Naito & Clay (coming out of Waterfront Park)

[Blake Goud]

This is a dangerous intersection that I have had many, many close calls.  I sent the following email to SA...@portlandoregon.gov and would appreciate if anyone else has had similar issues if you could send something similar about your experiences to SA...@portlandoregon.gov or call it in to 503-823-SAFE. 

Blake

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Blake Goud <blake...@gmail.com>
Date: Mon Jan 26 2015 at 10:46:12 PM
Subject: SW Naito & SW Clay
To: PDOT Traffic Safety and Livability <sa...@portlandoregon.gov>


Hi, 

I have had many troubles in this intersection and from conversations I have had with others who work in my office building (1500 SW 1st, the Crown Plaza), my problems are not alone.  The primary issues arise from the traffic entering the intersection either to turn N onto Naito to access the Hawthorne Bridge (there are two right turn lanes able to turn right on red) and turning S onto Naito crossing a crosswalk that drivers tend to disregard the possibility that pedestrians and bicycles may be using the crosswalk and will have priority). The intersection looks like this from above with the trouble spots indicated by green shading or arrows. 

1) Right turn onto Naito: Drivers making this turn are looking left at car traffic not right and ignore the little, sign indicating "RIGHT TURN YIELD TO PEDS & BIKE" across the intersection (the sign hanging in the Google Street View cutout).  I have been stuck between two cars decidign to go while I am between the right two lanes and have been nearly struck by a car many times. This intersection should be "NO RIGHT TURN ON RED" to protect pedestrians and people on bikes coming off of Waterfront Park. 

2) Left turn onto Naito: Very frequently drivers will turn without looking.  I was almost hit tonight by a left turning car who cut across the NB left turn lane to make a quick turn onto Naito who didn't look to see if anyone was in the cross walk.  Either a dedicated left turn light (kept red when pedestrians are waiting) should be installed or an LPI to give pedestrians time to get across the SB lanes should be installed.  

Please address these issues as soon as possible as they address a large number of people on foot and on bike and put them at serious risk as they cross to get onto or come out of Waterfront Park.  

Thank you.

Blake Goud

[Chris Hufnagel]

Unfortunately I got hit at this location today.   Same situation, I was heading south on the sidewalk when a drive in the right lane is looking left down naito and ends up turning right on naito without looking.  

Appears to only be minor damage to my bicycle and myself but now I have to invest in a horn to cross this section of Portland for distracted drivers.

I have submitted a letter as well.   

[Blake Goud]

Hope you're ok Chris, I passed your story along to the engineer at PBOT who I have been discussing this intersection with and who is designing changes.  Here are their plans to improve the intersection, both immediately (signs should be up in the next 1-2 weeks I think from the timeline they gave when I asked).   Everyone who is familiar with the intersection should either post their comments here and I'll pass along to PBOT or email sa...@portlandoregon.gov

Blake

-------------------------------

Hi Blake,

 

After some discussion, we would like to start with the attached design.  I would like to ask for your help keeping an eye on the intersection and providing updates after the signage is installed to see how it’s working.  In the meantime, I’m going to keep asking that signals install the part-time restriction (PTR) NO TURN ON RED sign.  I will follow up with our traffic design group as well to see if there is an opportunity for green paint in the crosswalk, or another striping change to help provide awareness to drivers turning right here.

 

Thanks again for your thoughtfulness here and I look forward to hearing updates from you soon,

…

Mark Haines

City of Portland Bureau of Transportation

Senior Engineering Associate

[Scott Kocher]

Blake, it looks to me like the "LOOK" advisory sign proposed by Mark Haines has the bike symbol with the "rider" heading to the driver's right while the biggest crash risk is with riders heading to the driver's left. Flipping the symbol left-right might help. 

Also, if an LPI (leading pedestrian interval) is considered, it should be weighed (1) whether the LPI deprives the person crossing on foot or bike of the opportunity to make eye contact with the inattentive driver who may be looking only for vehicle traffic from the left, and/or (2) whether it is phased too short so the ped may be in the driver's path when the driver gets green.

Scott

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