At a meeting last night of the Community and Schools Traffic Safety Partnership Coordination Council, PDOT announced three exciting new programs within their Share the Road campaign; a Speed Reader Board program, a Yard Sign Lender program, and an “I Share the Road Pledge” program.

Neighborhood Speed Reader Board Program
These “smart” signs show a passing vehicle’s current speed and according to PDOT they are, “Designed to bring more awareness about speeding and encourage drivers to slow down.” There are currently five of these “smart” speed reader boards available and deployment locations will be determined primarily based on speed and crash history and then by a citizen referral process.

PDOT has already begun a tour of these speed reader boards in neighborhoods around Portland to give residents an opportunity to see them in action (I saw one on Willamette Blvd. in North Portland the other day). The speed readers remain in the same location for seven days.

You can request a speed reader board in your neighborhood by calling 823-SAFE (7233).

Yard Sign Lender Program
These 18X24″ PVC signs are available for either a $25 deposit or free if residents sign an “I Share the Road” pledge (see below). Signs can be used for 15 days before they must be returned to PDOT. All signs refer people to ISharetheRoad.com and feature “Slow Down: Set the Pace” on one side and then include any one of the four messages below on the other:

[Yard signs available for lending]

“I Share the Road” Pledge Program
In en effort to call on people to make a personal commitment to reduce neighborhood speeds, PDOT will offer “I Share the Road” pledge forms. Here is the pledge:

• I pledge to drive a family friendly speed.
• I pledge to look for bikes and pass safely.
• I pledge to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crossings.
• I pledge to slow down and look for kids and seniors.
• I pledge to work with neighbors to make my neighborhood a better

All of these measures are meant to create awareness and action around reducing speed and making our neighborhoods safer places to live.

If you would like more information about any one of these programs, contact program manager Sharon White at (503) 823 7100 or by email, sharon.white [at] pdxtrans.org.