February 5, 2014
1:30 – 3:30 pm
eBay
2211 North First Street*
San Jose, CA 95131
Transportation Policy Committee Meeting
Agenda
Time
1:30
Item
Who
Welcome & Introductions
Ron Gonzales, Presencia
January 2014 Minutes Approval**
Chris Wall, City National Bank
1:35
Rail Coming together in Silicon Valley –
High Speed, BART P2 & Electrified Caltrain
Ben Tripousis, CA HSRA
Carolyn Gonot, VTA
Marian Lee/Casey Fromson,
Caltrain
2:45
Protected Bikeways – AB 1193 (Ting)
Colin Heyne, SV Bicycle Coalition
3:10
TPC Discussion – Meeting Topics & Formats
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3:25
Announcements
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3:30
Review list of topics by Work Plan Priority (attached)
What types of information are most useful to you?
What projects are you curious about?
EV Specific: Are you interested in helping us refine our efforts on Workplace
Charging?
Transportation California: Decision not to move forward.
Commuter Benefits Program: Public Hearing March 19. Details Here.
Next TPC Meeting: 3/5/2013, 1:30-3:30pm
Driving Charged & Connected 2014: April 2014
Meeting Adjourn
Minutes
Transportation Policy Committee Meeting
Click for original background Agenda & Materials at the http://svlg.org/policyareas/transportation/transportation-committee/transportation-committee-only
(password BARTtoSV)
1. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
The Transportation Policy Committee meeting was called to order at 1:30
p.m.
Transportation and Housing Committee Members:
Matthew Jones, ICF
Denny Yau, San Jose State University
Otto Melara, Apple Inc.
Lauren Heckler , Journal
Ron Gonzales, Prescencia (TPC co-chair)
Patty Pine, eBay
Jennifer, Lockheed
Colin Heyne, SVBC
Steve Joesten, Infinera
Ramses Madou, Stanford
Eyedin Zonobi, San Jose State University
Call-ins:
Ted Huang, Webcor
Monica Wong, Facebook
Guest Speakers:
Carolyn Gonot, VTA
Casey Fromson, Caltrain
Ben Tripousis, High Speed Rail Authority
Ricky Le, High Speed Rail Authority
Staff:
Jessica Zenk, Senior Director of Transportation
Bena Chang, Director for Housing & Transportation
Audrey Shiramizu, Transportation Coordinator
2. TPC Minutes Approval
Motion—Ramses/ Second Steve Joesten—Carried unanimously.
Approve the minutes of the January 2014 TPC meeting.
3. Rail Coming together in Silicon Valley – High Speed, BART P2 & Electrified
Caltrain (see presentations for more details)
Ben Tripousis: Northern California Regional Director - High Speed Rail Authority
Ben explained some of the main reasons on why California is building the High
Speed Rail, including: California boasts the 8th largest economy in the world and
62% flights are from the Bay Area to airports in Los Angeles. Additionally, the 2014
revised business plan will be updated and coming out soon. The High Speed Rail
project intends to have many positive impacts on the state and nation as a
whole, including reducing VMT and airline flights and providing a net zero, green
construction. Phase 1 in the Central Valley has begun, and is expected to be
completed by 2029.
Carolyn Fromson: Caltrain Electrification
Caltrain Modernization Program from San Francisco to San Jose. The goal is a
blended system so that the High Speed Rail can utilize the Caltrain tracks. In fact,
half of the funding is coming from the High Speed Rail Authority. The
modernization began in San Jose in September of 2013, and is currently at the
mid-peninsula. They are looking to put WiFi on the system. The EIR draft will be
out by the end of February 2014, with public hearings following shortly after. The
EIR aims to be finalized by the end of 2014.
Questions & Discussion (for Casey at Caltrain)
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Eyedin: Where will the electric lines be?
Casey: Above ground.
Carolyn Gonot: VTA
The VTA BART to Silicon Valley Extension will be operated and maintained by
BART. However, VTA will own it. The first 10 miles are under construction now. The
extension is from Fremont to Berryessa, east of the flea market site. There will be
two new stations: Milpitas and Berryessa. The total cost is around $2.33 billion and
is a design-build project. The expected opening date is August 2017 (originally
June 2018). The parking contracts have just been awarded (as of the meeting
time).
Phase 1: Berryessa: Opening day projected ridership: 24,000.
Funding has been about 62% from local and state funding and 38% Federal.
The next phase is expected to cost $4.1 billion, and will be four stations – Alum
Rock South of 101, between 1st and Market in Downtown San Jose on Santa
Clara, the Diridon Station, and the Santa Clara Caltrain station.
In the future, the proposed underground stations will take longer than Phase 1.
For the next 6 months, VTA aims to “take a step backward” and to make sure
that transportation dollars are being efficiently spent.
Questions & Discussion
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Ron: It was originally discussed to add an additional station at SJSU – is
that still being pursued in this CEQA document?
Carolyn: No, just the 1 station in the downtown San Jose area is being
discussed. They would consider shifting more east, near City Hall or SJSU.
Ron: SJSU could grow more if they had more transit options.
Ben: There’s a huge need for a statewide rail modernization. Public
investment tends to attract more private investment.
Jessica: Casey referenced they they still need 25% of the fleet.
The biggest challenge of BART Phase 2 is the funding. What are some
strategies for how SVLG/TPC can engage in getting more money for HSRA
and the associated connectivity projects?
Casey: We need strong support in explaining the benefits that these
worthwhile projects can bring. SVLG could be a strong coalition to
describe these benefits to residents and why its important to the
community, such as using it will make streets and air cleaner. There are
many worthy projects – we hope Caltrain can get some funding to get
electrified completely. We hope to pressure elected officials that its worth
investing in and not letting transportation fall to the bottom of their
priorities.
Carolyn: For VTA, we’ve been lucky to get measure A under the mayor’s
support and SVLG support in getting voters. For example, in 2000, the
measure passed during the economic boom. VTA was pulling in $186
million/year. Since then, it had gone down to $120 million/year. There was
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an assumption that sales tax would grow – and finally, 14 years later, it’s
back to around $180 million/year. They key things to do in order to get
funding is: deliver the first piece of the project really well, and deliver the
word to the voters that we are capable of doing these projects.
In the future, VTA will be looking at connectivity. It’s a large investment - a
BART station isn’t like Caltrain station. The project needs to be competitive.
We’re hopeful at looking at state dollars, and perhaps another Prop B
could come forward.
Ron: Can you all talk about parking? It’s an issue at BART, and BART to SV
extension. Are you all working on that together?
Ben: Yes. We’re looking at opportunities like TOD. No one wants to see a
sea of parking in front of the Diridon station. They want to take the
Diridion master plan (including a connectivity study) and finish it, using
resources at Mineta.
Diridon will have the most transit options, more than even the Transbay
station in San Francisco. That opportunity minimizes the need for parking.
Casey: There is a lot of behind the scenes planning going on now
discussing parking.
Ron: Carolyn, what about sales taxes?
Carolyn: Things are looking better and better. Lots of parking is provided
in the suburban area, but for the project, we’re not building the parking
unless it is actually needed. This is the first time in years before 2000 that
we’re actually growing sales tax growth in the county. Sales tax
projections are good.
Mark: Have you looked at the possibility of commerce movement – Basin
and Bay Area? There’s a benefit to the HSRA. There’re lots of businesses
that want to service both ways in the Bay. But, a lot of geography gets in
the way.
Ben: The HSR effectively shrinks the state, with nothing stopping big
companies to build/move around the state.
Jessica: It was mentioned that there’re constant meetings between the
three agencies. Has there been a discussion on the service perspective –
coordination between BART and Caltrain? That’s really the ring around
the bay. Couldn’t we run these systems like one system?
Casey: That’d be ideal.
Ben: There’re hundreds of passenger interface issues that need to be
addressed, such as who is operating the baggage, to who is cleaning the
bathrooms? There’re also multiple operators and not 1 operator that’s fully
responsibility.
Carolyn: If you take BART in the East Bay and Fremont, VTA would run so
that it’s in alignment with BART trains. The travel patterns of people
haven’t really been looked at, such as are commuters doing a loop at
Caltrain? Or are they ending the trip? More data needs to be gathered.
Ben: What’s coming up for future generations?
Carolyn: What’s coming up from Monterey? Santa Cruz?
Ben: The next step is to find ways to get more connected to SVLG
membership, including how to get support for more of the activities.
Perhaps representatives from member companies could step up about
their support for this project.
Ron: Thank you for coming and for your hard work
Action: None, informational item.
4. Protected Bikeways – AB 1193 (Ting) (please refer to handouts)
The Silicon Valley Bike Coalition is pushing for AB 1193, which would add a fourth
class of bike roads (a protected bikeway). Their goal is to get more people
biking, especially by capturing those that are interested but concerned while
bicycling on the road.
Questions & Discussion
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Ron: There’re issues with drivers, more so than with bicyclists. For example,
in Downtown San Jose, you see no (lane) consistency for drivers. It’s
frustrating for both parties. On Hedding St., one lane has been taken
away causing further backups and traffic stops, frustrated drivers, and
drivers crossing over into bike lanes. Behavior is exacerbated by these
inconsistencies. There’re no directions telling drivers where they’re
supposed to be. Suggest ideally to choose one class of lanes and not 3-4
types to improve consistency.
Colin: Bike signals help a lot.
Ron: Do cyclists pay attention to signals?
Colin: Not sure. No stats available for this.
Ramses: Are Class IV bikeways bike-only?
Colin: Not a multi-use path. In conjunction with pedestrians.
Denny: DMV should have driver’s license re-testing because new things
keep popping up that people might not know how to maneuver (ex: new
bikeways, traffic circle, etc.)
Eyedin; At San Jose State University (SJSU), we’ve no data of
improvements in driving. SJSU would welcome things like this – especially
on San Fernando – seeing more bike traffic in the lanes.
Ron: What are other cities doing?
Colin: There’s neither consistency nor clear guidance amongst other Bay
Area cities. Part of AB 1193 would work with cities and counties to come
up with clear guidelines for safer facilities.
Jessica: The state is in the process of an active transportation program.
So this legislation is well timed because one side of the House encourages
this. But there’re no standards to actually do them (in a legal and
consistent way).
Others are asking: Why does Caltrans have prevue over bike lanes?
Caltrans is an agency focused on building highways. To have them have
prevue over bikeways might not make sense.
Ron: Does it makes sense for SVLG to say to get a game plan to have
some region-wide consistency?
Colin: The TPC/SVLG can help amplify these things around the Bay.
Motion to support the staff recommendation to support AB 1193 – Ron /
Second by Ramses and Patty. All in favor, with one abstention from Otto.
Action: This item will go to working council, based on vote.
5. TPC Discussion – Meeting Topics & Formats
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Ron: Are there any questions?
Jessica: This came out of a conversation between me, Bena, Ron, and
Chris (TPC co-chairs) as an effort to show our priorities and what we’re
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working on. We want to make sure “items for future agenda” are kept
updated. If members see something they like or are missing, please let us
know.
Ramses: Suggestion: autonomous vehicles.
Jennifer: Suggestion: Regional standardization for bikeways.
Jessica: Please keep suggestions coming via emails and/or at the
meetings.
Bena: Also note the questions to discuss, such as what are more things we
can touch on regarding your day to day job?
Otto: Electric vehicles. Also on the set of universal guidelines for EV.
(statewide or nationwide). Right now there’re some standards, but
nothing much for EV policies – like signage and regulatory.
Ron: Do local building codes require new condos to have EV charging?
Jessica: Pre-wiring is required in some cases so people can easily tap in.
But there’re no requirements to build X amount of market of charging
stations.
Ramses: There’s a requirement of 5% pre wired in Santa Clara County.
Danny: Residentials are also required in some cases.
Ramses: Stanford is expanding their EV infrastructure. But the hurdle is that
no one seems to know who’s handling them or managing them, and
other tough operational questions. For example, how often people need
to move their car from charging stations to let others charge. This info
would be helpful for larger stations.
Ron: Any presentations on smart parking efforts?
Jessica: We have had Streetline.
Ron: Are there actual cities adopting it?
Danny: San Mateo.
Jessica: BART parking will have EV available.
Danny: Parking lots are being used for non-riders too.
Bena: Mark 4/24/14 for our Driving Charged and Connected Symposium,
where we’ll have a chance to talk about a lot of these topics.
Steve Joesten: Speaker suggestion: Don Braye, who is good for EV talks.
6. Announcements
Transportation California: Decision not to move forward.
o Spoke with us last month.
o The ballot language was received from the attorney general, initial
analysis was done to see if voters would approve it. They did not find a
strong enough case to move forward, and it will not be on the
upcoming ballot.
 Cap and trade
o Senator Beall
o Shaping budget proposal around C&T
 Let’s Get Moving summit flyer
 Commuter Benefits Program: Public Hearing March 19. Details Here.
 Next TPC Meeting: 3/5/2013, 1:30-3:30pm
o At eBay again
Driving Charged & Connected 2014: April 24, 2014
-We would love your input on the Symposium.
-Visit the website for more details:
http://svlg.org/policy-areas/transportation/charged-event-2014
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Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 3:30PM.