Merced Station Conceptual Design and Planning

City of Merced
Public Information Meeting
October 5, 2010
 Agenda

1. Introduction ‐ High Speed Train in Merced

2. Station Area TOD Opportunities

3. Conceptual Station Area TOD Design

4. Merced Station Design Concepts

5. High Speed Train Station Examples

6. Discussion and Comments

Merced Station | Slide 2

Statewide High Speed Train System

Connecting from Merced to:

• San Francisco Bay Area
• Los Angeles
• Orange County
• San Diego
• Inland Empire
• San Jose
• Central Valley Area
• Sacramento

Merced Station | Slide 3

 High Speed Train in Merced

What are High Speed Trains? High speed train will

reduce travel times to
• Intercity passenger trains operating Merced from other train
destinations by 35-50%
at speeds up to 220 miles per hour
• Tracks separated from roads and
highways
• Proven Technology-Safe and Reliable
• Successfully operating throughout
Europe and Asia

Travel Times from the Merced Station

By Car By Train
To San Francisco 146 min. 91 min.
To Sacramento 114 min. 55 min.
To San Jose 84 min. 51 min.
To Los Angeles 240 min. 139 min.
California High Speed Train Concept Intercity Express, Germany

Merced Station | Slide 4

 Transit Oriented Development in Merced

What is Transit Oriented

Development (TOD)?
• Compact, mixed-use
development centered within
walking distance of public transit
• Housing, jobs, retail, services,
and entertainment are in close
proximity
• Located generally within a ¼ mile
to ½ mile radius of a transit
stop
• Promotes non-vehicular travel
choices and intermodal
connections Legend
1/4 Mile Radius Planning Area
1/2 Mile Radius Planning Area
Conceptual Merced Station TOD Location, 5-10 minute walk (1/4 mile to station)
Adjacent to the Transportation Center 10-15 minute walk (1/2 mile to station)

Merced Station | Slide 5

Existing Site Context

• Proposed in Downtown Merced, next

to the Downtown Transportation
Center
City of Merced • Train platform and tracks will be
elevated on columns above existing
roads and Downtown development
Downtown Merced

Half Mile Station

• Merced Station will be a terminus
Planning Area station in the first phase of the high
speed train system

Merced Station | Slide 6

Existing Site Context

Downtown Merced

Merced Station | Slide 7

Potential Station Planning Area

Station Planning Area Alternative A

Merced Station | Slide 8

Potential Station Planning Area

Station Planning Area Alternative B

Merced Station | Slide 9

Opportunity Site

Downtown Merced

Merced Station | Slide 10

Existing Land Uses 
Legend

Downtown Merced

Merced Station | Slide 11

 Agenda

1. Introduction ‐ High Speed Train in Merced

2. Station Area TOD Opportunities

3. Conceptual Station Area TOD Design

4. Merced Station Design Concepts

5. High Speed Train Station Examples

6. Discussion and Comments

Merced Station | Slide 12

 Vehicular Access and Circulation
Adapt & preserve the existing street grid and alley system in Downtown;
focus station area traffic on freeways and major roadways

Downtown Merced

Merced Station | Slide 13

 Transit Access and Circulation
Enhance the Transportation Center in Downtown Merced with access to high
speed rail and convenient connections to and from Merced

Connect the HST station

to UC Merced via shuttle
and bus services

Downtown Merced

Connect the HST station

to airport facilities at the
Merced Airport and Castle
Airport

Merced Station | SlideCity

14 of Merced
 Bike & Pedestrian Connections
Refine bike and pedestrian circulation with additional local bikeways and paseo
connections through Downtown Merced.

Downtown Merced

Merced Station | Slide 15

 TOD Design Opportunities 
Promote Transit Oriented Development in Downtown Merced
• Maximize the value capture of high speed train
service to the community with a high density,
mixed use development pattern
• Link economic development opportunities in
Downtown Merced to improved regional access
• Support district parking and shared parking
strategies to accommodate station area growth
• Provide development and infill incentives

Establish a high density, mixed-use Activate and connect the space beneath the
development
Merced Stationpattern
| Slide 16 train tracks
 TOD – Urban Design
1. Maintain the Downtown Main Street Development Pattern
• Build commercial buildings to the front property
line or back of the sidewalk; but allow setbacks
to vary from the sidewalk for displays, seating,
and other public activities
• Allow residential building setbacks to vary
between 0 and 15 feet from the sidewalk
• Maintain, enhance, and establish significant view
Commercial Building Line with Varying Setbacks corridors as a civic and community amenity

Typical Downtown Residential Setback The Merced Theater tower is an example

of a Downtown landmark
Merced Station | Slide 17
 TOD – Districts and Centers
2. Establish districts, corridors, and centers that create unique places and
enhance the character of Downtown Merced
Station Planning Area
Districts
• Transit Station Area
• 16th Street Gateway
Corridor
• Downtown Main Street
Corridor
• M Street Transit
Corridor
• N Street Civic Corridor
• Martin Luther King Jr.
Way Corridor
• TOD Residential
Transition Area

Downtown Merced

Merced Station | Slide 18

 TOD – Streetscape Design
3. Provide public realm improvements to the station planning area that
support and enhance the Downtown streetscape
• Plan for streetscape improvements associated with
station area development
• Include plazas, seating areas, and pedestrian
amenities connecting Downtown businesses and
destinations
• Provide plenty of trees, parks, open space, and trail
Streetscape improvements on Main St.
connections that provide an urban refuge in the
downtown
• Phase parking intensity as needed by station
development and expand the Downtown parking
district to include the station planning area

Seating area adjacent to the Downtown

theaters
Merced Station | Slide 19
 TOD – Sustainable Design

4. Promote sustainable design focused on integrating a whole system approach:

• Using LID techniques such as green streets, parking
swales, and permeable paving
• Promoting green building practices and landscaping
that optimize building energy performance and
operation and reduce potable water demand
• Promoting the use of public realm energy systems
such as parking area PV roofs or solar operated
parking meters and light fixtures

Merced Station | Slide 20

 Agenda

1. Introduction ‐ High Speed Train in Merced

2. Station Area TOD Opportunities

3. Conceptual Station Area TOD Design

4. Merced Station Design Concepts

5. High Speed Train Station Examples

6. Discussion and Comments

Merced Station | Slide 21

 Market Demand Analysis Projections

Station Planning Area Land Use Projections:

• Residential demand for 2,000 multifamily units in the
station planning area
• Retail demand for approximately 180,000 sf of retail space
providing a variety of retail, entertainment, and service-
oriented uses
• Office market demand of approximately 440,000 sf of
space Example of townhomes fronting the street

• 65% of that total occupied by private companies

• 35% of that total serving public sector office demand
• Demand for a full service hotel with 80-100 rooms and
conference facilities

Retail services with wide sidewalks and

pedestrian amenities

Merced Station | Slide 22

Potential Land Uses 
Station Alternative A
Legend

Downtown Merced

Merced Station | Slide 23

Potential Land Uses 
Station Alternative B
Legend

Downtown Merced

Merced Station | Slide 24

 Station Planning Area Conceptual Design
Infill Townhomes
Infill Townhomes
Highway 99

Station Mixed-Use- Office Station Parking Structure

Sierra Meadows & Retail Development
Office Development
Senior Housing
Station Platform

Union Pacific RR Merced Transit Station Hotel &

Station Arrival Conf. Center
New Bus Terminal Plaza
Mixed-Use Development-
Retail & Employment Uses Mixed-Use
Mixed-Use- Residential
Retail & Employment

Parking Structure w/
Mixed-Use Residential
Ground Floor Retail Lofts or Apartments
& Retail Development

Mixed-Use Residential Lofts

& Retail Development

Infill Townhomes

View toward Merced Station Entrance

Merced Station | Slide 25
 Station Planning Area Conceptual Design

Hotel &
Conf. Center

View Southwest to Merced Station from Downtown Site

Merced Station | Slide 26
 Station Planning Area Conceptual Design

Mixed Use-Employment, Retail,

Entertainment & Residential Center

Streetscape Improvements along 16th St.

View of Merced Station along 16th Street

Merced Station | Slide 27

Station Area Central Plaza
 Station Planning Area Conceptual Design

Hotel and Conference Center

Podium Condos (75-110 units/acre)

View Looking Southeast to Merced Station

Merced Station | Slide 28 Lofts or Apartments (20-40 units/acre)

 Station Planning Area Conceptual Design

Station Area Mixed-Use Development

Activate and connect the spaces

beneath & between the train tracks

View along the 16th Street Gateway Corridor

Merced Station | Slide 29

Podium Office Development
 Station Planning Area Conceptual Design

Detached Townhomes on a Paseo

Attached Townhomes

Proposed Residential Infill South of Highway 99

Merced Station | Slide 30

 Agenda

1. Introduction ‐ High Speed Train in Merced

2. Station Area TOD Opportunities

3. Conceptual Station Area TOD Design

4. Merced Station Design Concepts

5. High Speed Train Station Examples

6. Discussion and Comments

Merced Station | Slide 31

 Merced Station Design Concepts

Roles of a High Speed Rail Station

Transportation: Land Use:

Station as part of Role 1: Role 2:
the High Speed Facilitate access to Provide goods and
Train system: HST and transfers services tailored to
with alternate modes passengers

Station as part of Role 3: Role 4:

the Community: Encourage local use Stimulate and
of HST and public support sustainable
transit urban development

Merced Station | Slide 32

 Merced Station Design Concepts

Roles of a High Speed Rail Station

Transportation: Land Use:

Station as part of Role 1: Role 2:
the High Speed Facilitate access to Provide goods and
Train system: HST and transfers services tailored to
with alternate modes passengers

Station as part of Role 3: Role 4:

the Community: Encourage local use Stimulate and
of HST and public support sustainable
transit urban development

Merced Station | Slide 33

 Merced Station Design Concepts

Roles of a High Speed Rail Station

Transportation: Land Use:

Station as part of Role 1: Role 2:
the High Speed Facilitate access to Provide goods and
Train system: HST and transfers services tailored to
with alternate modes passengers

Station as part of Role 3: Role 4:

the Community: Encourage local use Stimulate and
of HST and public support sustainable
transit urban development

Merced Station | Slide 34

 Merced Station Design Concepts

Roles of a High Speed Rail Station

Transportation: Land Use:

Station as part of Role 1: Role 2:
the High Speed Facilitate access to Provide goods and
Train system: HST and transfers services tailored to
with alternate modes passengers

Station as part of Role 3: Role 4:

the Community: Encourage local use Stimulate and
of HST and public support sustainable
transit urban development

Merced Station | Slide 35

 Merced Station Design Concepts

Roles of a High Speed Rail Station

Transportation: Land Use:

Station as part of Role 1: Role 3:
the High Speed Facilitate access to Provide goods and
Train system: HST and transfers services tailored to
with alternate modes passengers

Station as part of Role 2: Role 4:

the Community: Encourage local use Stimulate and
of HST and public support sustainable
transit urban development

Merced Station | Slide 36

 Merced Station Design Concepts

Center Platform Configuration

Northbound Southbound

• Local trains arrive

• Express trains pass through
• Local trains depart

Merced Station | Slide 37

 Merced Station Design Concepts

Side Platform Configuration

Northbound

Southbound

• Local trains arrive

• Express trains pass through
• Local trains depart

Merced Station | Slide 38

 Merced Station Design Concepts

Typical HST Station “Footprint”

1380 feet 125 feet (typical width)

150 feet (typical minimum right-of-way)

Merced Station | Slide 39

 Merced Station Design Concepts

Typical Elements of a Side Platform HST Station

EXPRESS TRACKS WIND SCREEN PLATFORM CANOPY

STATION TRACK

BOARDING VERTICAL
PLATFORM CIRCULATION

STATION HOUSE &

CONCOURSE ENTRY PLAZA

125 feet (typical)

Merced Station | Slide 40

Merced Station Design Concepts

Site Planning Diagram

CURBSIDE

ENTRY TRANSIT
PLAZA CENTER
STATION HOUSE

UPRR CORRIDOR

NORTHBOUND PLATFORM

HST CORRIDOR

SOUTHBOUND PLATFORM

PARKING
 Merced Station Design Concepts
R Q P O N M

W MAIN
Downtown Site Alternative A
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT ENTRY PLAZA STATION HOUSE TRANSIT PLAZA
W 16TH

UPRR

W 15TH

STATION BRIDGE DOWNTOWN

PLATFORMS OVER UPRR TRANSPORTATION
CENTER

STATION W 14TH
PARKING CONCOURSE
SR 99 FREEWAY
Merced Station Design Concepts

MercedConceptual
W 16TH Station Site Plan
Site Plan
FUTURE STATION DOWNTOWN
DEVELOPMENT ENTRY PLAZA HOUSE TRANSIT PLAZA TRANSPORTATION
CENTER

STATION PLATFORMS

W 15TH

O P Q R

PARKING GARAGE / POTENTIAL JOINT-DEVELOPMENT

SR 99
W 14TH
 Merced Station Design Concepts
STATION HOUSE /

Merced Station Concourse Plan TICKETING

ENTRY PLAZA Station Concourse Plan

UPRR
SECURITY LINE
STAIR / STAIR /
ESCALATO ESCALATO
R R

BACK-OF- WAITING ROOM / PASSENGER

MEET & GREET / CHECK-IN
HOUSE CONCESSIONS & SERVICES

STAIR / STAIR /
ESCALATO ESCALATO
R R

VERTICAL CIRCULATION
TO PLATFORM LEVEL W 15th STREET

PARKING PUBLIC CONCOURSE

 Merced Station Design Concepts

Functional Relationships Diagram

STATION OPERATIONS STATION HOUSE

BACK-OF-HOUSE TICKETING WAITING ROOM MEET & GREET

PASSENGER SERVICES

PLATFORMS PUBLIC CONCOURSE

 Merced Station Design Concepts

Functional Relationships Diagram

STATION OPERATIONS STATION HOUSE

BACK-OF-HOUSE TICKETING WAITING ROOM MEET & GREET

PASSENGER SERVICES

PLATFORMS PUBLIC CONCOURSE

Merced Station Design Concepts

Station Cross-Section

90 FT
60 FT
50 FT 55 FT

W. 15THSTREET MERCED STATION UPRR CORRIDOR

90 FT 190 FT 90 FT
 Merced Station Design Concepts

Architecture and Urban Design

Merced Station | Slide 48

 Merced Station Design Concepts

Architecture and Urban Design

Merced Station | Slide 49

 Merced Station Design Concepts

Architecture and Urban Design

Merced
Page 50Station | Slide 50
 Merced Station Design Concepts
V U T S R Q P O N M Canal K MLK I H G
22ND

Station Parking / Scenario 1 21ST

20TH

19TH

R = 1/4 MILE 18TH

MAIN

16TH
UPRR
15TH

14TH
SR 99
13TH

7700 PARKING SPACES IN 12TH

THREE 7-STORY GARAGES
11TH

Merced
Page 51Station | Slide 51
R = 1/2 MILE
 Merced Station Design Concepts
V U T S R Q P O N M Canal K MLK I H G
22ND

Station Parking / Scenario 2 21ST

20TH

19TH

R = 1/4 MILE 18TH

350

MAIN
350

16TH
UPRR
600 220 220 220
15TH
350 700 2000
14TH
•

7700 PARKING SPACES:

SR 99
• 2000 SPACES IN 5-STORY GARAGE
13TH
• 700 SPACES IN STATION SURFACE LOT
• 12TH
2310 SPACES IN OTHER SURFACE LOTS
1190 AT 1000 AT • 500 SPACES IN SHARED PARKING
TH
11SHUTTLES
AIRPORT FAIRGROUNDS • 2190 REMOTE SPACES WITH

Merced
Page 52Station | Slide 52
R = 1/2 MILE
 Agenda

1. Introduction ‐ High Speed Train in Merced

2. Station Area TOD Opportunities

3. Conceptual Station Area TOD Design

4. Merced Station Design Concepts

5. High Speed Train Station Examples

6. Discussion and Comments

Merced Station | Slide 53

 HST Station Examples

Station Entrance

Taiwan High Speed Rail Station

Merced Station | Slide 54

 HST Station Examples

Station Platform

Beijing South Railway Station

Merced Station | Slide 55

 HST Station Examples

Trainsheds

St. Pancras
Train Station

Waterloo Train Station

Merced Station | Slide 56

 HST Station Examples

Station Concourse

Berlin Central Station

Merced Station | Slide 57

 HST Station Examples

Ticket Machines and Fare Gates

Merced Station | Slide 58

 HST Station Examples

Express Train Separation

Merced Station | Slide 59

 HST Station Examples

Commercial Activities Under the Trackway

Berlin Savignyplatz Railway Station

Merced Station | Slide 60

 Agenda

1. Introduction ‐ High Speed Train in Merced

2. Station Area TOD Opportunities

3. Conceptual Station Area TOD Design

4. Merced Station Design Concepts

5. High Speed Train Station Examples

6. Discussion and Comments

Merced Station | Slide 61