July 2017
SOUTHWEST CORRIDOR PLAN
(Continued from Page 1)
operating costs were all examined in
the short presentation.
Marcia Leslie, of Far Southwest, was
later interviewed by The Post.
“The consensus I’ve heard from
neighbors,” Leslie said, “is that they
oppose self-driving cars, and buses,
along 53rd. Shuttle service is the least
offensive of the options, but still not
popular.
“Metro keeps insisting there will
be 1,000 people per day using 53rd to
get from Barbur to campus,” Leslie
said. “According to residents along
this stretch of street, this simply isn’t
true. Maybe a dozen people access
PCC per day now, if that.”
Metro planners say these options
still depend on the results of the draft
environmental impact study, the
budget, and capital costs.
“Buses and shuttles are important,”
said committee member Arnie Panitch
who represents the TriMet Committee
on Accessible Transit, “but a single seat
from start to finish is very important
especially for the elderly, disabled or
blind.”
Editor’s Note: Panitch was referring
to a proposed single track along Barbur
Boulevard between Portland State
University and Barbur Transit Center
which would have allowed TriMet buses
and light rail trains to share the same
roadway. Metro staff recommended
against this in a November report, noting
the added cost of $53 million and the
fact that buses and trains couldn’t travel
faster than 25 miles per hour on shared
roadways.
Panitch asked if autonomous
vehicles would operate all the time.
“Only during the college class
hours,” Bihn said.
The biggest committee concern
of the autonomous shuttles was
security. Bihn speculated that
someone, perhaps a student, TriMet
staff, or other person would be on
these shuttles.
NEWS
“Autonomous (shuttles) should
not impact traffic, noise, or safety of
the residents,” Bihn said. “They will
be electric and are much quieter than
the diesel buses.”
In an article in Consumer Reports
(Feb. 28, 2017) Jeff Plungis wrote that
the former Google self-driving car
project, Waymo, has been tested on
more than 2 million miles of roads.
Philip Koopman, associate professor
of electrical and computer engineering
at Carnegie Mellon University, is
quoted as saying there’s so much
uncertainty around the technology
that close to a billion miles of test-
driving data is needed to ensure safety
on roads populated with both human
and machine-driven cars.
“Today’s self-driving cars are
sometimes described like teenagers,”
Prof. Koopman is quoted as saying.
“It’s relatively safe in limited
situations, not nearly as safe as an
experienced human driver.”
Bihn commented that the project is
not due to be completed until at least
the year 2025.
“Technology will definitely improve
by then,” he said. “If technology fails
when these are built, a driver would
end up operating the vehicle.”
Kathleen McMullen of Portland
Community College said the college
SPRING GARDEN PARK
(Continued from Page 1)
foreman of the landscaping company, Paul
Brothers, Inc.
“The logs and boulders will be
placed back in the sandbox area,” said
Paul. “We are aware of the issues in
the neighborhood and are prepared to
produce the best project we can offer.”
According to the park bureau, a
parking lot will not be built. Vehicle
parking will be available along Dolph
Court and Spring Garden Street.
Both streets will be improved
by local improvement districts.
The Southwest Portland Post • 3
In March, an autonomous shuttle demonstration took place on the University of
Texas campus in Austin, Texas. (photo courtesy of Austin Tech Alliance)
wants the best transportation for all
students.
Responding to a question about
utilizing the existing PCC shuttle
buses, McMullen explained that these
are only used between the various
community college campuses.
“We’ll take this back to the
administration,” McMullen said.
“We like the 53rd Avenue shuttle at
this point.”
“Why does this decision have to
be made now?” asked committee
member Roger Averbeck.
Bihn said, “Not every detail has to
be decided now, but it would be nice
to be set on a decision before tracks
are laid.”
The next Southwest Corridor Plan
advisory committee meeting will be held
on July 10, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at
PCC Sylvania, College Center building,
in Fir, Elm and Oak rooms.
Sidewalks and storm swales will be
placed along Dolph Court from the
park west to 30th Avenue, near the
fire station.
The park will be closed until
construction is completed in six to
eight months. The area has been
cordoned off with a chain link fence.
“For safety reasons, we would ask
that while construction is going on
visitors should refrain from using the
park,” said Kennedy-Wong.
“We will be working hard to get
the park and the street frontage
improvements complete in
anticipation for a late spring 2018
park opening.”
Denied Benefits? Unable To Work?
We Can Help!
Helping
1000’s Get
The Benefits
They
Deserve
Fighting For Your
SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS
For Over 35 Years!
1
Do You Qualify
For Disability
Benefits? Call For
A FREE Evaluation
2
Assisting With:
- Initial Applications
- Denied Claims
- Hearings
3
We Simplify The
Process & Strive
For Quick Claim
Approval.*
You Could Be Eligible To Receive:
• Up To $2,671.00 Per Month In Steady Income Depending On Your Paid In Amount
• A Lump Sum Payment Of Benefits Owed From Back-pay
• Health Insurance (Medicare, Medicaid Or Both)
• Annual Cost Of Living Increases
Call Now For A FREE Evaluation
(844) 221-7524
Bill Gordon & Associates, a nationwide practice, represents clients before the Social Security Administration. Member of the TX & NM Bar
Associations. Mail: 1420 NW St Washington D.C. Office: Broward County, FL. Services may be provided by associated attorneys licensed in
other states. * The process for determining each applicant’s disability benefits varies greatly, and can take upwards of two years.