1. Resources for the Madison Community

    Madison stands with the families of Abundant Life community. This page is dedicated to connecting victims and the broader community to resources and accurate information about the tragic events that happened on December 16.

Metro Transit bus on the square, cyclist in the foreground
Transportation
Tom Lynch, Director of Transportation

20 is Plenty

20 MPH Sign Image

20 is Plenty is a program centered on the idea that a speed limit of 20 mph is appropriate for local, residential streets. The purpose of the 20 is Plenty program is to increase the safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motor vehicles by reducing the speed on local streets. The 20 is Plenty program is specifically focused on reducing speeds on local streets in neighborhoods and not larger streets that carry higher volumes of traffic. 
 

Learn more about the project timeline and public engagement and outreach efforts.

Dangers of Speeding

Understanding the dangers of speeding is critical to the 20 is Plenty program. Traveling at a high rate of speed increases the distance it takes for a vehicle to come to a stop. 

comparison graphic of speeds and their field of vision which includes stopping distances and likelihood of survival percentage of pedestrians who are hit at those speeds.

On top of that, when a vehicle is traveling at a faster rate of speed then they have a much narrower field of vision and are not as able to react to what is happening in their peripheral vision.

Why there is a need for change

The City of Madison hears from the community about concerns over safety in our neighborhoods. Increasing safety on City of Madison streets and enhancing livability in our neighborhoods are the driving forces behind the 20 is Plenty program. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), pedestrian fatalities in US increased by 84% from 2009 to 2022 (from 4,109 to 7,522), and that is not a trend we would like to see locally. 

The 20 is Plenty program was developed to address neighborhood street safety by reducing the speed limit from 25 mph to 20 mph, which increases the likelihood that a person will survive a crash should one happen. Madison joins a few other progressive cities across the country, including New York City, Seattle, Portland, and Minneapolis, who are lowering speed limits in neighborhoods to increase road user safety and livability for residents.

At 20 mph people walking, biking and enjoying their neighborhood will have a safer and more comfortable environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What streets in Madison will go to 20 mph?

The streets that will have their speed limit reduced to 20 mph are local, residential streets where the speed limit is 25 mph. These are the areas that have the greatest number of road users sharing the same space. However, not all roads that have a 25 mph speed limit will be reduced to 20 mph.

When will the 20 mph speed limit go into effect?

The 20 mph speed limit will go into effect when residents see the speed limit signs change in their neighborhood. Signs started to be installed in November 2024 and will be completed by December 2025.

What should I do if people are not following the new speed limit in my neighborhood?

It may take a little time for drivers to adjust to the new speed limit in neighborhoods. The City is providing free yard signs in multiple languages to any resident who would like to display the sign in their yard to remind drivers of the new speed limit. If a driver is driving recklessly, residents can reach out to the Traffic Enforcement Safety Team as they would prior to the speed limit change. 

Will the City continue to make other design changes to residential streets such as traffic calming?

The City will continue to evaluate residential streets for traffic calming in the same way that it did prior to 20 is Plenty. If you have any suggestions for traffic calming, please visit the Traffic Engineering website for additional information and to request a study.

What can I do if I disagree with the placement of a specific sign?

Please contact Jeremy Nash, jnash@cityofmadison.com with specific sign location questions.   

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