#1   The size of the intersection is the most overlooked problem in the BRT design plan. It's 20% larger than
       the current intersections in use on McLoughlin today.  Because of it's larger size, this type of intersection
       actually increases congestion because it takes longer for pedestrians and vehicles to cross.  Since there are
       only 60 seconds in a minute, every second of green signal time determines how many vehicles will cross 
       and how many will be left in line waiting for the next signal causing added congestion.

#2   The opticom signal system is another way to delay the traffic flow and increase congestion in our
      community.  This signal system was well studied by Metro's own South Corridor work/study group and
      they rejected it, yet it has re-surfaced on the BRT plan and Metro is still promoting it.   

#3   Restricted access driveways will block access to businesses.  The result is that many customers  will simply
      get frustrated by the added restrictions and will drive by the business rather than stop.  When this
      happens, local business sales will suffer and people will be laid off because of the lack of work.  Some
      businesses will just fail and move out. When you consider the cascading effect of multiple job and business
      losses in our community, everyone who lives near or works on McLoughlin loses.

#4    A 500' high speed bus passing lane that everyone can use is an accident waiting to happen. Here's why:
       You have just spent some money at a local business and now want to go home.  As you come to the
       driveway to enter McLoughlin everything looks OK.  Just as you start moving, something big comes flying
       by in front  of you.  Here's what happened, a bus changed from the travel lane into the bus passing lane 
       and flew by you at 40 mph.  Passing on the right is unsafe under any condition.   

#5   The open access driveway looks good on paper, but drivers will have some real problems dealing with this
      new design.  As you back up more traffic at intersections its gets harder to cross McLoughlin.  Adding the
      third (high speed) bus lane and a island only adds to the problems of crossing and increases the accident
      risk.     
     
#6   150' islands block access.  The use of islands was rejected by the community in the McLoughlin corridor
       study in 1999, yet Metro keeps bringing them back.  In the corridor study it was determined that they
       block access to businesses and they would caused more accidents than they would have prevented (ODOT
       records showed that the number one cause of accidents on McLoughlin was rear-ends followed by running
       red lights and improper lane changes).  Take a close look at the map at #6 for this driving scenario.  You 
       wish to make a left turn into the driveway as shown on the map.  First, you drive by the island.  You must
       slow down and almost stop in the left travel lane to make a 90 degree left turn (rear ended?).  Next, you 
       have to cross 3 lanes and a bike lane to get to the driveway.  (Hit from the side?)  Or, maybe the traffic is 
       backed up so bad you can't cross.  At this point, most customers will simply drive by the business without
       shopping in our community.  This is the fastest way to kill business and jobs in our community.

#7   15 x 120' bus platforms are unnecessary and a waste of money.  The average bus is 40' long.  Giving
      everyone plenty of room (3 x 3' space), this size platform will hold at least 200 people to load onto a bus
      that seats 40 passengers that comes every 10 minutes. 


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