Background
In June 2016, the BART Board adopted a new Station Access Policy to guide access practices and investments through 2025. Among others, the policy has the following goals:
Safer, Healthier, Greener
Advance the region's safety, public health, and greenhouse gas (GHG) a pollution-reduction goals.
Better Experience
Be a better neighbor, and strive for an excellent customer experience, including on the first and last mile of the trip to and from BART stations.
Additionally, in 2017, City of Dublin completed the Iron Horse Trail Feasibility Study with a goal to identify improvements along the segment of the Iron Horse Trail between Dougherty Road and the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station that will better connect the Trail to BART, other trails and bikeways, and homes and businesses along the trail. This study followed on other studies and pedestrian and bicycle master plans led by City of Pleasanton and East Bay Regional Parks District, all of which generally recommended these improvements.
This implements the recommendations contained in these studies and plans. It is to improve bicycle and pedestrian access to the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station, with the following goals:
- Close the gap in the Iron Horse Trail so that BART riders can use it for recreation and access the broader network of trails and green spaces in the area
- Advance the 2016 BART Station Access Policy goals (safer, healthier, greener) and targets (52% active access by 2025)
- Separate pedestrian and bicyclist traffic to improve safety and comfort
In parallel to BART's project, City of Dublin is advancing construction of a bicycle and pedestrian bridge over Dublin Boulevard and other improvements to the trail segment immediately north of the BART station area which will close another significant gap in the trails network.
Access to Dublin/Pleasanton
As an end-of-the-line station, Dublin/Pleasanton attracts BART riders from many distant locations, as illustrated in the map below. For these riders, the only really viable options for accessing BART are to drive and park at BART, or to ride a regional bus.
There are, however, many BART riders who walk and bike to and from the station. Importantly, Dublin/Pleasanton station is a recreational destination for users of the Iron Horse Trail. During outreach to the community, BART staff heard repeatedly the difficulty of locating the Iron Horse trail from the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station entrance, as there is nothing to where it is located and where it goes.
The table below shows the breakdown of access trips to BART in 2015 - the last time BART conducted its Station Profile Study. It also shows how the numbers of people walking and biking to the station have increased since the 2008 Station Profile Study.
There are also BART riders who live relatively nearby the station who also drive and park, or get dropped off (see map below), but might choose to walk or bike instead if only they felt safe and comfortable doing so.
This project aims to support recreational trips on the trail, including for users who take BART to the trail and for existing users who bike and walk on the trail to BART. The project also aims to make walking and biking to and from BART a better, more attractive option for more people who can and want to walk and bike.
Geographic Context
The aerial image below illustrates the broader station area and highlights the locations of both BART's project and City of Dublin's project.
Scope of Work
The scope of work for the project includes the following:
- A two-way cycle track separated from vehicle traffic and from the pedestrian sidewalk
- Pedestrian-scale lighting
- Improved lighting under the freeway and aerial BART structures
- Additional secure bicycle parking
- Wayfinding
- Landscaping and storm water management features
- Safety and security features
- A small park/plaza/gateway treatment at the transition to the Iron Horse Trail to the north
- Art
Stakeholders
BART has been coordinating and working closely with several key external stakeholders on this project, including:
Design
The images below illustrate the details of the design.
Before/After Photos
Before/After Renderings
Click here or on the plan rendering for a closer look.
Click here or on the plan rendering for a closer look.
Feedback
Have feedback? We'd love to hear from you. Please email us at [email protected]
Project brought to you by voter-approved Measure RR funds.