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Project Overview

The Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail (ZEPRT) project is identifying feasible project concepts and solutions to better support diverse transportation needs, safe access, and connection to the populated areas of Santa Cruz County and provide bicycle and pedestrian linkages.

Proposed Project

The ZEPRT project proposes new passenger rail service and stations on approximately 22 miles of the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line (SCBRL) from the city of Santa Cruz in the north to Pajaro, just south of Watsonville. The project also proposes to develop 12 miles of Coastal Rail Trail: Segments 13–20 from Rio del Mar Boulevard through the community of La Selva Beach and the city of Watsonville, as well as the Capitola Trestle reach (Segment 11, Phase 2).

Project Benefits

  • forward moving clock
    High-capacity rail service and stations will reduce travel times and improve transit system reliability
  • people network
    Connects the most populated areas of Santa Cruz County to the California State Rail Network
  • shopping bags
    Improves transit connections to community activity centers supporting the local economy and providing better access between housing and jobs
  • person walking dog
    Provides 12 miles of new multi-use bicycle and pedestrian trail to enhance bicycle and pedestrian connectivity and safety
  • schoolhouse
    Passes within 1 mile of more than 90 parks, 40 schools, and approximately half of the county’s population
  • CO2 Cloud with down arrow
    Reduces vehicle miles traveled and associated greenhouse gas emissions
A project map showing the proposed alignment of the proposed rail service and portions of the proposed Coastal Rail Trail Segments associated with this project (Trail Segments 13-20 and Segment 11, Phase 2).

Click to enlarge

The project builds on studies previously completed by the RTC, including the Rail Transit Feasibility Study in 2015 and the Transit Corridor Alternatives Analysis & Rail Network Integration Study in 2021, which identified a locally preferred alternative for Electric Passenger Rail. The project name has been changed to allow the project to explore other existing and emerging technologies in addition to electrification that will also achieve the goal of zero emissions.

Connectivity to Regional Rail and Trail Networks

The project aims to take advantage of the publicly owned rail right-of-way to provide passenger rail service and the Coastal Rail Trail to connect the most populated areas of Santa Cruz County to each other and to the greater region as well as to provide an integrated intercity travel option for riders on the Central Coast.

California State Rail Plan

In alignment with the California State Rail Plan, the proposed project would be integrated into the statewide rail and transit network that provides comprehensive and coordinated service to passengers.

Image of a map showing the Northern California Integrated Rail Network from the 2018 California State Rail Plan. Rail network services shown include High Speed Rail, Intercity Rail, Regional Rail, and Supplemental Connectivity.

Click to enlarge

Coastal Rail Trail

Included in this project are 12 miles of Coastal Rail Trail: Segments 13–20 from Rio del Mar Boulevard through the community of La Selva Beach and the city of Watsonville, as well as the Capitola Trestle reach (Segment 11, Phase 2).

The below map shows the status of Coastal Rail Trail projects, many of which are being implemented by others as separate projects along the SCBRL.

Image of a map showing the Coastal Rail Trail alignment, using colors to indicate status of the Coastal Rail Trail projects by segment, many of which are being implemented by others as separate projects. The proposed project includes Segment 11, Phase 2 and Segments 13 through 20.

Click to enlarge

Rail Vehicle Types

The vehicle types being evaluated for this project are locomotive hauled trains, multiple unit trains, and light rail vehicles. The vehicle type selected will impact the design of other project elements (such as platforms, bridges, signaling, and power supply) as well as grant funding eligibility and/or competitiveness.

Comparison of rail vehicle types

Locomotive hauled train

Locomotive hauled trains

Pros
  • Compatible with freight, intercity, and commuter rail systems
  • Long-range/high-speed ability
  • High load/passenger capacity
  • Ease of reconfigurability (add/remove coaches)
  • Readily available fleet
Cons
  • High fuel/energy consumption
  • High weight/axle loads
  • Poor acceleration/deceleration performance
  • Limited zero emission availability and range
Multiple unit trains

Multiple unit trains

Pros
  • Propulsion option flexibility (catenary, battery, hydrogen, diesel)
  • High seated passenger capacity
  • Compatible with freight, intercity, and commuter rail systems
  • High speeds possible (100 mph)
Cons
  • Limited flexibility to reconfigure (add/remove coaches)
  • High weight/axle loads
  • Few active suppliers in U.S. market
  • Battery and hydrogen technology is not as mature as catenary or diesel
Light Rail Vehicles

Light Rail Vehicles

Pros
  • Smaller vehicle, light axle loads
  • Multiple options available in market
  • High braking and acceleration performance
Cons
  • Not compatible with freight, intercity, or commuter rail traffic
  • Lower speeds (60 mph max)
  • Low seated passenger capacity
  • Limited power options (catenary, battery with limited [less than 10 miles] range)
  • Visual impacts of overhead catenary infrastructure
  • High cost and maintenance needs of overhead catenary

Factors Affecting Vehicle Selection

  • Line length
  • Station locations (number, distance between stops)
  • Travel speed/frequency
  • Passenger capacity
  • Track class/type
  • Interoperability with other rail traffic
  • Bridge/civil loading limits
  • Vehicle clearance restrictions
  • Energy/power supply
  • Consistency with State Rail Plan
  • Impact on competitiveness for grant funding sources

Provide Your Feedback

Initial Conceptual Alignment

RTC is seeking community input on the rail and trail alignment to identify concerns and ideas for improvements. Please scroll down for examples of the potential constraints that have been identified and provide comments on the interactive map.

Alignment Design Optimization

At this stage in project development, the RTC is aiming to provide a refined design that:

  • Fits within the existing right-of-way (ROW) while accommodating both the trail and rail.
  • Optimizes operations (transit headways [the amount of time between transit vehicle arrivals at a station] and total travel times).
  • Allows for faster train travel speeds, where possible, to reduce end-to-end point total travel time.

Potential Constraints

The Project team is continuing to evaluate a number of potential solutions to address constraints that were identified during development of the initial conceptual alignment and which could inhibit constructability and/or impede operations.

Walker Street, Watsonville
Walker Street, Watsonville

Train Traveling in Roadway

Constraint

The existing alignment runs in the roadway in locations in Santa Cruz and Watsonville. Train speeds would be limited for pedestrian and vehicle safety.

Potential Solutions
  • Pedestrian protections
  • Limited speeds
7th Avenue, Santa Cruz
7th Avenue, Santa Cruz

Constrained ROW Width

Constraint

ROW constraints due to existing development would limit  construction and operation of the trail and rail due to regulatory clearance requirements.

Potential Solutions
  • Acquire ROW
  • Move trail outside of ROW
  • Narrow trail
Harkin Slough, Watsonville
Harkin Slough, Watsonville

Geometry and Environmental concerns of existing alignment

Constraint

The existing ROW geometry as well as adjacent areas of environmental concern could limit the speed of the train, impacting end-to-end travel times.

Potential Solutions
  • Create new alignment outside of ROW
  • Straighten curves
Trail Segment 9, Santa Cruz
Trail Segment 9, Santa Cruz

Existing Trail Projects

Constraint

Segments of the trail, either existing or in design, would limit the ROW needed for construction and operation of the rail.

Potential Solutions
  • Move trail outside of ROW
  • Narrow trail
  • Acquire ROW
  • Move (reconstruct) portions of the trail

Interactive Comment map

Use the interactive comment map below to share your input on areas for improvement or to identify potential issues or constraints. Drop a pin on the specific area, type your comment, and select the comment topic. Other participants will be able to see your pin and comment type, however they will not be able to see your comment.

The initial conceptual alignment below is a draft for review and discussion only and shows a 24-foot rail alignment footprint (12-feet from the rail centerline in both directions) and 12-foot trail alignment footprint. The actual width of the alignments would vary based on a number of factors, including the constraints detailed above. The aerial basemap displayed may not accurately depict conditions along the proposed alignment in all locations. Where feasible, the rail and trail would remain within the existing rail right-of-way.

Conceptual Alignment Strip Maps

In addition to the Interactive Comment Map on the previous page, the maps below are provided for your review of the initial conceptual alignment. The maps are ordered geographically along the proposed alignment beginning in West Santa Cruz and continuing east to Watsonville/Pajaro.

Click on images to enlarge.

Project Schedule

The Project Concept Report is anticipated to be completed in spring 2025 and will define, evaluate, and develop a project build concept to be advanced into subsequent tasks.

Concept Report Milestones

Key milestones for this phase of work include developing a Project Description and Preliminary Purpose and Need Statement, developing preliminary rail and trail conceptual alignments through a process of conceptual alternatives analysis and environmental screening, refining the conceptual alignments into one preferred build concept, and preparing the draft and final Project Concept Report.

Throughout these activities, meaningful, proactive, and focused public and stakeholder outreach will occur, including several virtual and in-person public workshops and open house meetings

Image shows a timeline of milestones and engagement opportunities for the development of the Project Concept Report. Milestones include the Winter 2024 milestone with the Preliminary Purpose and Need and project look ahead. The current Summer 2024 milestones include conceptual alignments and zero emission vehicle types. In Fall 2024, milestones include refined conceptual alignment and facility and maintenance locations. And in Winter 2025, milestones include the draft project concept report and next steps.

Click to enlarge

Project Progression

Following completion of the Project Concept Report, the project will move into preliminary engineering and environmental documentation, and then through right-of-way and final design.

Project Schedule

Image shows a timeline of the overall project schedule beginning with completion of the project concept report in 2025 through right of way and final design in 2032.

Click to enlarge

Your Feedback

Thank you for participating in this virtual Open House. The RTC and its project partners are committed to meaningful public engagement throughout the project’s lifecycle. Community participation is vital to aid in minimizing impacts while meeting the needs of riders, bicyclists, and pedestrians. There are many voices in our community, and we want to hear yours.

Submit a Comment

We want to hear from you. Please complete this form to share your thoughts on the project's draft conceptual alignment and potential vehicle types on the Preliminary Purpose and Need. Or you can email us.

Stay Involved

Stay up-to-date on the project by participating in the following ways:

  • mailing list

    Mailing List

    Join our mailing list using the form on this page
  • website

    Project Website

    Visit the project website for updates
  • email

    Email

    Email us
  • meeting

    Public Meetings

    Attend upcoming public meetings and provide comments throughout the planning process. The RTC is hosting two June in-person open houses on the potential vehicle types and initial conceptual alignment:
    calendar
    Monday, June 24, 2024
    6 – 7:30 p.m.
    Civic Plaza Community Room
    275 Main Street, Watsonville
    calendar
    Tuesday, June 25, 2024
    6 – 7:30 p.m.
    Live Oak Grange
    1900 17th Ave., Santa Cruz