Traffic Safety Group

The Wellesley Traffic Safety Group (TSG) is a staff working group with representatives from the Select Board Office, Wellesley Police Department, Department of Public Works, School Department, and Wellesley Fire Department.  This group administers traffic calming and safety policies, makes recommendations to the Select Board to amend traffic and parking regulations, and reviews project development plans. TSG meets monthly to review and act on inquiries or requests related to traffic and mobility issues, transit, pedestrian, bicycle, and parking safety. Decisions and recommendations are determined using current best practices, historical and up-to-date traffic data, and the guidance of federal and state standards. 

Report Traffic Concerns

Traffic or pedestrian safety concerns that require immediate attention should be called into the Wellesley Police Department Dispatch Center at 781-253-1212 and a police officer will be dispatched as needed. 

For transportation or pedestrian safety concerns that may exist in neighborhoods, select one of the following reporting methods:

What to Expect

Staff from the Wellesley Police Department and Select Board Office will conduct an initial review of the concern and either 1) address it immediately, or 2) if further evaluation is needed, the matter will be reviewed by the full Traffic Safety Group. If this is the case, the group will follow the process below. 

  • Gather speed volume and crash data (this includes seeing out a speed recorder for several days)
  • Conduct a site visit
  • If next steps are determined, TSG will develop recommendations using Wellesley's Complete Streets Plan, Traffic Regulations, Massachusetts General Law, the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), and MassDOT Guidelines & Directives
  • More complex evaluations may require TSG to engage traffic engineering consultants

Possible Solutions

Possible solutions to traffic safety concerns fall into three broad categories: regulatory actions, non-regulatory actions, and infrastructure improvement/alterations. Examples of each category include:

Regulatory Actions

  • Stop/Yield signs
  • Changes in parking
  • Speed Limit signs

Regulatory solutions require a vote of the authority's jurisdiction. For most of Wellesley, this is the Select Board who serve as Road Commissioners of Wellesley. Please note: Some streets (eg. Route 9) are under the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) jurisdiction.

Non-regulatory Actions

  • Roadway striping
  • Yellow advisory/warning signs

Infrastructure improvements/Alterations

  • Signal timing
  • Programming
  • Infrastructure projects
  • Sidewalks, curbing adjustments

Solutions such as these require engineering analysis, design, neighborhood engagement, and funding. 

Note: The Traffic Safety Group is mindful of sign and road device clutter that causes attention fatigue and clutters streetscape. TSG prefers an approach that starts with a small change, and based on results, may require a broader solution. If  broader solution is deemed necessary, complete neighborhoods are often involved.