David Greaves, a civil engineer with the Nashville Department of Transportation, outlined a draft plan on Dec. 4 for traffic calming on Ronnie Road that would add vertical speed cushions and intersection bulb‑outs after field measurements showed sustained high speeds and moderate traffic volumes.

Greaves said the project was selected in September 2025 from more than 700 applicant streets and is intended to reduce speeds to the program target of about 25 mph under Nashville’s Vision Zero safety goals. He cited MDOT’s scoring factors — vehicular speeds, vehicle counts, crash history, and pedestrian destinations — and reported an 80th‑percentile speed of about 42 mph, a daily volume just over 1,000 vehicles and a roadway width of roughly 22–23 feet.

MDOT staff described speed cushions as the program’s primary vertical device: modular rubber units roughly 3 inches high and 6 feet wide designed to slow most vehicles while allowing larger emergency vehicles to traverse with less impact. Greaves cited a limited 2023 study showing average speeds in tested locations fell from 31 to 22 mph and the 80th‑percentile from 37 to 25 after cushions were installed. He said where the street geometry or neighborhood preference limits vertical measures, alternatives such as radar feedback signs, striping, bulb‑outs, chicanes and pinch points may be considered.

At the meeting, resident feedback focused on traffic migration from adjacent streets and intersection control. "Since the speed cushions have been installed adjacent to us on the other road there on Heritage, our traffic has increased dramatically," said resident Steve Engelson, who also said tractor‑trailers have begun using Ronnie Road and asked staff to consider speed tables. Greaves responded that speed tables are used less often because cushions typically balance speed reduction with emergency‑vehicle access but that the team would consider vertical device options during design.

An unidentified resident who lives at the Williams/Ronnie corner asked whether a stop sign could be added, noting that the corridor is a walking route and the bus stop for neighborhood children attending Madison Elementary and Middle School. Greaves said federal guidance places limits on using stop signs for traffic calming and that stop signs cannot be included as part of this traffic‑calming project; he advised submitting a separate request through Hub (hub.nashville.gov or 311) for formal evaluation. Following discussion, Greaves said the team would add bulb‑outs at the Williams/Ronnie approach to narrow the entry and help slow turning vehicles.

Greaves outlined the next steps: MDOT will complete field reviews and refine specific cushion locations, produce construction plans, and then either hold a second neighborhood meeting or proceed directly to an online ballot. Ballots are mailed as postcards and an online form will be open for about six weeks; every lot that touches the street (including corner lots and schools) receives a ballot. The project will move forward with vertical measures if 66% of ballots cast are "yes" (that is, two‑thirds of votes cast), not two‑thirds of all properties.

Greaves encouraged residents to use the online survey at engage.nashville.gov/trafficcalming or email the project team (trafficcalming@nashville.gov) with further questions. The agency said it will perform site measurements and return with refined plans before the ballot is finalized.