University of California Institute of Transportation Studies

Infill rail transit stations are being implemented to improve access to transit as well as to encourage and support urban development and revitalization efforts.  The stations are relatively low-cost because they use existing track and equipment, but costs vary substantially depending on the complexity of the station design and its surroundings. Travel time savings can accrue to passengers using the infill station, but the added stop will increase time for some riders and may necessitate changes in equipment, schedule, or both.  Ridership at the infill station depends on the size of the area made more accessible as well as the amount of new development and intensified activity that occurs in its vicinity.  Findings from the literature and US examples are used together with a preliminary site assessment and interviews to identify the issues that would be raised by a proposed infill station linking multiple services in the San Francisco East Bay.   The concluding section summarizes factors that should be considered in evaluating the impacts of proposed infill stations and discusses the broader implications for regional planning.