"Palo Alto Unified School District Superintendent Don Austin today (Feb. 5) sent a letter to the City Council asking to close off where Churchill Avenue intersects with the railroad tracks after a student died after being hit by a Caltrain. In the letter, Austin said he would support an immediate closure of the crossing, even temporarily, while permanent solutions are evaluated and implemented."
"The sound of Caltrain horns, crossing arms, bells and constant train rumblings have become "unavoidable reminders and triggers" for students who attend nearby schools and pass through the area daily, Austin wrote. Caltrain and Palo Alto have been working on installing new technologies at Churchill crossings to improve safety, including using AI to help detect and alert officials about lingering cars and pedestrians on the tracks."
The City Council was asked to close the Churchill Avenue railroad crossing adjacent to Palo Alto High School after a student was killed on the tracks. The school district supports an immediate, even temporary, closure while permanent safety solutions are evaluated and implemented. Students who pass the corridor face recurring Caltrain horns, crossing arms, bells and train rumblings that act as unavoidable reminders and triggers. Caltrain and city officials are pursuing new safety technologies, including AI detection of lingering vehicles and pedestrians. Longer-term infrastructure options under consideration include a partial underpass or full grade separation, which would necessitate temporary crossing closure during construction.
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