Researchers at Portland State University developed new survey methods to address the limitations of current household activity surveys. The study found that existing methods lack social, cultural, and linguistic applicability for marginalized groups, leading to inaccurate data. By improving data collection efforts, transportation profe...
Researchers at Portland State University developed data-driven speed management strategies to improve safety and efficiency in multimodal transportation. They found that disabling speed feedback signs on conventional roadways resulted in reduced driver speeds and a lower likelihood of severe crashes.
A multi-year study found that cashless fare systems can exclude lower-income riders due to lack of access to smartphones, internet, and banking services. Maintaining cash options can mitigate this issue, offering a more equitable solution for all riders.
A new article examines polycentric development in the Wasatch Front Region, Utah, finding that moderately compact urban design fosters trip generation through walking and biking. The study also highlights the importance of public transit connections to reduce vehicle miles traveled and combat urban sprawl.
A new study uses machine-learning algorithms to predict the next phase of a traffic signal, giving bicyclists a smoother ride. The researchers achieved high accuracy with 85% prediction success rate, using LSTM and 1D CNN models.
Researchers investigate associations between ride-hail trips and on-street parking occupancy in Seattle, predicting decline if ride-hail demand exceeds 2.24 times the 2016 average. Flexible parking policies can manage changes driven by ride-hailing, but cities must plan ahead.
The Research Roadmap addresses important active transportation needs, focusing on speed management strategies, pedestrian and bicyclist safety, and addressing racial and economic disparities. Funded by NCHRP, the project provides guidance for future research directions.
A new PSU study found that remote work can exacerbate workplace incivility due to lack of interpersonal communication. Employees who experience or witness incivility are more likely to engage in uncivil behavior, highlighting the need for organizations to provide support and address incidents seriously.
The study highlights the importance of urban sustainability observatories that leverage urban experimentation for effective policy-making. Researchers discuss challenges and potential partnerships between universities, communities, and industries to establish successful observatories.
A study by Portland State researchers found that liberals see climate science as certain and simple, while conservatives view it as uncertain and complex. Conservatives prefer to share their own experiences with the effects of climate change rather than receiving more information from experts. This shift in perspective may help people ...
A team of PSU faculty will examine data and stories of STEM faculty to identify systemic inequalities and develop a strategic equity plan. The project aims to understand the impact of policies, practices, power structures, places, and people on retention and attrition among marginalized faculty.
Shiloh Deitz's dissertation project focuses on filling the data gap for accessible pedestrian routing and tools, particularly for persons with limited mobility. The research evaluates AI methods and critical geoAI to improve data quality and enhance independent travel options.
A new case study reveals how Syrian refugees in the Za'atari camp leveraged social capital to create informal economic systems, improving their quality of life. The study dispels the notion of refugees as passive aid recipients, instead asserting a refugee camp as a society with complex social systems.
A recent study by Portland State University researchers detected low levels of pharmaceuticals and personal care product chemicals in oysters along the Oregon and Washington coast. The concentrations were higher near wastewater sites, indicating a need to address the sources of these pollutants.
Researchers detected pesticides in 38% of mussel and clam samples, with some containing herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides. The study's findings have implications for developing more sustainable forestry practices to reduce harm to aquatic life.
New research from Portland State University predicts an increase in wildfire hazard in the Clackamas Basin by mid-century due to projected changes in temperature and relative humidity. This could lead to longer fire seasons and more severe fire weather, resulting in larger, more frequent fires.
A new study by Portland State University finds that mass incarceration is significantly associated with increases in industrial emissions. The construction and maintenance of prisons, as well as the production of goods and materials used inside prisons, contribute to these emissions.
Research at Brothers submarine arc volcano reveals distinct microbial communities shaped by magmatic gases and hydrothermal fluids, highlighting the complexity of subsurface geology in forming high biodiversity. Over 90 new bacterial and archaeal families are discovered, providing insights into life's evolution on Earth.
Researchers discovered microplastics in Pacific razor clams from Washington's Olympic Coast, with an average of seven pieces per clam. Thoroughly cleaning clams reduced microplastic content by half.
A Portland State University study found that pharmacy dropboxes increase customer awareness of proper drug disposal and reduce improper disposal methods. The study suggests that legislation mandating dropboxes at pharmacies and industry funding for disposal are crucial to addressing this issue.
A PSU study found that teacher value-added scores change with students' test score gains and schools' socioeconomic status. This challenges the idea that a teacher's score should remain constant regardless of their school or student population.
Climate change is causing more frequent and severe wildfires in the Cascade Range, reshaping forests. Historically, fires occurred every 50-200 years, but climate-driven changes have led to increased fire frequency, with some areas burning within 12 years of each other.
Researchers assessed flood vulnerability in Tucson's low-income neighborhoods and found that comprehensive green infrastructure increases multimodal access in moderate flooding conditions. They prioritized upstream mitigation, roadside basins, and other design elements to maximize accessibility.
Researchers at Portland State University used cryo-electron microscopy to image connexin-46/50 membrane proteins at an unprecedented level of resolution, revealing new insights into their structure and function. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more effective targeted treatments for diseases.
The study examines how gentrification affects transportation choices and social connections for black working-poor families in Portland. Residents of the historically Black district of Albina experience easier transportation, better social support networks, and a higher density of nearby destinations compared to East Portlanders.
Portland State University received $901,000 to study how brains interact with their environment. The team will develop new theories and tools to better understand the brain's control systems.
Researchers found that instilling trust among stakeholders and understanding the science behind flooding were crucial for a successful collaborative decision-making process. This approach led to the implementation of a sustainable flood mitigation strategy that balanced individual needs with environmental protection.
A new study suggests that climate change will negatively influence forest growth in semi-arid climates with reduced seasonal snowpack, but less so in wetter climates. In water-limited areas, this may lead to increased tree mortality and negative impacts on forest density.
As autonomous vehicles challenge traditional auto-related funding streams, cities must prepare for potential revenue implications. Researchers analyzed transportation network companies' impact on parking demand and found a non-linear relationship between Uber trips and occupancy. Cities can adjust parking policies by time/day, lower pr...
A PSU study of 400 households after the 2015 Nepal earthquakes found that recovery is a dynamic process with multiple dimensions. Households with less herding and farming-based livelihoods, more market connections, and easier access to rebuilding funds were more resilient.
The research team synthesized findings into a series of ten technical briefs highlighting best practices and lessons learned in bike share equity policies, data collection, metrics, marketing, and more. The two-page briefs are intended as a resource for bike share professionals and community partners.
A study by Portland State University researchers reveals that the presence of cyclists does not significantly slow down cars on low speed, low volume urban roads without bicycle lanes. The 1 mph differential in speed caused by cyclists was found to be negligible from a practical perspective.
The report offers tools for cities to update local policy and code to meet the transportation realities of today, focusing on regulation of the built environment and new travel modes. Cities can use community goals to guide how new technologies are regulated.
The study will examine how shopping strategies have changed during the pandemic, with a focus on vulnerable communities' limited access to online technology. The researchers aim to provide recommendations for policy-makers to improve resilience planning and ensure everyone's access to basic needs.
Researchers confirm three historic earthquakes on the San Andreas Fault in the Monterey Bay Area, occurring in 1838, 1890, and 1906, using a new model that accounts for charcoal inbuilt ages. The study uses a technique called wiggle matching to determine precise dates and recurrence intervals.
A new study from Portland State University suggests that venture capitalist funding can lead to a prioritization of financial success over socially responsible strategies, resulting in poorer practice records. Venture capitalists' desires for financial surplus may even cause more harm than good, according to the researchers.
Researchers from University of Tennessee at Knoxville and Portland State University are studying the impacts of people's travel decisions on transit, shared bikes and e-scooters during the pandemic. Their early findings show that bike share usage varies greatly by city, with some cities seeing significant increases while others have pl...
Researchers analyzed 14 corridors in 6 cities, finding bike lanes had either positive or non-significant impacts on sales and employment. The study boosted business and employment in the retail and food service sectors, with the food industry benefiting most often.
Tasmania's ancient King Billy pine trees are at risk due to increasing wildfires and dry conditions. The study found that fire refugia are breaching, making it unlikely for the species to recover.
A new PSU study found that decreasing out-of-network primary care across all Medicare ACOs could save the system $45 million a year. Higher specialty care leakage was associated with higher costs for ACOs, driven by outpatient care and emergency room visits.
A recent Portland State University study found that sand crabs' adult mortality increases and reproductive success decreases when exposed to plastic microfibers. Microplastic exposure also affects embryonic development rates, potentially impacting higher trophic levels in the food chain.
A study by Portland State University researchers found that diverse crowds of local stakeholders can collectively produce complex environmental models similar to those of trained experts. The results correspond more or less exactly to scientific knowledge on the subject, with the final outcomes improving as more individuals are involve...
A new study links historical housing disparities to dangerous climate impacts, finding that formerly redlined neighborhoods are hotter and more vulnerable to extreme heat. This systemic pattern suggests a neglectful planning system favoring wealthier communities.
The National Social Work Education Health Futures Lab will explore trends in climate change, artificial intelligence, and social media's impact on mental health. The center aims to train social work educators as futurists and democratize foresightful approaches.
A new study by Portland State University researchers found racial and ethnic disparities in pain treatment by emergency responders, with Hispanic and Asian patients receiving lower quality care. The study analyzed 25,732 health records and found that odds of pain assessment were 21-31% lower for these groups compared to white patients.
A study found that only 10% of patients utilize electronic medical records, despite over 95% having access. Patient engagement is key to successful use, with trusting providers encouraging access.
A Portland State University study found that vape additives, particularly terpenes, can form more toxins than the main psychoactive chemical THC when inhaled. The researchers discovered that vendors were adding up to 30% more terpenes to their products, which can impact flavor and smell but also pose health risks.
A new study predicts that wildfires in Oregon's southern Blue Mountains will become more frequent and severe due to climate change. By the end of the century, high-elevation species may be replaced by more fire-resistant ones, leading to a less resilient landscape.
The National Science Foundation grant will support the development of an open knowledge network to provide better information for agencies managing wildfires, water quality, and biodiversity conservation. The team aims to create automated methods to collect and share relevant information, improving decision-making processes.
A new PSU study found 11 microplastic pieces per oyster and nine per clam along the Oregon coast. Microplastics were found in both Pacific oysters and razor clams collected from all 15 sample sites.