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Traffic
The City of Forest Grove receives many requests from citizens seeking assistance for slowing traffic and/or adding stop signs. All complaints or concerns must be submitted to the City of Forest Grove in writing.
Please include the following information in your letter:
- Your name, address, and phone number.
- The location(s) where you have observed the problem(s).
- The nature of the problem (i.e., speeding, traffic volume, pedestrian concerns, stop sign). Please be as descriptive as possible and be sure to include the days and times when the problems occur.
Review Process
All letters are reviewed by the Director of Public Works and/or the Traffic Control Review Board (TCRB). This committee includes the Public Works Director, Public Works Superintendent, Police Chief, Fire Chief, and Community Development Director. Their findings and decisions are then referred to the City Manager for final approval.
Oregon law is based on the premise that most people drive at reasonable and prudent speeds. The posted speed zones generally follow this principle. The methods for establishing special speed zones are based on engineering investigations.
State statutes give Oregon motorists the following designated speed zone standards:
- 15 miles-per-hour alleys
- 20 miles-per-hour business districts, school zones
- 25 miles-per-hour residential districts, public parks, ocean shores
- 55 miles-per-hour open and rural highways; urban interstate highways, trucks on rural highways
- 65 miles-per-hour autos on rural interstate highways
Speed zones in Forest Grove are made jointly by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the City. ODOT has the responsibility to investigate roads at the request of the City for speed zone changes and to make recommendations following established standards.
All of the following considerations are evaluated in deciding whether to propose a change or retain the posted speed zone:
- Accident history
- Roadway width and surface type
- Number of lanes
- Shoulders
- Traffic control (stop signs and signals)
- Number of intersections
- Roadside development
- Other considerations include parking and bicycle lanes
For more information, please contact the Engineering Department at 503-992-3228.
Forest Grove receives numerous requests for additional stop signs. Stop signs are intended to help drivers determine who has the right-of-way at an intersection. Stop signs are occasionally considered as an interim measure to a traffic signal where extreme congestion or multiple accidents have been recorded.
Stop Signs and Speed Reduction
Stop signs are not effective at reducing speeds and are not to be used for this purpose. When an unreasonable restriction is imposed, it can result in blatant violations. These violations may increase accidents because the stop sign may be ignored.
Stop Sign Installation
Sign installation recommendations are made by the Traffic Control Review Board and approved by the City Manager. Before decisions are made, City and State regulations must be considered by conducting an engineering investigation similar to those establishing special speed zones.
The following considerations are evaluated before a proposed change or addition of a stop sign:
- Intersection of a less important road with a main road where application of the normal right-or-way rule would not be expected to provide reasonable safe operation
- Street entering a through highway or street
- Unsignalized intersection in a signalized area
- High speeds, restricted view, or crash records indicate a need for control by the stop sign