4.5. Issue 5 (Consideration of SED Analysis and Recommendations) In addition to the Application, the Commission considers the SED Response and Joint Statement which reflects SED’s analyses and recommendations regarding the Proposed Pathway. With regard to the Application, SED contends as follows: a. On March 30, 2017, SED staff visited the site (two locations within the Qualcomm Stadium parking lot) and participated in diagnostic team reviews with SANDAG, the MTS, and City of San Diego personnel. b. During its diagnostic review, SED staff evaluated the proposed crossings for safety issues with respect to clearances. The industry standard for clearances is a minimum eight-foot vertical clearance, which has consistently been accepted by the Commission and is used in SED’s internal guidelines. c. SED concluded that the Proposed Pathway’s minimum vertical clearances will be no less than eight feet, with vertical clearances in most areas under the track structure exceeding this minimum height. As such, SED was satisfied that the proposed clearances are set at a safe height for bicyclists and pedestrians. d. Through direct inspection, SED staff did not find any safety issues, or other issues of concern, at the location of the proposed crossings. e. SED concluded that, because the Proposed Pathway is to construct grade-separated crossings, additional safety review is neither required by the Commission nor needed to evaluate the safety of the Proposed Pathway. f. SED believes that the proposed rail crossings are and as such, will provide safe access points for pedestrians/bicyclists to cross the light-rail tracks without coming into contact with train vehicles.
4.5. Issue 5 (Consideration of SED Analysis and Recommendations) In addition to the Application, the Commission considers the SED Response and Joint Statement which reflects SED’s analyses and recommendations regarding the Proposed Pathway. With regard to the Application, SED contends as follows: a. On March 30, 2017, SED staff visited the site (two locations within the Qualcomm Stadium parking lot) and participated in diagnostic team reviews with SANDAG, the MTS, and City of San Diego personnel. b. During its diagnostic review, SED staff evaluated the proposed crossings for safety issues with respect to clearances. The industry standard for clearances is a minimum eight-foot vertical clearance, which has consistently been accepted by the Commission and is used in SED’s internal guidelines. c. SED concluded that the Proposed Pathway’s minimum vertical clearances will be no less than eight feet, with vertical clearances in most areas under the track structure exceeding this minimum height. As such, SED was satisfied that the proposed clearances are set at a safe height for bicyclists and pedestrians. d. Through direct inspection, SED staff did not find any safety issues, or other issues of concern, at the location of the proposed crossings. e. SED concluded that, because the Proposed Pathway is to construct grade-separated crossings, additional safety review is neither required by the Commission nor needed to evaluate the safety of the Proposed Pathway. f. SED believes that the proposed rail crossings are and as such, will provide safe access points for pedestrians/bicyclists to cross the light-rail tracks without coming into contact with train vehicles.
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