THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS IN COUNTYWIDE PLANNING
As fatal traffic crashes and a culture of reckless driving are on the rise in Milwaukee County, officials are taking a public health-driven approach to addressing the crisis. MUSE led an inclusive and data-informed process to connect with stakeholders and residents in all 19 municipalities — getting input from more than 600 individuals — to understand the issues and opportunities on the ground. Supported by a technical working group and community advisory committee, the team developed a report that outlines next steps to improve safety across Milwaukee County’s roads.
Details
Client: Milwaukee County Department of Transportation
Milwaukee County, WI
April 2023 – February 2024
Scope of Work
Community + stakeholder engagement
Survey design + analysis
Graphic design
Media coordination
Muse Method
Each of the 22 Safe Streets Roadshow events was designed in partnership with community organizations and municipal staff. Venues were selected based on hyper-local culture, tying into existing events or convening at popular businesses and community centers. Public Advisory Committee members supported event promotion and facilitation, bringing an authentic voice to conversations and a welcoming presence for attendees.
An intentional approach to pairing quantitative data with insights from community engagement offers a richer perspective than simply crunching numbers. Most residents we spoke with could name unsafe streets in their community, which we collated and paired with crash data to create a priority network of corridors. These roadways are now the topics of discussion for further engineering and redesign in many municipalities.
Guidance and input from Public Advisory Committee (PAC) members who represent neighborhood interests and advocacy groups was critical to this project’s success. The PAC was a diverse group that included economic development organizations, safety advocates, faith leaders, bike share organizations, accessibility professionals, racial equity advocates, motorcycle safety leaders, and others. The PAC met four times throughout the year-long process and supported the project team at public meetings. MUSE distributed $16,000 in stipends to PAC organizations to compensate members for their expertise, time, and local knowledge.
Understanding where each municipality was in their traffic safety journey helped MCDOT gauge the County’s readiness for Complete Streets action planning and determine where further education and collaboration was necessary. While some communities understood the direct benefit of pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure to create safer streets, others were only starting to make connections between poor street design and reckless driving. Likewise, some municipalities had a lot to say about education and policy, whereas other communities were urging the County to make infrastructure improvements at specific intersections. Early engagement helped the project team set the stage for a new culture of traffic safety for all Milwaukee County residents, regardless of travel mode.
SAFE STREETS ROADSHOW
Over the course of one summer, the Safe Streets Roadshow brought in-person engagement to each of the county’s 19 municipalities, including an additional event conducted in Spanish. Critical to an efficient project, our team of designers developed a flexible template for engagement materials that both reflected hyperlocal conditions and considered the County as a region. By “remixing” materials to suit each municipality, our team was able to focus on other important aspects of the work while ensuring consistency of messaging.
Over the course of one summer, the Safe Streets Roadshow brought in-person engagement to each of the county’s 19 municipalities, including an additional event conducted in Spanish. Critical to an efficient project, our team of designers developed a flexible template for engagement materials that both reflected hyperlocal conditions and considered the County as a region. By “remixing” materials to suit each municipality, our team was able to focus on other important aspects of the work while ensuring consistency of messaging.
AMPLIFYING THE MESSAGE WITH MEDIA COVERAGE
Unique to this project was the County’s partnership with a local TV news channel that helped to amplify the event series by providing regular coverage of Roadshow events. This earned media approach helped the team ensure the message reached Milwaukee County residents far and wide, rather than relying solely on social media and municipal communications.
Unique to this project was the County’s partnership with a local TV news channel that helped to amplify the event series by providing regular coverage of Roadshow events. This earned media approach helped the team ensure the message reached Milwaukee County residents far and wide, rather than relying solely on social media and municipal communications.
COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVES
Here’s what we heard during community and stakeholder engagement.
I wish drivers slowed down and looked out for pedestrians and bikers. Pedestrians and bikers also need to be careful and not just dart out into a car’s path. We all need to look out for one another.
Safe Streets Roadshow attendee
I’m excited to be a part of this group and see how the things we discuss get turned into action. We don’t just meet to meet!
Public Advisory Committee member
[I’ve witnessed] several near misses with people who are speeding, tailgating, or running red lights.
Safe Streets Roadshow attendee
Streets would be safer if people came to see biking and walking as normal modes of transportation.
Safe Streets Roadshow attendee
