M Ocean View Transit and Safety Project Update at SFMTA Board
The M Ocean View Transit and Safety Project will be sharing an information-only update to the SFMTA Board of Directors at their Tuesday, November 21 meeting. No vote will be taken at this meeting.
This summer, we held a two-week virtual public hearing for an updated proposal, which included improvements like:
Boarding Islands and Transit Bulbs: Expanding boarding islands or the sidewalk to meet the train door would make it easier for riders to step directly between the curb and the train. This is especially important since over the last five years, two people each year on average were hit by cars while getting on or off the M Ocean View train. Providing boarding islands or transit bulbs would also create space for transit stop features community members have requested, like shelters, seating, lighting and landscaping. Adding transit islands or wider sidewalks at train stops would help enact a unanimous resolution passed by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 2021 urging the SFMTA to improve safety and accessibility by removing parking where people currently must walk through parked cars to access Muni.
Stop Location Changes: Combining two existing stops on 19th Avenue and removing the low-ridership stop at San Jose and Mt. Vernon avenues would reduce delay and improve transit reliability because the train would stop less frequently. Additionally, moving the 19th Avenue stops to Sargent Street would move train riders closer to major destinations and away from vehicles coming on and off the busy Junipero Serra Boulevard intersection. The new stop location on 19th Avenue at Sargent Street would provide space for new wheelchair-accessible ramps without impacting traffic while retaining parking at the existing stop locations.
Transit Lane: Adding a transit lane on San Jose Avenue between Niagara Avenue and Broad Street would address two issues: speeding drivers on San Jose Avenue and transit reliability. General traffic would be limited to one lane, which would discourage speeding and keep traffic moving at a calmer, but steady, speed. It would also protect transit reliability by keeping the train moving in its own dedicated right-of-way.
Pedestrian Bulb outs: Adding corner curb extensions at a few key intersections would increase the visibility of people walking, slow turning vehicles and reduce the distance and amount of time it takes to walk across the street.
Traffic Signals and Stop Signs: Adding stop signs at uncontrolled crossings would calm traffic and improve safety on high-injury corridors. Converting a few stop signs to traffic signals with transit-signal priority would mean fewer unnecessary stops on the train and better transit reliability.
Exhibition driving deterrent treatments: The project includes locations for testing tools designed to deter exhibition driving, sometimes called “stunt driving” or “sideshows,” which community members have expressed frustration with.
Feedback and the Refined Proposal
We received feedback in-person, online and via phone. We found that most riders support improvements that address the top concerns for the corridor: traffic safety, reliability and improved stops.
Based on this feedback, our project proposal reflects many of the elements initially included.
We’ve also made small refinements to the proposal. Based on feedback by the Fire Department on emergency access, we slightly adjusted the designs for the transit boarding islands at San Jose and Niagara avenues. To better accommodate loading needs at the Salvation Army All Nations Corps, we are investigating new passenger loading solutions on 19th Avenue near Monticello Street.
Together, the project elements will mean significant improvements for the project goals of increasing train reliability, enhancing stop accessibility and amenities and improving safety for people walking.
We will share additional information at the Tuesday, November 21, meeting, and you may learn more by reviewing the proposal elements in the final proposal drawings.
You may share your feedback on the refined proposal at the SFMTA Board meeting or by email to MTABoard@SFMTA.com.