Some transportation and "placemaking" impressions from a visit to Portland, Oregon (18-22June2011).

1. Setting the tone for alternate transport at the Portland Airport

2. “Bicycle Assembly Area”at the Portland Airport

3. First impressions in the city: Portland is green with food carts everywhere!

4. Tri-Met Public transit bus stop

5. Next arrivals for bus routes serving the stop

6. Tri-Met Max (Light Rail) line

7. On-board Tri-Met Max (Light Rail) blue line

8. Tri-Met Max (Light Rail) blue line

9. New Max Light Rail line under construction

10. Go by streetcar!

11. Portland Streetcar & stop with sponsor info

12. Portland Streetcar stop

13. On-board a Portland Streetcar

14. Fare collection seems to be a problem & rarely enforced. All fare media is paper.

15. This Portland Streetcar stop is also adjacent to the lower level Portland Aerial Tram station

16. Mount Hood The Portland Tram is both public transportation and tourist attraction linking the upper & lower campuses of Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU)

17. Pedestrian bridge at OHSU: terrain dictates unique connections

18. Uneven edges on sidewalks throughout downtown were shaved

19. Public spaces designed for enjoyment

20. New public space in the middle of downtown incorporating a private use

21. Some unique public art scattered about the city

22. Portland is fairly bike/ped friendly

23. Dedicated bike-crossing

24. On-street bike parking is pretty common

25. Yes, there are street trees

26. Lots of street trees!

27. My impression: Portland is a beautiful city whose citizens enjoy its fun “sense of place”. The city is aggressively pursuing a variety of transportation options. Nonetheless, just like the rest of America, TDM opportunities remainas SOV use remains predominant.