We understand that traffic congestion, speeding, bad driving, or searching for a parking spot can be the most frustrating part of your day. We are doing our part to reduce congestion, enforce speed limits, encourage better driving, and provide balanced parking options.
Below are a few ways that you can contact city staff about a traffic issue you are noticing. Our staff will evaluate the request.
Stop Sign Requests
Stop signs may seem like a good solution to prevent speeding or reduce cut through traffic; however, that is not the case. National studies have shown that:
- crashes can increase at intersections where stop signs are installed even though they are not warranted.
- speeds can actually increase between stop signs by 3 to 5 mph, particularly when they are used inappropriately.
- compliance at inappropriate stop sign locations is poor, resulting in a false sense of security and accidents involving motorists and pedestrians expecting cross traffic to stop.
- the proliferation of stop signs at inappropriate locations creates a lack of respect for stop signs that are warranted.
For these reasons we only install stop signs in locations that meet one of the conditions outlined within the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Please review the City’s stop sign installation policy and either fill out and return the application document or use our online form.
For these reasons we only install stop signs in locations that meet one of the conditions outlined within the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Please review the City’s stop sign installation policy and either fill out and return the application document or use our online form.
Neighborhood Traffic Calming Request
We have a program in place that allows you to request neighborhood traffic calming to address concerns related to speeding and safety in your neighborhood. Learn more about the neighborhood traffic calming program.
Parking
We are committed to providing fair and balanced parking solutions throughout the City. Various parking solutions have been implemented across the City:
- Overnight parking permission
- Parking citations
- City parking lots
- Curb painting program
- Stop sign requests
- Learn more about parking in Wauwatosa.
Types of Street Services
These services are done seasonally and otherwise as needed:
- Sweeping streets
- Sweeping after accidents and other special sweeping
- Filling cracks (by contract)
- Handling temporary and permanent water main break excavations
- Repairing asphalt and concrete streets
- Cleaning for civic and special events
- Cleaning medians and public walks
- Seal coating and clean-up (by contract)
- Patching potholes
- Patching asphalt surfaces
- Repairing curbs and gutters
- Clearing road hazards
- Clearing snow and Ice
- Placing asphalt wedges on sidewalk trip hazards
Report an Issue
Do you want to report an issue with potholes, snow/ice on sidewalk, or other street issues? Report an issue online, and our team will respond. If you create an account, you will be notified via email when we take action on your request.
We are responsible for all repairs and maintenance for:
- Street lights
- Traffic signals
- Road signs
It is difficult for us to know when a street light is out, a traffic signal isn’t working properly or a road sign has fallen. We appreciate your help in this matter by contacting us when you see a street light or traffic signal that is not functioning.
Report an issue with street light or traffic signal.
Doing some digging in your yard? Contact Diggers Hotline first.
Direct buried street light and traffic signal cables are generally located back of the curb or at the sidewalk. If you are excavating in these areas or any other areas of your yard you need to contact Diggers Hotline so that city crews and other agencies can come out and mark the utilities before you begin your work. This would include the installation of a new curbside mailbox.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
At minimum, to participate in the program, you must complete the traffic calming request form below and agree to serve as the point of contact on the request. Additionally, the location of the request must be on a local or collector street or intersection – arterial streets (shown in the image to the right) are not eligible for this program.
Need assistance or have questions? Contact the Engineering Division at (414) 479-8927 or via email at [email protected].
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.
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