Status Update on Rail Safety Priorities
Published on February 19, 2026
New Safety Measures in Process at all Palo Alto Crossings and City Council Consideration of Temporary Churchill Closure Set for Mid-April Following Analysis and Community Engagement
Rail Safety Ad Hoc Committee Status Update on Safety Priorities
The City Council, along with our partners, Caltrain and the Palo Alto Unified School District are committed to reducing risks, increasing safety, and supporting our youth. Together, several approaches are actively being pursued to reduce access to lethal means, in addition to other measures recently implemented. The following status update by the Rail Safety Ad Hoc summarizes these approaches and measures. In addition, an analysis of a temporary closure of the Churchill/Alma crossing is underway for City Council review anticipated in mid-April, while longer-term permanent safety enhancements continue to advance.
Safety Enhancements at All Palo Alto Crossings
Adding a Human Presence at All Palo Alto Crossings Possible by the End of the Month: The City Council will consider approval of an agreement to provide a human presence by professional track safety monitors at all four Palo Alto crossings at their meeting on February 23 which would provide 24-hour grade crossing security. We are grateful to the Palo Alto Unified School District Board of Directors for unanimously voting to share in the cost of this temporary solution while other work continues. Based on preliminary review, the estimated annual cost of this temporary measure is $1.7 million.
City Council Consideration of a Churchill Closure Trial Within 60 Days, Following Analysis Currently Underway: The City and Caltrain met with staff from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) last week on steps needed to evaluate a temporary closure of the Churchill/Alma crossing. Staff is initiating the necessary analysis to evaluate what would be required to implement a temporary closure with possible City Council consideration and action within 60 days or by mid-April. This effort would include community engagement, assessment of potential impacts such as emergency response (including police, fire and ambulance), rerouting and safety of pedestrians and bicyclists, vehicular traffic circulation, and definition of potential closure elements including signage, signal changes, fencing and closure materials for diagnostic review by CPUC staff.
Quiet Zones Implementation at All Palo Alto Crossings Continue: All Palo Alto crossings will benefit from the elimination of routine use of train horns at public crossings, thereby enhancing mental health by reducing a reminder of lethal means and supporting the quality of life for residents, students and businesses while still adhering to safety standards. Construction of improvements have been completed at the Palo Alto Avenue crossing, and City Council will consider a Notice of Establishment that would allow the Quiet Zone to go into effect at this location in March 2026, with implementation timing subject to CPUC and Federal Railroad Administration field review. Additionally, last November, Council has approved the concept of four quadrant gate systems and other improvements at Churchill, Meadow and Charleston required for state and federal approval of quiet zones over the next several years, and staff are identifying funding to advance the design of improvements in Q3 2026.
Other Crossing Safety Approaches Completed
Caltrain Rail Sentry and Other Safety Improvements Installed: Enhanced safety improvements have been installed at the Churchill, Meadow and Charleston crossings. These improvements include high visibility markers, delineators, striping, and the Rail Sentry system (camera/video, Lidar-Light Detection and Ranging- and AI technology to detect irregular intrusions of pedestrians or vehicles). Caltrain is also procuring materials to install the Rail Sentry system at the Palo Alto Ave/Alma Street crossing and intends for all four crossings to receive anti-trespass panels, which protect against pedestrians trespassing outside of the grade crossing area. These are scheduled to be installed within a few weeks at Churchill and Meadow, weather permitting, and subsequently at Charleston and Palo Alto Avenue/Alma Street.
Enhancements to pedestrian and bikeways along Churchill Avenue is also under construction. High security fencing was installed last year on the west side of the tracks between the University Station area and the Churchill crossing to complement fencing already installed on the east side.
Permanent Rail Safety Investments Continue to Advance
Grade-Separation at all Palo Alto Crossings: In 2021, the City Council prioritized the Charleston and Meadow grade crossings as the highest priority for at least one grade separation project. Using state and federal grant funding dedicated for that purpose, the City is advancing with 35% designs for all three at-grade crossings to help identify the least likely property impacts, along with refining the time and costs of construction. In December, Council reaffirmed the partial undercrossing for motor vehicles at Churchill with a pedestrian/bicycle undercrossing at Seale Avenue as the locally preferred alternative for grade separation at Churchill Avenue, and the hybrid alternative at Meadow Drive and the direct ramp underpass alternative for the Charleston Road crossing.
Local Resources Available to Support Our Community and Youth
Call/Text: Whether you’re going through a crisis or want to help a friend in need, call or text 9-8-8 to talk to a trained counselor who can support you.
Teen Drop In: allcove Palo Alto is open for people 12 to 25 years old to drop in anytime during center hours, Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Palo Alto Unified School District Mental & Physical Health Resources: Students and families can find helpful resources at https://www.pausd.org/student-supports/health-wellness/resources.
More: A full list of support resources can be found at www.paloalto.gov/bewell.