Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Streetsblog.net

A Misguided Fix for Traffic Congestion in Silicon Valley

In a study of Denver residents, those who lived near a transit station were less likely to take transit to work than those who worked by transit. Image: CityLab
In a study of Denver residents, working near a transit station was a more important factor leading people to commute by train than just living near a station. Image via CityLab
false

According to a recent study of transit riders in Denver covered by CityLab, people who work within a 15-minute walk of a rail station are more likely to commute by train than people who live close to transit but don't work by a station.

Network blog Peninsula Transportation Alternatives says the study underscores how a proposal aimed at reining in traffic in Palo Alto is misguided. The City Council there is looking to limit office development downtown, where transit access is good:

Palo Alto City Council is about to implement a strict cap limiting new office development to 50,000 square feet per year in the areas closest to the city’s two Caltrain stations, and the El Camino Real corridor with bus service every 10-15 minutes... City Council plans to vote on the cap, which would stay in effect for two years or until the City completes its Comprehensive Plan update in the works.

While one of the goals of the cap was to address parking and traffic challenges, a recent survey found that 45% of the 10,000 employees who work in downtown Palo Alto commute by transit and other non-car modes, even before the implementation of new programs to reduce driving downtown.

Meanwhile, Palo Alto is not imposing an office development cap on the Stanford Research Park. SRP is farther from transit, and currently has about an 80% car commute rate for its 23,000 employees. According to the staff report, SRP has seen more office growth than Palo Alto’s other jobs areas over the last 15 years. Palo Alto Council intends to eventually require SRP to reduce car trips -- this is feasible, but more challenging and costly, since it requires an extra shuttle ride to connect to Caltrain.

Talk of the office cap has already led tech firm Survey Monkey to announce it is leaving Palo Alto for San Mateo, where the company has found a transit-accessible location with room for expansion. More than 60 percent of the company's employees arrive by train.

Elsewhere on the Network today: Twin Cities Sidewalks takes a look at some of the glittering metropolises that went all in on free parking. The Urbanophile explores how cities can make better use of the spaces under elevated highways and trains. And Bike Walk Kansas City lists some of the "unexpected" cities that now have protected bike lanes.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Tuesday’s Sprawling Headlines

Sprawl seems to be having a moment, but it remains a very shortsighted and environmentally disastrous way to solve the housing crisis.

July 1, 2025

Does Constant Driving Really Make Our Country Richer?

A new study reveals that constant driving is making America less productive and prosperous — and getting people on other modes could help right the ship.

July 1, 2025

‘We’re Not Copenhagen’ Is No Excuse Not to Build a Great Biking And Walking City

A team of researchers identified eight under-the-radar cities leading the local active transportation revolution — and a menu of strategies that other communities can and should steal.

June 30, 2025

Monday’s Headlines, Ranked

New reports rank the best cities for biking and the best complete streets policies. Plus, the robotaxi wars have begun.

June 30, 2025

Washington State Is About To Have the First Pro-‘Woonerf’ Law in America

Washington state is making it legal for cities to have people-centered streets in a first-in-the-nation law.

June 30, 2025

Friday’s Headlines Are Doomed

Philadelphia transit is falling off the fiscal cliff, with other major cities not far behind. And the effects of service cuts on their economies could be brutal.

June 27, 2025
See all posts