CITY OF SAN MATEO
CITY OF SAN MATEO
Agenda Report
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
Agenda Number: 23 Section Name: {{section.name}} Account Number: 10-4661-01 File ID: {{item.tracking_number}} TO: City Council
FROM: Alex Khojikian, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Public Works Department
MEETING DATE: June 02, 2025
SUBJECT:
2025 Transportation Program Annual Review — Progress Update RECOMMENDATION:
Receive the 2025 Transportation Program Annual Review, summarizing progress on ongoing transportation plans and initiatives, key project updates, and performance metrics including citywide mode share and safety data.
BACKGROUND:
This presentation represents the first annual transportation program update in accordance with City Council Priority #9:
Conduct an Annual Transportation Review of progress on all ongoing plans, including project updates and key metrics such as City mode share, collision, and safety data.
The City’s transportation network consists of 200 centerline miles of streets, 90 traffic signals, 7000+ streetlights, 380+ miles of sidewalk, eight downtown parking garages, 80+ bridges, and over 60 miles of bike infrastructure. The City is committed to planning, improving, and maintaining a safe, efficient, and accessible network that supports all travel modes and meets community mobility needs. This annual review supports transparency and alignment with broader goals such as the City’s General Plan, Vision Zero Policy, and Bicycle Master Plan. General Plan 2040, recently adopted after more than six years of extensive community engagement, establishes a comprehensive vision for the City’s future development. The Circulation Element of the General Plan (Chapter 3) provides goals specific to the City’s transportation network.
The Transportation Division of San Mateo manages four major strategic programs, including Active Transportation, Vehicle Congestion Management, Parking, and Safety. Progress in each of these categories will be discussed in the presentation, highlighting key metrics which can be used to track progress over time. Goals, guiding documents, and key metrics related to each program are as follows:
ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION
GOAL: The City seeks to enhance active transportation by supporting walking, biking, and transit through safe and connected infrastructure. As more people live and work in San Mateo, the roadways have gotten busier and more congested with vehicular traffic. Active transportation reduces congestion by shifting trips away from cars, which decreases the number of vehicles on the road, especially for short trips that often make up a significant portion of urban traffic.
GUIDING DOCUMENTS: The City’s Bicycle Master Plan, which was adopted in 2020, reflects the City’s full vision for an interconnected and safe multimodal network. The City’s Pedestrian Master Plan was adopted in 2012, and helped identify over $215M of pedestrian improvement projects, $200M of which are lighting projects. The 2022 Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Pedestrian Access Plan is aimed at improving pedestrian access in and around our TOD areas, like Bay Meadows. The following goals, as outlined in the General Plan’s Circulation Element, emphasize the promotion and enhancement of active transportation.
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SECTION POLICY
C1.1 Sustainable Transportation. Reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transportation by increasing mode share options for sustainable travel modes, such as walking, bicycling, and public transit.
C1.2 Complete Streets. Apply complete streets design standards to future projects in the public right-of-way and on private property. Complete streets are streets designed to facilitate safe, comfortable, and efficient travel for all users regardless of age or ability or whether they are walking, bicycling, taking transit, or driving, and should include landscaping and shade trees as well as green streets stormwater infrastructure to reduce runoff and pollution.
C1.4 Prioritize Pedestrian and Bicycle Mobility Needs. Prioritize local pedestrian and bicycle projects that enhance mobility, connectivity, and safety when designing roadway and intersection improvements.
C3.1 Pedestrian Network. Create and maintain a safe, walkable environment in San Mateo to increase the number of pedestrians. Maintain an updated recommended pedestrian network for implementation. Encourage “superblock” or similar design in certain nodes of the city, such as the Downtown, that allows vehicle access at the periphery and limits cut through vehicles to create pedestrian-focused, car-light spaces.
C4.1 Bicycle Network. Create and maintain a bicycle-friendly environment in San Mateo and increase the number of people who choose to bicycle.
C4.2 Bicycle Master Plan. Maintain an updated recommended bicycle network for implementation in the adopted Bicycle Master Plan and related City plans.
C4.3 First- and Last-Mile Connections. Encourage and facilitate provision of bicycle parking and shared mobility options at transit centers and other community destinations to provide first- and last-mile connections.
C5.1 Transit Ridership and Frequency. Support Caltrain and SamTrans in their efforts to increase transit ridership and frequency of transit services.
C5.2 Caltrain and SamTrans. Support Caltrain and SamTrans as critical transit service providers in the city and Peninsula
C5.3 California High-Speed Rail. Support and facilitate local and regional efforts to implement High-Speed Rail. Work to provide multimodal connections between San Mateo and planned High-Speed Rail stations.
C5.5 Transit Improvements. Support implementation of transit improvements by local and regional transit providers.
PLANNING EFFORTS IN PROGRESS: The City is working on the development of a citywide Complete Streets Plan, which will not only help identify a comprehensive list of multimodal infrastructure projects but will also consolidate several of the City’s other transportation-related planning efforts, to ensure that improvements identified are packaged for coordinated implementation.
The North Central Complete Streets Plan (NCCSP), also under development, is planned to be consolidated with the Complete Streets Plan. The NCCSP is currently on hold for multiple reasons, including the need for Council direction on the Humboldt Bike Lanes, the recent cancellation of the Peninsula Interchange Project that requires other approaches to address the circulation and safety needs that were the drivers for that project, the need to understand circulation impacts of one or more potential rail crossing closures on the western edge of the North Central neighborhood as the City pursues creation of a Train Horn Quiet Zone, and the need to plan for bi- jurisdictional improvements for vehicle circulation and bicycle/pedestrian safety on Peninsula Avenue.
All these issues have an impact on the North Central community but were not part of the NCCSP scope or direct topics of discussion during the outreach and engagement efforts. Synchronizing the NCCSP with the Complete
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Streets Plan allows the City to more cost-effectively rescope and finalize the NCCSP to adapt to evolving community needs and better coordinate its Citywide implementation efforts. KEY METRICS: Progress on the Bicycle Master Plan and Pedestrian Master Plan projects; number of curb ramps constructed; number of trip hazards repaired; and sidewalk repaired or replaced. 2024-25 PROJECT ACHIEVEMENTS: Staff will provide a list of projects that are in progress that includes, but is not limited to, the projects listed below.
oConstruction
3rd and Norfolk Intersection Safety Improvement Project oDesign
Delaware Safe Routes to School Corridor Bike Improvement 19th Avenue Fashion Island Complete Streets
28th Avenue Gap Closure
Downtown Caltrain North Access
oPlanning
South Grant Street Bicycle Boulevard
South B Street Class II Bike Lane
South Boulevard Class IV Bike Lane
Campus Drive Class II Bike Lane
VEHICLE CONGESTION MANAGEMENT
GOAL: The goal of Vehicle Congestion Management Program (VCMP) is to optimize traffic flow and reduce roadway congestion by implementing strategic measures such as intelligent traffic signal systems, real-time traffic monitoring, and promotion of alternative transportation modes like carpooling and public transit. By enhancing infrastructure efficiency, encouraging sustainable travel behaviors, and leveraging data-driven technologies, this program aims to minimize travel delays, lower greenhouse gas emissions, improve road safety, and enhance the overall mobility experience for residents and commuters. GUIDING DOCUMENTS: The following goals, as outlined in the General Plan’s Circulation Element, emphasize the promotion and enhancement of vehicle congestion management.
SECTION POLICY
C2.1 TDM [Transportation Demand Management] Requirements. Require new or existing developments that meet specific size, capacity, and/or context conditions to implement TDM strategies.
C6.1 Roadway Operations. Maintain acceptable roadway operations for all intersections and all modes within the City.
C6.2 Circulation Improvement Plan. Maintain a transportation network that will accommodate future growth, reduce VMT per capita, and equitably implement complete streets.
C6.3 Local Transportation Analysis. Require site-specific transportation impact analysis following the City’s adopted Transportation Impact Analysis (TIA) Policy for development projects where there may be an adverse condition or effect on the roadway system.
C6.4 Operations Analysis for Development Projects. Require new development to determine the need for new or modified circulation improvements, operations, or alignments where developments identify operational deficiencies that were not previously identified in a transportation impact fee study. Require development applicants to prepare an analysis to determine the need for modifications, such as signalization, turn restrictions, roundabouts, etc. Require applicants to fund identified off-site improvements if warranted, as determined by the legally appropriate transportation analysis, and as approved by City staff.
CITY OF SAN MATEO
CITY OF SAN MATEO
C6.5 Neighborhood Traffic. Implement traffic-calming measures on residential streets to reduce the volume of pass-through traffic and vehicular speeds.
C6.8 Emergency Signal Preemption. Require new and upgraded signals to include preemption for emergency vehicles to maintain and enhance emergency response times. PLANNING EFFORTS IN PROGRESS: The City is advancing a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) policy in collaboration with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), which helps reduce congestion by encouraging measures to reduce the number of vehicles on the road. Staff also has a number of internal procedures and policies aimed at guiding analysis of upcoming development projects and expects to accelerate this policy update in FY 2025-26 to prepare for a further increase in development applications in San Mateo given the voter approval of Measure T.
KEY METRICS: Travel time for the corridors of Hillsdale Boulevard, Alameda De Las Pulgas, and 3 rd/4th Avenue. 2024-25 ACHIEVEMENTS: Staff will provide a list of projects that are in progress that includes, but is not limited to, the projects listed below.
oTDM Ordinance Policy Update
oComplete Streets Plan
oHillsdale Alameda Traffic Signal Intersection Safety Improvement oNorfolk Fashion Island Intersection Optimization
oDevelopment of the Traffic Operations Center
oCitywide Traffic Controller Upgrade
oCitywide Video Detection System Upgrade
oCitywide Traffic Signal Timing
PARKING MANAGEMENT
GOAL: The City seeks to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of parking resources by implementing data-driven strategies, real-time parking availability systems, and prioritized allocation for high-demand areas to optimize space utilization and reduce congestion caused by circling vehicles. The program aims to improve the user experience, support economic development, and contribute to a more organized and environmentally conscious urban mobility framework.
GUIDING DOCUMENTS: The following goals, as outlined in the General Plan’s Circulation Element, emphasize the promotion of parking management.
SECTION POLICY
C7.1 Parking Management. Manage parking through appropriate pricing, enforcement, and other strategies to support economic growth and vitality, transportation equity, and environmental sustainability. Ensure that the available parking supply is used at levels that meet ongoing needs without inducing additional demand or hindering future development.
C7.2 Shared Parking. Encourage new and existing developments, especially those in mixed- use districts, to share parking between uses to maximize the existing parking supply, minimize the amount of new parking construction, and encourage “park once” behavior in commercial areas.
C7.3 Public Parking. Maximize opportunities to expand the availability of existing parking by supporting the use of public/shared parking at private developments, discouraging reserved parking at new developments, providing incentives for developments to include shared/public parking, and allowing developers to fund public parking in-lieu of meeting parking demand/requirements on-site.
C7.4 Bicycle Parking. Require the provision of bicycle parking as part of new private developments.
C7.5 Curbside Management. Manage the supply and use of the curb to maintain an optimal balance between mobility, storage, placemaking, and loading uses allowing for flexibility
CITY OF SAN MATEO
CITY OF SAN MATEO
for adaptive re-use, safety improvements, and activation of curb space whenever possible.
C7.6 Loading for New Development. Require adequate loading to meet the needs of new development, including evaluation of shared use of loading zones. KEY METRICS: Residential Parking Permit issued, Downtown Parking Permits issued and Downtown Parking Utilization.
2024-25 ACHIEVEMENTS: Staff will provide an overview of on-going and future initiatives that promote parking management.
Safety
GOAL: The City seeks to enhance the safety of all road users by implementing evidence-based strategies, including improved roadway designs, implementation of a multi-modal network, advanced traffic calming measures, and targeted education campaigns to promote safe driving, cycling, and pedestrian behaviors. GUIDING DOCUMENTS: The City adopted a Local Roadway Safety Plan in 2024, which identifies high-priority locations based on crash history, stakeholder collaboration, and community feedback. The City has also been developing a Safe Routes to School Strategic Plan. The following goals, as outlined in the General Plan’s Circulation Element, emphasize the importance of transportation safety.
SECTION POLICY
C1.3 Vision Zero. Use a safe systems approach for transportation planning, street design, operations, emergency response, and maintenance that proactively identifies opportunities to improve safety where conflicts between users exist to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries in our roadways.
C5.4 Safety at At-Grade Rail Crossings. Eliminate existing at-grade rail crossings to improve safety and local multimodal circulation.
KEY METRICS: Staff will be providing insights into collision data representative of 2024. The data will include age, severity types, vehicle collision types, and who is involved. In addition, staff will provide Safe Routes to School- related metrics, such as what modes of travel families use to get their children to and from school, as well as the number and types of safety equipment provided by the City in support of school route safety. 2024-25 ACHIEVEMENTS: Staff will provide an overview of on-going safety-focused projects and programs that includes, but is not limited to, the projects listed below. oPoplar/Humboldt Intersection Safety Improvement Project oHillsdale Blvd/Alameda De Las Pulgas Intersection Safety Improvement Program oHillsdale High School/ 31 st Avenue Safe Routes to School oLocal Roadway Safety Priority Package 1
oSafe Routes to School Program
oHigh Voltage Phase 4 and 5
oDowntown Parking Garage Pedestrian Safety Project
oB-Street Pedestrian Scramble
oCitywide Speed Limit Program
BUDGET IMPACT:
There is no budget impact associated with this informational update.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
This item is not a project subject to CEQA, because it is an organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5).)
CITY OF SAN MATEO
NOTICE PROVIDED
All meeting noticing requirements were met.
ATTACHMENTS
None
STAFF CONTACT
Jay Yu, Engineering Manager
[email protected]
(650) 522-7323