pacific nw transportation consortium region 10 Pactrans

This past fall, an Oregon State University class titled “Transportation Facilities Design,” taught by PacTrans PI Katherine Hunter-Zaworski, had a very interesting project. Students were challenged to explore parking issues outside the Majestic Theatre in Corvallis, OR from the lens of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This particular cohort of students, however, elected to broaden the scope and eventually to most of downtown Corvallis, with an emphasis on Second Street.

A total of thirteen students identified three tiers of improvements to make Second Street more ADA-complaint and more inviting to pedestrians and cyclists. The short term tier consisted of simple updates such as reorganizing handicapped parking stalls and changing time limits on parking. Medium term, the group suggested making Second Street a one-way to make room for a buffered bike lane. In the more long term, recommendations included bioswales in parking lots, adding bulb outs at intersections and adding mid-block pedestrian crossings.

In March of this year, the group had the opportunity to present their work to city staff and members of city boards and commissions. This project is a great example of an innovative look at how people move, and what impedes them from moving the way they would prefer. PacTrans institutions are committed to developing solutions to address the mobility needs of the Pacific Northwest, and in the educational realm, this is a great example of ways we are challenging our students to do the same.

You can find more on this story in the Corvallis Gazette-Times.