What will it take to make this crosswalk safe?

PORTLAND, Ore. - The intersection at the corner of Tualatin Valley Highway and Southwest 178th Avenue, right on the edge of Aloha, has a reputation of being dangerous and pedestrians say their lives are at risk every time they try to use the crosswalk there.

According to a DMV traffic crash report from May 23, one man was hit so hard by a car at the intersection that witnesses reported he was catapulted and did a cartwheel in the air.

"Oh, there's always accidents here," said Frankie George, who lives next to the crosswalk.  "All the time. I couldn't even count how many times. I would hate to count how many times."

The most recent pedestrian who was hit at the location was a 15-year-old boy who was launched into the median on July 4.  The driver said "he came out of nowhere" and that "she did not see him in the crosswalk." READ THE ACCIDENT REPORT

According to the Oregon Department of Transportation's 2009 traffic manual, and its criteria for establishing marked crosswalks on state highways, posted speeds should be 35 mph or less and traffic volumes should be less than 10,000 vehicles per day.

"Oregon state is violating their own state statute," said crosswalk user Devon Heard.

We checked with ODOT and they said according to a study done seven years ago, 41,000 vehicles pass by the intersection every day.  Speeds are posted at 35 mph but drivers have less than 100 yards to slow down before they come to the crosswalk.

Technically, ODOT is not violating its policy manual because they put a raised island in the center of the crosswalk.  But people who use it every day say the island doesn't help.

We put the speed gun on drivers to see just how fast they really do go through the intersection.  Most were going a lot faster than the 35 mph speed limit and some were even moving at highway speeds.

Is Anything Being Done?

We asked people what questions they would have for ODOT and they all wanted to know the same thing - what is it going to take to get a traffic or crossing signal at the intersection?

We found out that change is coming but it might not happen for three more years, according to an e-mail KATU received from ODOT spokesperson Christine Miles.  Miles did say a crosswalk signal could be built sooner if the state can find funding for the project but right now, it's not scheduled for construction until 2012.  Here are her complete responses to our questions:

Who made the decision to put a crosswalk at the intersection? Why?

The request was made to ODOT Region 1 Traffic Section by the ODOT Bike/Ped Section as a result of inquiries from the public. Region 1 sent a request for approval of the crosswalk to the State Traffic Engineer in May 2003. The State Traffic Engineer approved the request in that same month. It was installed due to concerns regarding pedestrian safety at this location, concerns that were being voiced by the public. There was a pavement preservation project repaving this section of TV Highway at that time so we included the crosswalk improvements in that project.

Does it violate ODOT’s own policies for crosswalks on state highways in regards to speeds and ADT’s?

No, this marked crosswalk does not violate ODOT's policies for marking uncontrolled crosswalks on state highways. Section 6.6.2.2 of the ODOT Traffic Manual provides guidance in ODOT's Traffic Manual regarding the "Criteria for Marking Crosswalks at Uncontrolled Approaches of Intersections". This section of roadway allows ODOT to install crosswalks where the speeds exceed 35mph and where ADTs exceed 10,000 vehicles/day. Those are "should" conditions where if we consider installing crosswalks at those locations (where ADTs and/or speeds are higher than the recommended criteria), then we should also consider installing additional pedestrian safety features such as bulbouts or median refuge islands. In this case, a median refuge was installed in addition to the required signing and pavement marking features.

This stretch of TV Highway is currently posted for 35mph. When the request was made in 2003 to mark the crosswalk, the posted speed was 45mph. There was a speed zone investigation in 2004 that resulted in the reduction of the posted speed to 35mph. This timeline coincides with the installation of the crosswalk and median refuge.

How many crosswalks does the state manage on highways? (is there a database?)

There is no database or list for all crosswalks on state highways. Please remember the unmarked crosswalks that are at other unsignalized locations are legal crossings for pedestrians by state law. This is clearly stated in the Oregon Driver's Manual. Unfortunately, many motorists assume that pedestrians crossing where they do not have marked lines on the roadway are breaking the law, but rather it is the motorist who is breaking the law if they do not yield to a pedestrian crossing the street if the pedestrian is at an intersection where the crosswalks are not closed (i.e. if there is not "Crosswalk Closed" signage). ORS 801.220 provides the legal definition of the term "crosswalk".

Several people who use this crosswalk tell me they have repeatedly called and asked ODOT to install a light or a bridge, and every person says ODOT officials informed them there would be no light installed unless someone dies and a bridge is too expensive? How does ODOT determine where crosswalk lights go? Is there a policy to avoid them because of costs unless (or until) there is a death?

ODOT installs and operates traffic signals in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), a national standard developed to ensure uniformity in the application and design of signals, signs and pavement markings throughout the country. The MUTCD contains a series of traffic signal warrants (criteria) used to determine whether the installation of a traffic signal is justified in a specific location. These warrants include minimum vehicular volume thresholds , pedestrian volume thresholds, crash warrants, school crossing warrants, etc. Of those warrants, ODOT most heavily considers Warrant 1 (8-Hour Vehicular Volume) when investigating whether a signal should be installed at any location. In looking at whether or not to consider a signal on a state highway, ODOT is bound by OAR 734-02-460(1), which states: "A traffic signal shall not be installed unless one or more of the warrants identified in the MUTCD are met or will be met consistent with the requirements of OAR734-020-0490. The satisfaction of a warrant or warrants, however, is not in itself justification for a traffic signal."

Previous investigations into signal warrants indicated that signal warrants were not met. The warrant analysis that was completed in early 2009 indicated that a single signal warrant was met, which allowed a signal request to move forward. The State Traffic Engineer approved our plan to install a signal in March 2009.

To install a signal or a bridge requires that a project at this location be included in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) list, due to the complexity and cost of either improvement project. There are many competing projects for a limited number of safety dollars that are allotted for STIP projects, so ODOT must determine the best use of those funds statewide. In the last round of STIP scoping (completed in 2008), a project to install a signal at this intersection was identified and is currently programmed to be constructed in 2012. If funding can be found earlier construction will begin sooner.