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Intro to Pedestrian Infrastructure near PSU

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Intro to Pedestrian Infrastructure near PSU

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Portland is an old city that has had a more recent change in values that is rapidly taking place. One such change is increased awareness for the safety of non-automotive modes of transportation and the consistency and accessibility of their dedicated infrastructure. A short, pedestrian-focused walk of just a few blocks in southwestern Downtown north of PSU demonstrates this well.

I am familiar with this area and conceptually know where I am, but I have not walked these specific streets often and certainly have not done so with special attention to the details of pedestrian safety. While I am interested in the details of non-car infrastructure, like sidewalks, crossings, bike lanes, and signals, I tend to focus more on bike safety and less on the pedestrian side of things. Furthermore, when I do walk, I do not always notice details, for I do not experience any visual or physical impairment.

Noticing the details of the variations in crosswalks specifically is important nonetheless, as it causes one to realize the ways in which infrastructure affects those with impairments in mobility. Observing pedestrian safety near PSU is also symbolic of the greater change that is taking place in Portland in recent years, slowly transforming it from an old, small city with low traffic to a growing city with world-class concern for the safety of people moving by all modes.

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Newly rebuilt mid-block crosswalk with tactile, behind Lincoln High School.

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This crosswalk provides a safe and convenient connection between street parking on the right side of the street and the meter and other destinations on the left.

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A fresh, up-to-date perpendicular tactile pad is juxtaposed to the older, non-tactile diagonal ramp on the other side.

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Crosswalks with ramps perpendicular to the crosswalk are safer for people with impaired vision, because they lead directly to the appropriate crosswalk. Diagonal ramps that serve two crosswalks simultaneously are less safe because they create directional ambiguity related to which crosswalk the visually impaired person is moving into.

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This intersection has a variety of corner and crosswalk types, making for a scramble of factors that affects the pedestrian safety. Nearest the viewer is a tactile pad (pro) that is diagonal (con). This leads to a painted crosswalk (pro), which leads to a perfect corner: two separate tactile pads that each correspond to a crosswalk in a different direction. Kitty corner to the viewer is the least ideal situation: a diagonal ramp with no tactile.

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To start this intersection has all four crosswalks marked--yay! At the viewer's corner, to the left, and kitty corner: the least-ideal ramp situation--diagonal and no tactile. To the viewer's right, at least there are at two separate ramps, but no tactile. This intersection would be perfect with updated corners.

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All four crosswalks are marked. As far as the ramps go, the one where the viewer stands, as well as the one to the left (out of frame), were recently reconstructed to meet the current standard of having two separate ramps with tactile. The ones across the way are outdated, however.