Christopher Kao

My name is Chris and I am a resident of East Palo Alto. I serve on the East Palo Alto Planning Commission and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority Community Advisory Committee.

Fighting Illegal Dumping in East Palo Alto: A Data-Driven Approach

In 2024 there were 422 recorded illegal trash dumpings in East Palo Alto. I investigate systemic problems with scheduling large item pick ups, and I propose better enforcement strategies using video cameras.

March 06, 2025 - 8 min read

The Parking Problem in East Palo Alto: How to Report Violations and Free Up Space

If all East Palo Alto residents do nothing, then abandoned vehicles and oversized vehicles will literally not be enforced by the police department, which reduces available on-street parking for residents.

February 24, 2025 - 7 min read

How Reporting a Google Maps Error Reduced Cut-Through Traffic in East Palo Alto

Some East Palo Alto streets face heavy cut-through traffic as navigation apps route drivers through illegal turns. By submitting corrections to Google and Apple Maps, I helped redirect traffic to main roads, aligning with city planning efforts to reduce congestion in residential areas.

February 10, 2025 - 10 min read

Cycling Made Safer: Google Maps Now Includes All East Palo Alto Bike Lanes

Google Maps now prioritizes East Palo Alto’s newly added bike lanes for safer and more efficient cycling, benefiting both residents and cyclists from nearby cities.

February 05, 2025 - 4 min read

Unraveling the East Bayshore Bottleneck: How Inefficiencies at Laura Ln Impact East Palo Alto's PM Commute

I analyze drone video footage of bottlenecking at East Bayshore Rd & Laura Ln in Palo Alto, which negatively impacts East Palo Alto residents driving home during PM rush hour.

January 28, 2025 - 6 min read

Can Carshares in East Palo Alto Ease Parking Congestion on Our Streets? (Part 2)

If we can build a carshare network in East Palo Alto within 0.5 miles of any resident, the residents who do not use their cars do not have to own their car and this would reduce on street parking demand.

January 07, 2025 - 8 min read

Canopy Planted 20 Trees for Free in Our East Palo Alto HOA

This is a runback to share how to organize a tree planting in your HOA, how to overcome potential challenges, and how to get the approval of multiple stakeholders.

December 20, 2024 - 9 min read

Our Speed Hump Request Was Denied and It Would Have Qualified in Menlo Park

East Palo Alto's speed hump eligibility criteria does not allow for neighborhood connector streets. I make an argument that it should, to conform with Menlo Park's policy on the same streets.

December 18, 2024 - 4 min read

Temporary Traffic Circle Installed at Fordham & Notre Dame

The City of East Palo Alto's third temporary traffic circle has been installed at Fordham & Notre Dame.

December 07, 2024 - 2 min read