In the heart of Portland, a dangerous intersection has sparked a much-needed conversation about pedestrian safety. This particular spot, where Franklin Street meets Marginal Way, has become a symbol of the urgent need for change. It's a place where, as one local put it, "Portland's purgatory" unfolds daily.
Myles Smith, the chair of Portland's bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee, has witnessed the dangers firsthand. He describes the intersection as a design flaw waiting to happen, and sadly, it has already claimed lives.
The death of Diane Bell, a 75-year-old runner, is a tragic reminder of the risks pedestrians face. Bell was hit by a driver who ran a red light, and her death has added fuel to the fire of advocacy for safer streets. It's not just about this one intersection; it's about a systemic issue that puts pedestrians at risk across the city.
The Intersection's Deadly Design
What makes this intersection particularly dangerous, according to Smith, is its complicated layout. A series of traffic lights in close proximity encourages drivers to speed, creating a dangerous game of red-light-green-light. Add to that the slip lanes and curved corners that allow right turns on red, and you have a recipe for disaster.
A City in Crisis
Portland is facing a crisis of pedestrian safety. Last year, five people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes, four of them pedestrians. This is a five-year high, and it's a stark reminder that the city's infrastructure is failing its residents.
The city has adopted a Vision Zero resolution, committing to eliminating pedestrian deaths. But as Smith points out, while the city wants to take this seriously, there's a lack of urgency. The number of projects in the queue is growing, but as we all know, change takes time.
A Nation's Transportation System: Prioritizing Cars
As Greg Jordan, an assistant city manager, puts it, "We often say it took 100 years to build the transportation system we have, which we all know heavily prioritizes automobile traffic." This is a national issue, and Portland is not alone in its struggle to create a safer system for pedestrians and transit users.
The Blame Game
One of the issues highlighted by Bell's family and fellow runners is the tendency of police reports to place blame on pedestrians. In Bell's case, the report states she "crossed against the signal," despite witnesses saying she did everything right. This raises a deeper question about the bias in our system towards drivers and the need for more nuanced reporting.
A Call for Action
The bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee has made several recommendations to address these issues. They want to see a crash response protocol, clear accountability for Vision Zero results, and a lowering of speed limits. They also advocate for automatic walk cycles at all signalized intersections, a simple change that could make a big difference.
A Long Road Ahead
While the city is taking steps towards change, there's still a long way to go. As Andrew Zarro, executive director of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, says, "There's a long road and we need to continue to take it seriously." The issue of pedestrian safety is complex, and it requires a multi-faceted approach. It's about funding, attention, and attacking the problem from all angles.
A Vision for the Future
The city's Vision Zero action plan includes long-term projects like a comprehensive transportation plan and citywide lighting study. These are important steps, but as Smith and the advisory committee argue, more urgent fixes are needed in the meantime. Temporary solutions, like traffic calming measures, can make a difference while the bigger projects are in the works.
A Personal Perspective
As an observer of this situation, I can't help but feel a sense of urgency. The stories of Diane Bell and Cynthia Karst are a stark reminder of the human cost of unsafe streets. It's not just about statistics; it's about real people's lives. And while I'm heartened to see the city taking action, I agree with the advocates that more needs to be done, and faster.
Conclusion
The dangerous intersection in Portland is a wake-up call. It's a symbol of a larger issue that affects cities across the nation. While progress is being made, it's not happening fast enough. We need to prioritize pedestrian safety, and we need to do it now. As Smith says, "I think a big piece of the problem is the choices we make about moving cars through as quickly as possible, and that puts people at risk." It's time to make different choices, for the safety of all.
