Signing
Traffic Engineering installs and maintains posted signs that provide vital information to road users and increase safety. Signs are also used to designate on-street parking restrictions.
Speed Limits
Traffic Engineering is responsible for setting, installing and maintaining speed limit signage.
Speed limits are set after an Engineering study that results in an Engineering judgment. Variety of factors contribute such as number of pedestrians and neighborhood context.
Reasonable speed limits that fit a neighborhood, school zone, community or business area are necessary to safe travel for all roadway users.
Vision Zero - 20 is Plenty
Vison Zero is a program centered on the idea that a speed limit of 20 mph is appropriate for local, residential streets. The purpose of the program is to increase the safety of pedestrians, bicyclists, and motor vehicles 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.
Wayfinding
Many types of wayfinding signage exist throughout Madison that help guide road users to popular locations including the UW Campus, State Street District, Capitol, Monona Terrace, libraries, hospitals and other points of interest.
Lane designation and street name signing
Lane designation signing helps road users determine how to proceed through an intersection.
Street name signs guide road users and are critical for Emergency Services when every second counts in response operations.
Path signing and wayfinding
Wayfinding signage is installed along paths and at heavily used pedestrian and bicycle crossings. These work the same as on-street wayfinding signage and inform path users to nearby locations.
Learn more about wayfinding related to our bicycle program.
Pedestrian Crossing signs are another tool to help emphasis heavily used pedestrian and bicycle crossings. The addition of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) is another tool used to highlight crosswalks for the safety of vulnerable users.
These types of visual alerts are a fundamental component of road safety infrastructure, promoting safer interactions between pedestrians and vehicles.
Madison's Safe Streets Program is an important component of bringing these types of safety enhancements to our most impacted areas.
Traffic Control
Temporary traffic control is necessary in the implementation of utility work and road construction projects. Well thought out traffic control is essential to maintaining a safe environment for all road users during closures.
Traffic Engineering is responsible for reviewing and coordinating traffic control with contractors using the Right of Way. Traffic Engineering staff is also responsible for the setting up temporary traffic control during some large City sanctioned events to maintain a safe traffic flow using lane closures, full closures or detours.
Other general signage
Clean Streets Clean Lakes
Clean Streets/Clean Lakes is a City of Madison Streets program that prohibits parking for one side of a street for a posted window of time, one day each week (top sign left - in red). The parking restriction allows for street sweeping, snow plowing, and other maintenance work. This is a year-round restriction in most areas of Madison.
Residential Parking Permit Program
The Residential Parking Permit (also referenced as RP3) allows residents to park in excess of the posted one- or two- hour time limits on designated streets in their area between the hours of 8:00 am and 6:00 pm, or in locations designated for resident parking only between the hours of 8:00 am and 6:00 pm.
Peak Hour
Peak Hour restrictions appear in areas where heavy commuter traffic, into and out of the isthmus, is anticipated. This often restricts parking lanes to "No Parking" during posted morning hours or evening hours to allow for an additional lane for traffic movements.
School Zones
Drivers should pay attention to parking signs in the vicinity of schools as many school areas have additional parking restrictions. “No Parking” signs mean that student pick up and drop off are allowed as long as the driver remains in the vehicle. “No Stopping, Standing or Parking” signs mean pick up and drop off are not allowed.
For a more detailed explanation of these laws see the School Zone Safety brochure (English, Spanish, Hmong)
Loading Zones
Many streets in Madison have many competing interests for the limited amount of Right of Way. As such, Traffic Engineering strategically designates loading zones in areas where businesses or drop-off/pick-up are needed. These loading zones are essential for business
Bus Stops
Spaces designated as bus stops restrict stopping, standing or parking of vehicles. Violators may be towed if buses cannot safely load and unload passengers.