-
Updated: Watching Paint Dry
Update: 4/3/07 This is now rescheduled for 10:30am on Thursday, 4/5. Original Post: 3/23/07 Actually, thermoplastic. Sam Adams has scheduled a press opportunity for the striping of new crosswalks on NW 21st and 23rd (weather permitting). Actually, this is pretty cool. It’s part of the overall set of safety improvements for main streets being piloted…
-
Drilling for Safety
I ran across the scene yesterday. I was pretty sure they were drilling a hole to anchor a center-line sign, as part of the pedestrian safety pilot program. Then this morning, there it was, a thing of beauty! [Location is the Streetcar platform at NW 23rd and Marshall.]
-
Crosswalks: It’s Culture, not Engineering
Finishing up a visit to the East Coast, I’m reminded again about my strong feelings about the way we treat crosswalks in Portland. We’re told by the engineers that adding crosswalks gives pedestrians a false sense of security. As an engineering principle, that may have some validity (although new studies question it). But it’s simply…
-
PDOT Devalues Crosswalks
Following a tragic pedestrian death in January, the NW District Association asked PDOT to implement a number of safety improvements, including striping crosswalks at all intersections on NW 21st and NW 23rd. PDOT has issued a draft report in response to this request. While the report does recommend a number of safety improvements, most importantly…
-
Safety vs. Convenience
A few months ago, a pedestrian was tragically killed on NW 23rd not far from my home. The immediate response from the neighborhood was to ask for lower speed limits and striped crosswalks at all intersections. The Tribune reported yesterday that the business association has withdrawn their support for the crosswalks. Apparently they are concerned…