Palo Alto staff reports speed surveys, quiet‑zone quad gates and first Bay Area traffic garden
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Summary
At its Dec. 10 meeting the commission heard transportation updates: council approved a second reading of speed surveys (enabling radar enforcement on key arterials), council reviewed quad‑gate quiet‑zone installation at Churchill Meadow, the Ventura Community Center opened the Bay Area’s first traffic garden, and the South Palo Alto bikeway connectivity project advanced with alternative A at El Dorado under study.
City transportation staff briefed the Planning & Transportation Commission on recent actions and near‑term items affecting local traffic and safety.
Speed surveys and enforcement: Senior Transportation Planner Ozzie Arcey said Palo Alto’s speed surveys conducted between 2023 and 2025 were approved by City Council at second reading Dec. 1. With council action complete, the Office of Transportation can work with the Police Department to pursue radar enforcement on identified arterials, including Embarcadero Road, Middlefield Road, Alma Street and University Avenue.
Quiet‑zone updates: Council reviewed recommendations to install four quad‑gate systems at Churchill/Meadow (Charles Charleston area) to allow rail crossings to qualify for a Federal Railroad Administration quiet‑zone designation. Staff showed drawings of quad‑gate configurations and said further coordination is under way.
Traffic garden and bike safety: Staff announced the new Ventura Community Center traffic garden — the first documented traffic garden in the Bay Area — to teach children road‑element recognition and bike safety through an on‑site mini‑street environment. Commissioners praised student leadership in the project and requested recognition of the youth originator in future materials.
South Palo Alto bikeway connectivity: Staff reported the City Council narrowed eight alternatives for a South Palo Alto bike‑ped crossing to one preferred location near El Dorado Avenue (Alternative A) and directed staff to advance two variants: a signalized crossing and a full grade‑separated tunnel under Alma and the Caltrain tracks. Staff will return with more detail during an upcoming January meeting.
Rail grade separation notice: Transportation staff noted a concurrent public meeting at City Council Chambers on rail grade separation alternatives and 15% design for the preliminary environmental and engineering phase.
Quote: "Speed surveys tell the city the actual operating speed of traffic on the street and are required as a foundation for radar enforcement," Ozzie Arcey said in the presentation.
What’s next: Transportation staff said the final transportation plan will be prepared for City Council adoption in early 2026 and that further public outreach on the South Palo Alto bikeway will continue.