Caltrain Study Supports Shared High-Speed Tracks

A “blended” rail system in which Caltrain shares the same tracks as high-speed trains up and down the Peninsula could lead to large savings for the statewide project, according to Caltrain.

A preliminary analysis conducted by LTK Engineering Services  for Caltrain suggests that modernizing and sharing the corridor’s existing tracks in most areas would “minimize community impacts and considerably reduce the project’s cost by remaining substantially within the existing Caltrain right-of-way,” according to a statement released today by Caltrain Government Affairs Manager Seamus Murphy.

“We’re encouraged”, said Caltrain Executive Director Mike Scanlon. “More analysis is needed, but this operational concept could help deliver a state-of-the-art rail system in a way that is cost effective and minimizes community impacts.”

The conclusion supports a vision being promoted by U.S. Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, State Assemblyman Richard Gordon, and State Senator Joe Simitian, who today said he was “pleased” with the findings.

“My colleagues and I have been making the case that High Speed Rail ‘done right’ means a ‘blended system’ along the San Jose to San Francisco corridor – a system  that integrates High Speed Rail with a 21st century Caltrain,” said Simitian in a statement released this afternoon.

LTK’s analysis used a computer model that simulated rail operations and found that electrification of the corridor and installing an advanced train signaling system “could provide sufficient track capacity to feasibly operate six electric Caltrain trains and two high-speed trains per hour,” according to Caltrain.

This scenario could also include adding seven to eight miles of track near the middle of the corridor that would allow trains to pass each other, boosting capacity to accommodate another two high-speed trains per hour, according to Caltrain.

All the proposed designs to date have called for grade-separated, four-track options running the length of the Peninsula.

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