The Wauwatosa Common Council adopted a Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program intended to prioritize and deploy traffic-safety measures across the city, following extended discussion about the use of temporary plastic devices.

City engineer Morris Lusick and Director Velucich described the program as a data-driven prioritization framework funded in part by the vehicle-registration fee. Criteria include measured speeds, crash rates, proximity to schools, traffic volumes and Greenway routes; staff said they will score locations and produce a ranked list of candidate projects. The program allows a mix of measures — including speed tables, speed humps, bump-outs, traffic circles and temporary devices — with the expectation temporary measures can be used until permanent capital projects are funded.

Alders debated aesthetics, durability and safety. Alder Wilkie moved an amendment to limit use of plastic temporary traffic-calming devices to no more than one year; Alder Dolan seconded. Supporters of the amendment argued plastic devices are short-lived in Wauwatosa’s winter climate and create visual blight when not maintained. Opponents said temporary measures can save lives while capital projects wait for funding; several alderpersons and business representatives gave examples where interim devices reduced crashes and protected pedestrians.

The amendment failed on a roll-call vote, 2 in favor (Alder Dolan and Alder Wilkie) and 13 opposed. Council members then voted on the program guidelines; the roll call recorded 13 yes, 0 no and 2 present, and the program passed. Several council members said the program will use pilot trials (90-day trials were cited for specific streets) and that engineering will recommend device selection on a case-by-case basis based on maintenance, traffic volumes and neighborhood context.

Director Velucich said temporary installations are intended as interim safety measures until a permanent capital project or other improvements can be funded. City staff said they will develop a prioritized list of projects and return recommendations to the Transportation Affairs Committee and the council as projects are finalized.

The council’s discussion emphasized flexibility: alderpersons repeatedly asked staff to match the type of traffic-calming device to local context (school zones, residential streets, commercial corridors) and to coordinate with emergency services about any effects on response apparatus. Several alderpersons urged robust public outreach so residents understand trade-offs between interim and permanent solutions.