Elly Blue on the mic.(Screenshot) A new Portland-based transportation activism group, the People’s Department of Transportation (as in PDOT, not to be confused with the Portland Bureau of Transportation, PBOT), has released their first video and press release. I’ve heard murmurs about this group coming together but now it’s official (read their introductory blog post … Read more
Here’s the latest from PBOT: City and State Crews Gear Up for Next Storm System (12/19) Contact: Cheryl Kuck, 503-823-5909 (PORTLAND, OR) – The National Weather Service is predicting another severe winter weather event for the Portland metropolitan region this weekend. City and State crews are prepared to respond.
[Note: You’ll notice I’ve begun using the acronym PBOT instead of PDOT. That’s because the Portland Department of Transportation (which actually is the Office of Transportation but no one ever called it POOT) will soon officially become the “Bureau” of Transportation.] “If you had to cut $6.4 million out of Transportation’s budget, how would you … Read more
Ellen Vanderslice is the new Project Manager for the Bike Master Plan Update. The City of Portland’s languishing effort to update its Bicycle Master Plan just got a shoot in the arm. Ellen Vanderslice, an effective bureaucrat and well-known activist for people-friendly cities, has been selected as Project Manager for the Bicycle Master Plan Update … Read more
Here’s the latest press release about the storm from PDOT (also available online): City Encourages Commuters to Take Transit Thursday Expect variable conditions The City of Portland advises commuters to expect variable road conditions throughout the day Thursday and therefore to take transit. If you have to drive, pre-fit and carry chains in your vehicle. … Read more
The gravel-strewn bike lane on SE Madison.(Photo © J. Maus) Here in Portland, after the novelty of riding in the snow wears off and the fear of icy roads subsides, people that bike are faced with an unfortunate byproduct of severe weather — gravel. The gravel is a more eco-friendly way to deal with slippery … Read more
PDOT just sent out a lengthy press release that gives an overview of their status and strategy in tackling the ongoing issues created by this week’s severe weather. The full press release is below (scroll to the bottom for some biking and walking tips): City Crews Working to Clear Main Streets of Ice Neighborhood Streets … Read more
This chart from the City Auditor’s 2008 Service, Efforts, and Accomplishments survey shows that in some NE Portland neighborhoods, 29% of residents use a bicycle as their primary or secondary mode to get to work.— More graphics below —
PDOT’s Sharon White, shown here at a Share the Road rally in 2006.(Photo © J. Maus) Sharon White is PDOT’s pedestrian safety chief. One of the many programs she oversees is an ongoing “crosswalk enforcement action” campaign. Working with the Portland Police Bureau, White and staff at PDOT identify high-risk intersections and then employ decoys … Read more
“Sam (Adams) has directed (City Traffic Engineer) Rob Burchfield to indentify opportunities for a “high visibility” cycle track to be rolled out in Sam’s first 100 days as mayor.” — Sam Adams’ chief of staff Tom Miller, in an email to Metro Councilor Rex Burkholder There’s no denying that 2009 is shaping up to be … Read more
People of all ages enjoyed Sunday Parkways last June.(Photos © J. Maus) Details of Sunday Parkways 2009 are slowly leaking out of the Transportation Options division at PDOT. Last year’s event — which opened up a six-mile loop of North Portland streets to people and prohibited cars — was a ground-breaking success. In 2009, PDOT … Read more
Portland has been at the cutting edge of traffic design for many years. In America, with our stringent, car-centric traffic design guidelines, that means having engineers who are not afraid to push the boundaries of the status quo. The most recent example of this are Portland’s colored bike boxes. We weren’t the first city to … Read more