TREC research addresses complex transportation problems by drawing on multiple disciplines, including engineering, planning, economics and design, from across the Portland State University campus. Use the search box at right to search for a specific project.

Research Highlights

Does Compact Development Increase or Reduce Traffic Congestion?

Reid Ewing Shima Hamidi
It is now widely held, even among many state transportation departments, that you cannot “pave your way out of congestion” (at least in the long run) due to highway induced traffic and highway induced development (sprawl). Therefore, any solution to highway congestion must be multi-faceted and must, in particular, reduce the need for so much vehicular traffic. From years of other research, we know that compact development that is dense, diverse, well-designed, etc. reduces vehicle miles… Read More

Evaluation of Different Curb Extension Treatments for Pedestrian Comfort and Safety at Intersections

Nathan McNeil Sirisha Kothuri
In a project funded by the The District Department of Transportation (DDOT), Portland State University is partnering with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to document and identify factors associated with road user safety and comfort at intersections with permanent versus tactical (both with and without mural art) curb extensions, as well as a set of control locations with no curb extensions. DDOT has over the last few years installed several curb extension treatments on different… Read More