A temporary radar speed sign placed on North Ninth Street was left in place for 12 days and recorded 7,727 vehicle passes and an average speed of 26.8 miles per hour, a staff member told the Police Committee on Oct. 7.

The data are why staff recommended against changing the speed limit now, David Kerstein, a staff member who presented the study, said. “There was a total traffic volume of 7,727 vehicles during that time period, and the average speed was 26.8,” Kerstein said.

The results show a spread of speeds, Kerstein told the committee: 2,077 vehicles were traveling 21–25 mph, 3,501 were between 26–30 mph, and 1,196 were 31–35 mph. Faster travel drops off above that range. Based on that mix, Kerstein said the study “doesn’t support making any significant changes to that area with regards [to] traffic patterns.”

Why it matters: North Ninth is used by walkers, dog owners and others connecting several neighborhoods and has limited shoulders and few curb ramps. Committee members said the corridor’s pedestrian activity and sightlines make safety measures urgent even if average speeds do not justify a legal limit change.

During discussion committee members and a resident suggested several low-cost and community-led steps: better painted crosswalks with high-visibility bars rather than thin lines, contracting with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to use larger striping equipment, and targeted publicity around the study to remind drivers of the limit. Kerstein said public works installed a signpost for the radar sign and that crews also placed a 25 mph sign at the site.

The committee and staff discussed jurisdictional details. Ninth Street is county-owned through much of the corridor, while intersections such as Pioneer are city streets; staff said they would coordinate with public works and, where appropriate, ODOT to add durable crosswalk markings at College, Pioneer and other locations. Gary, a public works staff member referenced during the meeting, was identified as the contact for raising the work order.

A resident who spoke during public comment also raised wildlife and sightline issues on the corridor and suggested community service projects, such as working with Boy Scouts to clear brush along shoulder areas and consider targeted fencing or wildlife channels to reduce vehicle-wildlife conflicts.

The committee agreed to pursue painting and publicity rather than lowering the speed limit immediately. The discussion noted the local Transportation System Plan and an existing “Safe Roads for All” line item that could be a funding source for crosswalk work; staff said they would check whether the Ninth Street locations are already on that project list and report back.

Ending: No formal motion to change the speed limit was made. Committee members set follow-up direction for staff to coordinate with public works and ODOT on crosswalk striping and to return with any funding or schedule implications at a future meeting.