Pre-Installation Study Results for 2026
The main goal of Tactical Urbanism is to objectively improve the safety of dangerous roadways and intersections. To prove or disprove the efficacy of any project, we must gather data to serve as a reference point.
We have conducted four speed studies and two yield studies prior to the installation of our projects this year. Here are the results :
Washington & Madison
Last summer, we installed our first project at the intersection of Washington & Madison, creating a new crosswalk and bumpouts that were not previously present. In November 2025, the delineators were removed and the paint left to fade. With the faded paint, drivers would sometimes, but not always, refrain from parking near the crosswalk. Drivers felt comfortable moving through this intersection at 24-26 MPH before an updated version of the project was installed.
Congress & Avon
It should be noted that prior to our own installation at Congress & Avon, delineators had already been installed at the southern side of the intersection, on both sides of the alleyway. We do not know for certain who installed them, but we do know the blue flower pots were installed and are currently maintained by Portland Downtown.
On multiple occasions, drivers would slow down to navigate around double-parked vehicles, bicycles, and those who were parallel parking. Drivers felt comfortable moving through this intersection at 22 to 24 MPH.
Hanover & Lancaster
Traffic at Hanover & Lancaster was very light. Over the course of 40 minutes, only 24 vehicles pass straight through the intersection. Due to a lack of datapoints, outliers may distort results.
Park & Weymouth
Park & Weymouth is better known as the “flashing yellow” in front of the Expo Center.
Drivers were comfortable moving through this intersection at speeds in excess of either legal (25 MPH) or safe (20 MPH) limits. The 85th percentile for eastbound traffic was 30 to 32 MPH. For westbound traffic, it was 32 to 34 MPH. While the 85th percentile is not an effective tool for setting speeds, and the State of Maine is in the process of moving away from it, it is useful in determining what drivers think is comfortable.
The high speeds recorded at this intersection significantly elevate the risk of death or serious injury to pedestrians and cyclists. It is our hope that our installation at Park & Weymouth will bring speeds at this intersection down.
