Making Connections

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Making Connections

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t a n t o i n l g t r m r p d l a a i a n n n n n s a i a t n p i g g o o n e r m t a e t n i o t n The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) was established in 1974 to ensure financially sound, comprehensive, and coordinated public transportation for northeastern Illinois. The RTA accomplishes this by providing financial oversight and regional planning for the area’s three public transit operators: the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra commuter rail, and Pace suburban bus. Together, this rapid transit, commuter rail, and city and suburban bus network constitutes the second largest transit system in the U.S.—with nearly 600 million rides per year. In partnership with other regional agencies and transportation service providers, the RTA’s planning focus is a seamless, effective, and financially sound transit network. The RTA’s Strategic Plan will help transit relate better to the customers we serve through a multi-year improvement program that emphasizes coordination and inter-connection of the regional transit system. We have prepared this publication to convey not only the scope of our activities, but also our commitment to innovative transportation planning. Accordingly, this brochure provides a summary overview of our integrated systems approach to coordinated transit planning. For additional details on the subject programs and sub-studies, please refer to the 2000 Population and Percent Growth section entitled “Contact Information and Directory Between 1990 - 2000 of Online Resources” on the back page. Source: 2000 U.S. Census, in thousands Sincerely,

MCHENRY LAKE 260 644 (+41.9%) (+24.8%)

John DeLaurentiis illinois Deputy Executive Director, Planning KANE 404 DUPAGE chicago (+27.3%) 904 (+15.7%) COOK 5,377 (+5.3%) The Chicago region spans approximately 3,700 square miles. The counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will include 272 municipalities. According to the U.S. Census, the region’s WILL population grew by more than 11 percent in the 1990s to 8.1 million, 502 and employment grew by more than six percent. The region has nearly (+40.6%) three million households, and almost 50 percent have two or more vehicles. Every work day, the region generates more than 20 million trips. Of those, approximately two million, or 10 percent, use public transit.

to Union kenosha Pacific antioch Winthrop Harbor North Line North Central Zion Service Waukegan North Chicago Union Pacific Milwaukee Great Lakes Northwest Line District Lake Bluff

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Together, these programs address changes antioch kenosha 55th-57th p Antioch Illinois Winthrop Richmond i Harbor Indiana Highlands LaVHebronergne h intelligent at the local and regional level by developing plans S AshltransportationaZionnd 59th La Grange Spring Brookfield Riverside HarBvarderwyn Grove d Old Mill Wadsworth 43rd nFox Creek (rtip) harvard Lake Beach for implementing transit improvements in critical areasa Lake Lindenhurst 63rd Hinsdale Amtrak Villa Park ry fox lake 35th-Archer 47th 47th Greenwood Ringwood a Round Lake such as physical connections and real-time information.t Heights ² Round Lake Wonder iJohnsburg Gurnee Stony Island Lake n Beach Waukegan S West Hinsdale Third Lake Informational o a Round 51st mchenry Western Park u Bryn Mawr McHenrS y Lake City t o Lakemoor Hainesville Grayslake h Clarendon Hills g North Garfield Garfield Chicago B South Shore a Volo Round Lake Chicago r Woodstock Bull Vaclley KedParkzie a i Green Holiday L n h Oaks A c Hills Libertyville Lake 79th Windsor Park CAsset ManageIslandLAKE ment (rtams,H aPlsMteOdK, RSO): h Westmont MCHENR Y Prairie Bluff LakPe ulaski Mundelein E Local Grove Wauconda E 63rd AmtrMarengako Summit ashlaMettawnda M 83rd Provides plannersOakwood with relevant data and reportsLake for study areas on the internet, Cheltenham Hills Union Tower Vernon Forest I Fairview Ave Planning (rtap): Crystal Lakes Hills C Cottage Hawthorn 63rd and ensuresLake compliance with regional and nationalHighwood standards and rules. Lakewood Woods Indian H 87th Cary North Lake Creek 63rd Barrington Grove 83rd Barrington I midway Lincolnshire Provides supportWillo wforS localprin gs Fox River Lake Long Bannockburn G King Dr Lake Zurich Grove in the Grove 91st Main St / Downers Grove Huntley Kildeer Riverwoods Highland A Hillasirport Park communities to plan for transit- Buffalo Deerfield N 69th 87th Algonquin Deer Grove InteractivePark Mapping Sub-Regional oriented and pedestrian-oriented 95th Barrington Barrington Wrightwood Glencoe Belmont Hills with RTAWheeling MSNorthbrook (corridor)79 tplanning:h development, new stations or routes, Inverness Gresham Carpentersville Winnetka 103rd Palatine Northfield technology, and other improvements.Hampshire Gilberts Prospect 93rd East South Ashburn Heights Brainerd Kenilworth Sleepy Dundee Glenview Assesses mobility problems and Lisle Lemont West Barrington Rolling 87th Hollow Wilmette linden 107th Dundee MeadowsArlington Pingree Heights 91recommendsst potential transit Grove big Hoffman Mount Golf timber p Oak Lawn Evanston u Burlington Estates Prospect Morton Skokie r blue island p solutions le to improve multimodal travel. 111th-Pullman Grove skokie

l Elgin 95th in r Des Plaines e Niles howard e rtap project Streamwood Schaumburg Coordinatesyellow line with multiple stakeholders v r Chicago Ridge Park 95th- 95th 115th-Kensington i Elk Grove 99tRidghe Lincolnwood aurora e lin red Naperville R Hanover Elgin-O'Hare Village across communities. v Expressway i e South Park Roselle

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park Indiana park Crete University Line Minooka Park Kiosk Demonstration ChannahonTransit Manhattan Monee CoordinationElwood

W ILL proposed south (rtcp): suburban Intelligent airport Beecher Supports seamless travel Peotone Transportation (rtip): Symerton throughWilmington coordination of services, Enables real-time information for operators Diamond fares, physical connections and and passengers available over the internet or Braidwoodpassenger information. in transit environments. Godley

Customer Focus

To better serve transit riders and the region’s The highlights of the survey include: taxpayers, the RTA collects information to help • More than 70% of respondents have used public develop services that meet the public’s mobility transit in the last year, and 38% have used it in needs. The RTA uses market surveys, focus groups the past 30 days. and user-centered design research to reveal • 46% of all respondents think that public transit customer preferences and needs. The results are should serve a lot more destinations, and 33% used to guide the RTA’s programs and projects. think much more frequent service should be provided. Market Research • 25% of respondents obtain information on public The RTA conducts both project-specific and transit from the RTA, CTA, Metra or Pace web system level market research. In 2002, the RTA sites. commissioned a random-digit-dial telephone survey of 1,020 people with roughly equal representation among the RTA’s sub-regions (Chicago, suburban Cook County and the collar counties). The market survey revealed important sub-regional differences More than 80% of and similarities in the following categories: regional respondents

Profiles – personal travel patterns want public transit and related behavior expanded Opinions – attitudes and perceptions of the region’s transportation system 60

Awareness – familiarity with the transit system and programs 40

Percent 0 Chicago Suburban Collar Region Cook Counties

Responses to a Survey Question regarding how much expansion of public transit is needed

A lot

Some

Not too much

None at all

Other

User Research The RTA has been conducting user research to In addition, targeted research was conducted better understand how people use transit products, with current users of the RTA web site and trip services and environments throughout the region, planner, RTAMS, the RTA Customer Service and to guide specific product improvements. Center and Travel Information Center Hotline, Research conducted in 2004 on the overall and the Chicagoland TRIPS information kiosks. travel experience included site assessments; Research methods included interviews, help line on-site interviews; user observations; and ride- monitoring, user observations, and an online survey alongs, where researchers accompanied 20 of 1,000 RTA web site users. Findings revealed passengers on their transit trips. This qualitative our customers’ typical characteristics and goals, field research helped define rider profiles and the tasks they were trying to accomplish, and general improvement opportunities for various how each product was being used. The research services and products. First-time rider activities, recommended modifications to each product that behaviors, and needs were distinguished from those would best serve specific customer types. of regular commuters. Locations were segmented With this depth of knowledge about our varied into categories, each defined by unique physical, customers, the RTA has a reliable basis for making environmental, and informational characteristics or key improvements to products under development, challenges from the rider’s perspective. and for developing regional passenger information design standards.

Transit User Experience Model PRE-TRIP: ATTRACTION EN ROUTE: ENGAGEMENT POST-TRIP: EXTENSION

Orient, Pay, Transfer, Pay, Work, Shop, ORIGIN Plan Trip Wait, Board Wait, Board Exit, Re-Orient Eat, Rest DESTINATION Access Ride Ride Egress

User-centered design research was conducted at various interagency locations across the region, on trips with actual riders, and with individual users of transit products. RTA / RTA SITE Personas and Scenarios Personas and Scenarios Web Site User Profiles User research provides a foundation for Profiles help identify user needs and behaviors, and frame product understanding users, their motivations, Whodevelopment are the potential criteria. visitors of RTAChicago.com? goals, processes and desires. Developing Eric Pamela Andre’a These personas can be user personas and scenarios in real-world extended as the RTA gathers more process-based and contexts helps guide strategy and design in-transit needs. for websites, products, environments, kiosks and more. 01. 02. 03. Wants to get to his hotel and Wants to go to Checks commute times. explore the city. the Taste of Chicago. Wants to go shopping/ What it is and why we do it. to a restaurant. User personas and scenarios are 1. Who are your representative users? a sampling of hypothetical and Giving users names, ambitions and profile #1 • 44 years old profile #2 • 38 years old profile #3 • 28 years old • Lives in the Dallas, TX area • Lives in Downer’s Grove, IL • Lives within Chicago city limits realistic cases based on user more detailed life contexts brings • Rarely uses transit • Takes transit infrequently • Takes transit frequently research that describe users and research to life and helps identify who the situations that motivate them must be satisfied for the website or to seek out information from the device to be effective. RTA.This design approach helps THE THREE PERSONAS OF THOSE VISITING THE RTACHICAGO.COM HOME PAGE ARE SEEKING MAPS, SCHEDULES craft comprehensive, cross- ABOVE DESCRIBE PEOPLE advance planning 2. What are user specific goals? AND THE SITUATIONS IN 84% DIRECTIONS OR FARES. channel experiences based on Concrete goals such as “Find out WHICH THEY DO for future transit trips. an understanding of customers, how long I can stay” or “Get from the THE TRIP PLANNER IS THE MOST VISITED AREA OF THE RTA SITE. their motivations, outcomes airport to my hotel” help uncover— and behaviors. without distraction, difficulty or guesswork—what target users really Advance Planning for future transit trips: User personas and scenarios want to accomplish. help establish a framework that NO PLANNING FOR THIS TRIP P LAN BEFORE THIS TRIP P L A N D U RIN G T H I S T R I P RTA can use to imagine new 3. How can users achieve their goals Y T R I P

structures, content, functionality, and have a fulfilling experience? S ER V

flows, devices and interactions to Users come to the site with expectations THI FAMILIAR ANDRE’A help meet people’s needs. They of how they will find what they need. In W/ can serve as an evaluation tool to most cases, these expectations (the see if current and proposed RTA site mental model) are based on how they content, functionality, architecture find information and interact in the real PAMELA and design approaches actually T R I P world. Specifically, frequent riders often S

accommodate the needs and goals MEWHAT have set preferences or a specific route THI FAMILIAR SO of real users. in mind that they’d like to take, while W/ new riders are more likely to accept the Personas and scenarios specifically first travel suggestion given to them. ERIC answer three fundamental questions

that must be addressed when T R I P Personas and scenarios are critical in S creating websites and other defining content, functionality and THI T FAMILIAR O interactive devices: structure that must be developed to W/ N support user needs. Regional Technical Assistance Program (RTAP)

The RTA’s customers are not limited to individual Bellwood Olympia Fields transit riders and taxpayers, but also include the Berwyn Orland Park local governments that host many of the region’s transit services and facilities. Blue Island Park Forest In order to bring local officials and citizens into Brookfield Richton Park the planning process, and to ensure that the transit Buffalo Grove Riverdale system meets local needs, the RTA created the Regional Technical Assistance Program (RTAP). Chicago Riverside Through RTAP, the RTA makes resources available to Cicero Robbins local governments upon their request. These resources include planning assistance, technical support, Crete Rosemont information services, presentations, and consultation. Downers Grove Skokie Eligible RTAP recipients include municipalities, Elgin South Holland townships, counties, the region’s transit operators (CTA, Metra and Pace), transportation management Elmhurst Tinley Park associations, and sub-regional planning agencies. Elmwood Park University Since inception, RTAP has assisted local Evanston Park communities and transit operators with 52 station Villa Park area and local transit improvement plans, 16 sub- Fox River Grove regional and corridor plans, 14 technology projects, Franklin Park Waukegan and 2 market research projects. Some of these RTAP Harvey Westmont projects are highlighted in the following sections— Local Planning, Sub-Regional Planning and Intelligent Hazel Crest Wheeling Transportation. In addition, information on these Justice Winfield projects is available through the RTAMS web site. LaGrange Winthrop Harbor Lemont Wood Dale Maywood Woodstock Melrose Park Zion Midlothian DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference Mokena Montgomery Northwest Municipal Conference Morton Grove Mundelein South Suburban Mayors and Managers Naperville Association New Lenox DuPage County Niles Kane County North Chicago Lake County Village of Fox River Grove: Station area plan to redevelop the downtown area with residential and retail uses around village greens. Oak Park McHenry County

local planning

The regional transit system impacts local communities by providing essential mobility and opportunities for balanced development. Station area plans and local transit improvement plans, supported by the RTA through RTAP, allow communities to pursue an integrated approach to transportation and land use planning. These projects are designed to address local conditions and meet varying community objectives, including Village of Richton Park: Station area plan integrates civic, integration of transit facilities into the fabric commercial and residential uses to create a new town center. of the community. Station area plans are based on the tenets of transit-supportive development—mixed land uses, higher density residential developments, and pedestrian-friendly environments—and often include complementary improvements and enhancements to the community’s transit facilities. Plans are prepared by communities to manage development at greenfield sites and previously developed areas, as well as to encourage redevelopment in under- utilized areas. Local planning also includes transit improvement projects focusing on land uses that support City of Blue Island: New Metra Electric station and pedestrian improvements, including the cross-walk above. bus operations, or on new transit services— such as reverse-commute shuttle buses and community circulators.

Customer Focus 50% of regional survey respondents indicated that the availability of public transit is important to them in their choice of where to live.

Village of University Park: A transit-oriented development study for the Metra station area.

Left: An aerial view of the current station area, mostly undeveloped. Above: A proposed development plan for the station area.

Wisconsin L

94 A K E

LAKE M I C sub-regional MCHENR Y H I planning G A

90 294 N Corridor Planning North Shore 90 Multi-modal corridor studies help the region Northwest Corridor

assess mobility problems and potential solutions. Corridor 90 290

These studies provide an opportunity for local KANE 94 officials, citizens and regional planning organizations Cook- 294 to objectively explore a wide range of possible DuPage 290 Chicago transportation improvements and select the best Corridor 88

solutions. The RTA’s approach to corridor planning 88 DUPAG E 355 Inner is to first perform a travel market analysis to Circumferential 90 understand travel patterns and clarify mobility (STAR Line Future Phase)

94 issues. Alternatives are then developed and 294 compared for cost effectiveness and their ability to COOK improve mobility and meet local expectations. 55 80 57 Outer T r av e l M a r k e t Circumferentialall Indiana A n a ly s i s (STAR Line) Select Priority Markets W ILL O pt i o n s & Joliet 55 F e a s i b i l i ty Arsenal Shortlist of Options A lt e r n at i v e s A n a ly s i s County Transportation Planning Select Locally Preferred County transit plans explore transit service Improvements options and support long-range planning. To date, transit plans have been developed through RTAP The RTA’s corridor planning process has a strong for DuPage, Kane, Lake and McHenry counties. local orientation. Land use and local financing plans The DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference is and the Corridor Planning Standards study elements directing a follow-up to the DuPage Area Transit are led by local municipal sponsors and are typically Plan to develop service plans for an inaugural set funded through RTAP. of community circulators.

Corridor Planning Standards Corridor Planning Standards bring local Regional Commuting Trends communities, their values and perspectives Suburb-to-suburb travel is on the rise: more directly into the planning process for major new workers commute into than out of Cook, DuPage transportation improvements. The RTA is helping the and Lake Counties. Cook-DuPage Corridor communities develop Corridor Planning Standards to screen how well transportation The largest county-to-county work flows in 2000 improvement options meet local expectations and were from DuPage to Cook County (152,433), preferences. These standards, being developed and from Cook to DuPage County (146,135). initially for the Cook-DuPage Corridor, can then be customized for application throughout the region.

Customer Focus Across the region, 83% of survey respondents want public transit expanded, and 52% indicate that public transit is very important in providing access to jobs. Northwest Corridor The Northwest Corridor, centered on the I-90 Northwest Tollway, includes a substantial share of the region’s activity centers, including O’Hare North Shore Corridor International Airport, Schaumburg/Woodfield The village of Skokie completed an RTAP study to and the Elk Grove Industrial Park. The Northwest assess the physical feasibility of new intermediate Municipal Conference has completed an RTAP Study stations and a line extension of the Skokie Swift (CTA to develop a land use and local financing plan to Yellow Line) to provide access to activity centers support a major new transit project. Concurrently, such as Skokie’s central business district and the RTA’s Northwest Corridor Transit Feasibility the Old Orchard Center. With assistance from the Study compared transit proposals offered by RTA, the village of Skokie and the city of Evanston the CTA, Metra and Pace. Local officials in the are undertaking a follow-up corridor travel market Northwest Corridor selected the Suburban Transit analysis to establish the need for and optimal Access Route (STAR Line) commuter rail option. locations of new stations based on market feasibility, Metra is now responsible for advancing the proposal and the need for an extension of the line to serve through the federal planning, funding and environ- existing and emerging travel markets. mental processes.

Cook-DuPage Corridor Outer and Inner Circumferential The RTA is undertaking the Cook-DuPage Corridor Rail Service Feasibility Studies Study in partnership with the Illinois Department Through RTAP, the RTA assisted local of Transportation to examine potential major communities and Metra with design of alternatives transportation system improvements to address the for passenger rail service along the “Outer mobility needs in the western suburbs of Chicago. Circumferential” and “Inner Circumferential” lines to The Cook-Dupage Corridor is recommended for provide inter-suburban mobility and connect existing multi-modal analysis in the region’s 2030 Regional radial Metra and CTA rail lines. The two feasibility Transportation Plan (RTP). The RTA completed the studies established a short list of passenger rail Cook-DuPage Travel Market Analysis to identify segments with the greatest market potential and and assess the severity of corridor mobility were coordinated with locally-led land use planning problems. A broad range of improvement options, efforts. Municipal officials have selected the STAR including proposals from the RTP, are being Line as the preferred alternative for the Hoffman developed and evaluated—leading to the selection Estates-to-Joliet portion of the Outer Circumferential of a preferred alternative. Corridor. The Inner Circumferential is envisioned as a future phase expansion of the STAR Line. Southeast Commuter Rail Corridor Communities in southeast Cook County and Joliet Arsenal Area Transportation Plan northeast Will County are seeking new commuter rail The former Joliet Army Ammunition Plant in service to provide access to downtown Chicago job southwest Will County is being redeveloped for non- opportunities, and to complement local economic military purposes, including the Midewin National development efforts. The feasibility of the proposed Tallgrass Prairie, the Abraham Lincoln National Southeast Service has been established by Metra. In Cemetery and two major industrial parks. The Joliet addition, the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Arsenal Development Authority (JADA) completed an Association has completed an RTAP study to develop RTAP study to develop a comprehensive multi-modal a transit supportive land use and local financing transportation plan for the 36 square mile Arsenal plan. Metra is now conducting a federal Alternatives and its environs. The plan identifies transportation Analysis for the line. priorities to support existing and future development on and around the former Arsenal.

transit coordination

The RTA emphasizes coordination and inter- Physical Coordination connection of the regional transit system through Physical coordination improves transferring the Regional Transit Coordination Program (RTCP). between transit modes operated by the CTA, The RTCP is a multi-year program to enhance Metra, and Pace. As detailed in RTAMS, existing regional mobility, with a goal of seamless travel transit connections at approximately 300 locations on public transportation. In cooperation with throughout the region already serve most travel the CTA, Metra, Pace, and other agencies, markets to some extent. The RTA has assessed the RTCP addresses the four principal elements opportunities for physical improvements at priority of transit coordination – physical coordination, transfer locations that either have high rates of information coordination, service coordination transfer activity, or provide critical local or regional and fare coordination. connections. Through RTAP, various municipalities are exploring specific coordination improvements with RTA assistance. RTA Rail to Rail Connections Map Prototype Rail-to-rail connections map prototype

to Union kenosha Pacific antioch Winthrop Harbor North Line North Information Coordination Central Zion Service Waukegan North Chicago Union Pacific Milwaukee Great Lakes Northwest Line District Lake Bluff Information coordination improves signs, maps

North Line Lake Villa D

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Crystal Lake Glencoe linden use the entire system, including transferring Prairie Libertyville Hubbard Woods Pingree Road Crossing Winnetka Central Mundelein Indian Hill Kenilworth Noyes Vernon Hills Lake Forest between transit modes. Improvements under Wilmette Foster Deerfield Central Street Cary Prairie View Davis Davis Street Fox River Grove Lake Cook Road Dempster Buffalo Grove Barrington Northbrook Main Street Main development include new products such as Wheeling skokie r Palatine Glen - N. Glenview South Blvd e iv N R o howard x Arlington Park Prospect Glenview Amtrak r o t F Heights h

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timber a O'Hare Norwood Pk Transfer k National St. Berwyn Elgin Gladstone Montrose e Park Argyle transfer map. Existing information products, such Cumberland M Irving Park o'hare Forest Glen Lawrence i

Rosemont Harlem c Bartlett Rosemont Wilson Montrose Addison h Wood Jefferson Park N Hanover Schaumburg Itasca Dale Sheridan i g as route maps and schedules, will also be refined Park Irving Park

Schiller Park Paulina a Mayfair Addison Roselle Medinah Bensenville Addison Southport n Belmont Mannheim Belmont Ave Wellington Franklin Park Belmont to better indicate transfer opportunities. The RTA Diversey River Grove Grayland Logan Fullerton Square Elmwood Park Armitage Mont Clare California Sedgwick Mars Western has obtained a federal grant to develop standards Healy Clybourn Galewood Damen North/ Clark/Division 5 Hanson Park Division Clybourn Cragin Chicago Chicago Chicago Western Ave West Glen Villa Melrose River Oak Park Hermosa for and implement prototypes of new and refined Grand Merchandise Grand La Fox Chicago Wheaton Ellyn Park Berkeley Park Forest (Marion St.) Kedzie Mart elburn Clark State Ashland Clinton Union Geneva Winfield College Lombard Elmhutrsot BellwoodanMday wood Oak Park Austin Laramie Pulaski Kedzie Ave. cta millennium Pacific Ridgeland Central Cicero Conservatory- California information products related to interagency travel. pace buses harlem/lake ogilvie Lake station West Line Central Park Dr. transportation center loop Washington Washington Madison Monroe Quincy Adams This is in addition to the RTA’s development and union Jackson station Illinois Amtrak Van Buren St Oak Kedzie- Medical Station Library Park Cicero Homan District Racine Clinton LaSalle LaSalle forest demonstration of real-time passenger information park 54 Cicero Harlem Austin Pulaski Western UIC lasalle Polk Halsted street station Harrison Western Roosevelt Roosevelt Rd 18th 18th St systems through RTIP. Montrose Cicero Pulaski Kedzie 78 Halsted St 54th/ McCormick Place cermak Kostner Central California Damen Cermak- 27th St Park Chinatown 47th St - Kenwood Congress Harlem Cicero Cicero l Sox- 35th- 254 Stone Ave Park Hollywood Ave a 53rd-Hyde Park n 35th Bronzeville-IIT Western Springs Clyde a Halsted C 55th-56th-57th St ip Indiana Highlands LaVergne h S Ashland 59th St LaGrange Rd d Brookfield Riverside Berwyn n 43rd Hinsdale Amtrak a 63rd St ry 35th/Archer 47th 47th ta i S Stony Island West Hinsdale n o a Western 51st u S t Bryn Mawr o h Clarendon Hills g Garfield Garfield Chicago B a r South Shore ic Kedzie a h 75th St n Westmont C ch Windsor Park Pulaski Halsted E 63rd/ 79th St Amtrak Summit Cheltenham - 79th St Fairview Ave ashland/ cottage 83rd St 63rd grove 83rd Willow Springs midway 63rd King Dr 87th St Downers Grove Main St to metra 87th 69th 91st St Belmont Wrightwood 95th St 93rd st - commuter Gresham 79th 103rd St south chicago BNSF Lisle Lemont Ashburn Brainerd trains 91st St 87th 107th St Oak Lawn r 95th St 111th-Pullman e r 95th/ aurora iv e Chicago Ridge 99th St 95th St - 115th-Kensington Naperville R iv e dan ryan e R n 103rd St Longwood Amtrak g s i Worth Route 59 a e L P n r Hegewisch u i 107th St ch h D a o n c l d Palos Heights a 103rd St - State St n P i 111th St r ra s rr B Washington B Riverdale e ly d to D o Palos Park 115th St r n C ve Heights a e l Ivanhoe south e 119th St B Is r g e e bend a 143rd St (Orland Park) Stewart Ridge lu iv 147th St-Sibley Blvd it 123rd St B R r ic t e tr e Harvey South Shore Line H Prairie St Burr c m Mayfair 153rd St (Orland Park) le u E l Oak Racine Ave a a Hazel Crest tr C Lockport Blue Island - e 179th St (Orland Park) Vermont St M Calumet Blue Ashland Ave Homewood Amtrak Island West fox lake line Pullman Robbins Flossmoor Midlothian Olympia Fields joliet Oak Forest 211th-Lincoln Hwy Amtrak Rock Island New Lenox Mokena Hickory Tinley Park - Tinley Park Matteson District Line Creek 80th Ave Richton Park Metra Laraway Road university Electric 836-7000 (summer '06) park Line RTA Rail to Rail Map.eps June06 rta Regional Transportation Authority Schedules and trip planning metra pace macnta hattan SouthWest Service

Interagency signage prototype

10 Transit Service Ratings

Service Coordination Service coordination explores options to better connect regional travel markets with components of the existing transit system. Cost-effective ways to improve regional mobility include the use of buses between activity centers and nearby rail stations to serve both reverse commuters and suburb-to-suburb travel. Such improvements are typically developed through RTAP projects involving (See insert) a combination of local agencies and the region’s transit operators. The previous pages on multi- modal Corridor Planning Studies also describe the RTA’s efforts to define major transportation investments that would better serve important regional travel markets.

Fare Coordination Fare coordination makes it easier for transit customers to pay for travel on different parts of the RTA system with a single transaction or fare instrument. Potential benefits of improved fare coordination include passenger convenience and enhanced operations. The RTA continues Rating Key: to work with the CTA, Metra, and Pace to explore approaches for a universal fare card. The exploration of improvements is considering the cost of implementing and managing fare coordination relative to the benefits received.

The size of the dots represents the quantity of trips. A lower number represents more direct transit service.

Total Trips to Transit Regional Activity Destination Service Center (Destination) Zone (Daily) Rating Downtown Chicago (Loop) 632,000 1.5

Oak Brook / East-West Corridor 1,282,000 2.7

Schaumburg / Northwest Corridor 1,537,000 3.1

Customer Focus Across the region, 36% of survey respondents who commute to work by auto claim that a need to transfer on a transit trip is a disincentive to using public transit.

11 intelligent transportation Wisconsin GCM Hub Gateway The RTA develops technology solutions for RTA Hub Hub improving transit in the region, from both the Illinois Transit Hub operational and passenger perspectives. The CTA Hub RTA established the Regional Transit Intelligent Metra Hub Transportation System (ITS) Program (RTIP) as a framework for the coordinated development of new Illinois Indiana Pace Hub Hub transit technologies in the region. Hub The RTA, CTA, Metra, and Pace are evaluating and implementing a number of ITS technologies with the common theme of seamless transportation, hosted by a fully-integrated, multi-modal traveler information system. The benefits of the system include expanded The ITH enables trip-planning options for the public, operational communications between transit, highway efficiencies, and service improvements. and other transportation agencies for multi-modal operations, emergency management and traveler information services.

Illinois Transit Hub The technical goal of RTIP is the development of the Illinois Transit Hub (ITH). The ITH is a communication system that centrally collects regional transit- related information—using data from the real-time vehicle location, scheduling and incident management systems implemented by the CTA, Metra and Pace. Currently under development, the ITH web site will include a next train/bus finder; enhanced trip planner; travel alerts via email, mobile phone, or personal digital assistant (PDA); live travel news for all three transit operators; plus links to highway disruptions—all combined on one page.

The multi-modal trip planner system The following projects demonstrate how will provide travel Customer Focus options that the information made available from these consider customer systems is being delivered to the public. convenience, 67% of survey respondents indicated cost, real-time that they would use public transportation information, and more often if the actual arrival times of environmental impacts. the next bus or train were displayed at the station or stop.

12 Traveler Information Operational Efficiency Active Transit Parking Management Guidance Systems Station Signs (ATSS) (PMGS) provide real-time information about parking are variable message availability for transit facilities, through the use of signs designed to vehicle detection technologies. Parking information provide real-time and route guidance will “next train” or be displayed on variable “next bus” arrival message signs located information in on major arterials and countdown format, Active Transit Station Signs expressways. A field as well as transit demonstration is being advisory messages conducted for the Tinley like service delays, through an interface with the Parking Management Park/Hickory Creek vehicle control systems. The active signs are being Guidance System portion of the Metra demonstrated in four key multi-modal stations: Rock Island District line. Davis Street, Cumberland Avenue, and at O’Hare and Midway airports (in partnership with the CTA and the Service Improvements Chicago Department of Aviation). Transit Signal Priority (TSP) is a tool that In addition, the RTA and project partners have can improve transit operating efficiency while developed a kiosk system that combines destination complementing the region’s ongoing efforts to information (“where people want to go”) provided reduce traffic congestion. TSP strategies reduce by the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau, transit delay through traffic signal-controlled with trip planning and transit information (“how to intersections by giving transit vehicles either an get there” on transit). Demonstration kiosks are early or extended green light with minimal impacts available to the public on pedestrian safety and general at prime locations, purpose traffic. including the Chicago For this effort, the RTA established Cultural Center, Westfield a Regional TSP Integration Plan that Northbridge Shopping Mall, includes both transit and traffic elements Navy Pier, Shedd Aquarium, for a multi-jurisdictional system. The CTA Headquarters, Union operational impacts Station, Metra Randolph of TSP have been Street Station, Midway evaluated and the Airport, and also at the region is prepared for RTA Customer Service strategic deployments Center and Pace Bus Demonstration kiosk at Metra Randolph St. Station that support Bus Headquarters. The RTA Rapid Transit. has also developed RTA Through RTAP, the Mobile (www.rtamobile.com) to allow passengers RTA is coordinating to plan trips and get transit schedules using Kiosk Screen Interface field deployments for web-enabled cellular phones or personal digital the CTA and Pace. assistants (PDAs).

13 Asset Management

Regional Transportation Asset Management System (RTAMS) www.rtams.org The RTA’s Regional Transportation Asset Management System (RTAMS) web site provides detailed planning and financial information about the transportation systems in northeastern Illinois. Users can search and cross-reference RTAMS’s data sets, including the location of transportation assets and services, public transit ridership, Tollway traffic Access RTAMS at www.rtams.org or volumes, planning studies, transit sales tax revenues by clicking on the and political jurisdictions. The site also includes RTAMS logo on the RTA web site at information from the 2030 Regional Transportation www.rtachicago.org Plan, the regional traffic signal inventory, aerial Users are required to create an RTAMS imagery, and land use maps. account through a simple online form. RTAMS was developed by the RTA in coordination When analyzing U.S. Census CTPP travel flow with the CTA, Metra, Pace, the Illinois State Toll data, users can select origins and destinations Highway Authority (Tollway), the Chicago Area with an interactive map or from a menu of pre-defined geographies. Transportation Study (CATS), the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC) and the University of Census Transportation Planning Package Illinois Chicago (UIC). The RTAMS web site includes detailed origin- Originally designed as an in-house tool for RTA destination work trip flow data from the Census staff, the RTAMS information system has evolved Transportation Planning Package (CTPP). This into an extensive inter-modal transportation web site 2006 enhancement provides users with a rich, popular among transportation professionals, elected complex dataset including detailed tabulations of officials and advocacy groups. The RTA’s goal was characteristics of workers’ at their place of residence, to package the wealth of transportation data so that at work and travel between home and work. The data professionals and members of the public could access also includes population, households, and housing information about how transportation is funded, units from the 2000 Census for municipalities, planned, and used in northeastern Illinois. counties and congressional districts. The region’s transportation agencies have had The RTAMS “Demographics and Travel Patterns” access to RTAMS since 2002, and municipalities have menu allows users to select an origin and destination had access since 2003. A public version of the RTAMS from over 200 predefined areas in 37 counties, site was deployed in June 2005. This version added customize a geographical area from over 9,000 origin- many enhancements including a new interactive map destination zones or use an interactive map. and automated user account management. The RTA is Other enhancements include an integration of the continuing to expand the web site’s capabilities and 2001 NIPC Land Use inventory for the 6 county area. content with participation from contributors. Also, the Political Jurisdictions section was expanded to include information about counties, municipalities, congressional districts, house & senate districts, county board districts, councils of mayors and Chicago wards.

14 Oversight Programs The RTA’s oversight programs are consistent with the RTA’s statutory mandate to: ensure that the CTA, Pace and Metra are managing their capital funds and projects efficiently; enforce the State Safety Oversight rule for fixed rail guideway systems; and study and encourage the development of new transportation technologies. The RTA executes these responsibilities through the implementation of Project Management Oversight (PMO), Rail Safety Oversight (RSO), and the Regional Transit ITS Program (RTIP). The PMO program assesses whether transit projects are being implemented according to scope, on schedule, within budget, and according to established project management guidelines. The RSO program establishes criteria for the CTA rail system safety and security plans, ensures safe operation of the rail system, and maintains the personal security of the passengers and employees. The ITS Program ensures compliance with the National ITS Architecture Program, which is required for use of federal funds to implement ITS projects. RTAMS increasingly makes information related to these program areas easily accessible, which also provides decision support for future investments.

Top: Another feature of RTAMS is the ability to search for assets and other pertinent information by political jurisdiction boundaries.

Middle: Included in each jurisdiction search is a land use map and percentage chart.

Bottom: RTAMS also offers an Interactive Map RTAMS capability has been expanded with over 35 datasets from which users can choose. to include PMO program web tools.

RTA staff conducts site inspections for construction projects, such as the rehabilitation of the CTA Red Line Dan Ryan Branch.

15 Wisconsin l a k e

m i c h Contact Information i g

and Directory of n Online Resources

RTA 175 West Jackson Blvd. r e g i o nal Suite 1550 Chicago, IL 60604 (312) 913-3200 transp o rtati o n www.rtachicago.org a u th o rity RTA Planning Department For information on the programs or projects described in this brochure, contact: Illinois Indiana Fluturi Demirovski (312) 913-3239 Information is also available at www.rtams.org Over the last 150 years, northeastern Illinois Making Connections and the city of Chicago have served as a major RTA Customer Service destination and transportation hub for the entire 175 West Jackson Blvd., Suite 250 country. The region draws tourist and business Chicago, IL 60604 travelers, with two major airports, O’Hare and (312) 913-3110 Midway, that average more than 80 million

passengers per year. It is also a major transfer

s RTA/CTA Transit Benefit Program i

point for freight between eastern and western t u n

Allows companies and employees to purchase r

o b railroads and for the trucking industry, with 28 t

RTA Transit Checks and/or CTA Transit Cards a

e c

major rail and truck terminals. - n

which are tax-deductible for employers r

s and tax-free for employees l e l

i (800) 531-2828 i g

s g t p i l s e o c a Travel Information Hotline e n n n o n Call 836-7000 from any local t t a o i n CTA l g area code in the six-county region t r m 567 West Lake St. r p TTY: (312) 836-4949 d l Chicago, IL, 60661 a a i a n n n RTA Map (312) 681-2020 n n s a i www.transitchicago.com a t n Request a map for delivery by postal mail or email p i g g o [email protected] o n Metra e r 547 West Jackson Blvd. m t Moving Beyond Congestion a Chicago, IL 60661 e t n i Help expand and modernize mass transit (312) 322-6760 o t n in Northeastern Illinois www.metrarail.com www.movingbeyondcongestion.org Pace 550 West Algonquin Rd. Arlington Heights, IL 60005 a joint strategic planning project (847) 228-4261 www.pacebus.com Illinois Nighttime Lights, 2000 by the RTA, CTA, Metra, and Pace Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Operational Linescan System

Publication design: RTA Planning Department | November 2006