Beginning June 16, 2025, Tamien Station Electric Train service temporarily suspended. Info: caltrain.com/status.
Caltrain has received the 2025 Commuter Rail Safety Gold Award from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) in recognition of the many efforts the agency has undertaken to make the railroad safer.
This award is presented to one agency each year that has demonstrated the best overall safety achievement. The award prioritizes agencies with a demonstrated commitment to the development and implementation of innovative safety initiatives that have proven benefits for operators, pedestrians and passengers, and that can also be replicated by other agencies.
Caltrain’s main priority is the safety of the public and of our riders, contractors and staff. Caltrain has demonstrated its commitment to safety by developing and utilizing groundbreaking safety technologies at various crossings up and down the corridor while implementing several internal initiatives to ensure the agency’s top priority remains safety.
“Safety is paramount at Caltrain, and the culture of safety we practice 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.”
Recent Safety Improvements
While the electrification of the railroad garnered a great deal of attention, Caltrain has also been making safety upgrades at key crossings throughout the system. New AI-based technology has been installed at the Broadway crossing in Burlingame, Churchill Avenue crossing in Palo Alto and 16th Street crossing in San Francisco to provide an additional level of security. This new technology uses a combination of LiDAR and cameras to monitor each crossing and alert railroad operations when it detects lingering vehicles or other objects. These alerts help prevent collisions between trains and vehicles, pedestrians or other debris.
The new technology has also helped Caltrain to better understand driver and pedestrian behavior at crossings, enabling the agency to strengthen its safety measures. In January, Caltrain installed solar-powered lane markers at the Broadway Burlingame Crossing to clearly outline road boundaries and discourage drivers from turning too far onto the tracks, similar to existing markers at other pedestrian crossings. The installation of the markers follows the replacement of railroad ties and upgrading of concrete panels late last year, which were geared toward providing a smoother crossing for drivers.
Prior to these enhancements at the Broadway Burlingame crossing, Caltrain removed one vehicle every three months from the tracks. AI technology has revealed that three vehicles per week attempted to turn onto the tracks but left on their own. Since Caltrain installed solar-powered delineators in January, no vehicles have attempted to turn onto the tracks. The system now sends real-time alerts when a vehicle lingers on the tracks longer than expected, giving Caltrain time to notify train crews if needed.
The data has also helped Caltrain and the city of Burlingame adjust signal pre-emption timing and improve traffic flow. Crossings throughout the Caltrain system will receive additional safety enhancements throughout the course of the year, including updating paint striping, redoing pavement markings, moving signal stop bars, installing new signage, and placing flexible, reflective delineator posts to reduce speeds and help drivers safely navigate the intersection. Caltrain has also worked with technology providers to improve GPS navigation instructions near tracks to prevent drivers from getting stuck in the crossing.
Caltrain's Commitment to Safety
In 2022, Caltrain launched a systemwide effort to strengthen its safety culture, which has resulted in a 25% reduction in worker injuries year over year. The agency redefined its governance structure to allow the Executive Director greater oversight of safety functions, made safety central in its mission statement, and established an Executive Safety Committee while also creating a new Chief Safety Officer role.
Caltrain expanded its internal communications around safety to increase transparency and make it easier for employees to report concerns. The agency reviewed its training procedures and worker protection protocols were reviewed to reinforce the importance of safety and adherence to procedures. Caltrain embedded its Enhanced Employee Protection System (EEPS) into its Railroad Operations Control System (ROCS), allowing for real-time monitoring and communication to protect employees in the field. The agency also set a new policy which goes beyond federal regulations, requiring Road Workers in Charge (RWICs) to work no more than 60 hours, while also implementing a comprehensive fatigue management plan, which includes regular monitoring, employee education on the risks of fatigue and strategies to mitigate its effects.
To recognize employee contributions, Caltrain launched a Safety Champions Program that celebrates safety achievements across the organization. Incident reviews now occur more frequently and focus on a data-driven analysis to help prevent repeat occurrences.
Caltrain is the oldest continuously operated railroad in the West, starting steam train passenger service over 160 years ago when Abraham Lincoln served as President. After 70 years of diesel trains, the Caltrain Electrification Project, with substantial federal and state investment, introduced the new era of electrified service on the corridor in 2024.
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About Caltrain: Owned and operated by the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, Caltrain provides rail service from San Francisco to San Jose, with commute service to Gilroy. Serving the region since 1863, Caltrain is the oldest continually operating rail system west of the Mississippi and the first railroad to convert from diesel to electric power in a generation.
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Media Contact: Dan Lieberman, 650.622.2492