Originally Posted by
spare_wheel
you describe precisely what is happening in pdx. pbot engineers want to install signals/mitigation but lack the funds (or cannot solve conflicts with odot). what is galling is that even though they know the new infrastructure may create increased risk they are willing to "build it" in the hopes that some day they will have the money to fix dangerous gaps.
Part of the problem lies in the engineering standards that were created by and for motorists. Traffic engineers aren't allowed to put in stop signs and signals at cross streets until there is a so-called "level of service" demand. This loosely translates as no bridge can be built until people are swimming across the river. This catch-22 means that traffic engineers can't place the traffic control devices that are necessary to allow "bike boulevards" to function until there are thousands of people using the dysfunctional bike boulevards.
Locally, our traffic engineering standards are up for review this year. The traffic planning department wants to keep it at the administrative order level so they can keep control. Some of us are looking to bring in our elected officials to write them some specific ordinances to correct this problem. I'm not optimistic, and neither are the planners that I have talked to.