As winter weather approaches Portland, planning a safe trip becomes essential to getting where you need to go while not creating more hazards on the road for the people that must be out during inclement conditions. Switching to public transportation is among the best options for drivers without adequate traction devices or winter driving skills. TriMet created a dedicated website page at trimet.org/winterweather with information about traveling in the region during snow and ice events. Traveling by foot to the bus stop or other neighborhood locations will also require some planning, including traction devices for boots and dressing in warm layers. If driving is required, people should use the Portland Bureau of Transportation’s (PBOT) Plow Activity and Routs map to travel on well-cleared streets for most of their journey.
Conditions can change quickly in any winter weather event, and travelers must stay informed. Transit riders should follow trimet.org/alerts. Although buses will follow their regular routes as long as the streets are safe, bus drivers may have to change stop locations. If a stop is on a hill or in an unsafe area, bus drivers may want to pick up riders at a nearby location on level ground. Transit users will want to check for route cancelations due to road conditions often, and dress for prolonged waits in the elements. TriMet says MAX trains typically run well in snow, but many need to adjust frequency or line length to prevent ice buildup on overhead wires interfering with operations.
Good winter boots can help most Portlanders through the powdery snow, but ice is another issue. The first day of snow can be easy to manage with basic footwear, but an overnight freeze of compacted slush or freezing rain makes our sidewalks and roads hazardous. Investing in a pair of Yaktrax or similar walking traction cleats helps people traverse most ice conditions. The cleats stretch over a shoe’s sole, providing a biting grip when needed, and can come off when indoors. People should charge phones before leaving and keep devices in an inner pocket. Cold significantly reduces the charge in a phone’s lithium-ion battery, causing people to lose access to the device that can help them identify safe routes or see transit delays. A phone user’s body heat provided by an inner pocket can warm that device when not in use, particularly when people dress in layers of warm clothing for wintery conditions.
Driving is hazardous in non-optimal conditions. Street safety depends on all participants knowing road conditions and understanding the limitations of what they can do. The best winter drivers can still suffer damage from a less prepared motorist. If individuals do not need to drive, it is best not to hit the road. If people must drive, prepare with supplies in case the unexpected happens. They should bring extra clothes if circumstances force them to walk longer than expected because their vehicle becomes stuck. Pack a shovel to free a parked car after sitting at the destination, and take additional traction devices, even if drivers do not need them at the start of the journey.
Portlanders can often get to their destination even in the worst winter storms. However, it takes much longer than a regular commute. Experts advise leaving early and being patient with others on the road. Check official sources for up-to-date road conditions and remain flexible in how you get to your destination, as the most direct route may not be the safest. The best option is to stay home, leaving the roads clear for emergency services and the people who have to go out into the storm for work.
