Caltrans, the San Mateo County Transportation Authority and Caltrain will begin offering commuter travel time information system for Caltrain on the changeable message signs on US 101, between San Jose and San Francisco, which is one of the more congested corridors in the Bay Area.

The signs, which currently show the amount of time it will take commuters to travel to destinations along US 101 between San Francisco and San Jose also will display Caltrain travel times and scheduled departure times for trains at the Millbrae and Redwood City stations. Commuters can use this information to decide whether to take Caltrain or remain on the freeway.

Beginning Monday, July 2, the information about Caltrain commute times will be displayed on signs on north- and southbound US 101 at Millbrae Avenue. Signs on northbound US 101 at Whipple Avenue, in Redwood City are slated to begin carrying the Caltrain information activated in late July. Smaller roadside signs will be located prior to off-ramps at Millbrae and Whipple avenues, showing parking availability at the Millbrae and Redwood City Caltrain stations, which presently have ample parking. The system will only be activated during the morning and evening commutes.

Freeway travel times will be updated using anonymous information from FasTrak transponders and in-pavement detectors, and train times will be based on the Caltrain schedule. UC Berkeley’s California Center for Innovative Transportation developed the software that makes this service possible.

This pilot program is made possible through collaboration between Caltrans and the TA, which supports efforts to encourage alternate means of commuting throughout San Mateo County. The goal of the program is to reduce traffic congestion during commute hours and increase use of public transit. Success of the program will be measured by the parking occupancy in train stations over the next several months.

For Caltrain schedule and fare information, call 1.800.660.4287 (TTY 650.508.6448).