Vision Clearance at Intersections

Information
Graphic of an intersection and the minimum setbacks
Helping people see each other at intersections can improve safety for everyone.

Current Vision Clearance Work (September 2021-June 2022)

The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is implementing vision clearance at approximately 350 uncontrolled intersections on Portland's highest crash streets. We expect to complete this work by the end of June 2022. Learn more about vision clearance below.

Funding for current vision clearance work has two sources:

  • $80,000 from PBOT's fiscal year 2021-22 Pedestrian Small Capital Project budget
  • $200,000 secured in June 2021 by Commissioner Hardesty

PBOT typically applies vision clearance to streets only during paving and capital projects. Additional funding secured by Commissioner Hardesty is allowing PBOT to accelerate these changes on High Crash Network streets. The vision clearance guidelines, completed in 2018 and described below, apply to all paving and capital projects implemented by PBOT .

Vision Clearance Guidelines

Vehicles parked on Portland streets can block sightlines and make intersections tricky to navigate.

In some cases, we can make intersections safer by setting on-street vehicle parking away from intersections.

The latest Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) guidelines support setting back on-street parking at "uncontrolled" approaches to crosswalks on pedestrian priority streets. Uncontrolled approaches are the legs of intersections that do not have stop signs or signals. (Crosswalks can be marked or unmarked; under Oregon law, every intersection is a crosswalk regardless of whether markings are present.)

"Before image" showing the visibility of an intersection with a car parked up against the edge of the curb. "After" image showing the visibility after the parking is set back at the intersection.

Streets Eligible for Vision Clearance

Streets eligible for vision clearance are "pedestrian priority streets" that include City Walkways, Neighborhood Greenways, federally classified arterial and collector streets in Pedestrian Districts, and High Crash Network streets.

This is the landing page for the Vision Clearance Eligible Streets map. It shows the streets eligible for vision clearance. PBOT understands that this map is not screen reader accessible and is working toward a permanent solution. Due to the complexity of the information the map provides and the currently available map platforms at the city, we ask for your patience while we work on a technology-based solution. As we work toward providing that level of accessibility, please contact PBOT's Pedestrian Coordinator to reach PBOT staff who can assist you to get the data you need from the map. You can also contact PBOT’s ADA Coordinator at Lisa.Strader@portlandoregon.gov or at 503-823-5703.

Guidelines Apply to New Capital Projects and Private Development

We apply vision clearance guidelines to new capital projects and private development that PBOT leads or reviews.

PBOT also applies guidelines proactively as funding allows and evaluates intersection visibility in response to public requests.

Report Intersection Visibility Issues

  • Call 311 (503-823-4000 outside Multnomah County) to report an intersection visibility issue.
  • Call 503-823-5644 (PBOT Parking) to report parking violations, including vehicles parked within 50 feet of an intersection that are more than 6 feet in height (see City Code 16.20.130).
  • Questions? Please contact us.

Contact

Gena Gastaldi

PBOT Interim Pedestrian Coordinator
Gena.Gastaldi@portlandoregon.gov
phone number503-823-6142

Related

Report a Non-Urgent Traffic Safety Concern

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