PEDESTRIAN USE ZONES
Administrative Rule Adopted by Bureau of Transportation Pursuant to Rule-Making Authority
ARB-TRN-8.09
I. Background
The Sidewalk Obstructions section of the Sidewalk Management Plan was adopted by City Council on May 6, 2010 by City Ordinance 183754. The main use of the public sidewalk system is to provide for the safe and unobstructed movement of pedestrian traffic (defined as the Pedestrian Use Zone). The City of Portland’s sidewalk system varies in width across the City. The preferred widths of City sidewalks are determined from the Bureau of Transportation’s Pedestrian Guidelines.
Currently, there are many areas that have sidewalks that are not of the preferred width within the City of Portland. The Director of the Bureau of Transportation is authorized by City Council through City Ordinance 183754 to define guidelines for clarifying, marking, and expanding Pedestrian Use Zones within High Pedestrian Traffic Areas as part of the Sidewalk Management Plan.
II. Rule
A. When City sidewalks are not to the preferred width, or have complex topographical constraints and the sidewalk does not safely support the main use of the sidewalk, due to other competing uses, the Director of the Bureau of Transportation may clarify, mark, and expand Pedestrian Use Zones within High Pedestrian Traffic Areas in response to a heightened threat to life or safety.
B. The Director of the Bureau of Transportation may determine to designate a sidewalk area in the following situations:
1. All street corners where the pedestrian use zone encompasses the entire area bounded by the extended frontage lines and the streets.
2. Locations adjacent to high volume or high speed traffic with no parking or furnishing zone or with narrow sidewalks with no buffer.
3. Locations where a critical mass of pedestrians warrant a wider area.
4. Locations at Food Cart “pod” frontages that create queuing conflicts.
5. Locations adjacent to parking curb zones to four feet from the curb to allow for access and ingress/egress of parked vehicles.
6. Locations at designated loading platforms for bus, Light Rail, and Streetcar to reduce conflicts of cross traffic for access, loading, and queuing.
7. Locations adjacent to active transit trackways for Light Rail or Streetcar with no travel lane buffer.
C. The High Pedestrian Traffic Areas are defined by the Sidewalk Management Plan and restrictions are in effect from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
III. Timing
This rule is effective on May 6, 2010.
IV. Reference
Pursuant to Rulemaking Authority under 3.12. Title 17.88
HISTORY
Adopted by Assistant Director of Bureau of Transportation February 28, 2014.
Filed for inclusion in PPD February 28, 2014.