rd
Charleston Rd
Uni
vers
ity A
veU
nive
rsity
Ave
Chu
rchi
ll Av
eC
hurc
hill
Ave
Mea
dow
Dr
Bayshore Rd
Junipero Serra Blvd
Ren
gsto
rff A
ve
Alameda
Sand
Hill
Rd
Lom
a Ve
rde
Ave
Channing Ave
Laurel St
Oak
Gro
ve A
ve
Campus Dr
Col
orad
o Av
e
Purissima Rd
Rin
gwoo
d Av
e
Coleman Ave
Fabian Way
Old Middlefield Way
Woo
dlan
d Av
e
Okeefe St
Garcia Ave
Men
alto
Ave
El Camino RealEl Camino Real
Ore
gon
Exp
y
Middlefield Rd
Page Mill Rd
Bayshore Rd
Foothill Expy
San Antonio StationSan Antonio StationCalifornia Avenue StationCalifornia Avenue StationMenlo Park StationMenlo Park Station Palo Alto StationPalo Alto Station
Stanford GameDay Station
Stanford GameDay Station
Palo Alto Ave CrossingPalo Alto Ave Crossing
Meadow Dr CrossingMeadow Dr Crossing
Charleston Rd CrossingCharleston Rd Crossing
Churchill Ave CrossingChurchill Ave Crossing
Railroad
Caltrain Station
At-Grade Crossing
Grade-separated Crossing
Palo Alto City Limits
¯ 0 0.5Miles
101
82
Alma St
Middlefield Rd
Louis Rd
Waverley St
Pag
e M
ill R
d
San Antonio Rd
Aras
trade
ro R
d
Fremont Rd
Will
ow R
d
Sant
a C
ruz
Ave
Emba
rcad
ero
Rd
Charleston Rd
Uni
vers
ity A
veU
nive
rsity
Ave
Chu
rchi
ll Av
eC
hurc
hill
Ave
Mea
dow
Dr
Bayshore Rd
Junipero Serra Blvd
Ren
gsto
rff A
ve
Alameda
Sand
Hill
Rd
Lom
a Ve
rde
Ave
Channing Ave
Laurel St
Oak
Gro
ve A
ve
Campus Dr
Col
orad
o Av
e
Purissima Rd
Rin
gwoo
d Av
e
Coleman Ave
Fabian Way
Old Middlefield Way
Woo
dlan
d Av
e
Okeefe St
Garcia Ave
Men
alto
Ave
El Camino RealEl Camino Real
Ore
gon
Exp
y
Middlefield Rd
Page Mill Rd
Bayshore Rd
Foothill Expy
San Antonio StationSan Antonio StationCalifornia Avenue StationCalifornia Avenue StationMenlo Park StationMenlo Park Station Palo Alto StationPalo Alto Station
Stanford GameDay Station
Stanford GameDay Station
Palo Alto Ave CrossingPalo Alto Ave Crossing
Meadow Dr CrossingMeadow Dr Crossing
Charleston Rd CrossingCharleston Rd Crossing
Churchill Ave CrossingChurchill Ave Crossing
Railroad
Caltrain Station
At-Grade Crossing
Grade-separated Crossing
Palo Alto City Limits
¯ 0 0.5Miles
101
82
Alma St
Middlefield Rd
Louis Rd
Waverley St
Pag
e M
ill R
d
San Antonio Rd
Aras
trade
ro R
d
Fremont Rd
Will
ow R
d
Sant
a C
ruz
Ave
Emba
rcad
ero
Rd
Charleston RdU
nive
rsity
Ave
Uni
vers
ity A
ve
Chu
rchi
ll Av
eC
hurc
hill
Ave
Mea
dow
Dr
Bayshore Rd
Junipero Serra Blvd
Ren
gsto
rff A
ve
Alameda
Sand
Hill
Rd
Lom
a Ve
rde
Ave
Channing Ave
Laurel St
Oak
Gro
ve A
ve
Campus Dr
Col
orad
o Av
e
Purissima Rd
Rin
gwoo
d Av
e
Coleman Ave
Fabian Way
Old Middlefield Way
Woo
dlan
d Av
e
Okeefe St
Garcia AveM
enal
to A
ve
El Camino RealEl Camino Real
Ore
gon
Exp
y
Middlefield Rd
Page Mill Rd
Bayshore Rd
Foothill Expy
San Antonio StationSan Antonio StationCalifornia Avenue StationCalifornia Avenue StationMenlo Park StationMenlo Park Station Palo Alto StationPalo Alto Station
Stanford GameDay Station
Stanford GameDay Station
Palo Alto Ave CrossingPalo Alto Ave Crossing
Meadow Dr CrossingMeadow Dr Crossing
Charleston Rd CrossingCharleston Rd Crossing
Churchill Ave CrossingChurchill Ave Crossing
Railroad
Caltrain Station
At-Grade Crossing
Grade-separated Crossing
Palo Alto City Limits
¯ 0 0.5Miles
101
82
Alma St
Middlefield Rd
Louis Rd
Waverley St
Pag
e M
ill R
d
San Antonio Rd
Aras
trade
ro R
d
Fremont Rd
Will
ow R
d
Sant
a C
ruz
Ave
Emba
rcad
ero
Rd
Charleston Rd
Uni
vers
ity A
veU
nive
rsity
Ave
Chu
rchi
ll Av
eC
hurc
hill
Ave
Mea
dow
Dr
Bayshore Rd
Junipero Serra Blvd
Ren
gsto
rff A
ve
Alameda
Sand
Hill
Rd
Lom
a Ve
rde
Ave
Channing Ave
Laurel St
Oak
Gro
ve A
ve
Campus Dr
Col
orad
o Av
e
Purissima Rd
Rin
gwoo
d Av
e
Coleman Ave
Fabian Way
Old Middlefield Way
Woo
dlan
d Av
e
Okeefe St
Garcia Ave
Men
alto
Ave
El Camino RealEl Camino Real
Ore
gon
Exp
y
Middlefield Rd
Page Mill Rd
Bayshore Rd
Foothill Expy
San Antonio StationSan Antonio StationCalifornia Avenue StationCalifornia Avenue StationMenlo Park StationMenlo Park Station Palo Alto StationPalo Alto Station
Stanford GameDay Station
Stanford GameDay Station
Palo Alto Ave CrossingPalo Alto Ave Crossing
Meadow Dr CrossingMeadow Dr Crossing
Charleston Rd CrossingCharleston Rd Crossing
Churchill Ave CrossingChurchill Ave Crossing
Railroad
Caltrain Station
At-Grade Crossing
Grade-separated Crossing
Palo Alto City Limits
¯ 0 0.5Miles
101
82
For more renderings, plans and animations visit: https://connectingpaloalto.com/renderings-plans-and-animations/
What is Caltrain planning?As Caltrain begins to modernize by electrifying the tracks, it is expected that the number of trains will increase from 8 trains to 12 trains during both the AM and PM peak hours. In addition, Caltrain has developed a long range vision for the growth of Caltrain and has considered three service scenarios: baseline growth, moderate growth, and high growth. The moderate growth scenario has been selected by the Joint Powers Board as the preferred scenario moving forward. For Palo Alto, this means that daily boarding of passengers at stations is projected to more than double and gate down times to increase by 137% from what they are today, which will further impact queue lengths at grade crossing intersections.
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
SERVICE CONCEPTS IN PALO ALTO
Station Daily Boardings Quickest Travel Time (min)
Notes: These service patterns represent illustrative concepts carried forward for business planning purposes. Actual service patterns may vary depending on corridor-wide and
changes in Plan Bay Area or subsequently approved by local jurisdictions.
Baseline Growth
Moderate Growth
Existing
High Growth
Baseline Growth
Moderate Growth
Existing
High Growth
California Ave
Palo Alto
108
54
29
108
36
18
27
36
N/AN/A0:070:22
0:43N/A0:050:23
0:39N/A0:050:21
0:39N/A0:050:20
N/A0:040:070:35
0:460:020:040:20
0:470:030:060:23
0:470:030:060:24
120174
160268
5786
240348
4058
80116
3057
80116
7,4101,210
14,9504,030
15,7205,530
18,0205,580
1,670350
3,7201,000
4,8401,160
4,2201,180
WEEKDAY
WEEKDAY
WEEKEND
WEEKDAY
WEEKEND
WEEKDAY
WEEKEND
WEEKDAY
WEEKEND
PEAK
PEAK
PEAK OFF-PEAK
OFF-PEAK
OFF-PEAK
PEAK OFF-PEAK
PEAK
PEAK
PEAK OFF-PEAK
OFF-PEAK
OFF-PEAK
PEAK OFF-PEAK
WEEKDAY
WEEKDAY
WEEKDAY
WEEKEND
WEEKEND
WEEKEND
WEEKEND
Weekday Train Stops
20
40
VIS
ION
10
University Ave
Homer Ave
California Ave
Embarcadero Rd
Oregon Expy
Palo Alto
Stanford Stadium
California Avenue
San Antonio Rd
Palo Alto Ave 1,430 1 0:08
W Charleston Rd 1,080 10 0:07
W Meadow Dr 970 6 0:07
Churchill Ave 800 5 0:06
CROSSING THE TRACKS
Peak Hour Auto Crossings
Baseline Growth
Moderate Growth
High GrowthExisting
+76% +92% +190%
+85% +137% +212%
+89% +95%
+90% +129%
Existing Crossings
Existing Existing
Note:
Gate down times shown are indicative projections extrapolated from existing crossing performance. They are examples of “worst case” gate downtimes that could occur if no grade separations or grade crossing improvements were made.
crossing improvements across all scenarios.
Crossing Gate Downtime (Assuming No Improvements) (min/peak hr)
Road underpass Bike/pedestrian path underpassRoad at-grade crossing
Road overpass Bike/pedestrian path overpassCaltrain line
Moderate Growth
Baseline Growth High GrowthPassing Track
N/A - grade separation required due to 4 track segment
N/A - grade separation required due to 4 track segment
Collisions (2008-2018)
20
40
VIS
ION
12
Crossing the Tracks - Gate Down Times
Service Concepts in Palo Alto
Source: CALTRAIN BUSINESS PLAN DEVELOPING A LONG-RANGE VISION FOR CALTRAIN CITY OF PALO ALTO BOOKLET, May 2019.
Source: CALTRAIN BUSINESS PLAN DEVELOPING A LONG-RANGE VISION FOR CALTRAIN CITY OF PALO ALTO BOOKLET, May 2019.
University Ave
Homer Ave
California Ave
Embarcadero Rd
Oregon Expy
Palo Alto
Stanford Stadium
California Avenue
San Antonio Rd
Palo Alto Ave 1,430 1 0:08
W Charleston Rd 1,080 10 0:07
W Meadow Dr 970 6 0:07
Churchill Ave 800 5 0:06
CROSSING THE TRACKS
Peak Hour Auto Crossings
Baseline Growth
Moderate Growth
High GrowthExisting
+76% +92% +190%
+85% +137% +212%
+89% +95%
+90% +129%
Existing Crossings
Existing Existing
Note:
Gate down times shown are indicative projections extrapolated from existing crossing performance. They are examples of “worst case” gate downtimes that could occur if no grade separations or grade crossing improvements were made.
crossing improvements across all scenarios.
Crossing Gate Downtime (Assuming No Improvements) (min/peak hr)
Road underpass Bike/pedestrian path underpassRoad at-grade crossing
Road overpass Bike/pedestrian path overpassCaltrain line
Moderate Growth
Baseline Growth High GrowthPassing Track
N/A - grade separation required due to 4 track segment
N/A - grade separation required due to 4 track segment
Collisions (2008-2018)
20
40
VIS
ION
12
What alternatives are still being considered?There are five alternatives being considering for Meadow Drive-Charleston Road and two alternatives for Churchill Avenue. Palo Alto Avenue, however, is going through a separate planning effort. As of January 22, 2019, the alternatives on the table are:• Meadow-Charleston Trench• Meadow-Charleston Viaduct• Meadow-Charleston Hybrid• South Palo Alto Tunnel – Passenger and Freight• South Palo Alto Tunnel with At-Grade Freight • Churchill Closure• Viaduct in the Vicinity of Churchill