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Shorewood presents Safe Streets demonstration report; temporary traffic-calming tools reduced speeds in tests
Summary
A village presentation summarized results from temporary traffic-calming demonstrations funded by a Safe Streets and Roads for All grant: traffic circles, curb extensions and a speed table produced measurable speed reductions and mixed public feedback; staff recommends further evaluation and a possible traffic-calming program.
Village staff and consultants presented the final report on Shorewood’s Safe Streets and Roads for All demonstration project, which installed temporary traffic-calming measures — traffic circles, curb extensions and a speed table — in multiple neighborhoods under a federal grant.
The demonstration, funded with a $50,000 grant and a local $10,000 match, placed two temporary traffic circles, curb extensions in visibility-challenged crosswalks and one speed table. Staff reported installation by Public Works, engineering monitoring, and a 541-response community survey. Speeds and vehicle counts were measured with counters before and after installations.
Data showed modest but measurable reductions in 50th- and 85th-percentile speeds at traffic circle and speed-table locations and reduced rates of noncompliance with posted speed limits. The curb extensions were designed to improve pedestrian sight lines; staff demonstrated that pedestrian visibility increased when extensions were in place.
Public feedback was mixed: 56% of respondents found traffic circles effective, 43% found curb extensions effective, and 60% found the speed table effective; many respondents asked for clearer education, enforcement, and improved aesthetics for permanent installations. The majority of survey respondents (65%) supported pursuing additional temporary or permanent traffic-calming demonstrations.
Staff recommended using the findings to inform a forthcoming Safe Streets action plan, to pursue a traffic-calming request program and to prioritize permanent solutions in locations where demonstrations showed benefit. The village owns the demonstration equipment and staff noted follow-up steps to remove temporary items, evaluate equipment condition, and consider permanent designs where warranted.
Why it matters: The demonstration provides measured evidence of effectiveness for several types of traffic-calming tools, gives staff data to prioritize investments, and frames community outreach and funding questions for future projects.
Next steps: Consultants will finish the Safe Streets action plan; staff will remove remaining demonstrations and consider a traffic-calming program, funding sources and potential permanent installations as part of future capital planning.
