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December 31, 2008
Classy Presentations
One of the perks that comes with publishing this blog is the opportunity to sit on the panel reviewing student presentations for the PSU/PDOT Traffic and Transportation class. I can't emphasize enough what a great program this - many neighborhood and transportation activists have graduated from this class.
This year, we are delighted to have four presentations from the class to present here:
- Shawn Furst and Lillian Karabaic are looking to make the NE Broadway bikeway at Williams safer (PDF, 2MB). The current configuration is the least worst of a bunch of bad choices, with bikes in the middle between two lanes turning onto the freeway. The presenters are working with PDOT on new out-of-the-box solutions and this has a high priority within PDOT.
- Matthew Hickey wants to make the crazy intersection at NE 72nd/Sandy/Fremont safer for pedestrians and more inviting for the local business district (PDF, 714K).
- Margaux Mennesson believes that a completely unorganized pedestrian crossing (PDF, 969K) on NE 28th may be the missing link in what could otherwise be a great pedestrian corridor.
- Tom Ricciardi wants to calm traffic on his local service street [NE 37th] (PDF, 1M) but is stymied by state law that says 25mph is appropriate on local streets (safety studies and practice in European countries would suggest 15mph is a lot more rational).
Posted by Chris Smith at 12:38 AM
Comments
December 31, 2008 5:13 AM
jim karlock Says:
Gee, when I took that class I did a presentation on the mass transit vs. driving. I found that:
Mass transit costs much more than driving (not counting the 80% subsidy)
LRT costs over a DOLLAR per passenger-mile when you include construction.
Light rail has a higher fatality rate than driving.
Mass transit saves little energy compared to efficient cars:
LRT is about equal to a car at 41 MPG and buses are equal to a car at 29 MPG.
It got a comment that "your figures are about right" from the Rick G..
Those facts have been expanded into PortlandFacts.com
Thanks
JK
December 31, 2008 8:26 AM
chrisw Says:
"Mass transit saves little energy compared to efficient cars:
LRT is about equal to a car at 41 MPG and buses are equal to a car at 29 MPG."
*Passenger* miles per gallon? Doubtful.
December 31, 2008 9:02 AM
Grant Says:
"Light rail has a higher fatality rate than driving."
That is true only if you measure human life in terms of revenue miles. In absolute terms, which is how human life should be valued, automobiles are far, far deadlier.
Do you work for an insurance company, Jim?
December 31, 2008 9:33 AM
Jeff F Says:
Grant Says:
"Light rail has a higher fatality rate than driving."
That is true only if you measure human life in terms of revenue miles. In absolute terms, which is how human life should be valued, automobiles are far, far deadlier.
The numbers are cooked anyway. The implication is that it is dangerous to ride light rail, but the fatalities are people who were struck by a train. The auto figures are almost entirely people who were traveling in an automobile.
December 31, 2008 10:49 AM
Lenny Anderson Says:
Traffic calming is key to making the City safe for everyone. One of the wonderful things about the snow last week was having fewer motor vehicles all going slower and more people out walking, skiing and making great use of our public rights of way. People make the City!
Kudos to these students who are suggesting ways to make our streets serve everyone no matter the weather.
December 31, 2008 3:32 PM
jim karlock Says:
Lenny Anderson Says: Traffic calming is key to making the City safe for everyone.
jk: Got any data to support that as opposed to designing roads for safety with things like:
wider roads (12 ft std.)
one way streets
getting traffic out of neighborhoods and on to freeways
All calming does is harras motorists on low accident streets while killing people by slowing emergency vehicles. That is why some cities are actually removing speed bumps these days.
Thanks
JK
December 31, 2008 6:03 PM
al m Says:
Mr Karlock-
When do I get my interview?
Al M
