It was helpful to see this morning's article on Mildred Lane.
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| Zooming correctly ID'd as problem |
But while the piece correctly identified excessive speed as the problem, the City seemed to sidetrack instead on the possibility of a traffic signal there. The City could hide then behind the MUTCD and its standards for a new signal.
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| Doesn't meet "the standard" |
Mildred Lane is overbuilt and too wide. The problem is speed the road design induces and seems to "forgive." Liberty too is built too much for near highway speed. At safe urban speeds, a new signal may not be necessary. Traffic calming and slower speed is an important part of any solution. Specifically here, and generally throughout the city, we need to talk more about speed and less about new signals.
Previously here:
- Notes on Mildred Lane from 2010, when it was already clear it was overbuilt.
- And a decade later, "Catastrophe on Mildred Lane Shows Problem with Road Design" (2021)
And elsewhere:
- This very early Strong Towns video, "Conversation with an Engineer" for more on "the standard." (2010)
- Also, from a coalition of urban transportation officials, NACTO on problems with the MUTCD. (2021, I think)
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From an August 11, 2022 Statesman Journal article regarding a fatal accident at the intersection in question: "The father of a teen killed in a car crash is suing the city of Salem for $2.8 million...." and "Through his attorney, Schumann (the father) accused the city of negligently causing his daughter's death". ""The City of Salem knew or should have known the roadways and their intersection were unreasonably dangerous..."".
It oftentimes takes a court ruling or out of court agreement to overcome the bureaucratic and political impediments to best practices.
The I-5 median divider matter is a perfect example. After a legal action by heirs of victims of a crossover accident sued, ODOT was ordered to install more of these life saving devices. They dragged their feet and a couple of significant persons died in Salem as a result. Their heirs were provided with substantial settlements. ODOT continued to delay providing the barriers until public outrage forced them to act.
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