Caltrans previews transit-stop design guidance; committee presses for stronger bike safety and better data

Caltrans staff presented a detailed briefing on Complete Streets and new transit-stop design guidance to the Interagency Transportation Equity Advisory Committee on May 13, 2026, outlining how SB 960 work and district transit plans will shape transit-priority infrastructure and guidance through 2027–2028.

The presentation, delivered by Susan Lindsay, Alyssa Begley and Adrian St. John, covered Caltrans’ organizational roles on Complete Streets, the requirement to develop operational and design guidance for transit facilities, and the district transit-plan effort. ‘‘We’re really committed to that,’’ Susan Lindsay said of Caltrans’ aim to prioritize transit on the state highway system, and staff said guidance will be adopted and performance measures defined ahead of January 1, 2027.

Why it matters: Caltrans told the committee it is moving to integrate transit into its State Highway System planning and asset management and to adopt design and performance guidance that will influence funding eligibility and project delivery across districts. The agency described a two‑year district transit-plan contract (wrap up February 2027), a statewide summary report and conceptual project recommendations intended to accelerate delivery of prioritized transit access improvements.

Key details: Adrian St. John reviewed the funding context—major programs that can support transit and active‑transportation work—including the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP), which staff said has provided about $11.5 billion since 2015; the Active Transportation Program (ATP), which staff said has distributed roughly $3.9 billion over its history and expects roughly $600 million in the current cycle; and the State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOP), which staff said represents roughly $67 billion in a decade-long investment plan. St. John said SHOP now includes a discrete complete-streets program and that the 2026 SHOP four‑year program was approved in March.

Design focus and tradeoffs: Staff reviewed design standards and guidance sources—PROWAG, the Highway Design Manual, and Design Information Bulletins such as DIB 82 (ADA/pedestrian accessibility) and DIB 94 (complete streets guidance)—and described site-level transit-stop typologies (sidewalk stops, floating boarding islands and variants). They noted tradeoffs: floating boarding islands can reduce bus–bike conflicts but create new bike–pedestrian interactions and require space, detectable-warning design, and clear guidance for visually impaired travelers.

Committee response: Members, led by Martha Armas Kelly and Lisa Marie Alvarado, pressed Caltrans to prioritize protected (class 3/4) bike facilities over less-protected markings and to ensure grant programs and guidance are accessible to smaller communities. ‘‘People have died,’’ Member Armas Kelly said, arguing that policy must be translated into actionable, funded projects and that the Equity Index should be embedded into accountability and project prioritization. Members also flagged gaps in injury data for e-bikes and micro‑mobility, and urged Caltrans and partners to ensure local jurisdictions can access funding and technical assistance.

Next steps: Staff said district transit plans and a statewide summary will inform performance targets and that Caltrans will seek advisory committee input on transit stop design guidance as drafts are developed. The committee then moved to a walking tour of nearby stops in San Jose to observe in-field examples of floating boarding islands and sidewalk stops.

Sources and evidence: Presentation and Q&A at the May 13, 2026 Interagency Transportation Equity Advisory Committee meeting; Caltrans staff presenters Susan Lindsay, Alyssa Begley and Adrian St. John. The committee will have further opportunities to provide input during district outreach and subsequent subcommittee meetings.