Council approves pilot to limit right turns on red at high-injury intersections

The Portland City Council advanced a nonemergency ordinance directing the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) to evaluate and implement no-turn-on-red restrictions at signalized intersections within the city's high-crash/high-injury network.

Claire Adamcic, committee staff, summarized the ordinance and told councilors PBOT will deliver an implementation plan within 90 days if the ordinance is adopted, including a prioritized intersection list, estimated costs, funding sources and an equity analysis. "The ordinance directs PBOT to develop an initial implementation list of priority intersections...Within 90 days of ordinance adoption, PBOT shall deliver to council an implementation plan," committee staff said in summary remarks.

Councilor Koyama Lane moved and Councilor Smith seconded an amendment (Koyama Lane–Smith 2) narrowing the initial pilot to 30 intersections, clarifying per-intersection cost updates and adding an outreach and education requirement. The amendment passed 12–0. PBOT traffic engineer Wendy Cawley explained the high-crash network is data-driven and identified roughly 30 corridors for focused attention; she said past pilots have been adjusted based on community feedback, citing a recent change at 3rd and Alder.

Supporters said the measure complements Vision Zero goals to reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries. Mike Dennis of Oregon Walks testified in favor and thanked the sponsors. Council scheduled the ordinance for second reading and set a time certain of Aug. 12 at 9:45 a.m. for further action and reporting back from PBOT.

Provenance: Topic intro at SEG 338; topic finish at SEG 1188.