TREC research addresses complex transportation problems by drawing on multiple disciplines, including engineering, planning, economics and design, from across the Portland State University campus. Use the search box at right to search for a specific project.
NOTE: If you're looking for projects from our partner campuses, use the NITC research search.
Research Highlights
Effect of Residential Street Speed Limit Reduction from 25 to 20 mi/hr on Driving Speeds in Portland, Oregon
Christopher Monsere
Sirisha Kothuri , Jason Anderson
In 2015, the City of Portland adopted Vision Zero's objective of eliminating transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries. Speed, through analysis of crash data, was determined to be a contributing factor in 47% of the fatal crashes observed in Portland. Thus, one of the pillars in the Vision Zero Action Plan is reductions in motor vehicle speeds. The Portland City Council approved an ordinance reducing the speed limit on all residential streets to 20 miles per hour (mph) in January...
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Advancing Safety At Intersections: Measuring The Effectiveness Of Traffic Signal Strategies For Speed Management On Operations And Safety
Sirisha Kothuri
Many states are adopting the Safe System approach (USDOT, 2022) to improve traffic safety. As the role of speed in injury severity is becoming increasingly clear, one of the key elements of a Safe System approach is Safer Speeds. Specifically, higher motor vehicle speeds lead to higher injury severity during a collision, especially for nonmotorized users (Rosén and Sander 2009; Tefft 2013) who are the most vulnerable users in the transportation system. Most pedestrian crashes occur on higher-...
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