Traffic Engineering
The City of Bend’s Traffic Engineering Division programs aim to enhance neighborhood safety and traffic flow through initiatives like speed radar signs, traffic calming measures, efficient parking, and roundabout management.
These programs include the deployment of speed radar signs to raise awareness among motorists about their driving speeds, and the Neighborhood Street Safety Program which addresses pedestrian and bicycle safety, speeding and intersection control on local residential streets. Residents can submit service requests for street improvements or report issues like damaged signs. The City also manages speed limits and parking restrictions, striving for optimal road use. Additionally, roundabouts are used to manage traffic volumes and enhance safety for all road users. Together, these initiatives foster a safety-conscious culture.
Neighborhood Traffic Programs
Speed Radar Program
Want to help reduce speeding in your neighborhood? Contact your Neighborhood District to request a temporary speed radar sign. These signs display the speed of passing vehicles, helping to raise awareness about speed limits and to influence driver behavior. The City Police Department can use data from these signs to target enforcement if needed.
Neighborhood Street Safety Program
The Neighborhood Street Safety Program addresses pedestrian and bicycle safety, safe routes to school, speeding, intersection control and crossings. Funded by the Transportation GO Bond, this program aims to improve residential street traffic safety.
Additional Traffic Information
- Set the pace: Drive the speed limit and encourage others to do the same.
- Utilize on-street parking: Narrow streets can help slow traffic.
- Request speed radar signs: Collect accurate driving speeds and inform drivers.
- Communicate with your HOA: Include slow speed reminders in newsletters.
- Allow more time for travel: Accidents happen at any speed, but injuries are more significant at higher speeds.
Notice a damaged or missing sign? Have an idea for a street improvement? Submit a Service Request with our Bend Works app, and our staff will review and respond within two weeks. Frequent or repeated requests do not lead to quicker response times, so consider working with your Neighborhood District to gather support.
Service Requests are NOT for:
- Emergency issues: Call 911.
- Traffic signal outages: Call ODOT Dispatch at 541-383-0121.
- Code enforcement issues: Visit Code Enforcement to learn more.
- Speeding enforcement, illegal parking and aggressive driving: Call Deschutes County Non-Emergency at 541-693-6911.
Interested in reviewing service requests data? View our Transportation Service Requests Dashboard.
To request a speed limit change, submit a Service Request through our Bend Works app. City Traffic Engineers will review the request and forward it to the Oregon Department of Transportation for an engineering study. Oregon law requires ODOT to set speed limits following a specific procedure.
The State of Oregon statues mandate the following speed zone standard where there are no signs posted:
- 15 miles per hour: Alleys, narrow residential roadways
- 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 (all vehicles); trucks, school buses, worker transport buses on interstate highways
- 65 miles per hour: Autos on interstate highways
Current speed studies in review
The following speed studies are currently in review by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).
| Street | Road Type | Location | Existing Speed (MPH) | Requested Speed (MPH) | Status | Request Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooley Rd | Collector | OB Riley Rd to HWY 20 | Not Posted | 35 | Pending | 9/28/22 |
| Brinson Blvd | Collector | Boyd Acres to Butler Market | 35 | 30 | Pending | 3/19/24 |
| Columbia Blvd | Collector | Commerce Ave to Disk Drive | Not Posted | 25 | Pending | 1/11/24 |
| Deschutes Market Rd | Arterial | Butler Market to Yeoman | 45 | 35 | Pending | 1/20/24 |
| McClain Dr | Local | Shevlin Park to Mt. Hood | Not Posted | 25 | Pending | 3/19/24 |
Downtown Parking and Parking District information can all be found on Parking in Bend.
Parking on One or Both Side of a Street
For newer subdivisions, City Standards include:
- 24-foot-wide street: No parking
- 28-foot-wide street: No parking on one side
- 32-foot-wide street: Parking allowed on both sides
Older areas may have narrower streets than current standards, with one- or two-sided parking. These streets are considered “yield” streets, where vehicles need to yield to pass each other.
No Parking Signs
The City will not install “No Parking” signs near driveways or mailboxes. However, parking may be restricted at intersections where sight distance is blocked by repeated illegal parking.
Parking Restrictions
Avoid a ticket or creating a hazard. Please park your vehicle at least:
- 10 feet either side of a fire hydrant
- 20 feet from a crosswalk
- Do not block a driveway or alley
- Where there is no yellow, red, or green curb paint
- Yellow – no parking anytime
- Red – no parking anytime, fire only
- Green – no parking, loading zone
- Outside of the bike lane (8-inch white lines mark bike lanes)
- Parking is not allowed in alleys except for less than 15 minutes for loading or unloading if flashers are on.
- Vehicles may not park in the right-of-way to display “for sale”, park for more than five days, park with an expired registration (greater than 30 days), or for vehicle repair.
For more information see Oregon Statute (ORG 811.550) and City of Bend Municipal Code 6.20.
The City of Bend uses roundabouts to efficiently manage traffic volumes and improve safety for all road users. There are currently about 50 roundabouts throughout Bend!