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Addressing issues of safety and security in the pedestrian network is important, particularly in areas where people do not have other transportation options and in areas that have historically been underserved.
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ACTION 12.1: Increase lighting per new street lighting level guidelines, focusing investment in underserved communities.
Measures of Success: Decrease in pedestrian crashes at night in areas identified through PBOT’s Equity Matrix as having high concentrations of communities of concern; Number of street light improvements in total and in areas of concern
Status: In Progress
- PBOT’s Signals and Street Lighting (SSL) team recently finished a three-year, city-wide LED conversion of more than 50,000 streetlights. This investment was primarily funded through future savings on energy consumption and maintenance/repair.
- As part of the Outer Division Safety Project, the City supplemented existing lighting on outer SE Division (82nd to 174th) that will improve the uniformity of lighting in this corridor.
- PBOT performs an equity analysis using its Equity Matrix to inform lighting improvements. The matrix considers the demographic variables of race, income and limited English proficiency within Census block groups in Portland.
- The City’s development code requires privately or publicly funded projects with streetlights corresponding to City lighting standards. Designs, Strategy 12 Address public safety and security concerns for people walking on City sidewalks plans, and specifications for streetlights to be installed or altered shall be first approved by PBOT. The full cost of providing the street lighting improvements shall be paid by the permittee or funding source used for the street construction costs.
- Engineering staff in PBOT’s Signals, Street Lighting and ITS division conduct monthly “night drives” to evaluate lighting needs and identify street light outages. PBOT also coordinates with City partners to prune overhanging foliage when it seriously obstructs the light intended for the pavement and sidewalk.
ACTION 12.2: Partner with other agencies and City bureaus to advance the well-being and personal security of vulnerable communities as they use Portland transportation infrastructure.
Measure of Success: Partnerships formed with other agencies to address personal safety concerns in the right of way
Status: In Progress
- PBOT staff have an ongoing collaboration with Multnomah County REACH staff to talk through projects and engagement efforts. During the Safe Streets Initiative planning work (PBOT’s COVID-19 response), PBOT and Multnomah County REACH staff worked together to identify and prioritize interim curb extensions based on feedback heard from REACH constituents.
- Through a National Safety Council grant, PBOT is coordinating with community partners to develop a toolbox of actions that can advance personal safety and a sense of belonging for vulnerable community members in the right-of-way. The toolbox will be completed in 2023.
ACTION 12.3: Continue research on racial bias and driving behavior.
Measure of Success: Collaboration with universities to research racial bias in transportation behavior
Status: No Action