Rebuild Franklin Street Now

Last week also saw the lunching of a new campaign to increase awareness of pedestrian safety on thew streets and roads of Portland, and other Main cities. While the initiative appears to be focused on public service marketing, it can supplement essential efforts focused on street design, traffic law enforcement, and place making initiatives.
Reportedly, this program is supported by "millions of dollars". Hmmm.

ReBuild Franklin Street Right, Now!
, , , , , . , , , , , , , , , , , ,

https://www.newscentermaine.com/video/news/local/public-safety/maine-communities-launch-new-campaign-to-eliminate-pedestrian-deaths/97-d939e3dc-2ca8-4d6e-8488-c08d640cfee2

We were excited to be in Skowhegan on June 3rd for the unveiling of Transportation for Maine, a statewide coalition working for equitable and sustainable transportation options in Maine.
We know from experience that our successes are greater when the people of Portland can come together to advocate for our visions for our communities. T4ME has the opportunity to be a clear, consistent voice for safe and sustainable transportation options.

You can find out more, and become a member at the link below.

ReBuild Franklin Street Right, Now!
, , , , , . , , , , , , , , , , , ,

https://www.t4me.org

Last Thursday the City of Portland held the Open House/Kick Off event for Portland In Motion, a planning process to develop a new transportation master plan. It's a good idea to have an updated transportation plan, something to hold together the wide range of plans and initiative currently on the books, in process or that will come to be int he years ahead. A master plan also gives the city a chance to create vision and set some goals as to how we can best achieve that vision. We'll talk about this meeting more in the weeks ahead.

However, what we did want to share is that Planning Director Kevin Kraft shared with us that Maine DOT was reacting positively to the proposed reconnections of Oxford, Lancaster, and Federal Street and the other design components developed in the current Franklin Street redesign.

These reconnections were some of the top priorities for FRA in this study process, and having Maine DOT's approval would be a big win. Kevin said that he is now working to schedule a public meeting to collect feedback from residents about the proposed design.

Of course, FRA will work to keep folks about to date about this meeting, and any other related developments between now and then. In the meantime, we be reviewing our priorities when this process started so that we have some clear metrics by which we can evaluate the draft design. The public meeting will be one of the last best opportunities to inform the final design.

ReBuild Franklin Street Right, Now!
, , , , , . , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Let's make Portland's Franklin Street a place that can be treasured.

ReBuild Franklin Street Right, Now!
, , , , , . , , , , , , , , , , , ,

We recently reported on some new pedestrian safety equipment/signage installed on Portland's Franklin St. by the city, with funding support from MaineDOT. At first we could not find it, so we reached out to Portland's invaluable traffic engineer Jeremiah Bartlett, who shared the following:
"the "No Turn on Red" (NTOR) indications are dynamic; they default to off and activate based on specific signal phases. Specifically, the NTOR signage should illuminate when Congress Street has a red light. Similarly, the "Yield to Peds" indication is designed to appear during the pedestrian phase.

Additionally, please note a detail not included in the initial press release: the pedestrian crossings at Congress and Cumberland streets have been updated with a Lead Pedestrian Interval (LPI). This feature allows pedestrians to begin crossing before the green phase for vehicle traffic begins, enhancing safety at these intersections."

FRA believes that good design makes most signage unnecessary. We remain to be hopeful that the coming design proposal for Franklin Street will create the context for safer driving behaviors in a transportation corridor designed for all users. However, today's Franklin Street is dangerous, even deadly, and these interim measures are welcomed.

What permanent changes would make intersections like these safer for everyone?

ReBuild Franklin Street Right, Now!
, , , , , . , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Here is an example of a treasured street: Portland's Congress St. in 1921. 100 years later, it suggests urban vitality, a connected community, and a strong local economy.

What is a Portland street that you treasure, and why?

ReBuild Franklin Street Right, Now!
, , , , , . , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Portland is way overdue for a transportation plan. The most recent comprehensive transportation plan dates back to the 90s. In many ways, it was visionary, offering 2 possible futures for Portland. Unfortunately, we kind of took the road most travelled, and still trying to turn the tide on an auto centric transportation system (pardon the mixed metaphors).

So, let's try again! The city is hosting a project kick off and open house this Thursday, June 11th, at the Portland Public Library from 4-6pm. This will be the public's first opportunity provide input on what we want our transportation system to be in 20 years.
Everyone interested or concerned about how we live in, get around, and enjoy Portland should make an effort to attend. You can fin out more about this study at https://engagestantec.com/portland-in-motion, and sign up for notifications about the study.

We hope to see you there!

ReBuild Franklin Street Right, Now!
, , , , , . , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sarah Goodyear had also shared some panels from a 1939 issue of Action Comics, featuring Superman. In this issue, Superman declared war on cars due to the excessive violence and chaos that these vehicles were causing in cities. In this panel, Superman has found the driver involved in a hit and run, hides in the back seat, and then poses as a ghost of the victim to haunt the driver.

While Superman may in fact be an alien (illegal), he is also an American hero, who fought early on to make American streets safe for people. Remember that next time someone challenges alternatives to automobile transportation. Perhaps they are the ones who are "un-American".

ReBuild Franklin Street Right, Now!
, , , , , . , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Last week at Build Maine author and podcaster Sarah Goodyear referenced the writings and research of Donals Appleyard, the author of Livable Streets, as well as several other texts. Here is a great graphic that reflects the impact of traffic on human relationships.

In a 1972 study, Donald Appleyard showed how traffic rates influence social interactions & friendships.

People living on heavy traffic streets;
0.9 Friends
3.1 acquaintances

People living on light traffic streets;
3.0 friends
6.3 acquaintances

Prioritize people over traffic.

ReBuild Franklin Street Right, Now!
, , , , , . , , , , , , , , , , , ,

At Build Maine, author Sarah Goodyear shared some panels from an early debut of Superman in Action Comics from 1939.

Clark Kent finds a friend left dead on the street, a victim of a hit and run. Traffic deaths are rampant in the city. Speed limits go unenforced. Parking has run amok. Ultimately, Superman declares war on cars,, and proceeds to smash up problematic vehicles. This was the inspiration for the title of Sarah's podcast, The War on Cars.

Find out more about The War on Cars:
https://thewaroncars.org

ReBuild Franklin Street Right, Now!
, , , , , . , , , , , , , , , , , ,