Miami commission approves new traffic control unit to address congestion
Key Points(5)
- The Miami City Commission has approved legislation creating a new traffic-control unit within the Miami Police Department aimed at managing congestion and improving safety at some of the city’s busiest intersections.
- The Miami Traffic Control Unit, introduced by District 4 Commissioner Ralph “Rafael” Rosado, will be the city’s first permanent traffic-control unit.
- The unit will operate under the supervision of a sworn Miami Police Department commander and deploy trained traffic mitigation personnel to congested areas during peak traffic periods.
- Personnel will manage vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle movement in real time, with the goal of preventing blocked intersections from causing wider traffic backups.
- The initiative comes as traffic remains a significant issue for Miami residents.
The Miami City Commission has approved legislation creating a new traffic-control unit within the Miami Police Department aimed at managing congestion and improving safety at some of the city’s busiest intersections.
The Miami Traffic Control Unit, introduced by District 4 Commissioner Ralph “Rafael” Rosado, will be the city’s first permanent traffic-control unit. The unit will operate under the supervision of a sworn Miami Police Department commander and deploy trained traffic mitigation personnel to congested areas during peak traffic periods.
Personnel will manage vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle movement in real time, with the goal of preventing blocked intersections from causing wider traffic backups.
The initiative comes as traffic remains a significant issue for Miami residents. According to recent traffic figures cited by the city, Miami drivers lost an average of 72 hours, or three full days, to rush-hour traffic in 2025.
“Miami has reached critical mass when it comes to traffic, and gridlock cannot be something residents are simply expected to live with,” Rosado said. “When technology and signal timing are not enough, we need trained personnel in the intersection managing cars and pedestrians in real time. This is a commonsense response that will make our streets safer and help people get where they need to go.”
The unit is expected to focus on keeping intersections clear, assisting people crossing streets and restoring traffic flow when congestion develops.
Rosado also linked the initiative to a previous resolution establishing Vision Zero Miami, the city's effort to reduce roadway fatalities to zero.
The traffic-control unit is intended to operate citywide, including heavily traveled areas such as the intersection of SW 8th Street and Le Jeune Road and the Brickell Bridge.
Rosado also serves as chairman of the Downtown Development Authority, which oversees an area where high population density, pedestrian activity and vehicle traffic put additional pressure on the city's street network.
The legislation follows an approach already used in other major U.S. cities, where dedicated traffic personnel are deployed to manage vehicle and pedestrian movement at busy intersections.
