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September marked Rail Safety Month, a time when Caltrain focuses on its responsibility to keep our rail system safe. At Caltrain, safety isn’t just a priority or a core value—it’s the foundation of everything we do. As Rail Safety Month comes to a close, we’d like to take the opportunity to highlight the work we’ve done to improve safety at grade crossings throughout the corridor.
A Smarter Approach to Safer Crossings
While grade separations—projects that elevate or lower tracks to remove intersections with roads—remain the most effective way to eliminate conflicts between trains, cars, and pedestrians, they can take years to complete and cost between $500 million and $1 billion each. This has led Caltrain to invest more affordable, near-term improvements that can make a meaningful difference today.
At Palo Alto’s Churchill Avenue crossing, for example, the installation of LiDAR intrusion technology, anti-trespass panels, and clearer signage and markings has created a safer environment for everyone at a fraction of the cost—just $350,000. Since these measures were put in place, the crossing has not experienced a single incident.
Additional upgrades are planned across the system this year, including:
- Fresh pavement markings and paint striping
- Relocated stop bars for clearer driver visibility
- New signage and reflective delineator posts
- GPS navigation updates to help drivers avoid turning onto tracks
Each of these measures may seem small, but together they add up to a significant improvement in safety for both riders and communities along the corridor.
Technology and Innovation at Work
Caltrain has also been testing AI-based monitoring systems at crossings in Burlingame, Palo Alto, and most recently at 16th Street in San Francisco. These systems use cameras and LiDAR sensors to detect lingering vehicles, pedestrians, or debris, immediately alerting railroad operations to potential dangers. This technology has already proven to be a valuable tool in preventing collisions and reducing risks.
Investing in People and Protection
Caltrain is also exploring expanded law enforcement presence to reduce incident response times by up to seven minutes. Other long-term strategies include completing fencing along the entire rail corridor, a $40 million project with ongoing maintenance, and installing anti-trespass panels at crossings for $40,000–$50,000 each.
“Our culture of safety permeates every aspect of our service,” said Caltrain Executive Director Michelle Bouchard. “Caltrain depends on both the riding public and its employees, and ensuring the safety of the people who ride our trains and keep them running is always our top priority.”
Recognition for a Culture of Safety
These efforts have not gone unnoticed. Earlier this year, Caltrain earned the 2025 Commuter Rail Safety Gold Award from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA)—the highest industry honor for safety.
As Rail Safety Month comes to a close, we remain proud of the progress we’ve made and have no intention of stopping here. Caltrain will continue to take the lead on safety—through innovation, investment, and awareness—so we can ensure that every trip on Caltrain is a safe one.