In this email
- Vision Zero resolution at Sept. 17 City Council meeting
- Updated Outer Division Safety Project Evaluation Report now available
- Save the date: World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims Nov. 16
- NW District signals and street lighting expansion
- Speed limit changes
- Ask a PBOT expert
- Teaching traffic safety at Portland State University's Transportation Summer Camp
- Free upcoming PBOT bike events
- Fall Traffic Safety Event, Oct. 13
- De-escalation Training: Interacting with Subjects in Crisis, Sept. 24
- Child Passenger Safety Week: Sept. 21-27
- Week Without Driving: Sept. 29-Oct. 5
- High Crash Network safety projects
- Access the latest deadly crash data
- Remember to say crash, not accident!
- Free Vision Zero materials and yard signs
- Personal safety community resources
- What we're reading
Vision Zero resolution at Sept. 17 City Council meeting
On Wednesday, September 17, the Portland City Council will vote on a resolution to reaffirm commitment to Vision Zero and convene a cross-bureau Vision Zero Task Force.
Interested in providing verbal testimony during the council meeting or submitting written testimony? Register online at least one hour prior to the start of the meeting.
Learn more about the Vision Zero resolution
Updated Outer Division Safety Project Evaluation Report now available
After completing its initial safety evaluation of the Outer Division Safety Project in 2024, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) has now updated the report to include new crash data.
The Outer Division Safety Project implemented critical multi-modal safety fixes on SE Division Street between 80th and 174th avenues in Powellhurst-Gilbert, Montavilla, Mill Park, Hazelwood, and Centennial neighborhoods. Elements included improved pedestrian crossings, street lighting, bike lanes, and more.
Initial report found significant improvements for pedestrians and people on bikes
The initial evaluation report found that the project delivered significant improvement in conditions for pedestrians and people biking. In 2024, 90% of the corridor had a crossing nearby and 29 of 30 bus stops had a crossing within 200 feet after the project constructed 17 new crossings. The initial evaluation also reported faster bus trips, more on-time buses, and a substantial decrease in top-end speeding west of SE 130th Avenue.
Crashes went down—especially where PBOT installed raised center medians
The updated 2025 report found:
- Crashes where raised center medians were installed decreased dramatically—a nearly 2.5 times greater decrease than all locations.
- Pedestrian crashes decreased substantially.
- Deadly and serious injury crashes lowered after accounting for area trends.
PBOT will update the report again in 2027 and 2029 as more crash data becomes available.
Read the Outer Division Safety Project Evaluation Report
Save the date: World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims Nov. 16
Each year, the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims honors those who have been killed and injured on roads around the globe—1.35 million people each year worldwide. This year, World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is Sunday, November 16. Check back in on this event webpage to stay up-to-date as the local event organizers finalize day-of details.
Learn more about World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
NW District signals and street lighting expansion
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) worked with the Northwest Parking District Stakeholder Advisory Committee to improve safety in the Northwest Pedestrian District by expanding “no turn on red” restrictions and Pedestrian Head Starts. Over the past few months, PBOT upgraded one or both treatments at 15 intersections using funding approved by the committee. PBOT also added accessible pedestrian signal push buttons at intersections with Pedestrian Head Starts to meet accessibility standards for people who are blind or have low-vision. PBOT completed construction last month. Engineers had to manage controller upgrades, signal timing models, and complex Portland Streetcar timing to finish the project.
What the treatments do
- Pedestrian Head Starts adjust signal timing to give people crossing a walk signal before drivers get a green light to turn. This makes people crossing more visible.
- "No turn on red" reduces the risk of people driving turning into crosswalks or bike lanes by prohibiting turns during a red light.
These treatments are relatively low-cost and can be combined to maximize safety for people walking and biking.
The Vision Zero Action Plan Update 2023-25 and PedPDX, the pedestrian master plan adopted by City Council in 2019, both called for expanding "no turn on red" across pedestrian districts. This approach aligns with the Vision Zero Safe System approach: systemic, redundant, and preventative safety measures. Targeted improvements like this can make walking safer and more comfortable in Portland's busiest pedestrian areas.
Speed limit changes
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is updating speed limits citywide to set safe travel speeds. Why? Because speed is a top contributing factor to traffic deaths. Safe speeds lower the risk of crashes, and when crashes occur, safe speeds make it less likely that people are killed or seriously injured. We track speed limit changes online.
Recent changes
Locations where PBOT reduced the speed limit in the past three months:
30 to 25 mph
- N Weidler Street from Ross to NE Grand avenues and 16th to 24th avenues
- N Broadway Street from Larabee to NE Grand avenues and 24th to 33rd avenues
30 to 20 mph
- NE Weidler Street from Grand to 16th avenues
- NE Broadway Street from Grand to 24th avenues
Upcoming changes
Locations where PBOT recently received approval from the Oregon Department of Transportation to reduce the speed limit. PBOT will post new speed limit signs in the upcoming months.
45 to 40 mph
- SE McLoughlin Boulevard from Franklin to Harold streets
- NE Killingsworth street from 450' east of 82nd Avenue to Sandy Boulevard
45 to 35 mph
- NE Killingsworth Street from 82nd Avenue to 450' east of 82nd Avenue
40 to 30 mph
- 138th Avenue to Marine Drive and Sandy Boulevard
35 to 30 mph
- N Basin Avenue from Going Street to end of the road
- N Schmeer Road from Interstate to Vancouver avenues
- N Whitaker Way from 122nd to 138th avenues
- NE 105th Avenue from Sandy Boulevard to Airport Way
- SW Bertha Boulevard from Barbur Boulevard to Chestnut Drive
30 to 25 mph
- Miller Road from NW Cornell to SW Barnes roads
- NE Killingsworth Street from 42nd Avenue to Lombard Street
- N Mississippi Avenue from Cook to Russell streets
Establish 25 mph speed limit
- NE 80th Avenue from Columbia Boulevard to Holman Street
- NE Holman Street from 80th Avenue to 82nd Avenue Frontage Road
- NE 82nd Avenue Frontage Road from Holman Street to 82nd Avenue
25 to 20 mph
- N Russell Street from Interstate to Kerby Avenue
- SE Belmont Street from Grand to 49th avenues
- S Corbett Avenue from Grover to Hamilton streets
Learn more about speed limit changes in Portland
Ask a PBOT expert
Our Vision Zero inbox is filled with thoughtful questions from community members about traffic safety—and our team strives to provide equally thoughtful answers. These exchanges often spark meaningful conversations, and we believe they deserve a bigger audience! That’s why we’re sharing some of these questions and answers in our newsletter, edited for clarity and brevity, to highlight insights and ideas that benefit us all.
Question: Why are you putting raised center medians down wide streets?
Answer: Raised center medians improve safety when used with other street design tools. Streets in Portland with medians have significantly lower crash rates than similar streets without them. For example, Portland Bureau of Transportation's recent Outer Division Safety Project Evaluation Report found dropped a 58% reduction in crashes at locations with raised center medians. National research backs this up: The Federal Highway Administration reports medians may reduce crashes involving people walking by 46% and people driving by 39%.
Medians improve safety by:
- reducing conflict points between all road users
- concentrating left turn opportunities at specific locations
- giving people walking a safe place to pause mid-block
- making crosswalks more visible, especially unsignalized crosswalks
- supporting safer driving speeds
- creating space for safety signs
Medians can also make streets more attractive by providing a place to plant trees or other vegetation. Street trees create a roadway narrowing effect that can have traffic calming benefits. The Oregon Department of Transportation has found that street trees can reduce all-severity crashes by 10%.
Teaching traffic safety at Portland State University's Transportation Summer Camp
Portland Bureau of Transportation's Safe Routes to School and Vision Zero programs presented to high school participants at Portland State University's Transportation Summer Camp, sponsored by the Transportation Research and Education Center. Since 2016, the free, week-long summer camp offers an immersive introduction to transportation careers and the workings of transportation systems in Portland. Students heard from guest speakers, developed data collection and STEM skills, and went on daily field trips.
Jeopardy! for driver safety
Meaghan Russell, Safe Routes to School's Safety Education and Outreach Coordinator, led a game of Jeopardy! to learn about driver safety from our Transportation Academy high school transportation education program. Campers asked incisive questions about regulation and the future of transportation safety. We appreciated the opportunity to present and left feeling optimistic about next generation of transportation professionals!
Learn more about PSU's Transportation Summer Camp
Free upcoming PBOT bike events
Reducing the amount of driving is core to our Vision Zero work. We can eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries in Portland by significantly changing the design of our most deadly streets to slow drivers—as well as making it easier for people to get around without a car. Traveling fewer vehicle miles is strongly correlated with safer streets. Below are several free events the Portland Bureau of Transportation created to help make biking more desirable and easier to incorporate into your daily routines!
New to Portland Ride: Southwest
Thursday, September 25
Are you new to town or new to cycling in Portland? Want to explore some of the best low-stress bike routes in the St. Johns and Portsmouth neighborhoods? Join the New to Portland Ride: Southwest on Thursday, September 25 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. starting at SW 37th Avenue and Texas Street. This is a 6-mile, moderate-pace (8 mph), no drop, loop ride. There will be some hills, and a few packed gravel sections, so come ready to pedal and make sure your gears are working properly!
Learn more about the New to Portland Ride: Southwest
City Bike Bus
Wednesday, October 8
Commute to downtown with the City Bike Bus on Wednesday, October 8! Community members are invited to join one of nine unique bike bus routes on your ride to downtown before meeting at Salmon Street Springs (SW Naito Parkway and Salmon Street) at 8:15 a.m. for a group photo, coffee, and treats. A bike bus is a group of students—but in this case, adults—biking to school—but in this case, downtown—together.
Learn more about the City Bike Bus
Downtown Commuter Social
Wednesday, October 8
Calling Portland employers, employee transportation coordinators, HR professionals, and decision makers! Join Portland Bureau of Transportation for coffee and connect with other employers about supercharging employee commute programs. Meet on Wednesday October 8 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Salmon Street Springs (SW Naito Parkway and Salmon Street). Chat with Portland employers who are leading the way for employer commute programs through programming, incentives, pre-tax programs, and flexible schedules.
RSVP and learn more about the Downtown Commuter Social
Winter Cycling Workshop at Lents Farmers Market
Sunday, October 19
Stop by the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) booth at the Lents Farmers Market (5718 SE 92nd Ave.) on Sunday, October 19 to learn bike maintenance tips and get information on biking through the winter! PBOT will answer all your bike-related questions and go over basic maintenance tips so that your bicycle runs smoothly all year long. PBOT will host two fix-a-flat demos at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. This event is free and open to everyone.
Learn more about the Winter Cycle Workshop at Lents Farmers Market
Fall Traffic Safety Event, Oct. 13
Join friends, family and neighbors for a Fall Traffic Safety Event Monday, October 13 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at SW 50th Avenue and Vermont Street. Build community, meet neighbors, and promote traffic safety near schools. Participants will display signage to encourage people driving to slow down and yield at crosswalks. Registration is limited to adult participants. This event is brought to you by West Hills Montessori School in partnership with Safe Routes to School, Portland Police Bureau and Maplewood, Multnomah, and Hayhurst neighborhood associations.
RSVP and learn more about the Fall Traffic Safety Event
De-escalation Training: Interacting with Subjects in Crisis, Sept. 24
With the increase in people on Portland streets experiencing drug-induced or mental health crises, Portland Police Bureau’s Behavioral Health Unit is offering trainings to help community members respond when they encounter someone in crisis. The goal is to help you de-escalate situations where safety may be a concern, understand available city resources, and respond with calm and confidence to support yourself, people around you, and the individual.
When: Wednesday, September 24 from 9 to 11 a.m.
Where: African Youth Community Organization, 2110 SE 82nd Ave.
Please email Captain David Abrahamson at David.Abrahamson@police.portlandoregon.gov or call 503-793-3837 if you plan to attend. Space is limited to 30 participants.
RSVP for the De-escalation Training
Child Passenger Safety Week: Sept. 21-27
Child Passenger Safety Week is recognized each year in September and brings heightened awareness to how parents and caregivers can keep children safe in vehicles. Car seats and booster seats provide protection for infants and children in a crash, but it’s important to make sure your child is in the right seat for their age and size—and that the seat is installed correctly. Use National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Car Seat Finder to make sure your child is in the right seat.
Get your car seat inspected
As part of Child Passenger Safety Week, National Seat Check Saturday— on September 27—is a day for you to receive free instruction on how to correctly install and use the right car seats for your children. Use NHTSA’s Car Seat Inspection locator to find a location near you.
Every day in 2023, on average, two children under 14 were killed and 345 were injured in traffic crashes while riding in passenger vehicles. In 2023, 43% of children killed in car crashes were unrestrained.
Learn more about Child Passenger Safety Week
Week Without Driving: Sept. 29-Oct. 5
Did you know there’s a nationwide event called Week Without Driving?
Communities everywhere are embracing this week and considering how nondrivers in their communities move. It’s a week to rethink how to build more accessible places for everyone. Reducing the amount of driving is core to our Vision Zero work. Traveling fewer vehicle miles is strongly correlated with safer streets.
So, mark your calendars, spread the word, and join us September 29 through October 5!
Learn more about Week Without Driving
High Crash Network safety projects
Portland Bureau of Transportation prioritizes safety investments on our highest crash streets and intersections in areas with higher proportions of people of color and people living with lower incomes. In 2024, 71% of traffic deaths occurred on the High Crash Network. We track recently completed and currently under construction High Crash Network projects online.
Learn more about High Crash Network safety projects
Access the latest deadly crash data
Our Vision Zero dashboard provides an overview of traffic safety improvements from the past five to 10 years—as well as data relating to our performance measures. Staff update the dashboard regularly. Preliminary deadly crash data is updated monthly, while other data is updated quarterly or annually, based on availability.
Learn more about the Vision Zero dashboard
Remember to say crash, not accident!
We want to change the way we talk about crashes and remind each other that they are predictable and preventable. A Vision Zero approach refuses to accept the idea that crashes are inevitable. That's why we're saying crash, not accident! Will you join us?
Learn more about why we say crash, not accident
Free Vision Zero materials and yard signs
Help educate the people in your community about Vision Zero, Portland's commitment to eliminate serious and fatal traffic injuries. Order and receive reflective stickers and pins, brochures, and fliers in the mail or pick-up a yard sign at the Portland Building (1120 SW Fifth Ave.). Materials are available in English, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Lao, Romanian, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
Learn more about how to get free Vision Zero materials
Personal safety community resources
We want to help create a transportation system that allows all people to feel safe getting where they need to go. We put together free, accessible personal safety resources for community members, including how to report a non-urgent traffic safety concern, report bias and hate, participate in a self-defense workshop, and more.
Learn more about personal safety community resources
What we're reading
- Why more communities are reconsidering speed limits from a pedestrian’s perspective (Streetsblog)
- Road safety for pedestrians and cyclists (NPR)
- In defence of Vision Zero — a traffic engineer’s perspective (Planetizen)
- Vision Zero Vancouver pushes for safer streets with bold new campaign (Momentum Mag)
- Automated traffic enforcement is more popular than you think (Bloomberg CityLab)
- NYC ‘ghost cars’ more likely to drive dangerously and owe fines, report finds (Gothamist)
- How a driving score turned road safety into a national game in Korea (The Korea Herald)
Parts of this document were drafted with the support of ChatGPT. The content was edited and fact-checked by city staff.