By John Turner
Mt. Tabor residents have spoken, and so have the other neighborhood associations in Southeast Uplift (SEUL), the coalition of southeast neighbor-hoods: traffic is among the top concerns for residents here. No one wants traffic on their street; everyone wants it controlled. But what is traffic control, and how is it achieved?

Traffic control fits into the larger concept of transportation planning. Here, in Portland, we have committed ourselves to a multi-modal shared-use concept. Automobiles, bikes, pedestrians, and public transportation vehicles (buses, MAX, and street cars) simultaneously compete for road use.

With Portland’s commitment to high-density infill housing, there are now more of us on the same roads. Local and regional planners want us to shift from automobile use to other transportation modes, and many Portlanders are choosing alternatives to their car. More of us bike, and bike lanes are increasing to meet the demand. More of us use public transportation, and ease of access is increasing.

If more people are using alternative transportation, then why are more cars on our neighborhood streets? First, infilling residential areas means more of us living more densely in the same area; therefore, more traffic. Second, more traffic means more congestion, which means more commuters are cutting through our neighborhoods. Most often our traffic concerns are due to this cut-through traffic.

To achieve traffic control neighbors on several streets in Mt. Tabor have requested assistance with their transportation concerns. In response the Mt. Tabor Neighborhood Association:

• is working with those neighbors and the city on their specific transportation solutions.
• has established a neighborhood transportation contact.
• is creating a transportation page with links and information at www.mttaborpdx.org.

Remember, transportation has many modes. If you have any transportation questions or concerns, please email me at john.turner@mttaborpdx.org.