Pedestrian Program
The Pedestrian Program
Walking is the most fundamental form of transportation and is a vital for transit access. In Santa Clara County, 71 percent of VTA transit customers walk to their bus stop or light rail station. To fully support walking and transit as viable, everyday modes of transportation, it is important to have a safe, high-quality, pedestrian network, connected at the regional level by transit. Recognizing this, VTA has been placing greater emphasis on countywide pedestrian planning and programming. Historically, these efforts have focused on developing design guidelines for vibrant, safe, comfortable pedestrian environments. In the future, the VTA Pedestrian Program will take a greater role in planning for and funding specific pedestrian infrastructure projects, including, but not limited to, pedestrian bridges and tunnels, and pedestrian access to transit. VTA’s Pedestrian Program works to make walking a safer, more comfortable option for Santa Clara County residents and visitors. A safe and comfortable walking environment is important for everyone, but particularly important for transit riders and people with mobility impairments. The Pedestrian Program supports walking through countywide planning, development of pedestrian design guidelines and best practices, and focused studies.
Cupertino
VTA has developed two manuals that assist local agencies in designing high-quality pedestrian environments.
1. Pedestrian Technical Guidelines (2003) - In 2003, VTA adopted the Pedestrian Technical Guidelines, which provide cities and the County with guidance around planning and designing great pedestrian spaces.
2. Community Design and Transportation Manual of Best Practices for Integrating Transportation and Land Use (2003)
This manual presents guidelines for local jurisdictions to use when planning for and designing new development and redevelopment near transit. It includes guidelines for designing vibrant pedestrian spaces that support transit. This manual is supported by the Community Design and Transportation Program, which is a competitive grant program that funds the design and construction of transit-and pedestrian-friendly projects in the vicinity of transit facilities, and core areas such as downtowns.
In addition to these guidelines that directly relate to walking, VTA has developed several studies and plans that address components of the pedestrian environment, particularly pedestrian access to transit. These include Community-Based Transportation Plans, Transit Center Studies, and the in-progress Transit Waiting Environments Study.
2005-2006 On-Board Passenger Survey Final Report - Accessed 9/23/2013.
Pedestrian Access to Transit Plan
VTA is currently developing a Pedestrian Access to Transit Plan. This will be the first countywide pedestrian plan for Santa Clara County, and is one component of a larger effort to strengthen and expand VTA's pedestrian program.
VTA is working with community members and stakeholders to identify projects, such as pedestrian bridges, streetscape improvements, bicycle and pedestrian paths, street crossings, and sidewalks that will make walking to the bus or train safer, faster, and more comfortable. Ultimately, the plan will include a list of projects that can be funded through local, state, or federal funding. The plan is anticipated to be completed in mid-2016.
This page will be updated throughout the planning process with news and information related to the Pedestrian Access to Transit Plan, including meeting notices and plan documents, working papers, and interim products.
What is the scope of the Pedestrian Access to Transit Plan?
The Pedestrian Access to Transit Plan will focus on walking access to bus stops and train stations in Santa Clara County. This focus is a logical match, as VTA is the regional transit provider, a majority of customers walk to VTA transit stops, and pedestrian access to transit is a regional-scale issue.
We understand that the need for pedestrian improvements in the county is not just limited to transit access, and we expect to receive many requests to expand the scope of the plan. We welcome suggestions, and will consider all suggestions we receive. Any requests we don’t incorporate into the Pedestrian Access to Transit Plan will be put into a “basket” for future consideration as VTA is developing its larger pedestrian program. Outside of the Pedestrian Access to Transit Plan process, we will determine, with input from the community, which suggestions are appropriate for VTA to take on.
Getting Involved
If your organization would like to schedule a presentation to learn more about the Pedestrian Access to Transit Plan, please contact Lauren Ledbetter, VTA Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Manager, at lauren.ledbetter@vta.org or 408-321-5716.
Upcoming Public Meetings
Throughout the planning process, VTA staff will be presenting status updates to VTA’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and to VTA’s Committee for Transit Accessibility. Check the meeting agendas for these committees to see if the Pedestrian Plan is on the agenda for a future meeting.
Timeline
Note that the schedule for the plan shown below is subject to change.
- September 2013 – Planning commences
- December 2013 – VTA awarded Safe Routes to Transit Grant to develop plan
- January 2014 - Outreach efforts begin
- Summer 2014 – Existing Conditions Working Paper Released
- Fall 2015 – Draft Project List Released
- Winter 2016 – Refined Project List Released
- Spring 2016 – Implementation Plan Released
- Spring 2016 – Public Review Draft Plan Released
- Summer 2016 – Plan Adopted by VTA Board
The Pedestrian Access to Transit Plan is funded in part by Bridge Toll Funds, made available through the Bay Area Toll Authority and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
Planning and Studies
- Pedestrian Program
The Pedestrian Program
Walking is the most fundamental form of transportation and is a vital for transit access. In Santa Clara County, 71 percent of VTA transit customers walk to their bus stop or light rail station. To fully support walking and transit as viable, everyday modes of transportation, it is important to have a safe, high-quality, pedestrian network, connected at the regional level by transit. Recognizing this, VTA has been placing greater emphasis on countywide pedestrian planning and programming. Historically, these efforts have focused on developing design guidelines for vibrant, safe, comfortable pedestrian environments. In the future, the VTA Pedestrian Program will take a greater role in planning for and funding specific pedestrian infrastructure projects, including, but not limited to, pedestrian bridges and tunnels, and pedestrian access to transit. VTA’s Pedestrian Program works to make walking a safer, more comfortable option for Santa Clara County residents and visitors. A safe and comfortable walking environment is important for everyone, but particularly important for transit riders and people with mobility impairments. The Pedestrian Program supports walking through countywide planning, development of pedestrian design guidelines and best practices, and focused studies.
CupertinoVTA has developed two manuals that assist local agencies in designing high-quality pedestrian environments.
1. Pedestrian Technical Guidelines (2003) - In 2003, VTA adopted the Pedestrian Technical Guidelines, which provide cities and the County with guidance around planning and designing great pedestrian spaces.
2. Community Design and Transportation Manual of Best Practices for Integrating Transportation and Land Use (2003)
This manual presents guidelines for local jurisdictions to use when planning for and designing new development and redevelopment near transit. It includes guidelines for designing vibrant pedestrian spaces that support transit. This manual is supported by the Community Design and Transportation Program, which is a competitive grant program that funds the design and construction of transit-and pedestrian-friendly projects in the vicinity of transit facilities, and core areas such as downtowns.
In addition to these guidelines that directly relate to walking, VTA has developed several studies and plans that address components of the pedestrian environment, particularly pedestrian access to transit. These include Community-Based Transportation Plans, Transit Center Studies, and the in-progress Transit Waiting Environments Study.2005-2006 On-Board Passenger Survey Final Report - Accessed 9/23/2013.
- Pedestrian Access to Transit
Pedestrian Access to Transit Plan
VTA is currently developing a Pedestrian Access to Transit Plan. This will be the first countywide pedestrian plan for Santa Clara County, and is one component of a larger effort to strengthen and expand VTA's pedestrian program.
VTA is working with community members and stakeholders to identify projects, such as pedestrian bridges, streetscape improvements, bicycle and pedestrian paths, street crossings, and sidewalks that will make walking to the bus or train safer, faster, and more comfortable. Ultimately, the plan will include a list of projects that can be funded through local, state, or federal funding. The plan is anticipated to be completed in mid-2016.
This page will be updated throughout the planning process with news and information related to the Pedestrian Access to Transit Plan, including meeting notices and plan documents, working papers, and interim products.What is the scope of the Pedestrian Access to Transit Plan?
The Pedestrian Access to Transit Plan will focus on walking access to bus stops and train stations in Santa Clara County. This focus is a logical match, as VTA is the regional transit provider, a majority of customers walk to VTA transit stops, and pedestrian access to transit is a regional-scale issue.
We understand that the need for pedestrian improvements in the county is not just limited to transit access, and we expect to receive many requests to expand the scope of the plan. We welcome suggestions, and will consider all suggestions we receive. Any requests we don’t incorporate into the Pedestrian Access to Transit Plan will be put into a “basket” for future consideration as VTA is developing its larger pedestrian program. Outside of the Pedestrian Access to Transit Plan process, we will determine, with input from the community, which suggestions are appropriate for VTA to take on.Getting Involved
If your organization would like to schedule a presentation to learn more about the Pedestrian Access to Transit Plan, please contact Lauren Ledbetter, VTA Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Manager, at lauren.ledbetter@vta.org or 408-321-5716.
Upcoming Public Meetings
Throughout the planning process, VTA staff will be presenting status updates to VTA’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and to VTA’s Committee for Transit Accessibility. Check the meeting agendas for these committees to see if the Pedestrian Plan is on the agenda for a future meeting.
Timeline
Note that the schedule for the plan shown below is subject to change.
- September 2013 – Planning commences
- December 2013 – VTA awarded Safe Routes to Transit Grant to develop plan
- January 2014 - Outreach efforts begin
- Summer 2014 – Existing Conditions Working Paper Released
- Fall 2015 – Draft Project List Released
- Winter 2016 – Refined Project List Released
- Spring 2016 – Implementation Plan Released
- Spring 2016 – Public Review Draft Plan Released
- Summer 2016 – Plan Adopted by VTA Board
The Pedestrian Access to Transit Plan is funded in part by Bridge Toll Funds, made available through the Bay Area Toll Authority and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.- Planning Studies
Planning and Studies
Notices & Service Alerts
Last update: 10/30/2015Construction Wrapping Up: Construction on the Mountain View Light Rail Double Track Project is almost complete.
November Bus Bridges: Light rail service will be replaced by substitute bus service for a portion of the system from Saturday, November 14 to Sunday, November 22.
Bus Stop Relocation-El Camino & California: due to construction
Eastbound Bus Stops Relocating or Closing On Alum Rock Avenue: Bus stops located on Eastbound Alum Rock Avenue are being closed or relocated to allow for construction in the eastbound lanes between U.S. 101 and Jose Figueres Avenue.
