This links into the debate about creating a proper grade separation so that cars don't have to cross the tracks. It seems like there has been some resistance in the past to this idea, but wouldn't it make everyone happier to separate the railroad from street level making it safer and removing the need for cars to stop for trains. Then it should be relatively simple to implement a quiet zone since there would be no way for the train to hit anyone. It's a win win compromise no?

A consultant?

That's funny.

re: grade separation - nah, what works for other common communities on the Peninsula isn't something that would work in A-town.

Quite a blot on our landscape, wot?

I've heard that in other countries, the bells and flashing lights of the crossing gates are considered quite sufficient, so trains do not blow their horns at road crossings.

Only in America do we blame accidents on the lack of safety measures instead of the carelessness of the person involved Web Link

@Omar
Ok, lets go by your rhetoric and stop having empathy for the person hit. Every time someone is hit thousands of people get delayed getting to work or getting home. Would you prefer a cow pusher that clears wreckage from the tracks? Problems don't go away just because you feel you've sufficiently rationalized away the blame.

Re: grade separation. Unfortunately it boils down to cost. Palo Alto looked into trenching south PA and came up with estimates of 500 million to 1 billion. That cost is prohibitive for most cities to even consider, since you can bet that Caltrain won't foot the bill. If HSR is ever built here, they need to grade separate the entire peninsula before they can operate.

@Apple
You're correct that one of the options was $1 billion but there were other options going far lower to $300, and that's not even the whole story. Look up the full report if you're interested.

Grade separation was already implemented through San Bruno which has far less money than Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Atherton. What they did was simply build a raised platform to run the train over the intersections. The difference is that Atherton, Menlo Park, and Atherton decided they would prefer not to have the tracks raised more than 3 feet for reasons of appearance. If the people in the area don't want to pay at least $300m to avoid raising the rails maybe they should look at the other options. If appearance is worth the money to them then they should budget for it otherwise there are perfectly viable solutions that most other cities in the Bay Area use without issue.

Fact is, CalTrain should be elevated throughout the Peninsula, as population is getting more dense every year & more traffic. Much of the cost should be provided by new development, as that's whats driving increase in ridership.

CalTrain does not need to blow it's horn every 5 minutes. They blow it in Redwood City at 3:00 am. RR Crossings are well marked - we don't need horns.

@Idea
The city of San Bruno did not pay for grade separation. The $155M San Bruno project came from SMCTA: $92.4 million; State: $55.9 million; Federal: $6.6 million.

Source: Web Link

You ascribe too much power to the municipalities along the Caltrain tracks. They don't have budgetary nor executive control over what Caltrain does. They don't provide direct Caltrain funding.

If Caltrain wants to grade separate Atherton crossings, that would be up to Caltrain. My guess is there are more congested crossings than either of Atherton's Caltrain would be more interested in grade separating first.

@Jeremy: Plus Atherton would just sue Caltrain if they ever attempted to build it.

"Plus Atherton would just sue Caltrain if they ever attempted to build it."

Atherton would not be the only community to fight a viaduct or berm, if Caltrain tried to go that route.

And, it's worth mentioning that Atherton's EIR lawsuit is one of the main reasons Caltrain will be forced to be CEQA compliant if/when Caltrain electrification takes place. You should be thanking Atherton.

You're welcome.

I'm not sure why some think elevating Caltrain tracks as the most likely way grade separation occurs. That is actually an expensive option as Caltrain would need to construct the elevated tracks at the same time as maintaining rail service.

It's cheaper and faster to close the road temporarily, then dig under the current tracks to grade separate. Residents would also be more open to this proposal than any of the other options.

Not just San Bruno, kiddies - San Carlos and Belmont have won the battle over noise and congestion by also raising their tracks.

No clanging gates. No backed up traffic.

Ever notice that only when you are late, you get the double whammy of waiting at the gate for TWO trains?

bad luck, eh wot?

I would live to see traffic flow improve around the area - especially during rush hours, when they have even more trains than normal hours.

And eliminate all those whistles and clanging gates for good!

I'm glad to hear that Atherton is establishing the first Quiet Zone on the peninsula. Does anyone know if this will also affect the Union Pacific freight trains at night?