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page 2 <br /> is the my reduction of automobile use that will significantly reduce the <br /> need fo expanding our transportation facilities, since our existing <br /> transpo tation network usually is adequate except for peak periods of 15 <br /> to 30 m nutes in the morning and 15 to 30 minutes in the evening. <br /> Another alternative mode of transportation encouraged by the traffic <br /> enginee ing division is bicycling. bicycle master plan for the city has <br /> been de eloped and will require the elimination of many miles of parking <br /> from ar erial streets in order to provide on-street bicycle routes. <br /> The ope ations section of the traffic engineering division generally deals <br /> with in estigations and recommendations made in response to citizen requests <br /> for ser ice. While it is our policy to respond to every request, the heavy <br /> backlog of requests often delays that response longer than either staff or <br /> citizen are comfortable with. In August, while investigations pursuant <br /> to 54 d fferent requests were being completed, 80 additional requests were <br /> receive . <br /> While t e division is dedicated to traffic safety and to filling public needs, <br /> we have had to resign ourselves to the fact that we cannot fill all needs <br /> or requ sts to the public's satisfaction. <br /> Our ref sal on occasion to install crosswalks is a good example of this <br /> <br /> r seeming reluctance on our part to acquiesce to public demand.. Our response <br /> to requ sts for marking crosswalks is cautious, for test after test has <br /> proved hat a marked intersection can be three or four times as dangerous <br /> as an u marked crossing. There are several reasons for this somewhat surprising <br /> statist c - high among them the fact that many people proceed in a crosswalk <br /> as thou h they were protected by invisible walls of steel, while in reality <br /> the lin s they put such faith in may not be visible at all to an advancing <br /> motoris For this reason we generally confine our crosswalk installation <br /> to scho 1 areas where both motorists and pedestrians have come to expect and <br /> depend pon them. <br /> Request for installation of traffic control signs such as "Stop" or "Yield" <br /> also ar treated with caution, for experience nationwide has shown that overuse <br /> of such controls increases non-observance of them and may breed contempt for <br /> their i stallation. Before a signing decision is made, traffic volume is <br /> determi ed by mechanical counters and intersection configuration and accident <br /> records are carefully considered. ' <br /> Traffic signals are installed on the basis of need in relation to funds available. <br /> Here, as with crosswalks and signing, overuse may result in causing, rather <br /> than preventing, accidents. <br /> Requests for street lighting are referred to the Eugene Water and Electric <br /> Board fo investigation by lighting engineers who recommend in regard to <br /> lightin location. If a majority of the affected residents are in favor of <br /> the proppsed lightingiand funding is available, EWEB does the installation <br /> and ther'after provides maintenance. The City of Eugene general fund budget <br /> includes over $200,000 per year to reimburse EWEB for street lighting. <br /> ~I <br /> II <br /> <br />