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.
The 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.
“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.”
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.
MTC is a transportation partner with Caltrain.
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