All of Portland's 3,000 miles of residential streets now have a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour. Similar changes could be coming to more Oregon cities in the future.
"Crews installed the final 20 mile per hour speed zone sign on a neighborhood street in Southeast Portland on Tuesday, wrapping up a campaign to slow down cars and change the city’s driving culture dating back several years," reports Andre Theen.
"Last April, Portland formally lowered the speed limit by 5 miles per hour on all of its estimated 3,000 miles of residential streets," adds Theen to explain in more detail. "Crews removed 25 mile per hour signs citywide on those roads and installed more than 2,100 new signs across town in the past year."
The city of Portland is currently the only city in the state of Oregon with the legal power to lower its speed limit, thanks to state legislation approved in 2019. A bill currently under consideration at the state capital, Senate Bill 558, would give all Oregon cities that power, according to Theen.
As the rest of the state looks to Portland for lessons about the outcomes of the slower residential speeds, one large remaining question is the effectiveness of enforcement. The Portland Police Bureau is understaffed and speed enforcement is performed by triage. "Cops are focusing on high-crash corridors, those major streets like 122nd Avenue that see the greatest number of serious injuries or fatalities. Enforcing speed limits on neighborhood streets is 'a challenge,'" according to a bureau source cited by Theen.
FULL STORY: Portland wraps ‘20 is plenty’ effort, eyes more speed limit reductions
Speed Limit Reform Spreading Across Minnesota
After the Twin Cities lowered speed limits in the urban core of the region in 2020, a trio of suburban cities are planning to follow. Two of the cities are planning to set some speed limits as low as 20 mph.
'20 Is Plenty' in the Twin Cities
The first 20 mile per hour speed limit signs have been installed this week in the Twin Cities.
Portland Lowers Most of its Speed Limits to 20 mph
Portland has implemented one of the most sweeping commitments to traffic safety of any city in the United States: 20 mph speed limits over the vast majority of the city's streets.
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
Research Shows More Roads = More Driving
A national study shows, once again, that increasing road supply induces additional vehicle travel, particularly over the long run.
Judge Halts Enforcement of Anti-Homeless Laws in Grants Pass
The Oregon city will be barred from enforcing two ordinances that prosecute unhoused residents until it increases capacity and accessibility at designated camping sites.
Advancing Sustainability in Los Angeles County Schools
The Los Angeles County Office of Education’s Green Schools Symposium brings together educators, students, and experts to advance sustainability in schools through innovative design, climate resilience strategies, and collaborative learning.
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland
Newport County Development Council: Connect Greater Newport