City of Sunnyvale
Agenda Item
20-0120 Agenda Date: 2/27/2020
2020 COUNCIL STUDY ISSUE
NUMBER
DPW 20-02
TITLE Improve Bicycle and Pedestrian Access at Sunnyvale Caltrain Station
BACKGROUND
Lead Department: Public Works
Support Departments: Office of the City Manager
Office of the City Attorney
Community Development
Sponsor(s): Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission
History: 1 year ago: N/A
2 years ago: N/A
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
What precipitated this Study?
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission requests evaluation of the existing pedestrian and bicycle access to the Sunnyvale Caltrain Station north and south of the station. The Sunnyvale Caltrain Station is a major transportation hub for the City providing access to and from the downtown area. Currently the station serves over ten northbound trains during the morning commute (6 a.m. to 9 a.m.) and over ten southbound trains during the evening commute (4 p.m. to 7 p.m.), as well as five VTA bus transit lines. The station is bicycle-friendly with 74 bicycle lockers and bicycle accommodations on most transit lines.
The station is adjacent to Evelyn Avenue which provides direct access for the area south of the railroad. Access to the station north of the railroad can be made through a pedestrian opening to the station at the intersection of North Frances Street and West Hendy Avenue. In addition, there is an unpaved pedestrian pathway leading to the station from the City-operated parking lot north of the railroad under the Mathilda Avenue overpass.
The City-operated parking lot is accessible by vehicle through the Sunnyvale Business Park driveway on California Avenue west of Mathilda Avenue. At the southeast corner of the parking lot, there are 12 bicycle parking lockers. The unpaved pedestrian pathway connecting to the Caltrain southbound platform is on the south side of the parking lot to serve Caltrain patrons that park in the City lot.
What are the key elements of the Study?
The purpose of the Study is to make recommendations for improvements to signage, access paths, roadways, traffic control and bicyclist/pedestrian amenities. The Study will also determine areas for the inclusion of public art displays. Finally, the Study will include an evaluation of right-of-way
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restrictions, feasibility of improvements and possible sources of funding.
The Study will include several elements to produce a full evaluation of bicycle and pedestrian accessibility of the Caltrain Station. One of the components of the Study will be a land survey to determine right-of-way constraints between the City, Union Pacific Railroad, Caltrain, and private land owners that would affect proposed modifications. The land survey will also be used to determine American with Disability Act (ADA) compliance for existing and proposed facilities as well as geometric requirements for all proposed travel modes (i.e., bikeways, sidewalks, curb ramps, multi- use paths, etc.).
Another element of the Study will be a public outreach component to obtain information about station users. Public outreach will include a community workshop, an on-site commuter survey, and an online survey. The data collected from the public outreach efforts will be supplemented with weekday and weekend peak period bike and vehicle parking counts at the Caltrain lot as well as the City owned public parking lots in the area, driveway counts at the station entrance, and Caltrain rider counts with travel mode split.
Lastly, the Study will provide feasible recommendations for Sunnyvale Caltrain access improvements. These recommendations might include adding additional pedestrian and/or bicycle access from the neighborhood north of the station which may include increasing or decreasing the number of vehicle or bicycle parking spaces based on the analysis. All recommendations will include conceptual drawings of the proposed modifications with a cost estimate and any identifiable constraints. The Study will also include possible funding sources and eligible grants for design and construction of the recommended improvements.
The Sunnyvale Caltrain Station is in the northern area of the Downtown Specific Plan. The Study would be consistent with the goals, policies and vision statement of the Downtown Specific Plan or the Update to the Plan, if adopted by Council.
Estimated years to complete study: 2 years
FISCAL IMPACT
Cost to Conduct Study
Level of staff effort required (opportunity cost): Major Funding Required for Non-Budgeted Costs: $ 350,000
Funding Source: Will seek budget supplement
The cost associated with this study would be for consultant services to include in the project scope a detailed survey of the Caltrain station and adjacent properties, traffic data collection including bicycle and pedestrian counts, community outreach activities, conceptual plans with recommended improvements and cost estimates, and possible funding sources. City staff will work with the consultant throughout the project process in the development of the recommended improvements.
Cost to Implement Study Results
Unknown. Study would include assessment of potential costs, including capital and operating, as well as revenue/savings.
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EXPECTED CITY COUNCIL, BOARD OR COMMISSION PARTICIPATION Council-Approved Work Plan: Yes
Council Study Session: No
Reviewed by Boards/Commissions: Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Support. This policy issue merits discussion at a Study Issues Workshop.
There is potential for improvements to the existing bicycle and pedestrian facilities and amenities near the Sunnyvale Caltrain Station that would improve access. Potential improvements may be at locations owned or maintained by various jurisdictions or entities. The Study would provide a plan for stakeholder coordination on the proposed improvements and construction. The stakeholders will include the City, Caltrain, VTA, the Sunnyvale Business Park, Downtown Business Association, and nearby residents. In addition, the Study will propose opportunities to acquire grant funding for feasible improvements.
Prepared by: Ralph Garcia, Senior Transportation Engineer Reviewed by: Chip Taylor, Director, Public Works
Reviewed by: Teri Silva, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Kent Steffens, City Manager
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