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West Allis approves WisDOT-funded AI traffic system for Greenfield Avenue during I-94 East–West work
Summary
The Common Council approved an agreement for an AI-based signal optimization system on Greenfield Avenue, funded and maintained by WisDOT for five years, to address anticipated detour traffic from the I‑94 East–West Corridor project.
The West Allis Common Council voted to adopt a resolution and authorize an agreement to install an AI-based traffic signal optimization system along Greenfield Avenue to mitigate detour traffic from the I‑94 East–West Corridor construction.
Council members discussed the system during the regular meeting: Melinda (city staff) said the East–West Corridor will start this fall and that “West Allis is gonna receive a huge impact … from additional traffic people avoiding the freeway.” Lindsay, a Tatco representative leading the vendor presentation, described the technology and cited field results from other jurisdictions.
The system will cover roughly 12 intersections along the Greenfield Avenue corridor, from National Avenue at 60th Street through about 80th Street, Lindsay said. The work includes replacing traffic signal controllers and installing video/radar detection cameras and a networked optimization platform that runs continuous simulations to adjust signal timing in real time. Lindsay said the system can be installed and benchmarked within about 90 days and that WisDOT has agreed to fund the installation and five years of maintenance and programming.
Lindsay said the mobility platform’s per-intersection equipment cost is about $10,500 and that the initial, corridor-level upfront cost is about $2,022,000; she added that continuing optimization after the five-year subsidy would cost in the range of roughly $4,000–$5,000 per intersection per year, depending on term discounts. The proposal also includes installing a rectangular rapid flashing beacon at one crossing in lieu of a full signal to reduce local signal offsets that back traffic up, and to maintain pedestrian protection in high-crossing locations.
Council members and staff asked about placement, camera mounting (about 30 feet high to track platoons of vehicles), how the system treats increased detour volumes, and pedestrian prioritization. Lindsay said the platform classifies vehicles and nonmotorized road users, can measure pedestrian delay against Federal Highway Administration benchmarks, and can be tuned to give extra pedestrian time when needed. Chief Mitchell (police) said the department could review camera footage in crashes if access is arranged.
Melinda and staff will work with WisDOT, Tatco and the vendor during the initial benchmarking period to refine the optimization rules and to monitor the corridor once construction on the interstate begins. The council adopted the item by voice vote.
The city expects the system to reduce delay and red‑light running and to produce data for operational adjustments; exact local congestion reductions during the detour were described as unknown until the system collects baseline data during implementation.
