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RAILS-WITH-TRAILS RAILS-WITH-TRAILS
On Public Agency Owned Right-of-Ways
Presented by Ron Mathieu
May 3, 2005 OVERVIEW
History of Metrolink and R/W Purchases
Santa Clarita Trail
Mission City Trail (San Fernando)
San Clemente Pedestrian Trail
City of Los Angeles Bike Trail
SCRRA Rail-with-Trail Design Guidelines History
Southern California Regional Rail Authority
(SCRRA) is a joint powers authority
Formed in 1991 pursuant to SB 1402
Members: LACMTA (Metro), OCTA, RCTC,
SANBAG, VCTC
Operating Name is Metrolink
Started service on October 26, 1992 Purchase of Rail Right-of-Ways
1990-1993 purchase of freight rail routes by
member agencies
Upgraded branch line tracks and made
capital improvements on main line tracks
(including station construction)
Maintained shared-uses with other carriers
Took over operations (dispatching),
maintenance and engineering responsibilities Current Status:
7 Routes in 5 counties
53 Stations (plus 2 stations funded)
512 Route Miles
137 daily weekday Metrolink trains
Shared routes with freight and Amtrak
38,000+ average weekday riders/day
Member Agency Perspective
Operate and maintain commuter rail service
Shared-Use Agreements with railroads
Generate revenue from leases, licenses
Provide alternative modes of transportation
to public, including bike trails
Represent local agency transportation needs
(Board members are elected officials)
SAFETY.!!!!! SCRRAS Role
Operate and maintain Metrolink service
Protect member agency rail property interests
Review and approve projects in R/Ws to ensure that
railroad operations, maintenance and safety not
compromised
Work collaboratively with other public agencies for
access, maintenance and utility issues Santa Clarita Trail
Project sponsor City of Santa Clarita
Approx. 2 miles in R/W parallel to tracks
Crosses 2 streets at pedestrian crosswalk
LACTC (now LACMTA) conceptual approval 4/28/93
City Council awards project May 1995
LACTC License Agreement issued July 1995 Month to month term Indemnification of operating railroads Protection of R/W for rail transportation uses
SCRRA Right-of-Entry July 1995
Construction completed in 1996 Santa Clarita Trail (Design Issues)
Split rail fencing trespassing
Construction and maintenance around tracks
Access gates for railroad maintenance
Landscaping with proper drainage
Crosswalks with black-out of ped signals
during pre-emption Santa Clarita Trail Santa Clarita Trail
Santa Clarita Trail at street crossing Mission City Trail
1 mile bike path - parallel with Metrolink tracks,
connecting Station and recreation park
Project sponsor City of San Fernando
January 1994 LACMTA agrees to finance bike
path for close to $1 million
Conceptual planning mtg. January 1995
SCRRA review and approval of design elements
1995 - 1996 Mission City Trail
MTA license agreement January 1997 36 month initial term/ year to year after Indemnification of operating railroads Protection of R/W for rail transportation uses
SCRRA Right-of-Entry February 1997 Covers construction and flagging protection
Construction completed early 1998 Mission City Trail (Design Issues)
Protection of R/W for future tracks
Drainage on and off the R/W
Fencing and setbacks
Grade crossing safety
Lighting
Construction & Maintenance
Indemnification San Fernando-- Mission

City Trail
San Clemente Pedestrian Trail
Working with the City for approximately 5 years
Many agencies involved: City of San Clemente,
Coastal Commission, Surfrider Association, BNSF,
Amtrak, Caltrans, FHWA, CPUC, OCTA & SCRRA
Access to State beach across tracks
Railroad on beach for over 100 years
Limited number of crossings
Community and surfers developed path along rail
line (trespassing) San Clemente Pedestrian Beach Trail Main
Access
Side access points
Side access points El Portal Mariposa Point Mariposa Point Boardwalk (proposed) Linda Lane to Corto Lane Calafia
(high rip rap next to crossing) Calafia (proposed stairs in rip rap) Other Trail Projects
City of Palmdale (1996-97) 2.2 miles, MTA license, split rail fence, no
crossings, landscaping and drainage
City of Lancaster (2002) 3 miles, MTA license, 1 crossing no signals, chain
link fence, landscaping and drainage
City of Los Angeles (in development) Crossing and drainage issues, landscaping Preemption issues/new traffic signals/costly Development of Guidelines
To develop uniformity and consistency in approval of
these projects within 5 county area
Give designers of trails standards for set backs,
fencing, access and maintenance within the rail
corridors
Every trail and location is unique
Have 5 county TAC members approve
Outline a process for approval of exceptions RWT Design Guidelines (outline)
Introduction Purpose Scope Definitions Reference Standards
Real Estate Requirements Existing Facilities Proposed Agreement Permits RWT Design Guidelines (outline)
Planning Feasibility Study Safety Plan
Design Submittal
- Utilities Design Standards
- Landscaping Clearances
- Fencing Grade Crossings
- Lighting Surface
- Drainage Maintenance Access
- Freight spur potential RWT Design Guidelines (outline)
Construction (SCRRA ROE Agreement)
Maintenance
Funding (no SCRRA $$)
Exceptions Minor Deviations must be approved by Director
Engineering and Construction Major Deviations requiring additional assumption
of perceived risk must be approved by CEO with
member agency concurrence SCRRA Design Concerns
Protecting R/W for future rail use
Maintenance access to tracks
Proper drainage of R/W and trail
Fencing and Setbacks
Resistant to trespassing and vandalism
Liability agreements
Loss of lease revenues to member agency Setbacks and Separation
Best Practice: Maximize separation 25 feet normal minimum 10-25 feet minimum in limited circumstances,
with barrier SCRRA Setbacks
As far to outside edge of R/W as possible
45 ft. with 90 mph trains
40 ft. between 90 mph and 79 mph
35 ft. between 78 mph and 60 mph
30 ft. between 59 mph and 40 mph
25 ft. below 40 mph Fencing criteria
Install tubular steel or welded wire mesh to
channelize access over the rails to
designated authorized crossings
Discourage trespassing in the operating R/W
Maintain access gates for railroad
maintenance vehicles SCRRA Website
www.metrolinktrains.com RWT Disadvantages
Limits railroad operations, maintenance
access and flexibility issues
Limits potential income from lease revenue
Debris from fast moving trains
Crosswalk design and preemption (costly)
Presents additional safety concerns such as
grade crossing accidents and derailments
RWT Advantages
Provides alternatives to driving
Separates bicycle traffic from vehicular traffic
Follows established routes
Landscaped enhancements to community
Reduce trespassing, dumping and vandalism Conclusions
Rails-with-Trails can have a very positive
outcome and benefits to the communities
Importance on working c