|
TRANSPORT CHICAGO 2021 VIRTUAL CONFERENCE Friday, June 18, 2021 |
9:00–9:45am • SESSION 1
|
Red Line
Insights on Chicago Mobility During the COVID-19 Pandemic Alex Levin, RSG; Singh Hersh, RTA: Return to Transit? Surveying Chicago’s Current and Lapsed Transit Riders During the COVID-19 Pandemic
DESCRIPTION
The RTA conducted the COVID-19 Lapsed Rider Survey to better understand the travel behavior, attitudes, and preferences of current and lapsed transit riders in the Chicago region during the COVID-19 pandemic. RTA, as well as stakeholders at CMAP, CTA, Metra, and Pace contributed to this effort and will use this survey data to better understand their shifting markets through the pandemic and to then guide planning and policymaking as the pandemic evolves. Developed as a repeated cross-sectional study, Wave 1 of the survey was conducted in November 2020 and Wave 2 in January 2021 to examine how behavior and sentiment has changed over time. The research team used an online survey platform to field the survey. Over 60,000 email invitations were sent to customers from CTA, Metra, and Pace for each wave. The final weighted dataset includes 2,558 respondents for Wave 1 and 3,079 respondents for Wave 2. This presentation will briefly introduce the survey methodology and will then focus on the key findings from the study. Key Findings focus on 1) findings we previously saw anecdotally but now have local survey data to confirm, e.g., who relied on transit during the pandemic, 2) findings that tell us where transit use might be going in the Chicago region, e.g., the role of telework, and 3) findings that tell us what transit agencies can do to encourage return to transit, e.g., where riders want future investment targeted. Gwendolyn Purifoye, North Park University: The Mobility Effect: COVID-19 and Black Lives Matter in Chicago
DESCRIPTION
The scholarship examining what some are calling the ‘dual pandemics’, i.e. COVID-19 and systemic racism is steadily growing. These works give attentive to how systemic racism and the social determinants of health have shaped disparate patterns in COVID-19 infection and mortality rates and have energized the Black Lives Matter movement (Burström and Tao 2020; Burwell, et al. 2020; Carr 2020; Junker 2020; Rollston and Galea 2020). Although we are also seeing that public transportation is impacted by the pandemic and that many of the low-wage ‘essential’ workers also rely on public transit (Patel et al. 2020; Tirachini and Cats 2020) less is understood about the mitigating patterns of ‘dual pandemics’ that is being shaped through public transport systems. Using transit data and ethnographic data collected over the past 12 months in Chicago, this project examines the coronavirus pandemic and Black Lives Matter through a spatial, mobile, and race lens. Specifically, I interrogate the spatialization of the pandemic and the Black Lives Movement through a micro-analysis of public transportation and people’s everyday lived experiences in Chicago. |
Blue Line
Shifting the Paradigm on Bikes + Transit in Chicago Alex Perez, Active Transportation Alliance: Chicago Needs a Safe Biking Network Now
DESCRIPTION
A new analysis by the Active Transportation Alliance of seven key Chicago bicycling routes finds only 15 percent of lane miles have the high-quality infrastructure needed to protect bicyclists and get more people riding. Even the most important routes from the city’s Streets for Cycling Plan 2020 for the most part lack quality infrastructure. The plan identified seven spoke routes to act as bicycling thoroughfares and connect Chicago neighborhoods: Clark, Milwaukee, Lake/Randolph, Archer, Vincennes, South Chicago, State Street/Wabash. These routes were selected partly because there is enough space on these streets to install protected bike lanes. The plan says barrier protected bike lanes are the recommended design for spoke routes. The city’s recently passed capital plan and an expected infusion of federal funds provide opportunity for leaders to address these massive gaps and start to build a truly connected network. Last year during the early months of the Covid-19 shutdown, Chicago experienced a boom in the number of bike sales and people biking for outdoor recreation or essential travels. As the weather gets warmer this year, there will be more people riding a bicycle and an increased demand for safe places to ride. Adding bike lanes where they are needed most, such as in the city’s South and West Sides with barriers that physically separate people biking from car and truck traffic, will protect people riding, encourage new riders, and put us on a path towards a safer and more sustainable transportation network. Kate Lowe, University of Illinois at Chicago: Advancing Equity and Mobility Justice In and Through Public Transit
DESCRIPTION
Public transit connects millions of U.S. residents daily to essential economic, civic, health and social opportunities, even during the covid-19 pandemic. Significant but widely divergent pandemic drops in ridership have dramatized that riders have different work and transportation choices and demonstrated that services do not universally generate the same contributions to addressing inequity. These differential patterns of transit ridership and new attention to the contributions of essential workers have helped prompt new discourse around mass transit’s contributions to individuals, cities, and society. This paper examines transit spending and how transit ridership varies by rail and bus, as well as during the pandemic in Chicago. By doing so, the paper explains how transit investment does not uniformly address historic and current inequities. It then discusses different types of riders and goals for transit and finally concludes with strategies for different levels of government to better achieve mobility justice in and through public transit. |
10:00–11:00am • KEYNOTE WITH DONALD SHOUP
Donald Shoup is Distinguished Research Professor in the Department of Urban Planning at the University of California, Los Angeles. His research has focused on transportation, public finance, and land economics, with emphasis on how parking policies affect cities, the economy, and the environment. In his landmark 2005 book, The High Cost of Free Parking, Shoup recommended that cities should (1) charge fair market prices for on-street parking, (2) spend the revenue to improve public services in the metered neighborhoods, and (3) remove off-street parking requirements. In his 2018 book, Parking and the City, Shoup and his co-authors examined the results where cities have adopted these policies. The successful outcomes show this trio of reforms may be the simplest, cheapest, and fastest way to improve city life, protect the environment, and promote social justice. Shoup is a Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners and an Honorary Professor at the Beijing Transportation Research Center. The American Planning Association gave Shoup its National Excellence Award for a Planning Pioneer, and the American Collegiate Schools of Planning gave him its Distinguished Educator Award.
Here is a piece Shoup is working on. A bill in the California Legislature would prohibit parking requirements in large parts of many California cities, so naturally there are wild claims about how this will make cities unlivable.
11:15am–12:10pm • SESSION 2
|
Red Line
Bus Networks and YOU Jeremiah Cox, Michiana Area Council of Governments: A Tale of Two Systems: The Power of Shared Operations
DESCRIPTION
Changing busses on the edge of town is no one’s idea of a good time. Before the creation of the Yellow Line, riders in both South Bend and Elkhart, Indiana regularly had to engage in this unpleasant task. While a common solution to these edge of town transfers is to invest substantially in new infrastructure, the creation of the Yellow line resolved this problem without such financial commitments. Instead, the Yellow line made use of preexisting resources through sharing operations. We will present the story of one of the only transit lines in the country operating with buses from two different transit agencies. The Yellow Line is jointly operated by the transit agencies of South Bend and Elkhart. The creation of this line, completed in Summer of 2018, required the coordination of resources, schedules, and fares. The route was proposed as a solution to community opposition to the previous transfer point. Beyond addressing this community concern, this line also increased frequency in the area, significantly improved the connectivity between destinations on the two transit systems, and improved regional connections including to the South Shore line to Chicago. In a true testament to the effectiveness of this new shared operations strategy, we will cover how we adopted it to meet the changing needs of a COVID-19 world. This involved expanding shared operations to routes beyond the Yellow Line and the ongoing implementation of regional mobile ticketing. This strategy has a lot of potential for other systems in the Midwest. Adele Hall, SRF Consulting Group: Arterial BRT: the (Network) Next Generation
DESCRIPTION
Ridership growth on the Twin Cities’ arterial bus rapid transit lines—A Line (opened 2016) and C Line (opened 2019)—has been steady and significant. The rider response offers proof of concept; build high-quality, high-capacity transit lines in dense urban neighborhoods and they will be well-used services with a high return on the public’s investment. As momentum for arterial BRT builds, planning, design, and construction continues: D Line will open in 2022, B Line in 2024, and E Line in 2026. So, what’s next? Join SRF Consulting to learn about the data analysis and evaluation process Metro Transit and SRF used to determine where the next generation of arterial bus rapid transit —the F, G, and H lines—will be built in the Twin Cities. |
Blue Line
Reimaged Transit + Bicycle Planning for Effective Decision Making Chris Szmurlo, RTA: Presentation of the Redesigned RTAMS Website
DESCRIPTION
In January 2021, the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) launched a redesigned and revamped version of RTAMS, its open data website. The updated site is a faster, mobile friendly, and more interactive approach to data transparency. Staff from the RTA will discuss the new and improved ways that users can explore, search, and study data from the Chicago region’s transit network. This presentation will specifically touch upon the following features from the new RTAMS:
Peter Dirks, Cook County Dept. of Transportation and Highways: Proximity vs Access: Developing Better Tools to Evaluate Access to New Bicycle Facilities
DESCRIPTION
In recent years, the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways (CC DoTH) has invested significant resources in creating new off-street bike paths and plays a major role in the expansion of the low-stress bike network in the region. Accurately assessing the benefits of these facilities can be difficult if the impacts of discontinuities in the network caused by highways, industrial areas, waterways, and railroads and cyclists’ reluctance to bike on or across major arterial streets and truck routes are not taken into account. To better estimate residents’ access to off-street bike paths, the CC DoTH worked with the Accessibility Observatory (AO) at the University of Minnesota to compute the distance a resident must travel by bicycle to a bike path in Cook County at the Census block level using only routes with a lower level of traffic stress. This tool shows that, of the County residents living within 1.5 miles of a bike path, only 61% could actually reach a bike path via the low-stress network without biking more than 3 miles. This tool can be used to evaluate how a new trail project, crossing improvement, or other bike facility improves access to off-street paths and is particularly helpful in targeting those projects where they will most benefit economically disadvantaged and BIPOC residents, children, seniors, and other key populations. Because this methodology uses open-source tools and public data, this methodology is easily transferable to other cities and counties. Adam Barnum, Connetics Transportation Group: How useful is your transit system? An Example of Transit Usefulness to Make Planning Decisions
DESCRIPTION
As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, transit service delivery in cities is going to change. No longer will there be an emphasis on peak period, commuter travel. Instead, riders are going to want frequent, all day service. In short, they are going to want their system to become more useful over a longer period of time. This session will present a real-world example of using network access to quantify the usefulness of the system. In Duluth the Better Bus Blueprint is an update to the DTA bus network. DTA knows they want a more direct, streamlined network, but they needed a way to show the public how much travel times will improve across the region. This example will show how travel time and area of access were used to quantify two distinct service concepts and help DTA decide how to revise their network. |
12:15–1:15pm • SESSION 3
|
Red Line
Transportation Equity Research and Initiatives Lindsay Hollander, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
Jesse Elam, Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways Curtis Witek, Antero Group description
Metropolitan Chicago’s transportation system is a literal route to opportunity for the region’s residents, connecting them to jobs, education, and services. Unfortunately, these opportunities are not evenly shared in northeastern Illinois. Persistent transportation inequities exist, many disproportionately impacting mobility options in communities of color and travel for people with disabilities. These inequities stretch across domains from the costs of fees and fines to access to efficient commutes and the high cost of driving. Panelists will present on transportation equity initiatives and research, including:
|
Blue Line
Running on Empty: The Coming Shift to Road Usage Charging (RUC) (And How it Impacts Mobility in Chicago) Travis Dunn, CDM Smith
Ed Regan, CDM Smith Justine Sydello, CDM Smith James Whitty, CDM Smith description
This session will focus on the declining sustainability of the motor fuel tax as the primary source of transportation funding in Illinois and across the country. It is increasingly likely that America will see a shift to “per mile” charging over the next 10 years. A four part presentation is proposed:
|
1:30–2:30pm • SESSION 4
|
Red Line
North Lake Shore Drive: Full Virtual Engagement Speakers:
Amanda Kleinwachter, Civiltech Engineering Josie Willman, Civiltech Engineering Lissa Sweeney, Metro Strategies And: Nathan Roseberry, Chicago Department of Transportation DESCRIPTION
One of Chicago’s largest multi-modal transportation spines is being “redefined”, and this presentation will highlight the innovative process used to gather virtual input at a critical point in the project process. The North Lake Shore Drive Phase I Study team proposes a case study on how to conduct virtual public engagement on a large, complex project using a variety of techniques. The presentation will feature engagement opportunities, including providing activities in a virtual setting by using tools such as an interactive mapping tool, a virtual ‘post-it note’ wall, small group discussions, and an online survey. Presenters will detail how virtual engagement proved to be more effective than anticipated, and how government agencies have maintained progress on a multi-year, multi-phase project during the global pandemic. This hour-long presentation will also highlight the idea of a more robust virtual component as a basis for future community engagement. Project Overview: The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) are conducting a Phase I Study on seven miles of North Lake Shore Drive (NLSD), from Grand Avenue to Hollywood Avenue, to rebuild a multi-modal transportation corridor that effectively balances the needs of all users. The project includes 12 junctions, 22 bridges and tunnels, and touches 11 of Chicago’s most densely populated neighborhoods. The Drive is surrounded by historic Lincoln Park, which features bicycle and pedestrian lakefront trails. Since the project began in 2013, 12 Task Force meetings, six community meetings, and four public meetings. |
Blue Line
Vision Zero Chicago Downtown Michael Kent, Chicago Department of Transportation
Siddharth Shah, Sam Schwartz Consulting DESCRIPTION
This summer the Chicago Department of Transportation will release the Vision Zero Downtown Action Plan — a bold effort to improve traffic safety in Chicago’s core. The plan was developed as part of the City’s Vision Zero commitment to eliminate severe traffic crashes — those resulting in death or serious injury. Downtown Chicago experiences the highest overall number of severe crashes across the City. While the plan was developed prior to the pandemic, COVID-19 has affected all aspects of daily life, including transportation in the Downtown. With physical distancing in mind, more people are using active transportation, such as biking and walking. And despite fewer vehicles on the road in 2020, there was an increase in fatal crashes and dangerous driving behaviors including speeding. Through the height of the COVID-19 crisis, as the City recovers, and after the crisis is past us, one thing remains unchanged: the need to make Chicago’s streets safe for everyone. This session will explore several main recommendations of the Vision Zero Downtown Action Plan including a 20 mph speed limit in the Central Business District, rapid delivery infrastructure treatments that improve roadway design quickly and affordably, and on-the-street education strategies to engage the public. The panel will also address adjustments to the plan made to address the urgent traffic safety issues created by the COVID-19 pandemic. |
2:45–3:45pm • SESSION 5
|
Red Line
Connect2Work: Bedforf Park's First/Last Mile and Late-Night Pilot Program Jesse Elam, Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways
Curtis Witek, Antero Group Peter Fahrenwald, RTA Joe Ronovsky, Village of Bedford Park DESCRIPTION
Industrial and distribution facilities are a major source of employment in the Chicago region, but the low density of jobs within such employment districts, which often operate late shifts, limit the viability of traditional public transit to serve these workers. Together, the Village of Bedford, the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and the Cook County of Department of Transportation and Highways (CC DoTH) are funding a one-year pilot program which provides different transportation services for Bedford Park workers to connect to nearby transit or to their homes late at night. This includes subsidized Uber rides and a customized smart phone app as well as a free on-demand shuttle service during peak travel times in the weekday. During this session, presenters will provide background to the planning and implementation of the pilot as well as lessons learned and data on the use of the service to date. |
Blue Line
Joint Session: RPM's Progress and Future + Bringing Metra to Fulton Market Jesse Thomas, Sam Schwartz Consulting
Carrie Wagener, CTA Graham Garfield, CTA Chris Kopp, HNTB David Kralik, Metra Jason Biernat, Chicago Department of Transportation DESCRIPTION
RPM's Progress and Future: The Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Phase One project is a transformative project that that is now under way on the North Side of Chicago and follows a number of major investments into the Red Line in the past decade. The project’s scope is threefold. First, to completely rebuild the Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn, and Bryn Mawr stations and all the tracks and support structures for more than a mile adjacent to the stations. The new stations will be accessible for the first time and include wider platforms, better lighting and modern amenities. The project also includes the construction of a Red-Purple Bypass north of Belmont station trains as part of modernizing a century-old rail junction where Red, Purple and Brown Line trains currently intersect, providing CTA with more rail capacity and reducing delays. The third part of Phase One is the replacement of a 50-year-old rail signal system from Belmont to Howard to create that will provide more reliable service to customers. At the time of the conference, we will have just entered a significant new phase of construction that has major impacts to Red and Purple Line customers and the communities surrounding the project areas. In our presentation we will provide the historical context of the project, give the project’s trajectory that brings it to this new phase, describe what will happen during the newest phase, and address what will happen through the rest of the project. We will also address the community outreach and workforce development efforts associated with this project. And of course, the pandemic has affected nearly all aspects of the project and we will address the challenges it has presented and solutions found. Bringing Metra to Fulton Market: Fulton Market is one of Chicago’s fastest growing areas, positioned on the edge of the central business district and close to major employment centers like the Illinois Medical District, Kinzie Industrial Corridor, and major developments like Lincoln Yards. Metra’s A-2 interlocking is the busiest crossing in the region’s commuter rail system, serving seven of eleven lines and more than half of Metra’s passengers. The A-2 interlocking is both a chokepoint limiting capacity and a critical point of failure, as experienced in the 2014 polar vortex when the switches froze and paralyzed the commuter rail system. Reconstruction of the A-2 interlocking as a rail over rail flyover will eliminate delays, increase resiliency, and support a potential infill station in Fulton Market, providing access for residents and attract visitors for dining and entertainment. The additional railroad capacity at A-2 is also a prerequisite for potential O’Hare Service, carrying thousands of people between two of the largest economic centers in Northeast Illinois and putting Chicago on par with other world class cities with fast, frequent airport-downtown rail service. Metra and the City of Chicago are collaborating to examine the feasibility of these improvements and assess benefits. This presentation will provide an overview of work to date and next steps. |
