Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit
Encyclopedia
The SMART or Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit project is a future passenger rail service and high density housing project in Northern California, USA, to serve Sonoma
and Marin
counties. The project was approved with passage of Measure "Q" by the voters in 2008 by the required 2/3 vote (averaged over 2 counties). The original Measure that was voted on was planned to begin service between Cloverdale and Larkspur and connecting to the Golden gate Ferry service in 2014. The current plan calls for a 37 mile initial operating segment between San Rafael and Santa Rosa. Supporters of the SMART train contend the worldwide recession and permitting hurdles require the project to be done in stages, with the opening date delayed until 2016. Opponents of the train contend the incremental sales tax in Measure Q was never enough to cover construction, and that costs were underestimated in Measure Q. Although SMART management proposes applications for grant funding to extend the train and pathway for the entire length of the train approved in Measure Q, no funding sources have been identified. Applications are proposed for grant funding to extend the train and pathway to cities beyond the initial operating segment.
right-of-way, ultimately from Larkspur
in Marin County to Cloverdale in northern Sonoma County. The track roughly parallels US Highway 101. The right-of-way is largely owned by the SMART District, which was established by state law in 2003. Original SMART supplied projected ridership on the 70 mile project between Larkspur and Cloverdale was about 1.4 million per year, mostly during commute hours, with a mid-day train and four trains per day on weekends. Later information clarified that it was estimated that there were only 1500 projected actual riders per day and the 1.4 million meant 3900 "trips" per day.
The passenger service will share tracks with freight trains of the North Coast Railroad Authority, (NCRA) which in 2011 began to serve businesses along the SMART right of way between Lombard (at the Napa river) and Windsor.
Most of the proposed stations are located near historic city centers. The Corridor Evaluation done by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission in 2005 showed 17,000 households and over 40,000 jobs located within a half-mile of stations. Some 1,400 parking spaces are included in plans for the full system. The walking distance from the planned (now deferred) Larkspur station to the ferry to San Francisco is less than four-tenths of a mile, roughly equal to walking distance from the Ferry terminal at San Francisco to the Embarcadero BART Station.
The capital cost of track rehabilitation, signals, railcars, etc. was estimated in 2008 to be about $500 million. By 2010, SMART's own cost estimates had risen 35% to $695 million; the agency hopes to reduce those increases by entering into a design-build contract for roadbed and track reconstruction. Additional unaccounted for expenses will be the need for local feeder buses at the train stations.
An additional $90 million was allocated for a bike/pedestrian path along the line for recreation and to enhance connections between stations and the developing network of bicycle-pedestrian pathways. The agency has obtained one grant for pathway construction in Rohnert Park, and has a pending application for a grant to fund additional pathway segments.
The project is funded through a quarter-cent sales tax in both counties (approved by Measure Q in 2008) together with federal, state, regional, and local allocations, including increased bridge tolls. The project financial plan is based on 36% fare recovery of operating costs, which is typical for unprofitable commuter rail services. Sales tax support for transit is an established pattern in California, and if the service is well received it could be continued by voters.
Mitigation of environmental impacts was studied in 2005-06. The recommended remedies, which were certified without challenge by SMART itself, included silencing of some train horns by establishment of low speed quiet zones and replacement of certain wetland ditches. The study showed that train service would result in a unspecified reduction in vehicle hours of delay and vehicle hours traveled on roads in the corridor. While it was projected in 2005 that Highway 101 levels of service would continue to deteriorate and there would be temporal shifts of traffic that would benefit road users,, in reality, in 2010 and 2011, Highway 101 has been continually improved, with local bottlenecks being continually improved in San Rafael, Novato and Santa Rosa.
When presenting the facts to voters in 2008, SMART did not disclose that MTC, as a source of SMART funding, required an average of 2200 housing units closely around the train stations. Most of those residents would not take the SMART train to commute and would contribute to the daily traffic load of Highway 101. In San Rafael and Novato, adding 2200 housing units would increase the total number of units by aprox. 20%.
SMART District voting rules were self changed by SMART.
In 2006, it was required that Marin and Sonoma counties both needed to pass Measure Q. It passed in Sonoma, but failed in Marin.
In 2008, SMART changed it's rules and mandated that an "average" percent greater than 2/3rds for the 2 counties constituted passage and Measure Q was deemed "passed" even though it failed in Marin county.
s will be just two or three units long, crossing intersections in about 45 seconds, and fitting easily within a city block. Crossing gates will be coordinated with traffic lights. Freight trains operating as far north as Windsor are likely to commence in 2010. Foreseeable freight service could be accommodated during daylight hours. The bicycle-pedestrian pathway would connect with a growing network of trails, making stations easily accessible to bicycle commuters. Improved access would make the region more vibrant over the long term for employers, employees, and visitors.
Recently (2011), it has come to light that in order to be viable project for MTC to support, there must be an average of 2200 high density housing zoned surrounding the train stations.
As a potential flexible alternative to SMART, SMART's $500 million would buy 2000 clean flex fuel, hybrid powered luxury $250,000 buses and avoid the SMART/MTC mandated population increase and potentially decrease traffic on Highway 101.
In September 2011, a petition drive was started to place an initiative on the ballot in 2012 to rescind the sales tax measure.
in Marin County. The proposed stations are:
The initial operating stage (IOS) for the train service will operate between Downtown Santa Rosa and Downtown San Rafael, while the next phase will be extended on to Larkspur.
at a cost of
$40 million or 6.67 million each 2-car set. They are to be delivered from October 2013 to May 2014. Under the contract, additional railcars may be added to the order at a cost of $2.9 million each.
According to Railway Gazette, as of Dec 2010, SMART has ordered nine 2-car sets at a cost of $56.9 million, at 6.33 million each.
The Japanese Nippon Sharyo train sets will be technically 65% manufactured in the USA, but not in California.
Domestic USA train manufacturers were more expensive, according to SMART.
Sonoma County, California
Sonoma County, located on the northern coast of the U.S. state of California, is the largest and northernmost of the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties. Its population at the 2010 census was 483,878. Its largest city and county seat is Santa Rosa....
and Marin
Marin County, California
Marin County is a county located in the North San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California, across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. As of 2010, the population was 252,409. The county seat is San Rafael and the largest employer is the county government. Marin County is well...
counties. The project was approved with passage of Measure "Q" by the voters in 2008 by the required 2/3 vote (averaged over 2 counties). The original Measure that was voted on was planned to begin service between Cloverdale and Larkspur and connecting to the Golden gate Ferry service in 2014. The current plan calls for a 37 mile initial operating segment between San Rafael and Santa Rosa. Supporters of the SMART train contend the worldwide recession and permitting hurdles require the project to be done in stages, with the opening date delayed until 2016. Opponents of the train contend the incremental sales tax in Measure Q was never enough to cover construction, and that costs were underestimated in Measure Q. Although SMART management proposes applications for grant funding to extend the train and pathway for the entire length of the train approved in Measure Q, no funding sources have been identified. Applications are proposed for grant funding to extend the train and pathway to cities beyond the initial operating segment.
Project details
The project will require upgrading tracks to provide 79-MPH passenger service on the historic Northwestern PacificNorthwestern Pacific Railroad
The Northwestern Pacific Railroad is a regional railroad serving California's North Coast. The railroad currently runs on 62 miles of the 462 mile main line, stretching from Schellville, California to Eureka, California...
right-of-way, ultimately from Larkspur
Larkspur, California
Larkspur is a city in Marin County, California, United States. Larkspur is located south of San Rafael, at an elevation of . As of the 2010 Census, the city's population was 11,926. Larkspur is located north of San Francisco near Mount Tamalpais. Larkspur's Police Department is shared with that...
in Marin County to Cloverdale in northern Sonoma County. The track roughly parallels US Highway 101. The right-of-way is largely owned by the SMART District, which was established by state law in 2003. Original SMART supplied projected ridership on the 70 mile project between Larkspur and Cloverdale was about 1.4 million per year, mostly during commute hours, with a mid-day train and four trains per day on weekends. Later information clarified that it was estimated that there were only 1500 projected actual riders per day and the 1.4 million meant 3900 "trips" per day.
The passenger service will share tracks with freight trains of the North Coast Railroad Authority, (NCRA) which in 2011 began to serve businesses along the SMART right of way between Lombard (at the Napa river) and Windsor.
Most of the proposed stations are located near historic city centers. The Corridor Evaluation done by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission in 2005 showed 17,000 households and over 40,000 jobs located within a half-mile of stations. Some 1,400 parking spaces are included in plans for the full system. The walking distance from the planned (now deferred) Larkspur station to the ferry to San Francisco is less than four-tenths of a mile, roughly equal to walking distance from the Ferry terminal at San Francisco to the Embarcadero BART Station.
The capital cost of track rehabilitation, signals, railcars, etc. was estimated in 2008 to be about $500 million. By 2010, SMART's own cost estimates had risen 35% to $695 million; the agency hopes to reduce those increases by entering into a design-build contract for roadbed and track reconstruction. Additional unaccounted for expenses will be the need for local feeder buses at the train stations.
An additional $90 million was allocated for a bike/pedestrian path along the line for recreation and to enhance connections between stations and the developing network of bicycle-pedestrian pathways. The agency has obtained one grant for pathway construction in Rohnert Park, and has a pending application for a grant to fund additional pathway segments.
The project is funded through a quarter-cent sales tax in both counties (approved by Measure Q in 2008) together with federal, state, regional, and local allocations, including increased bridge tolls. The project financial plan is based on 36% fare recovery of operating costs, which is typical for unprofitable commuter rail services. Sales tax support for transit is an established pattern in California, and if the service is well received it could be continued by voters.
Mitigation of environmental impacts was studied in 2005-06. The recommended remedies, which were certified without challenge by SMART itself, included silencing of some train horns by establishment of low speed quiet zones and replacement of certain wetland ditches. The study showed that train service would result in a unspecified reduction in vehicle hours of delay and vehicle hours traveled on roads in the corridor. While it was projected in 2005 that Highway 101 levels of service would continue to deteriorate and there would be temporal shifts of traffic that would benefit road users,, in reality, in 2010 and 2011, Highway 101 has been continually improved, with local bottlenecks being continually improved in San Rafael, Novato and Santa Rosa.
When presenting the facts to voters in 2008, SMART did not disclose that MTC, as a source of SMART funding, required an average of 2200 housing units closely around the train stations. Most of those residents would not take the SMART train to commute and would contribute to the daily traffic load of Highway 101. In San Rafael and Novato, adding 2200 housing units would increase the total number of units by aprox. 20%.
Measures Q & R (2008, 2006)
Funding for the project is largely provided by Measure Q, adopted on November 4, 2008. It received a combined vote of 69.5% in the two counties (73.5 percent approval in Sonoma and 62.6 percent in Marin). A similar November 2006 funding proposal for SMART received a 65.3% "yes" vote but lacked the 67% required for passage.SMART District voting rules were self changed by SMART.
In 2006, it was required that Marin and Sonoma counties both needed to pass Measure Q. It passed in Sonoma, but failed in Marin.
In 2008, SMART changed it's rules and mandated that an "average" percent greater than 2/3rds for the 2 counties constituted passage and Measure Q was deemed "passed" even though it failed in Marin county.
Arguments used
The following two paragraphs outline issues argued by proponents and opponents concerning the funding proposal approved by the voters (Measure Q) on the November, 2008 Ballot in Marin and Sonoma counties:In support
A coalition of conservation, cycling, business, and labor groups consider it urgent to restore a functioning railroad and create a bicycle-pedestrian pathway in the corridor to cope with congestion, keep businesses viable, protect the environment, and expand the existing network of pathways. Trains would by-pass traffic congestion, reduce automobile dependency, improve air quality, and reduce demand for imported oil. Trains of self-powered railcarRailcar
A railcar, in British English and Australian English, is a self-propelled railway vehicle designed to transport passengers. The term "railcar" is usually used in reference to a train consisting of a single coach , with a driver's cab at one or both ends. Some railways, e.g., the Great Western...
s will be just two or three units long, crossing intersections in about 45 seconds, and fitting easily within a city block. Crossing gates will be coordinated with traffic lights. Freight trains operating as far north as Windsor are likely to commence in 2010. Foreseeable freight service could be accommodated during daylight hours. The bicycle-pedestrian pathway would connect with a growing network of trails, making stations easily accessible to bicycle commuters. Improved access would make the region more vibrant over the long term for employers, employees, and visitors.
In opposition
The operating costs far exceed fare revenue making perpetual sales tax ballot measures inevitable; noise from trains would severely impact those within hearing distance of the tracks, and the number of cars taken off 101 from 5000 train riders daily is trivial (less than ½%). Most stations are beyond walking distance to homes and job centers, and that many stations do not provide parking (e.g.: Larkspur and Santa Rosa, both key hubs); so trains would be unattractive for most people. There is no link to the SF Ferry at Larkspur, and transfers would be difficult and time consuming as compared to buses. SMART would add freight service which will run mostly outside SMART commute hours meaning nights and weekends where noise is most noticeable. NCRA states they anticipate 3 round trips per day, with garbage hauling being one possibility, but this may be considerably more depending on the success of the freight business. There would be significant traffic disruption at grade crossings, particularly in city centers at peak times.Recently (2011), it has come to light that in order to be viable project for MTC to support, there must be an average of 2200 high density housing zoned surrounding the train stations.
As a potential flexible alternative to SMART, SMART's $500 million would buy 2000 clean flex fuel, hybrid powered luxury $250,000 buses and avoid the SMART/MTC mandated population increase and potentially decrease traffic on Highway 101.
In September 2011, a petition drive was started to place an initiative on the ballot in 2012 to rescind the sales tax measure.
Route
The planned route takes SMART from Cloverdale in Sonoma County to LarkspurLarkspur, California
Larkspur is a city in Marin County, California, United States. Larkspur is located south of San Rafael, at an elevation of . As of the 2010 Census, the city's population was 11,926. Larkspur is located north of San Francisco near Mount Tamalpais. Larkspur's Police Department is shared with that...
in Marin County. The proposed stations are:
- Cloverdale, California (Asti Rd. south of Citrus Drive)
- Healdsburg (Harmon Street)
- Windsor, California (Windsor Road and Windsor River Road)
- Santa Rosa, California (Jennings Avenue and Herbert Street)
- Downtown Santa Rosa (Historic depot at Railroad Square)
- Rohnert Park, California (Golf Course Drive at Roberts Lake Road)
- Cotati, California (East Cotati Avenue and Santero Way)
- Petaluma, California (Corona Road)
- Downtown Petaluma (Historic depot near Lakeville Highway)
- North Novato, California (Atherton Avenue)
- South Novato/HamiltonHamilton Air Force BaseHamilton Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base located along the western shore of San Pablo Bay, south of Novato, California.-History:...
(Main Gate Road) - Marin County Civic CenterMarin County Civic CenterMarin County Civic Center, the last commission by Frank Lloyd Wright, is located in San Rafael, California. Groundbreaking for the Civic Center Administration Building took place in 1960, after Wright's death and under the watch of Wright's protégé, Aaron Green, and was completed in 1962. The...
(Civic Center Drive) - San Rafael, California (Tamalpais Street, near San Rafael Transit CenterSan Rafael Transit CenterThe San Rafael Transportation Center , in San Rafael, California, is the main transit center for Marin County. From San Rafael, passengers can travel throughout Marin County, to San Francisco, Contra Costa, and Sonoma Counties...
) - Larkspur, California, where riders can transfer via shuttle to Larkspur Landing
The initial operating stage (IOS) for the train service will operate between Downtown Santa Rosa and Downtown San Rafael, while the next phase will be extended on to Larkspur.
Rolling stock
SMART has six 2-car DMU train-sets on order from Sumitomo of America / Nippon SharyoNippon Sharyo
, , formed in 1896, is a major rolling stock manufacturer based in Nagoya, Japan. In 1996, it abbreviated its name to "日本車両" Nippon Sharyō. Its shortest abbreviation is Nissha "日車". It was a listed company on Nikkei 225 until 2004. It is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and Nagoya Stock Exchange...
at a cost of
$40 million or 6.67 million each 2-car set. They are to be delivered from October 2013 to May 2014. Under the contract, additional railcars may be added to the order at a cost of $2.9 million each.
According to Railway Gazette, as of Dec 2010, SMART has ordered nine 2-car sets at a cost of $56.9 million, at 6.33 million each.
The Japanese Nippon Sharyo train sets will be technically 65% manufactured in the USA, but not in California.
Domestic USA train manufacturers were more expensive, according to SMART.
External links
- SMART official site
- Friends of SMART (Supporters' site)
- Stop SMART (Opponents' site)