The City of Tigard did a speed/traffic study in the lower WSE neighborhood (from SW 72nd to the s-curve at 6985 SW Ventura Drive) 2/20-24/19. The results of that study show both the amount of traffic, east and westbound, and the speeds of each trip over the study period. Results, observations and comments are follow. Quick summary: we have a significant speeding problem in our neighborhood that we all need to address and solve.
WESTBOUND
- 1072 trips were made in this period. That is 268 trips per day average. This is 44% of the total trips.
- 570 of these trips were made at or below the 25 mph posted/legal speed limit; 51% of the total.
- 502 trips were made at or above 26 mph; this is 49% of the total westbound.
- 6 trips were made at 36-40 mph; 11 to 15 mph over the limit.
- 56 trips were made at 31-35 mph; 6-10 mph over the limit.
EASTBOUND
- 1361 trips were made in this period. This is 341 trips per day average or 56% of the total.
- 670 of these trips were made at or below the 25 mph speed limit; this is 49% of the total.
- 691 of these trips were made at or above 26 mph; 51% of the total eastbound.
- 2 trips were made at 41-45 mph; this is 16 to 20 mph over the limit!!!
- 5 trips were made at 36-40 mph; 11-15 mph over the limit!
- 101 trips were made at 31-35 mph; 6-10 mph over the limit.
OBSERVATIONS
- Speeding is a problem in the lower neighborhood. 50% of the traffic through the lower neighborhood is above the posted 25 mph speed limit. About 300 trips per day are made by speeders.
- Speeding eastbound is a bigger problem than westbound.
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- 51% of the trips are speeding drivers
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- 11 drivers have a significant problem obeying the speed limit: 10-15 mph over.
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- 2 drivers have a very significant problem obeying the speed limit: 15-20 mph over.
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- 108 trips in excess of the limit by 5-20 mph.
- Speeding westbound is a smaller but still significant problem.
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- 49% of the trips are made above the 25 mph limit.
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- 6 drivers came through at 11-15 mph over the limit.
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- 56 drivers came through at 31-35 mph over the limit.
COMMENTS
This is a Washington Square Estates neighborhood problem that we neighbors need to solve. Those coming through well in excess of the limit need to ask themselves why. I can think of no justifiable reason. Over the posted speed limit is “over”; it doesn’t matter if you’re going 5 mph or 20 mph over, you are speeding.
Over the speed limit endangers the children, property, and the neighborhood as a positive place to live. We need to decide, individually, what we are going to do about getting the number of speeders minimized and the safety of the whole neighborhood enhanced. WE are the problem; WE must fix it.
Respectfully submitted,
Terry Crawford
Vice-Chair, WSEHOA Board
Washington Square Estates 
Thanks for sharing this information. May I ask why the speed study was made ONLY in the lower Ventura? Why not the entire neighborhood?
And so now that the speed study results are out, what’s the prevention outside of the reminders?
I posted the 20 is plenty signs (4 total around the neighborhood). The only remaining one stands on my lawn. The others were questioned and taken down. I received those FOR FREE from the City of Tigard.
I was under the impression that the Board was going to reinstall them as Marilyn asked where to get them, but I haven’t seen them up.
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I had them do the part of the neighborhood I live in and have to deal with speeders in. I did it as a homeowner, not as an HOA board member but felt the results were important enough to share. With the Board’s permission, I did. Easy to get the same study done for the upper. Call the City of Tigard and ask for Christine (503-718-2468). A volunteer sets up the measuring device and then Christine provides the data…it may take a few weeks to get it done since the whole process is done by a volunteer and his schedule may be slow.
Yes, enforcement is an issue. My hope is that 1) we as neighbors care enough to self-police, 2) the data shows the City that the speed humps are not doing enough and they randomly show up with a radar gun and nail enough speeders that the word gets out. I also suggested to Tigard that the speed humps are no longer effective given the added 1/4″ or more of the slurry added to the street made the humps lower. No confirmation from the City.
Re the “21” signs…if we can’t get our neighbors to go the posted and legal 25 mph speed limit or slower, what are the odds they will go 21 mph or slower if it is not the law in Tigard (it is not)? The Board is not responsible for policing speeders and thus putting up signs that hold no weight under the law. WE are responsible for policing OURSELVES.
Thanks for your input and questions; always appreciated.
Terry Crawford
HOA homeowner and Board member
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Thanks for having the study conducted Terry. I’d wager that most of the WSE residents are mindful of the speed limit. I question how many of the drivers are just using WSE as a pass thru and are not WSE residents?
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