What is the Problem We Are Trying to Solve?

All people are entitled to safe travel, and death and serious injury are unacceptable. Excessive vehicle speeds can create unsafe conditions for all street occupants, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and other vulnerable road users. High vehicle speeds can lead to collisions, noise pollution, and an overall decreased sense of safety and livability.

Why Neighborhood Traffic Calming?

In a recent community survey, residents identified reckless driving/traffic enforcement as a top public safety priority. When asked what would encourage them to not use their car for trips of one mile or less, respondents to the survey identified traffic calming to slow speeds and/or shorten crossing distances as their top solution. These responses show that users of Wauwatosa streets want safer traveling environments.

The layout of streets and intersections directly influences the behavior of drivers as well as vulnerable road users like pedestrians, bicyclists, and others. The safety of all users can be increased by designing streets and intersections that encourage safer speeds, minimize the opportunity for human mistakes, and encourage safe travel behaviors. Designs that intentionally slow traffic are called traffic calming.

Why Not Just Enforce Traffic Laws?

Traffic laws are enforced in Wauwatosa. However, it is impractical to have an officer present at every intersection and on every street to run traffic enforcement at all times. Streets and intersections are present at all times – 24/7/365 – to influence behavior and impact the safety of all users.

Example Traffic Calming Solutions

Example traffic calming solutions include speed humps, speed tables, mini traffic circles, curb extensions, chicanes, and refuge islands.  This is not an exhaustive list. The Engineering Division may consider alternative solutions to best fit the context of a qualifying location, including the use of the street as a frequent emergency services route.  You can read more about these types of solutions in Section III of the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Guidelines.

Inappropriate Traffic Calming Solutions

A common request by residents to reduce speeding and cut‐through traffic in residential neighborhoods is the installation of STOP or CHILDREN AT PLAY signs on neighborhood streets. These are not neighborhood traffic calming solutions or speed control solutions. Read more about why in Section III of the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Guidelines.  Requests for these signs will be disqualified. Interested in stop signs? You can complete a stop sign request with the online form.

How Do I Apply for Neighborhood Traffic Calming?

The Neighborhood Traffic Calming Guidelines outline how to apply for neighborhood traffic calming. Section II will be your biggest help in understanding the process – please be sure to read the full guidelines.

Application Form

If you are interested in applying for this program, fill out the form below, and an engineer staff will see if you meet the qualifications.