crescent park traffic survey report 2018dig.abclocal.go.com/kgo/pdf/cpna_survey_report_final.pdf ·...
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CrescentParkTrafficSurveyReport
2018
PhotocourtesyofthePaloAltoWeekly
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IntroductionEconomicgrowthinPaloAltohasbroughtincreasingpressuresonourcity’sinfrastructureandishighlyvisibleinthewaystrafficissuesimpactresidentsonadailybasis.TrafficcongestioninPaloAltoandallofitsimpacts–safety,parking,pollution,driverbehavior,etc.–hasbeenstudiedfordecades.Unfortunatelysolutionshavebeenelusiveorproblematic.
Sometrafficprojectsareundertakenonlyafteralongpushbyresidents,demandingthecitytakeaction,e.g.ResidentialPreferentialParking(RPP),MiddlefieldNorth.Eventhensomeprojectssufferfromadeeplyflawedimplementationandthelackofclearandconsistentguidelines,e.g.RPP.Andstillotherprojectsleaveresidentsquestioningboththedesignandimpactofthecity’sefforts,e.g.RossRoad.AllPaloAltotrafficprojectswouldbenefitfrommoresophisticateddatacollectionandanalysis,improvedcommunicationsandclearlyestablishedmetricstomonitorresults.
OnJuly30,2018MayorKnissmadeastatementatCityCouncilsessionthatsurprisedsomeandaggravatedmanybyquestioningwhetherwehaverealtrafficissues.
TheMayorsaid:
“Trafficisnotasoverwhelmingasyoumightthink.”
(Mayorsfullcommentsathttps://seattle.cbslocal.com/video/3917500-palo-alto-mayor-apologizes-after-dismissing-resident-complaints-about-traffic-during-meeting/)
ThesecommentsdrewafloodofangryresponsesfromresidentswhodidnotsharetheMayor’sviews.MayorKnisshassinceissuedanapologyforhercommentsandpromisedaTownHallMeetingtodiscusstrafficissues,nowscheduledforOctober22,2018.
Additionally,theresidentsofCrescentPark,aneighborhoodnearPaloAlto’sdowntowncore,initiatedasurveyofresidentsabouttheirexperienceswithtrafficcongestionandsafetywiththegoalofbetterinformingcityleadershipofthedailyrealityoftrafficintheirneighborhood.Thisreportprovidestheresultsfromthesurvey.
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ExecutiveSummary
TheCrescentPark2018TrafficSurveywasconductedusingSurveyMonkey.ThesurveywasopenfromSeptember29,2018andthroughOctober10,2018.
Thesurveyquestionsweredraftedbyagroupofresidentswiththehelpofpeoplefamiliarwithlargesurveydesignandanalysis.Werecognizethatnosurveyisperfectandcommentsfromresidentsweresolicitedaspartofthesurveydistributionandwillinfluencefuturesurveys.
Thesurveyconsistedofninequestions.Thesurveylinkwasemailedtoapproximately850residentsofCrescentParkwhobelongtotheCrescentParkNeighborhoodAssociation(CPNA).Responseswerereceivedfrom189residents(22%).Thosewhorespondedself-selectedtorespond,andtheresultswerenotweightedtoattempttostatisticallyrepresentallCrescentParkresidents.(Asacomparison,theNationalCitizens’SurveyconductedbyPaloAltoin2017received614responsesfrom3,000surveysdistributedfora20%responserate.)
KeyResults
! 88%saytrafficisasignificantissuethat
negativelyimpactstheirqualityoflife
! 94%saythecityisnotdoingenoughto
addresstrafficproblems
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! Askedwhentheyexperiencetrafficproblems,
188respondentssaid:
Weekdaymornings 48% 91
Weekdayafternoons 65% 122
Weekdayevenings 74% 139
Weekends 11% 21
Rarely 5% 9
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AdditionalResults1. AnoverwhelmingmajorityofCrescentParkresidentrespondersseetraffic
ascreatingsignificantproblemsandnegativelyimpactingtheirqualityoflife.Morethan60%ofallrespondentsratedthefollowingasmajorormoderateconcerns(rankedorder):
Answered:189 Skipped:0
61%
65%
65%
68%
69%
76%
84%
85%
91%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%100%
Difficultytoexitdriveway
Feelunsafeasapedestrian
Feelunsafeasamotorist
NoisepolluMon
AirpolluMon
Impededaccessforemergencyvehicles
Feelunsafeasabicyclist
Timerequiredforshortdistancetrips
Timerequiredtoreachfreeways
Whatareyourtopconcernsabouttraffic?checkallthatapplyn=189
PercentageofRespondentswithMajororModerateTrafficConcerns
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2.Weaskedfortwoorthreeactionsresidentswouldlikethecitytotaketoaddresstrafficproblems.Examplesoffrequentresponsesinclude:
Mostcommonrecommendation:
• Freezedevelopment
Othercommonrecommendationsinclude:
• Enforceexistingtrafficlaws
• Putcamerasontrafficsignals
• Addpublictransitandshuttles
• Stopcut-throughtraffic
• Morepolicepresenceandticketing
• Fixtimingoftrafficlights
• Installtrafficcalmingmeasures
Thecompletelistofrecommendationsisinthefullreportbelow.
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Conclusions
ItisunquestionablethatCrescentParkresidentsseetrafficasasignificantproblem.Manyfeelfrustratedbythelackofactiontakenbythecitytoaddresstheirlong-standingconcerns.Currentstaffingvacancieswillonlyexacerbatethisproblem.Evenincaseswherethecityisseenasresponsive,solutionstakealongtimetobeimplementedandtrafficcontinuestoworsen,potentiallyoverwhelminganyinfrastructuremodifications.
Surveyrespondersfrequentlyidentifiedthesourceoftrafficproblemsascommutertraffic.Residents’reportedthattheworsttrafficproblemsoccurduringtheworkweek,mostnoticeablyduringeveningcommutehours,reinforcingthisview.
Trafficissuesarecomplexandthecitymustengagewithresidentstofindthemostappropriatesolutions.Thecitymustalsoestablishprioritiesandaprocessforequitablysharingtrafficburdens.
Someresidentsofferedsolutionstheywouldliketoseeimplementedontheirstreet.Oneofthechallengeswiththeseresponsesisthatsomeresidentsproposedsolutionsthatonlyaddresstheimmediateproblemsneartheirhome.Theymayunderstandablylackacomprehensiveviewofhowachangeatonelocationmayimpactsafetyandcongestionatotherlocations.Webelieve/hopenoonewouldtaketheapproachof“shifttheproblemfrommystreettosomeotherstreet.”Inthelongtermthatwouldbeanowinapproachsinceweareinevitablyallinthistogether.
WehopetheresultsofthissurveyandtheOctoberTownHallMeetingonTrafficensurewemovebeyondanydebateaboutwhethertrafficisanissuethatmustbeaddressed.Goingforward,ourcityleadersmuststepuptothedifficulttaskofdevelopingsolutionsthatwillimprovequalityoflifeforresidentsofPaloAlto,provideconvenientandsafeoptionsforpeoplevisitingPaloAlto,andworkwithPaloAltobusinessestoencouragetheirsubstantialparticipationinfundingsolutions.
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Manysurveyrespondersclearlysaidthatthelogicalimmediatestepistostopincreasingthetrafficburden.BelowweoutlinesomestraightforwardactionstheCityCouncilcantaketo
thisend.Thiswillrequireperseveranceandcourage.TheCityCouncilmustinvolveresidentsincreating,implementingandtestingsolutions.
KeyActionsforCityLeadership• Pausecommercialdevelopmentinourbusinesscores.
• Establishrealistic,fact-basedtrafficimpactestimatesforanynewdevelopment.
• Maketrafficsafetyatoppriority.
• Reviseandenforceourzoninglaws:noinlieufees,noexemptions.
• Selectandimplementmodernsystemsfordatacollectionandanalysis.
• Lookforanequitabledistributionoftrafficburdens.
• Developadditionalenforcementcapabilities.
• Createanopenandtransparentprocessthatengagesresidentsinaddressingalltraffic-relatedchallenges.
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SupplementalMaterial
CaliforniaTransportationbytheNumbers:Meetingthestate’sneedforsafe,smoothandefficientmobilityAugust2018www.tripnet.org
THEHIDDENCOSTSOFDEFICIENTROADS
DrivingonCaliforniaroadsthataredeteriorated,congested,andthatlacksomedesirablesafetyfeaturescostsCaliforniadriversatotalof$61billioneachyear.TRIPhascalculatedthecosttotheaveragemotoristinthestate’slargesturbanareasintheformofadditionalvehicleoperatingcosts(VOC)asaresultofdrivingonroughroads,thecostoflosttimeandwastedfueltocongestion,andthefinancialcostoftrafficcrashes.
TheKeyTransportationFactstableonpage3ofthereportshowstheSanJoseurbanarea
(includingPaloAlto)trailsonlyLosAngelesandSanFranciscointheaverageannualcoststoindividualmotoristsduetocongestion=$1,475invehicleoperatingcosts(VOC).Statewide,thisamountsto$29.1Billion.
LinktothereportonSanJoseUrbanArea:TRIPTrafficReportforSanJose2018
*Foundedin1971,TRIPofWashington,DC,isanonprofitorganizationthatresearches,evaluatesanddistributeseconomicandtechnicaldataonsurfacetransportationissues.
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FullReportofSurveyResults
Q1Pleaseprovideyourblock#andstreetname.Forexample:900blockHamiltonAve.
Answered:189Skipped:0
AnswerChoices Responses n=Block# 96.8% 183Streetname 100.00% 189
Q2Trafficinmyneighborhoodisasignificantissuethatnegativelyimpactsmyqualityoflife.
Answered:188 Skipped:1
AnswerChoices % n=
Stronglyagree 61% 115
Agree 27% 51
Neitheragreenordisagree 5% 10
Disagree 4% 7
Stronglydisagree 3% 5
Total 100% 188
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Q3Ifyoufindtraffictobeaproblem,whendoyouexperiencetrafficissues?Checkallthatapply
Answered:188 Skipped:1
AnswerChoices % n=
Weekdaymornings 48% 91
Weekdayafternoons 65% 122
Weekdayevenings 74% 139
Weekends 11% 21
Rarelyaproblem 5% 9
Total 100% 188
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Q4Whatareyourtopconcernsabouttraffic?Checkallthatapply
Answered:189 Skipped:0
61%
65%
65%
68%
69%
76%
84%
85%
91%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%100%
Difficultytoexitdriveway
Feelunsafeasapedestrian
Feelunsafeasamotorist
NoisepolluMon
AirpolluMon
Impededaccessforemergencyvehicles
Feelunsafeasabicyclist
Timerequiredforshortdistancetrips
Timerequiredtoreachfreeways
PercentageofRespondentswithMajororModerateTrafficConcerns
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TopConcernsAboutTraffic
MajorConcern
ModerateConcern
MinorConcern
NotaConcern
%Majoror
ModerateConcern
TotalexcludesDoesNotApply
DoesNotApply
Timerequiredtoreachfreeways
74.2% 17.2% 3.2% 5.4% 91% 100.0%
138 32 6 10 170 186 1
Timerequiredforshortdistancetrips
57.4% 27.9% 8.2% 6.6% 85% 100.0%
105 51 15 12 156 183 3
Feelunsafeasabicyclist
51.6% 32.8% 9.8% 5.7% 84% 100.0%
63 40 12 7 103 122 59
Impededaccessforemergencyvehicles
50.0% 26.4% 14.0% 9.6% 76% 100.0%
89 47 25 17 136 178 3
Airpollution36.0% 32.6% 20.8% 10.7% 69% 100.0%
64 58 37 19 122 178 1
Noisepollution32.4% 35.2% 20.7% 11.7% 68% 100.0%
58 63 37 21 121 179 3
Feelunsafeasamotorist
28.5% 36.6% 22.7% 12.2% 65% 100.0%
49 63 39 21 112 172 6
Feelunsafeasapedestrian
28.9% 35.8% 22.0% 13.3% 65% 100.0%
50 62 38 23 112 173 9
Difficultytoexitdriveway
46.7% 13.9% 17.0% 22.4% 61% 100.0%
77 23 28 37 100 165 14
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Q5Whatdoyouseeastheprimarycause(s)oftrafficcongestion?AllResponses
Answered:184 Skipped:5
(1)Toomanycars(2)SynchronizinglightsonUniversitywouldbeagreathelp.Ittaketakeme15minutestoreach101frommyhouseviaUniversitywhichisaboutabout8/10milefrommyhousefrom3:30pmtoaround7:00pmonweekdays.ItisaboutthesamedistancetoEmbarcadero.Thattakesaboutthesamegoingnorth.Itislittlebitfastertogeton101goingsouth.Itusedtotakearound5minutes.
1)Insufficientpersonalandmasstransitalternativestosingleoccupancycartrips.2)InsufficienthousingalternativesnearStanfordandDowntown.
1.Cut-throughtrafficonEdgewooddrive,from101toNewell.2.RushhourtrafficavoidingUniversityAveandusingless-crowdedstreetsasashortcut.Apps,likeWaze,makethisworse.3.Uberdriversgoveryfastonresidentialstreets.101/UniversityinterchangeandDumbartonbackupsAccidentson101,StanfordtrafficonUniversityinthemid-lateafternoon,peopleusingresidentialstreetstotryandgettoUniversitymorequickly,lackofpublictransportation,lackofparkinginEPA,growthofofficespace
Backupfromtrafficgoingto101.OnceUniversityslowstoacrawl,trafficcutsthroughalongresidentialstreets,frequentlyresultingingrid-lockBackeduptrafficonUniversity.Backupon101thatcausesUniversitybackupthatcausesbackuponSouthwoodDriveBackuponUniversityAvebottlenecksatcriticalpointsBusinesscongestion,lackofalternativestodrivingCarsbackuponUniversityAvenueduetothearrangementofstreetsandlightsattheEastPaloAltoborder.CARSGOINGANDCOMINGFROMFREEWAY
Carsparkedonnarrowsidestreets,backuponuniversityheadingtowardshighway101Ifindallofthenoleftturnsandlocalmeasurestoredirecttrafficmakeithardformetogorelativelyshortdistancesinmyownneighborhoodbecauseitissorestricted
Carstryingtogettoandfrom101.CommutetoandfromsouthandeastbayCommutetrafficCommutetraffictryingtofindshortcuts.CommuterTrafficCommutertrafficcomingfromdowntowntowardhighway101.Toomanycommuters,toomanycars,onlyonewaytogetto101,(ortwoways,ifyoucountEmbarcadero).
Commutertrafficonsidestreets.Gettingto101onweekdayafternoonsandevenings.Thetrafficlightsarenotmeanttomovetraffic.Toomanyvehicles.
Commuterscommuterscomingandgoingandpeopleusingourstreettoparktheircarsleavingnospacesforresidencescommuterscuttingthroughourneighborhoodstreetstogettothe101freeway,byavoidinguniversityave.IheardthattheEastPaloAltotrafficlightcontrollershavesequencedtheWillowroadlightinawaythathindersafternoon/eveningcommutetraffic-stopsthefasterflowoftrafficleavingPA.Basically,therearetoomanycarsleavingPAorStanfordthroughUniversityAv.to101.Thecityhasallowedtoomuchgrowthwithoutconsideringtherealityoftrafficontheneighborhoodstreets.
Commutersgoingandleavingwork--drivingdownUniversityAveto101CommutersheadedhomefromStanfordandPAbusinesses
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CommuterswantavoidUniversityAvefromdowntownto101,sotheytakeHamiltonandturnatthelastpossibleleftontoCrescentDrivewhichcanonlysustainone-waytrafficasparkedcarsdon’tallowroomfortrafficinbothdirections.congestionatthe101interchangethatbacksupintoneighborhoodsCongestioninEastPaloAltoandthefreewayCongestion--notjustregulartraffic,butsometimegridlock--nomovement.Perhapsduetolights--thepeopleturningoutoftheFourSeasonsofficecomplexfillUniversityAvenuebetweenWoodlandandtheFreewayoverpass,sowhentheUniversitylightturnsgreen--onlyafewcarscangetthroughonthegreen--thelanesareoccupiedbythetrafficthatemergedfromtheofficecomplex.Ihaveseen8-15carsbeabletoturnontoUniversityfromWoodland,whereasduringthegreenlightforcarscontinuingonUniversityonly3carscancrosstheintersection.Notsureifthisisclear--thereisnospaceforthecarscontinuingonUniversitytowardfreewaytomoveforward.CutthroughcommutersusingUniversityandWazesendingthemintotheCrescentParkneighborhoodCutthroughtraffictoStanfordIndustrialPark,downtownbusinesses,non-synchronizedtrafficlights,toomanypeopletryingtouseourstreetsCut-throughtrafficDesirabilityofvisitingdowntownPaloAlto;failuretobuildtheWillowExpresswaymeanscarsmusttransitSanFrancisquitoCreekresidentialneighborhoodstogetfromtoStanford101andpointsnorth.
DowntownbusinessaccessDowntownbusiness?Stanford?IhavenoideawhereallofthecarsaregoingorcomingfromthatstackupdownUniversityAvenueandHamilton.IamsoworriedthatDanaAvenuewillbenext.
DowntowndevelopmentDowntownPA.Stanford
DriversarecuttingthroughCrescentParktoavoidtrafficonUniversityandMiddlefield.Driversareinahurry,sotendtodriveaggressively.DriverscuttingthroughresidentialneighborhoodstoavoidUniversityEastPaloAlto'strafficlights,DumbartonBridgetraffic,narrowingoffreewayon101Employeescomingintotowntowork.EmployeesgoingtoandfromworkEmployeesleavingworkatthesametime;lotsofmomsdrivingtheirkidstoafterschoolactivities;timingoftrafficlights(orthelackthereof);back-upsonthefreeway;backupsatthemeteringlightsfor101;andoccasionallytrafficincidentsonUniversityorthefreeway.
everybodycuttingthroughcrescentparktoavoidUniversityAvetraffic.couldalsobeWazedirectingpeoplethroughtheneighborhoodsinsteadofonUniversity
EveryonecuttingdownHamiltontoavoidtrafficandbackupsonUniversityexcessdowntownofficedevelopmentExitcongestiononto101,UniversityAve.leadingtoDumbarton,etc.FacebookandStanfordandalackofinfrastructuretohandletheirgrowthFreewayaccessandcertainAppsthatarereroutingtraffic.Greatincreaseincommuters.AlsofailureoftheWillowRoadcorridormanyyearsago.Toofewwest/eastroutes.HamiltonAveactsasabypassforUniversityAveHeavydaytimetrafficto/fromUS101,bottleneckwherefourlanetrafficinEPAnarrowstotwolanesinPA,poor/nosignalizationcoordination,mediaappsthatdirectthroughtrafficontoresidentialsidestreets.
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IbelievethatintheinstanceswhentherearetrafficissuesinotherpartsofourlargerneighborhoodtheyarelikelytheresultoftheworkthatisbeingdoneontheWillowintersectionwith101whichhascausedbackupsupanddownthepeninsulaandparticularlyonUniversityAve.WhenthisworkonWillowiscompletedthetrafficleavingPaloAltoonthoseinstanceswhenitisbadwillimprove.
Improperaccessat101anduniversitygoingsouth.Toomanycarsfortoofewstreets.EastPaloAltoandFacebookaddtremendousamountoftrafficInabilityoftheCityCouncilandMayor,inparticular,toevenrecognizetheCityhasamajorproblem...!!Inadequateroadwaystomajordestinations(Stanford,downtown,StanfordIndustrialPark,DumbartonBridge,201,etc.).Needotheroptions(shuttles,buses,carpoolincentives,etc.).IncomingemployeesIncreaseinnumbersofapartmentsandtownhousesinourcommunity—putsmorepeopleonthestreetsincars.Thisisexacerbatedbytheincreaseinnewcompaniesandlargenewofficebuildingsclosetoourneighborhood.Itiscompoundedbyalltheconstructionprojectsgoingonthatdetourtrafficintheneighborhoodorreducelargestreetstoonelane(Alma)orclosesectionsoffentirely(Universityandseveralsmallerstreetsintheresidentialneighborhoods.
increasenumberofJobinPA/StanfordIncreaseofcompaniesindowntownmeansmorecarstryingtoreachfreewayduringeveningrushhour.LightsneedsnchronizingwithEPAtomakeiteasierforcarstoenter101orcontinueonUniversityintoEPAtoreachDumbartonbriddge
increaseofthenumbersofcarstryingtoreachtheDumbartonbridgeintheeveningIncreaseofficebuildingsIncreasedcommercialandStanfordjobs;poorlightsynchronizationatUniversity&Woodland,andUniversity&101(2lights).
Increasingtraffictryingtogetonandoffthe101freewayandtraveltoworkorhomeinthemorningandafternoon.InfluxofnonresidentsandridesharevehiclesInsufficientaccesstofreewayentrances.InsufficientaccesstoHighway101jobs-housingimbalanceforPaloAlto(aggravatedbylackofhousingforStanfordstaffandserviceworkers)Lackofgradeseparationsandoverpasses.Pedestrianovercrossingfor101atNewellClarkcouldhavebeenautocapable.NewellSFcreekbridgeprogress??WoodlandAveEPAimprovement?
LackoftrafficfunnelingtomajorstreetsLimitedaccesstoHighway101andtheDunbartonBridge,exacerbatedbyuncoordinatedtrafficlightsandmultiplejurisdictionsresponsiblefortrafficcontrol.
Lotofpeoplewhodon’tliveherecomeforworkanddrive,privateschooleventsanddropoff,stanfordtraffichasincreased,palyzoneforkidscomingfromhasalsoincreased
Mainarteriessignalsnotcoordinatedmainlyduetotoomanyemployeescommuting&partiallytoschooldrop-offsandpick-upsMultiplecauses.Lackofalternativetransportation,totallyuncoordinatedunsmarttrafficsignals(allovertown-university,alma,pagemill/oregon/embarcadero,WILLOWROAD,notrafficpolice,lackofaptsdowntown.caltransprojectsthatarepainfullyslowwithnolocalpoliticalpressureonCaltranstoaccelerateprojects.
NewellRd.isasecondaryfeederto101NosmoothflowonSouthwoodtoCenterand/orECresent-makethemonewayduringpeakhours?noentrance"7amto9am"and"3pmto7pm"tocreatealoop?Alsobettersignagetoreminddriversofchildren/schoolnearby
Nonalignedtrafficlights,toomanycarsbackedupaccessto101–getridofmeteringlights,aligntrafficlights
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NotenoughcorridorsforallthecarstogetinandoutofPaloAlto.Notsure-probablytoomanycarsonUniversity-toomanycarsonsidestreets(i.e.CenterDr.)Notsureabouttheprimarycause,butdofeeltheinfrastructureisnotgood,notwelldesigned.Oneexample:Universityave,it'shardtoturnleftandalsoblockthetraffic.Needbetterdesigntomaketheflowbetter.
OfficespacebuildinghasoutpacedparkingspaceavailabilityOfficeworkers,andotherstryingtogettotheDumbartonBridge,and101.Onrampto101ineveningisawfulOreexpresswayinAMcausedbycommuters.Noonhourparkingindowntown-lunchpeopleOverbuildingofdowntownoffices.Poordesignof101/UniversityAvenueofframpandonramp.OvercommercialdevelopmentindowntownPaloAlto.SiliconValleyhighlevelofbusinessactivityFailureofcityandothergovernmentstorecognizeandaddressissuespromptlyandinsomecasescoordinateresponse(e.g.Universityand101lightswith3agenciesunabletogenerateapromptcoordinatedsolution).
overdevelopmentlackofcoordinationoftrafficlightsOverdevelopmentofofficespacealloverPaloAlto,especiallydowntown.OverexpansionofStanfordUniversitywithnoaccountoftheimpactofthatexpansion.
OverbuildingatStanfordandindowntownPaloAlto.BecauseworkersliveoutsidePaloAltoandthereisinadequatepublictransportation,theyuseUniversityAve.
over-development-lackofenforcementofzoningregulations-councilprioritizingbusinessinterestsoverresidentsOverloadedstreetsleadingtoandfromtheDumbartonBridgeintoandoutofdowntownPaloAltoandStanford.OverwhelmingautotrafficvolumeduringcommutehoursandStanfordspecialevents.
PaloAltoandnearbycitieshavemorejobsthanplacestolive.Peoplearedrivingfastandcuttingthroughtheresidentialneighborhoodtoreachtheirdestination.PeoplebackeduponUniversityAveandtheycometoPaloAltoAvetoavoidthebackup.peoplecommutingtoandfromwork.goingthroughneighborhoods.hugebackupgettingontofreeways.PeoplecuttingthroughEdgewoodtogettoNewellbridgetobypasstraffic.Theissueisbecauseitisawindyroad-itisveryunsafeforpedestrians(especiallyduetoparkedcarsblockinglineofsight)
PeoplecuttingthroughNewelltoreachEastPaloAltoandDumbartonbridge.PeoplegettingfromthefreewaytoStanfordforschool,workandgamesPeoplegoonsidestreets,souswhoareresidentshereactuallytakelongertogettoourhomes.Peoplelookingforashortcutto101atrushhour.UniversityAve.isonlyonelaneineachdirection.Parkingshouldnotebeallowedatrushhour..
poorlightcontrol.ToomanycommutercarscomingintoPaloAltopoormanagementoftrafficonroadsthatleadto101andacknowledgementofcityofficialofaproblemtheylongagoaddressedRoadsoverloadedwithcarsRushhourgetsheavy,butIknowmywayarounditRushhourtraffictoandfromHighway101.Shortcutto101andEastPaloAltohighdensityapartmentsStanfordUniversityandMallemployees,students,visitorsandemployersinPaloAlto.MosttrafficisnotfromPaloAltoresidentsinmyhumbleopinion.
StreetlighttimingatMiddlefieldandEmbarcadero,andaroundUniversityand101
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That'sobvious.Overdevelopment,bothdowntownandStanford.ThebuoyanteconomyToomanypeoplePoorpublictransitTheCityCouncil'spermissivepolicyingrantingcommercialbuildingpermits.Workersfromoutsidetheareain,excessivenumbers,arerudeanddestroyingthequalityoflifeinCrescentParkandCityingeneral.Theneedforresidentsto"purchase"parkinghangtagsforthemselvesandthepeopletheyemploy--REALLY!!!Punishmentfortheresidentswhoarefacedwiththeill-conceived,un-educateddecisionsforceduponusbyanineptCityCouncil.
theincreaseinpeopleworkingdowntownthelightsonUniversityandthecreektryingtoenterthefreewayorgoingoverthefreewaytogettotheDumbartonbridge.Itonlyallowsafewcarsatatime.
Thereseemstobenosynchingoflightsfromthewestsideof101totheeastsideof101onUniversity.Also,theconstructionbothnorthandsouthofUniversityon101seemtohavemadetrafficworse.Finally,thereseemstobemoretrafficingeneralonUniversitythaninthepast-likelyduetooverdevelopmentindowntown.AlloftheabovehavemadetrafficonUniversitycometoastandstillmanydays(itcantakeme45minutesormoretogo3blocksfrommyhouseto101),whichendsupcreatingoverflowtrafficcongestiononHamilton,WestCrescent,EastCrescent,Center,andotherstreets.
Threethings:Carstryingtogetto(andonto)Highway84,especiallyifthereisanaccidentorsomesortoftie-upon84.Carstryingtogetto(andonto)HIghway101.Andthelargenumberofcarsfillingup101,84,and85duringpeakcommutehours.
thrutrafficinneighborhoodsduetobackuponlargerthrustreets(likeUniversityandMiddlefied)Tomanypeoplewhoworkhereandlivefarawaytoomanycars
ToomanycarsareusingresidentialstreetsasashortcuttogetonUniversityAvenue.Toomanycarsatthesametime.ToomanycarscuttingthroughtheneighborhoodtogettothehighwayToomanycarsexitingandenteringPaloAltoatthesametimeofday.Poortrafficmanagement...majorcorridorsintoandoutoftownnotsufficienttoaccommodatetrafficdemands.Poormanagementofstoplightsynchronizationalongcorridors.Freewayentrancesandexitsoverwhelmedbytrafficdemands.
Toomanycarsforthestreets.RootcauseistoomanyjobsinDowntownandStanfordbutnoaffordablenearbyhousingsopeopledon'thavetodrivetowork.
ToomanycarsontoonarrowroadswithunsynchronizedlightsToomanycarsparkedonthestreet!ResidentcarsshouldbeparkedingaragesoronprivatepropertyNOTonpublicstreets.Publicstreetsareforvisitorparking,bicycles,traffic,emergencyvehicles,otherPUBLICuse!
ToomanycarsthatshouldbedivertedtoEmbarcaderothatalreadyhas4lanes.ToomanycarstryingtogetacrossPaloAlto.Toomanycarsparkingonstreets,narrowinglanes.ToomanycarstryingtouseUniversityAvenue,EmbarcaderoRoadandfeeder/overflowstreetstogetoutofPaloAlto,particularlywhenthereisanincidentontheDumbartonor101.
Toomanycars!Toomanycars,bicyclists,andpedestriansallatoncetoomanycars,notenoughreliablepublictransportationToomanycars,obviously,butIhavenoideawhy.Toomanycars,timingoflightsonUniversity,entrancestoandexitsfrom101atbothUniversityandEmbarcadero
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Toomanycars.Inmyopinion,causedbyrunawaybuildingdowntown.HamiltonandotherstreetssuchasDanaandForestareusedbyoverflowtrafficfromUniversity.Sometimesourentirestreetiscompletelylinedupwithcarsatadeadstop.Thatneverhappenedbeforethislastyearinthe30yearsthatwehavelivedhere.Also--reallyhardtofindaplacetoparkdowntown.ToomanycommuterstodowntownofficespaceandStanfordToomanycommuterstryingtogetto101ortoDumbartonBridge.Notenoughroadway.TOOMANYDRIVERSFROMOUTOFTOWNToomanyemployeesinPaloAltoandStanfordwholiveoutsideofPaloAlto.ToomanyPaloAltoresidentswhoworkinothercities.Toomanystudentsdriventoschool.
ToomanymotoristpassingthroughPaloAlto;Motoristattemptingtobypassmajorstreetsbydrivingthroughneighboringstreets;Poorlyprogrammedtrafficlights.
ToomanyofficebuildingsdowntownplusStanfordexpansionsforschoolandhospitals.toomanyofficesdowntownwithcommutetraffic.poorsignalcoordination.wazeredirectoftraffic.ToomanypeoplecommutingintoPaloAltoToomanypeopleduetoincreasedhousingandofficeswithnoexpansionofcongestionmitigationsuchasparkandtakeshuttle,publictransportoptionsanddisincentivestodrive.
TOOMANYpeopleinTOOMANYCARS,toomanypeopletryingtogetdowntownandtoStanford...theyarecuttingthroughneighborhoodsbecausethemainroadsarecloggedToomanypeopletryingtousetheUniversityAvecorridorbetweenthefreewayandMenloPark/NorthPaloalto
Toomanypeopleusingthefewmainarteriestogetintothedowntownonroadsthatarenotequippedtohandlesuchvolume.Iamprimarilyconcernedwithspeedingonsideroads(Iexpectpartiallyabyproductofcongestion)attimesofpeaktrafficwhenthoseroadsaresharedwithkidswalkingandbikingtoschool.CenterDrisdangerous!!!
ToomanyvehiclesforstreetanduncoordinatedtrafficlightsToomanyvehiclesfortoolittlespaceToomanyworkersdrivingtoandfromandbetweenofficesacrossPaloAlto.PaloAltohasbecomeasemiindustrialpark.ParkedcarsinCrescentmakedrivingtheredangerous.Plus,forUniversityAvenue,theconfigurationofthelaneseastboundjustbeforethecreekisabsurd.Lanesshouldbereconfiguredtomaketwolanesalittlefurtherback.
Toomanyworkersfortheroads(andforeveryotherresource).Thelackofparkingmakestheproblemsignificantlyworse.toomanyworkersmakingtheirwaytoandfromworkinthedowntownarea.sportingeventsatstanfordconcerteventsatshorelinefreewayatcapacitywithdriverstryingtoenterfreeway
ToomuchcommercialdevelopmentToomuchdevelopmentforexistingroadstohandleToomuchofficebuildingdowntown,notenoughparkingdowntownthatisconvenientandStanfordgrowthToomuchtrafficforinfrastructureToooooooomanypeopleintoooooomanycarsTrafficflowoutofdowntownPaloAltoduringtheeveningcommutehome.Begoasearlyas4pm.Trafficfromworkerswholiveoutoftown.TrafficheadedtotheEastBayacrosstheDumbartonbridgeTrafficlightsnotcoordinated,andtoomanycommuters.TrafficlightsonMiddlefieldneedtobeadjusted.traffictoentertheDumbartonBridge
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TraffictryingtoavoidUniversityAve.PlusthelackofparkingallowedinMenloParkacrossthePopeStBridge,sotheyfloodourstreet.Pluslargecommuterbusesusingourstreetforthecommute,andthebendbythedogparkisnarrowanddangerousduetotheabove.
UniversityavehasbecomeamajoraccesstofreewayUniversityAve.back-upUniversityisamaincorridortoenterandexitPaloAltoforemployees/workers.Primarycauseoftrafficcongestionis1.corporationovergrowth/toomanybusinesses,2.noincentivestocarpoolorusepublictransportation,3.nolargeparkingstructuresnearthe101exitsforcommuterstopark,thentakeshuttlesintoPA,4.non-syncronizedtrafficlights,5.noothercorridorto/fromthehighways.
UnregulatedbusinessdevelopmentinPaloAlto,hugespikeincarstravelinginandoutoftheCity,andpoorlycoordinatedlightsonUniversityAvenue
Unrestrainedofficedevelopment.Failuretoenforcetrafficdemandmanagementmeasures.UseofcutthroughroutemsbecauseUniv.AveisblockedUsingneighborhoodstreetsasarterialthroughwaysVehiclescomingintoorthroughPaloAltoandthereverse.Toofewfreewaycrossings.
Volumeandspeedofcarsracingthroughneighborhoodstreetstobeatothercarsgettingto101andDumbartonBridgeaftertheworkdayandtodowntown/hospital/University/menloParkinthemornings.
VolumeofcarsfromdowntownPAandStanford.wazeandmorepeopleintownWazeandotherappsareredirectingpeopledownourblocktogetonUniversity.MoretrafficcomingfromdowntowndownHamilton.Roadconstructionisreroutingpeople.Moreconstructionvehiclesinneighborhoods.
Wazedirectingtrafficthroughourneighborhood,UberandLyft,confusion4-waystopandthe.2-waystopsigns.Noclearpathsforbicyclist,sidewalksfilledwithvegetationandnowheretowalk.Dumptrucksgoingexactlyatthesametimeasschooldropoffasthoughtheycannotgoanyothertime.Nopoliceondutypeoplespeedingthroughknowthat.
Whenschoolisnotinsessionthetrafficisclearlynotasbadintown......sodrivingtoschoolandpickingupandcarelessbicyclistcreatepartoftheproblem.Morningandeveningcommuterscausethemajorityoftheproblem.Gettingto101at4:30pmorlateroftentakesover3/4hourtogo1-1/2miles.
workhours,commute,trafficAMandPM,withthePMstretchingfromca.2:30attimesto6plusorminus.WorkersarrivingandleavingPaloAlto.Workerscommute
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Q6IsPaloAltoCitygovernmentdoingenoughtoaddresstrafficproblems?
Answered176 Noresponse13
• No94%• Yes6%
Othercomments:
Addinghousingwithoutrequiringoff-streetparkingatminimum2spacesperstructureiscrowdingcarsontoPUBLICstreets!ALLOWINGTOOMUCHDEVELOPMENTAppearsnot;Ms.Knisscomments,ifindicative,alsoimplydisconnectwithrealityonthepartofPACitygovernmentBuildingmoreplacesformorepeopletowork.Citycounciltoooftentakesapro-developmentstance.Somemembers(e.g.MayorKniss)failtorecognizeaproblemexists.Staffoftenseemstoworkwithoutregardforpastexperienceornormalhumanbehavior.
CitygovernmenthasmadeitworsebyturninglargepartsofCrescentParkandotherresidentialareasinandarounddowntowninaparkinglot.
ContinuingcommercialdevelopmentandStanfordexpansioncontinueunchecked.Describedintheanswerofquestion5above.
DoNOTmakebumpsthatreducetraffictounder25mphDoingoddthingslikeroundaboutsthatspeeduptrafficDoingsome(TMA,forexample)forcertainareasinthecityandbicyclecorridors,etc.,howevermoreneedstobedoneDon’tknowEnforcelawsfindingawaytomakesuretrafficlightsonUniversityarelinedupandefficientveryneededFrompushingparkingfromdowntowntoresidentialstreets,thusmakingstreetsmorecongested,andhomeshardertoexit,toignoringtheincreasingtimeittakestogettothefreewayforcommutingtheareblithelyunderminingthedaytodayqualityoflifehere.Iamconcernedaboutaccessforemergencyvehicles
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Idon’tseeanychange.Idon'tknowIdon'tknowIdon'tknowwhattheyaredoingIhavebeentomeetings,askedforseveralwithmyneighbors,etc.It'sabigproblemandtherearenogreatsolutionsexceptforlimitingthecommutersinandoutofPAbycreatinganoffsiteparkingareawith15minutebusestotakepeopleintodowntownorthroughtoStanford.ParkingalongtheBayshoresidewouldmakesense.Companiesshouldhavetopayforthisandincentivizetheiremployeestousethissystem.manyarealreadyusedtotheconceptoftheGooglebus,etc.
Iseenothingtheyhavedonetocorrecttheproblemexceptplacepotsonthestreetsandtheplantsaredying.Therearetoomanypeopletryingtogetoutoftownatthesametime.
IthinkthereisalimittowhattheycaninfluenceIwouldliketoseemoreenforcementonspeedingrestrictionsonCenterDr.andMiddlefield.Ihaveyettoseeanyonepulledover.Actually,Ihaveyettoseeasinglepolicecarevenjustparkedonthesideoftheseroadsasawarningtospeedingdrivers
I'mnotawareofanyspecificactionsthecityistaking.Furthermore,IcalledthecitytoinquireabouttrafficcountingtheywereapparentlydoingelsewhereonLincoln,anddespiteleavingvoicemailmessageswiththepeopleidentifiedasresponsbile,nobodyevercalledmeback.InonerespectthisisanareawherePaloAltoismoreimpactedthatthecause.Idonotagreewiththosethatspeaktoour"growth"asthedriver,butratherseeregionaltrafficimpactingourcommunity.
IthasbeenyearssincetherehasbeenanytrafficenforcementonHamiltonAve.Carsnowtravelat40to60mphinthe25mphzones.
Itishardtoknow-Ithinkthereisonlysomuchthatcanbedonebeforethefixesstarttocausemoreproblems-insomewaysthisistobeexpectedgiventheneedsofourarea
Itneedstobeoneofthetoppriorities.It'sjustgrow,grow,grow!ItalmostfeelsasthoughtheywantPAtogetbiggersothattheirresumeswilllookbetter!KeepsgivinginadequateparkingrequirementstodevelopersMakeallsignals'smartsignals'MayorKniss'sstatementthatthereisnoproblemindicatestheattitudeMoreenforcementwouldbeappreciated,particularlycrosswalkviolations.NeedshuttlesfromcommuteparkinginBaylands.needtoincludeStanfordhousingonStanfordlandsinsteadofaggravatingthejobs-housingimbalancenoenforcementandlackofacoordinatedplan.Alsolotsofhavesandhavenots.ResidentialstreetsinCollegeTerraceandDowntownNorthhaveresidentialstreetclosuresandlimitsaccesswhichsendsmorecarsthroughCrescentParknoopinionNotclearwhattheyaredoingorhowawareofthesituationtheyare.Perhapstheyaredoingmorethanweknow?NotsureNothingatallNothinghashappenedacceptsforfewmeetingsPaloAltoCityCouncilonlycaresaboutofficedevelopersandnotresidentsPleasetryanddosomethingtogetcarsoutofourplayberhoods(neighborhoods).Ihonestlydon'tthinkyouneedasurveytoknowthatitisreallybackinCrescentPark.Justcomeandtakealookforyourselfandyou'llunderstand!
PushgradeseparationinvestmentsforPAandMenloPark.seeabove
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Shouldnotbeallowingcarstobackupontosidestreetswherepeoplecan'tgetoutofthedrivewaysandemergencyvehiclescannotgetthrough.
SpeedbumpscouldbeinstalledonHamilton,don'tnarrowroadlikebyRossRoadYMCAsothatbikesandcarsaretryingtogetoverthesamebumps.Veerydangerous
StopnewtrafficcausingdevelopmentsinPaloAltoSurelyhopesynchronizationoftrafficlightsonUniversityAve.willhelp.Synchronizinglightswillhelpbutweneedtoimprovepublictransitoptionsandgetpeopleoutofcars.Wecan'thandlegrowthatStanford,Castelleja,etcuntilthisisachieved.
ThechangesonMiddlefieldaregreat.TheCitycouldhavesatelightparkingareasontheeastsideof101andrunshuttlebussesfromtheretodowntown.TheCityCouncilshouldbeworkingtocoordinatewithEastPaloAltoandFremontthestoplightsonUniversityAvenueandafterthebridge;shouldrequirebusinessestoprovidecarparksonthefringesoftheCity;andinsistthatbusinessesprovidefreeshuttleservicefromthecarparksintoPaloAlto.
Thecutthroughtrafficispervasivethroughouttown-ThegovernmenthasturnedablindeyetothesafetyconcernsinCrescentParkTheopposite.PAgovt.isincreasingthecongestionandcompetitionoftrafficwithincreasingoffice/commercialdevelopmentanddecreasingparkingspaces.Andwithresidentialconstructionpermitting4ormorebedroomhomeswithasinglecargarageisgreatlyincreasingthedangertopedestrians,bicyclistsaspullingoutofdrivewayswithobstructedviewshasbecomethenorm.
ThePaloAltoCitygovernmentisandhasalwaysbeenownedbyasmallgroupofdevelopmentorientedinterests.
ThetonedeafnessofLizKniss(andherinadvertentsuggestiontothroughmotoriststouseoursmallerstreetswhichfurtherendangerourchildren)regardingtrafficconcernswasabsolutelyappalling.IhavemultiplephotographsshowingtrafficbackedupformultipleblocksoneverystreetradiatingfromtheintersectionIlivenear.
Therearenotenoughstopsignsorpolicepresenttohelpmanagetrafficlaws.Thereisnotmuchtheycando,allcitieshaveproblemsduringrushhourTheyareapprovinglotofhighdensityhomesandnotimplementingparkingrestrictionsproperlyTheyclearlyaretrying,thoughThishasbeenanissueforalongtimenowandtheCitydoesnotseemtocare.ThisisafailureofthisCityCouncilandmostoftheirpredecesors.Theyallsaytakepublictransportationbutignorethelackofconnectionsthatmustbemadetorunthisefficiently,lackofbikesontrains,ageingofthepopulationthatarenolongerabletoridebikeseverywhere.
ThisisahardproblemtosolvebecausethetrafficisaresultofincreasedpopulationatStanfordUniversityandincreaseduseofofficespaceindowntownPaloAlto.AslongasUniversityAvenueisamajorarterialandthereisnoalternative(e.g.,theoriginallyplannedWillowroadfreeway/expresswayinthe1960s,whichhaditsownproblems),thiswillbetough.thisproblemhasexistedformanyyearsandtheCityhasdoneabsolutelynothingToolittletolate!UniversityAvenueisoverwhelmedwithtrafficinthemorningandevening,overflowspillsintoadjacentstreetslimitingabilitytoexitorenteraresidence
Unsure-newtoPAWedonotevenhaveapprovedridesharingorscooters.
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Wehaveaplanningdept.thatwantstourbanizePaloAltoWehaveoptionsavailable.Enhanceourshuttlesystem,havesatelliteparkingattheBadlands,basicstrategiestolimitthenumberoftripsintodowntown.
Wekeepaddingmoreandmoreoffices.Weneedparkingpermitsignsonourblock,theyareeverywhereelseintheneighborhood
Weneedtoseemoretrafficenforcement;pleasedon'tdigupourstreetsandintersectionstoexperimentwithnew"trafficcalming"ideas.whenpushedbyneighborstheygetinvolvedWorktosynchronizelightsshouldhappenatoncesincePA,EPAANDCALTRANSagreethatitwouldhelp.
Q7Pleasesuggesttwoorthreeactionsyouwantthecitytotaketoaddresstrafficconcerns.Pleasetakeyourtimeandbeasspecificaspossible.
-Alloftheresponsiblegovernmentalbodiesandcitygovernmentsshouldworktogethertoaddressthisissue.-Weneedtoseriouslylookatnewpublictransportationoptionsand,possibly,incentivizetheprivatesectortocomeupwithsolutions.Growthcan't,andshouldn't,bestoppedinahealthyeconomy,sochangingthewaypeoplecommuteistheonlyhealthyoption.
-clearupUniversityAvetrafficflowwhichisalreadyinprogress.-requireStanfordtobuilddirectaccessto280(notviacloggedPageMillandSandHill)andadditionalroutesto101thatgothroughMENLOParkaspartofGUP-thinkthroughbikesharingfromasystemicperspective.don’ttakeawaytrafficlaneswithoutunderstandingthescienceofhowtrafficworksoverall,butfigureoutawaytoaddmilesofbikingonlylanes,sothatlocaltrafficcanenjoyablybikeratherthandrive.-Considersignagetostopcutthroughdriving(akaMenloPark'sactions)-HavePaloAltocommunicationsmonitortrafficbuilduporgridlockanddispatchpoliceandadvisefireforemergencyservices.-EncouragemorebicycleusageinsidePaloAlto.Manyoftheneighborswhocomplaindonotappreciatehowabicyclemakesthetrafficproblemsnotbeaburden.
-Remoteparkingwithshuttlesforcommercialorgswithmorethanathresholdnumberofemployeesdowntown.Remoteparkingwouldbelocatedtomakeiteasierforemployeestogeton/offfreeway
(1)PartnerwithGoogle/Apple/Uberetc.togetacomprehensive*statistical*understandingoftrafficissues.Enoughofad-hocandunscientificcharacterizations.(2)ThinkseriouslyaboutparkandrideoptionsonEastEmbarcadero
*noovernightparkingunlessaresidentorguestofresident*noalldayparkingbycommuters*non-residentsparkingtheircarsovernightandoftenforseveraldaystakingupspacesfromresidentsorguestsofresidentsandfeelingvery"entitledtodoso"!*carsspeedingdownourstreet-wehavemanyyoungchildrenplayingduringtheday!!!
???1)InconcertwithEastPaloAlto,adjustthelighttimingonUniversitybetweenMiddlefieldandtheDumbartonBridgeaccessroad2)Limitnewofficespacedowntowntoreducefurthertrafficburden
1)Moreenforcement-runningstopsigns.Thankyouforthesteppedupenforcement2)Roadclosuresoncertaincutthroughstreets-likeexistofBryant.Thiswillmakethesecutthroughroutesnotbeneficial
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1)Officespacemustbecappedatthecurrentnumberofemployees,withnofurtherincreaseintotalemployeeheadcountatall.2)Ifemployeeheadcountgrowthisstopped,thennumerousothermeasureswillhaveachancetobeeffective.Withmoreemployees,allothersolutionswillfail.3)Parkingisalargerelatedproblem.Inadequateparkingcontributestotrafficcongestion.Thereisnoneedtoincentivizenewdevelopmentsbyallowingthemtobeunder-parked,becausethereshouldbenonewdevelopments(otherthanheadcount-neutralbuildingreplacementsthatmustberequiredtobeover-parked).1)possiblyone-wayonLyttonandHamilton1)Preventcarsfromusingthecrescentparkstreetsasacutthrough.2)installspeedbumpsonEdgewooddrive3)reducethetrafficthatgoesdownNewellstreettocutthroughintoEastPaloAltoasameansofgettingtothe101
1)Softenzoningrestrictionstoallowincreasedhousingdensityalongcommercialandmasstransitcorridors.2)Significantlyincreasebikelanesandsaferoutestowork1)ThetrafficsignalsynchronizationthathasbeenproposedforUniversityAvenueseemslikeagoodstart.2)Ihavealwaysfeltthatanelevatedsectionofroad(calledafly-over?)overthemostproblematicsectionofUniversityAvenuecouldallow"thru"driverstogettothehighwaysmorequickly,whilefreeingresidentialstreetsandsmallerintersectionsforusebylocaltraffic.3)CrescentDriveisanareathatreallyneedshelp.Iavoiddrivinganywhereduringcommutehours,asmuchasIcan,butIhaveseenthatstreetduringcommutehoursandeventriedtotravelitonce.Neveragain.Thosepoorpeople.WhenIfirstmovedtoPaloAlto,mydaughter'sclassmatelivedonthatstreetandIthoughtitwassocharming.NowallIthinkis,"ThankGodIdon'tliveonthathorriblestreet."Duringtheeveninghours,ifsomeoneonCrescentDrivehadamedicalemergencythatrequiredanambulance,they'dprobablydie.Inthecaseofafire,theirhousewouldalmostcertainlyburndownbeforeafiretruckcouldgettoit.
1)Trafficcongestionchargestokeepcarsoutofthedowntownarea?2)Parkinglotson101withshuttlebusesforcommuters?1).Requiretwooff-streetparkingspaceswitheachhome,apartmentANDADU/JADU!2).Restrictparkingtopermitonly,chargeforpermitsandallowonly1permitperaddress.Permitsshouldbeelectronicallytrackedandonlyallowstreetparkingfor2consecutivedaysor4days/calendarweekwhicheverisleast.1)See#6,2)consideraskingemployerstovarystartandendtimesatworkinIndustrialParktoalleviate8-10amand3-6or7pmclogs3)DISCOURAGEfurthergrowthinbusinessesinPaloAlto.Start-ups,oncetheygrowtoacertainsizeshouldmovetoalesscongestedareaofthestateornationwherejobsareneeded,housing,costoflivingandtransitaremoreaffordable.1)StopcarsfromstackingupdownCenterAvenueandSouthwoodAvenue(E.Crescent),especiallyinthelateafternoonmakingitalmostimpossibletogetontoUniversityAvenuetogetontothefreeway.Pleasedon'tletyourplanbetodivertthemdownthe1200/1300blockofDanaAvenueeither.Idon'thaveasuggestionunlessit'ssignsthatprohibittrafficdowntheseroadsatcertaintimesofday.CouldUniversitybewidened?Thatsoundslikeaterribleideatothosewholivethere.Howaboutrideshareincentivesifyoucomefromothercitiesandcommutetogether?Somesortofparkinglotwithashuttlebus?Idon'thaveanswers.Thetrafficshouldneverhavebeenallowedtoevergetthisbad.1.BettercrosswalksafetyatCrescentDr.andUniversity2.MakeCrescentDriveone-waytodiscouragedriversfromracingthroughthisnarrowcurvedstreettryingtogetaheadofthelineofcarsonUniversityAve.
1.FixthelightsynchronizationbetweenMiddlefieldandacross101.2.Limittheamountofofficespacethatcanbeoccupiedbyasingleentity--e.g.,AWSandPalantir.
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1.Limitgrowthofdowntownofficecomplexes.2.Developremoteparkingareasandshuttleservicefordowntownemployees.OneparkingareanearDumbartonBridge,foreastboundcommuters,onenearWillowRoad(fornorthboundcommuters),athirdforsouthboundtraffic(butnotsurewheretolocate).1.Maintainlimitsonfurtherdowntowndevelopment.2.Insistonrealisticandadequateparkingaspartofanynewconstruction.3.Coordinatelights/trafficplanningwithagenciesresponsiblefor101,EPA,andotherneighboringjurisdictions.4.ExploreblockingWAZEonresidentialstreets.1.RestrictofficedevelopmentinPaloAltountilcurrenttrafficissuescanberesolved.2.DemandthatStanfordprovidemitigationfortheaddedtrafficitsnewdevelopmentwillimposeonCrescentPark.1.SYNCHRONIZELIGHTSONUNIVERSITY,HAMILTON&LYTTON!!!!!2.AllowthroughtraffictoStanfordandotherlargecompaniesthroughexistinglargethoroughfares,likeEmbarcaderoandWillow.Makethislargeenoughtoincentdriverstouseit.3.BuildhugeparkinglotsontheEastsideof101andenoughshuttles/busesatallhourstodestinationsinPaloAlto,Stanford,SRPandotherbigemployer/shoppingcenters.1.Useofcamerastobettercontroltrafficlights.Ioftensitforseveralminutesatalightwithnocompetingtraffic.2.BetterandmorebikelanessoIdon'talwayshavetodrive.
1.AmoratoriumonnewofficebuildingsinPaloAlto.2.A**viable**shuttleservicetoandfromaparkingareainanareasuchasaroundthePAairport.3.Anynewconstruction,whethercommercialorresidential,musthaveadequateoff-streetparking.NoADUs,forinstance,unlessthelothasextraoff-streetparking.1.BuildlargecommuterparkingstructuresatalloftheHwy101exits,andoffershuttlestogettoPaloAlto.2.PaloAltobusinessesneedtoincentivizeemployeestocarpool.
1.CoordinatethetrafficlightsonUniversityasitgoesintoEastPaloAlto.TheycreateaterriblejamAMandPM.2.Allowonlyresidentialtrafficonneighborhoodstreetsduringrushhour.3.Allowonesideofthestreet"NoParking"atrushhouranduse2lanesintherushdirection.Allowbikesonsidewalksfrom3-6PMwheretherearenbikelanes.1.ForbidleftturnsonHamiltontowardUniversityduringafternooncommutehoursbeyondMiddlefield.2.CoordinatestoplightsonUniversitytoimprovetrafficflow.3.BlocksignalstotrafficappsthatcurrentlysuggestHamiltonasabypassroute.1.Freezedevelopment.2.Freezedevelopment.3.Freezedevelopment.1.Implementamoratoriumondevelopmentdowntown2.Enforcezoninglaws3.Makebusinessespayafairsharefortheburdentheyputonourinfrastructure1.Limitdowntownofficebuilding2.LimitStanfordexpansion3.Redesign101/UniversityAvenueonandofframps;restoretostatebefore4Seasonscomplexwasbuilt.Southboundexitoff101shouldhaveadirectofframpandnothavetocrosseastboundtraffic.Thishalvesthecapacityoftheintersection.1.LimitgrowthofbusinessesinPaloAlto.2.ProvideparkinginBaylandsareaandprovideshuttlestoandfromdowntown.3.MakeCrescentDrandcenterbothone-way,attheveryleastinthelate-afternoonandeveninghours.
1.Purchaseparkinglotsatoutskirtsoftownwhereworkerswoulduseshuttlebusestodowntown&Stanford.2.Draconianlimitsonbuilding,eliminationofextrasquarefootagefor"benefits",nosubstitutionoffeesforinsufficientparkingspots.1.RecognizetheCityhasamajorproblem.2.Conveneataskforcetofindasolution3.ReportbacktotheCityCouncilwithatangibleactionplanin90days.4.Acceptthefacttoughchoiceshavetobemadeandsomeconstituentswillbeunhappy.5.Implementtherecommendations.
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1.reducetrafficinneighborhoods2.reduceemployeeparkinginneighborhoods3.continuetoimprovesafebikelanes(preferablyprotectedfromautos1.SpeedbumpsorStopsignonsomeresidentialstreets.2.HavetrafficofficeratECrescent&Southwoodfrom4-7pm.3.Putupthosedigitalscreensthatshowvehiclespeedvsspeedlimit,onEdgewood.1.StopMenloParkresidentsfromfloodingourstreetwiththeirparkedcarsjustoverthePopeStBridge.2.ProhibitcommuterbusesandvansfromusingPaloAltoAveduringcommutehours.
1.trafficcalmingmeasuresinneighborhoods(plansalreadyunderwayforkeyCrescentParkareas)2.enforcementofspeedlimits3.moresynchronizationoftrafficsignals-especiallyMiddlefieldandEmbarcadero(alreadyplannedforUniversity)1.Discouragecarsfromdrivingthroughourneighborhoodstreets(trafficflowcontrolmeasures)2.Fundalternativepublictransitmeasures3.Limitdowntowncommercialexpansion1.workwithMenloParktogetWillowRoadtoabsorbmorethrutrafficfromWesttoEast2.instituteabusinesssurchargeforbusinesseslocateddowntownbasedon#ofemployeeslivingoutsideofPaloAlto...thisshouldbeeasytodocument...andusefundstosupplementtrafficmanagement..thisisnotintendedtohurtlow-wageworkers1/improveuniversityave'strafficflow,e.g.makespaceforleftturnsoitdoesn'tblocktheflow.1/InstallspeedbumpsonLincolnbetweenChanningandUniversitytoslowtraffic.2/Bereadytodeploytrafficpolicetohelpalleviatecompletegridlockwhensomethinggoeswroing(e.g.accidentortrafficsignalout)
1/makecutthroughdrivingillegal2/addlargespeedbumpsondana3/ourtrafficcamerastofinepeopleforspeeding
AroundaboutnearHamiltonandLincolnjustlikeonBryantStreettostoptrafficfromspeeding.#2designatedbikelanesalongsidewalkslikeinEuropeifyoureallywantkidstobesafewhilegoingtoschoolormakeitbikingonlyzoneonschooltimesforcertainroads.#Copsshowingupasadeterrenttorandomlystopandgivetickets#signssayingresidentialzonetrafficfinedoubled#getWazetonotmakeresidentialstreetsinPaloAltospeedinglanesforUberandlyftdrivers#create“real”parkingforresidentstakingCaltrainorsyncbusservicethatactuallyworks(fastandreliable)Above;parkingareasinBaylandswithfrequentshuttles.Shuttlesandmajorparkingareasoffof280.Coordinatewithothercities/county.Addparkinggaragesdowntown.addshuttleroutesandfrequencyduringpeakhours,tequirecompaniestopayfortrainpasses,Back4laneNewellbridgeatSFQcreek,improvedWoodlandAve,consider101autoovercrossingtoClarkAve,Beresponsive.Considerreturningcitizens'phonecalls.Bettercoordinationofsignals(Iamawarethereisalreadyagrantforthis);morevisiblepoliceenforcementoftrafficregulations,particularlyonresidential/sidestreets;encourageemployeesoflargeemployerstotakealternatemeansoftransportationtoworkinthedowntown/Stanfordareas.Bettermanagementofsignalsequencing;betterlanestrippinganduseofstreetspacebettertimedtrafficlights.limitfurtherofficedevelpmentdevelopmentparkandridelotswithshuttletodowntownBumpsshouldnotreducetrafficflowunder25mphCamerasontrafficsignals.Morepolicepresence/ticketing.Nikeandscootersshares.CAPONDEVELOPMENT======REALIGNEXITFROMFREEWAYATUNIVERSITYCarsshouldnotbeallowedtocutthroughneighborhoods.Itisdangerousforkidsaspeopleareinahurry.
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CloseoneendCrescentDrive.Crosswalkpedestrianlights.BussingdowntownandStanfordtrafficfromparkinglots.CoordinatealllightsatUniversityandhwy101socarscanmove.Maybeputatrafficpolicemantheretodirecttrafficfrom3:30to7:00pmonweekdaysCoordinatesignals,WorkwithEPA,CalTrans,CalTrainCoordinatestreetconstructionprojectssothattherearenotsomanyhappeningatthesametime.Stopbuildingnewextra-largeapartmentandofficebuildingssoclosetothecitycenter.AbsolutelystoptheCastillejaprojectproposalfrommovingforward—itwilldefinitelyaffectmydirectneighborhoodinregardstotraffic.TakethemBACKtopreviousmorereasonableenrollmentlevelsandtellthemtheywillhavetobuildanextensioncampuselsewhere,inamoreappropriatearea(I.E.NOTinthemiddleofaresidentialneighborhood).Severalotherprivateschoolshavealreadydonethis.CoordinatetrafficlightstoDumbarton,stopexpandingofficespaceinPA,andrequireStanfordtoprovideadequateparkingforallexpansion.co-ordinatetrafficlights...runtheshuttlemoreoftenandearlierintheamandlaterintheafternoonCoordinatewithEastPaloAltoandcountytotimelightsbetter.It'sobvious.CoordinatedtrafficlightsReduceoptionsforparkingtoincreaseuseofmasstransitCreateacity-wideplantodetermineappropriatepopulationandinfrastructurerequiredtosupportit.decreasethenumberofparkingpermitstoencouragecarpooling.DevelopofficeparkeastofHwy101,anddivertofficespacesindowntownareatothisnewofficeparkarea.DonotallowCastilejaexpansion.Loweramountofofficebuilding/expansions.Discouragediversionoftrafficthroughresidentialneighborhoods.
eastboundlightonUniversity@101seemstostayonredtoolongduringbackuptimes;Iftrafficisflowingsoheavilyinonedirectioncanthisbechangedbasedontimeofday?Ondayswhenthereissignificantbackupduetoanaccidenton101orDumbarton,getpolicepresencetomanagetrafficonUniversity,Hamilton,LincolntomakewayforpeoplegettingintotheirhomesandforemergencyvehiclestogetthroughEnforceexistinglawsspeedandothersSyncstoplightsEnforceexistingtrafficlaws.Stopincreasingdensity-housingandoffice.Enforcespeedlimitsandothertrafficregulations.ThespeedsonEmbarcadero,forexample,areconsistentlywellabovethelimitdespitetheirbeingmultipleschoolsonthatstreet.Providededicatedleftturnlaneswhereappropriate,forexampleintersectionsonUniversityandelsewherethathavetrafficlights(Lincoln,Chaucer,etc.)Asingledriverwantingtoturnleftcanblocktheroadforadozenormoreothermotorist.Stronglydiscouragethroughtrafficfromusingnarrowresidentialstreets.Postsigns"NoLeftTurnExceptforLocalAccess"at,forexample,FultonandUniversityandFultonandHamilton(andmanyotherexamples.)Forbidtraffictoenterneighborsduringrushhour.Enlargetrafficcorridors,synchronizestoplights,staggerofficehours,providelargeparkingstructuresfromwhichemployeescanbebusedtobusinesses.Payforemployeesuseofmasstransitaspartofjobbenefit.ForceallemployerstomakesureeachaddedjobdoesnotresultinanothervehiclepassingthroughPA.Capthenumberofnewjobsnow.Getcompanies(especiallythosewhotookoverretailspacedowntown)toprovidepublictransportationforemployees.Increasecostofparkingtodrivepeopleoutoftheircars.Considerestablishingaparkinglotnearfreewayswithshuttlesintodowntown,corporateareas.Addmoresafebikingroutes.GettraffictostayonmajorstreetsHaltbuildingpermitsfornewbuildings.Idon’thaveanygoodideas,shirtofblockingresidentialstreetsasthoroughfares
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Idon'thavethetrainingtorecommend,thenewroundaboutsseemdangeroustomewithlittlekidsgoingtoschool.(2)themedianstriponEmbacaderobetweenSt.FrancisandGreercanbeveryscaryespeciallyduringrushhours-peoplegoinglefttoWildwoodorrighttoN.Caendupfacingeachother-don'talwaysuseblinkersandthenitisa"dance"togetaroundeachother
Ithinkwearebuildingtoomuchofficespacewithoutadequatepublictransportation.Canthecitydoanythingaboutthat?IwouldnotnecessarilylimitdevelopmentbutinsteadexplorenewideastomoreefficientlymovetrafficinandoutoftheCity.CouldUniversityAvenueswitchtotwolanesinonedirection(usingthebikelaneandbikesmovetoHamilton)duringrushhours?Ifreportsaretruethatthecityisallowingdowntownbusinessestogrowandhiremanymorepeoplewhoneedtogettoworkwithoutallowingforbothtrafficandparking,thenthisneedstobeaddressed.Implementthetesttrafficcalmingprojectproposedbyresidents'committeeImproveflowoftrafficonUniversityAveReducecarsusingsidestreetsinsteadofmainroadsIncreasenumberofparkingspacesperthousandsquarefeetofbuilding—bothforcommercialandresidentialstructures.CoordinatetrafficsignalsonallmajorcommuteroutesinandoutofPaloAltoduringmorningandeveningcommutehourstoincreasevolumeoftrafficflowandpushforasmuchcoordinationwithauthoritiesoffederalandstateroadsandwithsurroundingtowns.
increasehousingInstalltrafficcalmingmeasuresonstreetslikeours(Fulton)toeliminatemuchofthe'cutthrough'traffic.DoNOTapproveANYdevelopmentswithlimitedparking.
KeepallparkingpermitsResidentsOnlywhileincreasingtheallocatedtimeto4hourssosocialgatheringsarenotimpacted.CreateashuttlesystemfromStanfordanddowntowntoandfromlotsbytheBaylandsorothernon-residentialordowntownarea
KeepcommutersoffneighborhoodstreetsLegallystoptheapps(Wazed,Google,etc)frombeingabletoaccessthoseneighbourhoods,consideronewaystreetsandspeedbumps/roundabouttoslowdriversdown
Limitcommercialdevelopment.BuyparkinglotsoffDumbartonBridgeandshuttlebussesforemployees.MakeHamiltononewaytowardsdowntown.TrafficlightcoordinationonUniversityAve(knowitisinprocessbutshouldbetoppriority).MoratoriumonDowntowndevelopmentuntilatrafficmanagementplanisdevelopedandinplace.
Makesomestreetsoneway.....CenterandEastCrescentfromtheHamilton/Southwoodintersection.Nottrafficrelatedbutsafetyrelated....paintallcornersatUniversityredsonoparkingisallowedatleast50feet.Visibilityatcornersisverybadatmanyintersections.Makemorestopsigns,particularlyatLincolnandChanning.Itshouldbeafourwaystop.ItisdifficultfordriversbutnearlyimpossibleforpedestrianstocrossChanningseveraltimesaday.Ihaveseenmanynearaccidentsatthisintersection.Speedbumpsdon'thelpatall.AlsoverydifficulttocrossMiddlefieldatanyintersectionwithoutalight.AddsomelightsonMiddlefield.Makesureallnewdevelopmentshaveparkingasrequiredbycode,noexceptions.EnforcecodesastozoningofcommercialpropertyMakesurethelightssyncfromthewestsideof101totheeastside.HaltanyfurtherdevelopmentprojectsthatwilladdmorecommutersgoingtodowntownPaloAlto(whileyoudreamthattheywilltakeCaltrain,toomanyendupdriving).
makesuretrafficlightsonUniversityAvenuearelinedupandefficientatkeyhours4-7:30pm...MoratoriumonnewofficespacesBuildmoredowntownparking
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Moratoriumonofficebuildingindowntowncore,requiredeveloperstobuildexactlythenumberofspacestheyneedfortheiremployees(nocommunitybenefitscrap),makealltheneighborhoodsadjacenttocore2hrparkingandofferdiscountsorfreepassestothosewhocan'taffordthepermits.RequireStanfordtohaveemployeesparkoffcampusandprovidebusestocampus(alaGoogle).Morecrosswalkenforcement.ReinstateDowntownNorthTrafficCalmingProject.Chargeresidentsforparkingpermits.MorepolicepresenceMorepolicepresencetoenforcestoppingatstopsignsandspeedingonresidentialstreets.IwouldalsobeopentestingmakingHamiltonnearMiddlefieldaone-waystreet(towardsdowntown)
MorestopsignsareneededonChanningAve.Morepolicetoenforcetrafficlaws.needtodosomethingtocuttheflowoftrafficthrucrescentpark.itisespeciallybadfrom4:30pm-6:30pmNegotiatestronglywithEastPaloAltoandCaltranstoimprovesignalingofintersectionsbetweenPaloAltoandtheDumbartonbridge.ThecurrentsignalingschemegivespreferencetoEPAtraffic.
Nomoreofficespacedevelopments.BuylandinEPAandmakecommutersparkoutthereandshuttleinonelectricshuttledNothroughtrafficsignstodiscourageWaze,OpeningSandHill,NorthDowntownStreetsandCollegeTerracesoweallsharethepain!Limitcommercialdevelopmentuntilsolutionsareinplace.VerifynumberofcommutersusingpublictransportationwhencommutingtoStanford.HoldStanfordaccountableformoidafternoontrafficonUniversity.Treatallneighborhoodsfairlywithacomprehensiveplan.NotlettingprivateschoolsexpandbeyondtherecapacityParkingissuesforemployeestobeaddressedCompanyshouldprovideforparkingotherwisetheyshouldnotkeeptheofficehereNotpromotinghighdensityhighrisebuildingforofficeorhome
OnewaystreetonEastCrescenttobeflowinfrom101,notflowoutFineforgridlockingintersctionsOurstreetsarenotequippedtohandlethenumberofcarsthatgodowntownandleavedowntown.Alsothereisinadequateparkingforthesecars.PAcouldhaveabigparkingfacilityintheBayLandswithfrequentrunningshuttlesintotown(e.g.,theSantaMargaritashuttlefromthetrain.)Wecouldstopaddingsomayofficesdowntown.Remember,eachroomcanhavealongtablewithmanyworkswiththeirowncomputers.Therearenotsomanysingleofficesorcubiclesanymore,sotheworkernumbersperspaceisgreatlyincreased.
ParkinlotsbuiltclosertofreewayandtakeshuttletoworkandStanfordIncreasepublictransportoptionsforallincludingresidentsBettertrafficmanagementbyCity
PenalizespeedingcarsEncouragecarpoolingwithdiscountsonparkingPleaseendtheovernightparkingprograminCrescentPark.ItisaprivatizationofthepublicrightofwayandIbelieveitiselitistaswell.PleaselookintotimingoflightsaroundUniversityand101,duringmorningandeveningrushhours,especiallywhenitisimpactedbyfreewayandDunbartonbridgetraffic.Separately,theconcernsabouttrafficfromCastillejaseemlargelyunfoundedtome.Trafficisdown25%fromtheschool.PerhapsthereismoretrafficfromStanford,Paly,andTown&CountrybutCastilleja.Woulditpossibletohelpvalidateandcommunicatedthistoneighborswhom,itfeelstome,areunfairlyblamingCastilleja.PleaseprovideparkingstructuresclosetoDumbartonbridgewithfrequentfreeshuttlestodowntown.Improvepublictransit.
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Please!nomorenewPACommittees!!thatwill"study"problemadinfinitum/nauseam,nor,please,expensiveoutsideconsultantsthatdragout"solutions"forever.1.Assessothercommunities'problems/solutionstodate2.Seeiflightscouldbesynchronizedandathigherspeedsduringcommutetimestoallowforfastermovement3.Paintnew"merge"lanes(wherepossible,)ontotrafficmainsfromresidentialsidestreetssoresidentsarenottrapped,keptfrommergingontomains.4.Considereliminatingtimedfreewayredlight/greenlightmergingcontrolsatfreewayonramps.Wastesfuel,timeandtrafficstillbunchesuptoooften-myobservation.ProhibittrafficthroughtheneighborhoodsandwidenmainarteriesForcommuterstogetout.ProvideparkinglotsatmajorfreewayexitsandbuspeopletotownPublictransitandshuttleservicesNoresidentialstreetsallowduringtraffichoursPutahaltonmorebusinessdevelopmentindowntown.WorktofixproblemwithlightsinEPAtohelpcarsfromUniersityAveinPAgettingontofreewayPutparkingpermitsignsupinourneighborhood.Timethelightsgettingontohighway101DonotallowcommuterstocutthroughneighborhoodsPutupasignthatthroughtrafficisnotallowedonCenterDrorCrescentDr.PeriodicallystationapoliceofficeonthosestreetsandgivepeopleticketswhoarestuckunabletomoveonCenterDr.
Putupsignstogetpeopletoslowdown.Kidsareatplay.Maybespeedbumps.Providebusoptionsfromfreewayparkinglotareastodowntown.Bothfrom280and101.
recalibratesignalsformajorexittrafficinafternoonsandevenings.limitofficedevelopmentdowntown.RedirecttraffictoEmbarcadero,Oregon&SanAntonio.Flexibletimeforworkers.Drivemidday.RemoveyellowpolesanddividersbetweenEverettandHawthorneonMiddlefield.ReplaceCalTrainlinewithBART.
Requirestaggeredworkhoursforbusinessesorothertrafficabatementmeasuresthatbusinessesmustadhereto.Also,increasedpublictransportinnovationandaffordablehousing.
ReroutetoEmbarcaderoImprovetimingtrafficlightsRestricttheuseofsidestreets/neighborhoodstreetsasdrivethroughsbynon-residentsorunauthorizedpersonnel.Satelliteparkingfordowntown&Stanfordemployees.FixflowonUniversityAveto101&beyond.CooperatewithStanfordonhousingforemployees.satelliteparkinglotswithfrequentshuttlebusesto/fromdowntownincentivizecommuters/employerstousebusesenforcementoftrafficlawsmorecapacityonCaltrainonrunsduringpeakcommutetimes
seeaboveSeeabovesuggestion.Also,limitcommuterneighborhoodtrafficwithoutmakingitdifficultforthehomeownerstogetaround.That'swhyIthinkrequiringcommuterstoparkoutsideorontheboundariesofPAandthengetbusedinmakesthemostsensebecausethenwedon'thavetochangeourneighborhoodstreetswithaddingblockades,speedbumps,onewaystreets,etc.
Seeabove,reeffortstocurbspeeding.Ithinktheproblemisparticularlyacuteonlongerroadsegmentswherebetweenstopsignsortrafficlights(seee.g.,MiddlefieldnearAddisonintersection,CenterbetweenPitmanandChanning).SeepreviousanswerSeethe"createaloop"suggestionabove-withCenterandECrescenttoUniversity.MakesureNewellandDanaarewellenforcedbytrafficofficials,especiallyintimesofchildrenwalkingtoschool(crossingguardsarenotenough)Enforceparking-manytimesIseeseverallargeconstructiontrucksstayingovernight/blockingdriversclearviewofcornersandforcingtraffictoalterfromsafestpath.Shortterm:restrictparkingin1200blockofLincolnAvenuetooneside.LongTerm:setupparkingareasandshuttleserviceintoandoutof
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downtownPaloAlto.
Shuttlesfromlargeremoteparkinglots(eastof101?)tomajordestinations;carpoolincentives.Simple,stopdevelopment.Toomanycars.SlowdowndowntowngrowthManagetrafficlightmoreefficientlyConvertsomeofthestreetstoone-waySpeedbumpsonstreetslikeHamiltontopreventspeedanddiscouragethroughtraffic.SyncronizelitesonUniversity.BuildingparkingareasthatbuspeopleintoStanford,FacebookanddowntownPA.Nomoreofficeuntilproblemsaresolved.
stopallowcompaniestobuilddowntownorifallowedrequireemployeesparkoffsiteStopcommercialdevelopmentinPaloAlto.Startchargingunderparkedcommercialbuildingsper-workerfees.BuildagaragenearDumbartinBridgeofframpandputinbusservicetolocaloffices(thisshouldbepaidforbybusinesseswithfeesperemployeefromoutoftown).
StopcutthroughtrafficinCresentPark.EveryonetriestoavoidUniversityAvenuesoalltheresidentsonthesidestreetssufferwithtraffic.Stopmorebusinessesfromlocatinginalreadydenselocations.Requirebusinessestosubsidizepublictransportation.Enforceparkinginuninhabitedareasandprovideshuttleservicetojoblocations.StopsignonChanningandAlisterisoftenignoredbydriversPeopleparkoverdrivewaysstoptakingsurveysandfixtheproblemStopwithallthenewbuildingsdowntown.Improvemasstransitsothatfewervehiclescanservemorepeople.SynchronizesignalsfromUniversitytothefreeway.EnforcetrafficlawsinresidentialareasSynchronizetrafficlightsonUniversity.Nomorecommercialgrowthdowntownwithoutparking.Incentivizepublictransportation.Thatissomethingthatwehavegovernmentfor.Youneedtocomeupwiththesolutions
ThecityneedstoengageSantaClaraCountyandSanMateoCountytoconvinceMenloParktoparticipateintrafficsolutions.TheCityneedstoputupsignslikeMenloParkdid.OthermeasureslikeSpeedbumps,electronicspeedsigns,onlineappswaze,googleshouldnotbeallowedtodiverttrafficthroughresidentialneighborhood,etc.wouldhelp
TimethetrafficlightsonUniversityAve;havetrafficpolicedirectingtrafficifthesituationisdire;andifitwerepossible(Ican'timagineitis),findingawaytopreventthroughtrafficonHamiltonAvewhichexacerbatessomanyoftheissueswearehaving.IfallofthetrafficweremadetotakeUniversityAve,perhapspeoplewouldtakepublictransportation,changetheirworkhours,orfindsomeotherwaytoavoidthepeaktraffic.
timingoflightsto101exchangesintoEastPaloAltoneedstobeimproved.timingoflights;createalargetrafficcircleat101andUniversity(Iknowit'sEastPaloAlto).Createperipherallotswithjitneys.Trafficcalmingmeasures.Capsonofficebuilding.Workonshuttleservicetoreducetrafficflowthroughourneighborhoods.Policepresence.Useamorerealistic,lowersquarefootagenumbertocalculatethenumberofemployeesinabuilding/workspace.SlowdowndevelopmentuntilPAhasamuchreducejobimbalance.
VerymuchimprovepublictransportWorkonadjustingthelightssothattheWoodlandtrafficisnotgivenpreferencetojamtheenteringintersection.Ifthereisanaccidentortrafficlightmalfunctionthatleadstogridlock(was1hourtogo2blocksonatleast2occasion,couldapoliceofficerbesenttodirectvehicles?
WorkwithEastPaloAltotoeasecongestionatourcommonborder.Lighttiming/durations?WorkwithEPAtogetabetterroutetotheDumbartonBridgethatgoesaroundthelightsonUniversityWorkwithothercitiesalongthePeninsulatoeasetheflowoftrafficthroughEastPaloAltoandacrosstheDumbarton.
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Zeronewofficedevelopment.Vigorousrequirementsforuseofalternativecommutearrangements.Employeeheadtax.Satelliteparkinglotswithshuttles.1.)Usepoliticalpressuretourgentlyaccelerateprojectson101andconnectorstoeasetraffic.SiliconValleyproducesallthetaxrevenuebutisapoorstepchildtoS.Calwhenitcomestoinfrastructureimprovements.2.)ImplementsmarttrafficlightcontrolsimmediatelyacrosspaloaltoandintoE.PaloAlto,andonWillowRD.Whydoweneedtowaitforayearforsomethingthatshouldhavebeendoneyearsago.Trafficengineeringneedstobeoutonthestreetinsteadofinanoffice.Zeroadvocacyforaproblemthatisincreasingairpollutionandnoisepollution.Noaccountingforthewastedtimeandincreaseinaccidentsthatoccurduetostupidsignalling.2.)IncreasetrafficpolicepatrolsonUniversity,Embarcadero,Alma,Crazyspeedingisendangeringchildreneveryday.3.)Increasethecostofpermitsdramaticallyfordowntownworkerstoencouragecompaniestoprovideforalternativetransportation.Makeitexpensivetodriveacardowntownandparkallday.Thiswillencourageretailparkingwhichisdesperatelyneeded.4.Eliminateovernightstreetparkingcitywide(alaMenloPark)withoutapermit.Thiswillencouragepeopletohavelessvehiclesandfreeupstreetsforresidentialratherthancommercialuse
asintended.5.)MandateStanfordincreaseshuttlesfromtheE.Baytocampusatearlyhoursforthemedicalcenteremployeesandforcampusemployees.ShouldhavefrequentstopsatBARTandotherbustransporthubs.
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Q8FromtheNationalCitizenSurveyPleaserateeachofthefollowingcharacteristicsastheyrelatetoPaloAltoasawhole.
Excellent Good Fair Poor Donot n=know
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Q9AsaresidentofPaloAlto,whatonechangecouldtheCitymakethatwouldmakeyouhappier?
Therewereresponsesfrom159ofthe189whotookthesurvey.FollowingthemethodologyoftheNationalSurvey,those159open-endedcommentswerecategorizedbytopic.Atotalof382commentswerecapturedinthecategoriesbelowassomeresponsesweresplittocovermultipletopics.
Trafficconcerns 63 40%
Trafficcongestion 46 29%
Development(otherthanhousing) 33 21%Trafficsafetyand/orenforcement 28 18%
Limitofficebuildingsand/orlargetallaptcomplexes 28 18%
Parkingconcerns 24 15%Generalgovernmentoperations 17 11%
Putresidentsfirst 14 9%
Housing(amount,affordability/costofliving) 13 8%Publictransportation 12 8%
Codeenforcement 10 6%
Reducenoise 9 6%Safety 8 5%
Downtownimprovements 8 5%
Other 8 5%Airplanenoise 7 4%
AirQuality 6 4%
Improvementsforwalkingandbiking 6 4%Crimerelatedsafety 6 4%
Cityspending-budgetconcerns 5 3%
Addresshomelessness 5 3%Citycleanliness 5 3%
Cityinfrastructuremaintenance 3 2%
Senseofcommunity/communityactivities 3 2%Beautification(naturalbeauty) 3 2%
Improvestreettreemaintenance 3 2%
Lowertaxesand/orutilitycosts 3 2%Retail/shoppingoptions 3 2%
Parksandrecreationamenities/services 1 1%
Schools 1 1%Nothing(todo) 1 1%
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Q9AsaresidentofPaloAlto,whatonechangecouldtheCitymakethatwouldmakeyouhappier?
• Therewereresponsesfrom159ofthe189whotooktheCrescentParksurvey.• FollowingthemethodologyoftheNationalSurvey,those159open-endedcommentswere
categorizedbytopic,withsomeresponsescoveringmultiplecategories.• CategorieshighlightedingreenareintheCrescentParkresultsonlytobetterdelineatethe
responses.Forexample,TrafficConcernswasbrokendowntoTrafficCongestion,andTrafficsafetyand/orenforcement.
• WhereAirplaneNoisewasspecified,itwascountedunderbothReduceNoise,andunderAirplaneNoise.OthercommentsaboutReduceNoiserelatedtotrafficandwerecountedunderTrafficConcernsandReduceNoise.
• ThedifferencesintheresultsbetweentheCrescentParksurveyin2018andthePaloAltoNationalCitizenSurveyin2017couldbedueto
o Changesinconcernsfrom2017to2018astherehasbeenincreasedawarenessabouttrafficconcernsandtheassociateddevelopment
o DifferencesinconcernsbetweenresidentsinCrescentParkcomparedtoresidentsacrossPaloAlto
o DifferencesinsamplingmethodologysincetheCrescentParksurveywasaconveniencesample,whereallCrescentNeighborhoodAssociationmembers(850+emailaddresses)wereinvitedtorespondtothesurvey,and22%chosetorespond.