This morning, PDOT officially debuted a new crosswalk sign on 23rd and Marshall in Northwest Portland.
The signs, which I previously wrote about here, are meant to remind motorists that the law requires them to stop and stay stopped at all intersections, regardless of whether or not a signal or stop sign is present.
Rob Burchfield.]
On hand for the event were neighborhood leaders, PDOT head traffic engineer Rob Burchfield, and Lieutentant Mark Kruger and Commander Marty Rowley from the traffic division of the Portland Police Bureau.
These new signs are part of a broad effort by PDOT (which also includes crosswalk enforcement actions by the police) to improve pedestrian safety in Northwest Portland. Back in January, a woman and her daughter were struck by a motorist just a few blocks from this intersection.
City traffic engineer Rob Burchfield said,
“Sara’s death was definitely what started this conversation. That incident led to discussions with the neighborhood association and we asked ourselves, ‘what things can we do to improve safety in this area?’”
Burchfield added that these signs are still in test phase for Portland and the main concern is with durability. The other location they are currently being tested is at SE 7th and Center streets, where they’re already “pretty banged up.”
Former City of Portland Mayor Bud Clark also showed up to lend support. Clark — who has lived just in the neighborhood since 1968 (three blocks from the new sign) — was pleased to see something being done to make drivers more aware of pedestrians on this street.
From observing motorists for several minutes, it was clear that the sign works. Most cars stopped regardless of a pedestrian being present.
PDOT plans to continue their evaluation of these signs to make sure they will hold up to abuse and achieve the desired behavior. While the long-term outlook for their use remains “up in the air” according to Burchfield, he also said, “they look promising so far.”
German
Spanish
French
Italian
Portuguese
Dutch
Greek
Japanese
Korean
Russian
Chinese
Hi,
I think the sign is too specific and will give drivers the impression that the ONLY time they have to stop for pedestrians is in marked crosswalks.
A better use of money is to order signs that say: “ALWAYS Stop for Pedestrians at CORNERS” and incldes the amount of the fine for failing to do so and if the fine is less that $500, then the fine is too low.
Thanks for allowing feedback.
Joe
Comment by Joesph Warren — November 21, 2006 @ 4:59 pm