city of portland 1120 sw 5th avenue, suite 800 · 4/19/2019  · 1120 sw 5th avenue, suite 800...

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ARNOLD CREEK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION c/o Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc. 7688 SW Capitol Highway, Portland, OR 97219 ArnoldCreek.org Arnold Creek Neighborhood Association c/o Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc. 7688 SW Capitol Highway, Portland, OR 97219 503-823-4592 www.arnoldcreek.org [email protected] April 19, 2019 Rich Newlands City of Portland Bureau of Transportation 1120 SW 5th Avenue, Suite 800 Portland, Oregon 97204 Dear Rich, The Arnold Creek Neighborhood Association (ACNA) greatly appreciates the attention from the City on the long-standing pedestrian safety issues facing our neighborhood’s residents. We understand the completion of the SW Stephenson traffic calming project is scheduled for later in 2019. The speedbump portion of the project, which were designed to slow traffic to 30 mph were placed in fall 2018 and while traffic speed collection has yet not occurred, we anticipate posted slower rates of speed along SW Stephenson. The feedback from residents who travel regularly along SW Stephenson note the significant variation of those speedbumps, particularly the bumps to the west of Stephenson Elementary School. The ACNA board passed a motion earlier this month to request Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) address issues of safety and consistency of speed cushions recently installed on SW Stephenson Street, as promised in the agreement between PBOT and ACNA from Chris Warner dated September 6, 2018. Rather than anecdotal evidence, we enclose data collected and mapped by our Board which measures the height variation between several of the bumps and the impact on an automobile traveling the length of SW Stephenson. The data showing inconsistent speed cushion profiles (Diagram 1) and inconsistent vertical acceleration experienced by cars navigating the cushions at the posted speed limit, 30 mph (Diagram 2).

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Page 1: City of Portland 1120 SW 5th Avenue, Suite 800 · 4/19/2019  · 1120 SW 5th Avenue, Suite 800 Portland, Oregon 97204 Dear Rich, The Arnold Creek Neighborhood Association (ACNA) greatly

ARNOLD CREEK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

c/o Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc. 7688 SW Capitol Highway, Portland, OR 97219

ArnoldCreek.org

Arnold Creek Neighborhood Association c/o Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc. 7688 SW Capitol Highway, Portland, OR 97219

503-823-4592 www.arnoldcreek.org [email protected]

April 19, 2019

Rich Newlands City of Portland Bureau of Transportation 1120 SW 5th Avenue, Suite 800 Portland, Oregon 97204

Dear Rich,

The Arnold Creek Neighborhood Association (ACNA) greatly appreciates the attention from the City on the long-standing pedestrian safety issues facing our neighborhood’s residents. We understand the completion of the SW Stephenson traffic calming project is scheduled for later in 2019. The speedbump portion of the project, which were designed to slow traffic to 30 mph were placed in fall 2018 and while traffic speed collection has yet not occurred, we anticipate posted slower rates of speed along SW Stephenson. The feedback from residents who travel regularly along SW Stephenson note the significant variation of those speedbumps, particularly the bumps to the west of Stephenson Elementary School.

The ACNA board passed a motion earlier this month to request Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) address issues of safety and consistency of speed cushions recently installed on SW Stephenson Street, as promised in the agreement between PBOT and ACNA from Chris Warner dated September 6, 2018.

Rather than anecdotal evidence, we enclose data collected and mapped by our Board which measures the height variation between several of the bumps and the impact on an automobile traveling the length of SW Stephenson. The data showing inconsistent speed cushion profiles (Diagram 1) and inconsistent vertical acceleration experienced by cars navigating the cushions at the posted speed limit, 30 mph (Diagram 2).

Page 2: City of Portland 1120 SW 5th Avenue, Suite 800 · 4/19/2019  · 1120 SW 5th Avenue, Suite 800 Portland, Oregon 97204 Dear Rich, The Arnold Creek Neighborhood Association (ACNA) greatly

Arnold Creek Neighborhood Association April 19, 2019 - Letter to Portland Bureau of Transportation

Page 2 of 5

Diagram 1

The Speed Cushion Height Study shows inconsistency in height and slopes of cushions.

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Page 3: City of Portland 1120 SW 5th Avenue, Suite 800 · 4/19/2019  · 1120 SW 5th Avenue, Suite 800 Portland, Oregon 97204 Dear Rich, The Arnold Creek Neighborhood Association (ACNA) greatly

Arnold Creek Neighborhood Association April 19, 2019 - Letter to Portland Bureau of Transportation

Page 3 of 5

Diagram 2 Acceleration Data shows inconsistency of experience driving over cushions.

Acceleration data was recorded using a seismic phone app taped to the car, driving 30mph over bumps, not using the wheel well. Over .5g is very jarring. There is over 100% variation in impact comparing bumps #2 (+/- over 1g) and bump #13 (+/- under .5g).

While collecting this data, our local fire department happened by. Diagram 3 shows fire truck wheels do not align with the cushion wells. The local fire station members expressed concern for public safety. The wells are not wide enough, are not equally placed from the center line and are not straight. The dual rear tires are not accommodated by the current wells and the jarring is hard of these vehicles and equipment. This forces emergency responders to slow to less than 25 mph to pass without potentially damaging their trucks. A neighbor reported observing an ambulance unable to navigate a cushion’s wells.

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Page 4: City of Portland 1120 SW 5th Avenue, Suite 800 · 4/19/2019  · 1120 SW 5th Avenue, Suite 800 Portland, Oregon 97204 Dear Rich, The Arnold Creek Neighborhood Association (ACNA) greatly

Arnold Creek Neighborhood Association April 19, 2019 - Letter to Portland Bureau of Transportation

Page 4 of 5

Diagram 3 Fire truck navigating speed cushions.

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Page 5: City of Portland 1120 SW 5th Avenue, Suite 800 · 4/19/2019  · 1120 SW 5th Avenue, Suite 800 Portland, Oregon 97204 Dear Rich, The Arnold Creek Neighborhood Association (ACNA) greatly

Arnold Creek Neighborhood Association April 19, 2019 - Letter to Portland Bureau of Transportation

Page 5 of 5

Neighbors have also reported concern for pedestrian safety because the speed bumps do not cover the entire width of the road and slope down on both ends. Vehicles have been observed swerving into the extended shoulder/pedestrian area where the cushions are non-existent. Photographs of the tire tracks left in the extended shoulder area can be provided.

ACNA greatly appreciates the attention PBOT has given to our long-standing pedestrian safety issues and requests PBOT follow-up as promised in the September 6 letter. ACNA requests PBOT examine the enclosed data, review these issues and recommend remediation addressing a consistent cushion specification that is comfortably navigable at the speed limit and is safe for emergency vehicles and pedestrians.

Sincerely,

Kathryn Daly, President Arnold Creek Neighborhood Association c/o Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc 7688 SW Capitol Highway, Portland, Oregon 97219

On behalf of the ACNA Board