On December 27th, Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) crews installed two new request buttons for the NE Glisan Street bike crossing at 78th Avenue. Traffic engineers added these buttons at the curb edge, allowing cyclists to activate the rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFB) without dismounting from their bikes. Pedestrians have their own buttons to request the crossing signal on the west sidewalk corners.
PBOT installed an RRFB-controlled crosswalk at this intersection several years ago. Although it has suffered repeated damage over the years, many people have used the flashing beacons to cross NE Glisan safely without needing to walk to a fully signalized intersection several blocks away. Recent NE 78th Avenue crossing updates are part of the 70s Neighborhood Greenway project that intends to create a pedestrian and bike-friendly north/south route. The roadside-accessible RRFB activation buttons and new green-striped markings will help cyclists cross at this point. However, drivers do not always observe the flashing lights, and people should wait for traffic to stop before attempting to cross.
PBOT will install additional RRFBs at two Montavilla crossings for the 70s Neighborhood Greenway. Crews have nearly completed installation on SE Stark and Washington Streets at 80th Avenue. Those crossings can see significant traffic, and residents have wanted safety improvements on both streets for over a decade. Although an RRFB can improve vehicle stopping time for pedestrians – the Federal Highway Administration says motorist yielding rates can be as high as 98 percent, people’s experience in Portland is not always positive using beacons. However, despite many vehicles failing to stop, someone eventually yields, and that will help Greenway users cross faster and safer than if the RRFBs were not there.
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