The traffic counter on the Dave Clark Path, photographed on July 31, 2025.
Chances are you have been counted if you walked or biked along the length of Albany’s Dave Clark Path in the last few days.
On one of my almost daily rides on the riverfront path, I noticed the rubber tubes of a traffic counter about where Hill Street would be if it continued all the way to the river.
Trying to learn more, I checked with Albany officials in the parks and public works departments, but they knew nothing about this.
Turns out that the counter is part of a data-gathering project of the Albany Area Metropolitan Transportation Organization or AAMPO.
“That is our third location,” Billy McGregor of the AAMPO told me in an email. “Prior to that we gathered pedestrian counts on [the] Dave Clark Path near Monteith. The data for that location is being processed currently and should be ready to report on at the AAMPO Technical Advisory Committee and Policy Board meetings this month. We are considering the Lyon/Ellsworth bridges for our next pedestrian count after this location.”
And why is this being done?
McGregor: “Right now the purpose of the count program is to establish the process within the Albany Area MPO and get some baseline information. As additional data is collected we can apply it when going out for grant applications, working on transportation plans, and various other transportation related applications.”
The pneumatic tubes on the ground count impressions as wheels go over them, but walkers are not left out even if they don’t step on the tubes.
“Our count equipment counts both cyclists, when the tubes are installed, and pedestrians,” McGregor said. “It uses a sensor similar to a motion detection light to count pedestrians.”
Over 11 days in June, the agency did a count of walkers and pedestrians on the Periwinkle Bikepath. Counters were placed on the path near 21st Avenue and Grand Prairie Road.
In his report to the AAMPO Policy Board on July 23, McGregor said something went wrong with the sensor at Grand Prairie. Some days it counted just a handful of hits while on other days the tally rose to more than 1,400.
The bike data seemed more believable, ranging from as few as four riders per day to as high as 16.
On the Dave Clark Path, I usually encounter a few pedestrians — dog walkers, mostly — and one or two others on bikes. I’m curious what the actual count will show in terms of daily summertime use. (hh)
Probably looking to see if they can install traffic cameras (LOL).
I’m sure glad there aren’t a bunch of kids stomping on the hose.
I have had experience with this sort of thing, referring to the erratic counts. Years ago they but a car counter cord, similar to what you decribe, across the gravel street we lived on. The neighborhood kids learned that with a good jump we could trigger a count. We made for a lot of traffic. They paved the street soon after. They need to put a camera on that counter.
So, if somebody trips over this and gets injured, who do they sue?
This “organization” appears to be part of the Oregon Cascades West
Council of Governments, a organization for Cities to join and conspire against its citizens. Each city take turns screwing their citizens and then the other cities do it to their citizens with the excuse that “the other city is doing it”.
What actual power has this organization to install a tripping hazard? Are they insured? By who?
Just shaking my head… What really scares me Bill. is that you may actually believe what you wrote in the 2nd paragraph.
Sorry buddy, but if you hide behind the anonymity of not including your social security number in your name, your opinion just doesn’t carry any weight. Hundreds of people voted for me to be Class Treasurer in high school a few decades ago, so that makes me an authority ’round here.
Then answer the 1st & 3rd.
Since no one (other than you) has deemed it a “tripping hazard,” feel free to sue anyone, anytime, for any reason. It’s your money. The city/county is insured and have legal folks at their beck ‘n call…
Mr. K, Thank you for affirming that the city council can defend itself for any violation it commits on the citizens of Albany. Hopefully, the people of Albany take notice of the city’s impunity concerning their actions. The working class and others less fortunate are not sitting at the table, they are the menu. The next round of elections people need to remember who relied on this safety net to do as they are told and not what they promised. Mr. K (AKA Guido) has outed himself and boldly admits the city has lawyered up to squash any helpless residents that try to defend themselves. The city’s progressive BS is shameful and a blatant lie.
Yes chris j, the city has an attorney. I’ll suggest every city in the USA will have one available to help them as/when necessary. And since you decry the work the city has and is doing, you might try getting directly involved! When was the last time you had a direct face-to-face conversation with either of your two councilors? If you’re not engaging with the folks who will make the decisions on your behalf, it’s no wonder you’re not being “heard.”