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Caltrain reports taller fencing, detection data; city updates quiet‑zone procurement
Summary
Caltrain staff said a 9.5‑foot fence has been installed along the west side of the tracks from Churchill to Palo Alto Station and that a recently installed RailSentry/RealCentury detection system has reduced incursions at a sample crossing; city staff provided updates on quiet‑zone procurement and projects slated for construction award in June.
Caltrain and city staff gave updates on physical safety measures on the corridor and on the city’s quiet‑zone projects during the May 20 meeting.
Caltrain update Caltrain staff (present remotely via a representative identified as Navi) said the agency has completed installation of 9½‑foot fencing along the west side of the tracks between Churchill Avenue and the Palo Alto station, replacing a shorter fence adjacent to the bike path. Caltrain’s operating contractor, Tasi, is working with the fencing contractor to address minor punch‑list items before formally closing out the project. "Caltrain has completely, completed the installation of the 9 and a half foot fencing along the west side of the tracks from Churchill Avenue to the Palo Alto Station," Navi said.
Detection system data and operations Caltrain staff also reported recent data from a recently installed intrusion‑detection system (referred to in the presentation as the RealCentury or RailSentry installation). At the Broadway‑Burlingame location, where the technology has been operating longer, staff said the system recorded zero incursions since installation compared with an earlier crossing average of roughly three incursions. Caltrain said the detection alerts go to Caltrain dispatch, which reviews the sensor information and decides whether to order a train to stop; staff said that while integration with positive train control (PTC) has been discussed historically, the current configuration sends alerts to dispatch rather than automatically engaging PTC.
City quiet‑zone work City staff said the Palo Alto Avenue quiet‑zone project has advanced to the public‑works procurement stage and is planned for award as part of an overlay and concrete‑improvement package in early June. Staff said design work and diagnostic meetings for the Churchill, Meadow and Charleston quiet‑zone elements are underway and that the city will present refined concept plans to the Rail Committee at a future meeting. City staff noted remaining locations in Palo Alto where taller fencing has not been installed—specifically adjacent to private backyard fences and at the Embarcadero bike/ped overpass near Paly, where the fence height remains low and staff will follow up with Caltrain operations for clarification on whether that structure will receive new fencing.
Ending Caltrain and city staff said they will return with more detailed evaluations of the intrusion‑detection system’s performance and with refined plans for the quiet‑zone and fencing punch lists. City staff asked to coordinate with Caltrain on remaining gaps and on signal‑timing work scheduled for June.
