CHICAGO, Ill.—In any large metropolitan city a key to enjoying it is being able to get around in it. Long time residents of Chicago have learned how to avoid the traffic jams, and congestion that can at times cripple any nice day. Now the City of Chicago is seeing if it can help.
Chicago was recently been granted $153.1 million in federal funds to reduce traffic congestion. The money will be used to implement new express bus service, known as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), and higher parking prices in downtown Chicago during peek congestion hours. The first pilot phase of the BRT would cover 10.2 miles—with the idea being to cover more than 100 miles of downtown Chicago.
"We have the second largest transit system in the country. A million people a day ride [Chicago] buses, and too many of them are stuck in traffic," said Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, in an April 29 press release.
The peak period pricing system is designed to encourage off-peak period driving within downtown Chicago and encourage public transportation during peak periods, thereby reducing congestion and travel times.
"As for the BRT, it is a more cost effective way to provide the speed and reliability closer to rail service without the costly infrastructure. Both Los Angeles and Vancouver saw [mass transit] ridership increase after they introduced BRT," said Mayor Daley.
Part of the plan would have buses on the BRT lanes outfitted with radio transmitters that inform traffic signals they were approaching, and either extend a green light by just a few seconds or shorten a red light by the same amount. The specifics of the BRT plan include fewer bus stops, dedicated bus lanes, next-bus arrival information at bus stops, and quick rear door and prepaid boarding.
The money for the plan comes from federal funds available for congestion reduction demonstration programs. The city hopes to complete the pilot project by 2010. There must still be approval by the Chicago City Council and the Chicago Transit Authority Board—although no major objections are expected.
With Chicagoans spending nearly an hour and half commuting to and from work, there was a need for federal funding to lay the groundwork for modernizing and improving public transportation in Chicago, according to U.S. Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois, who helped secure the funds.
"We believe it will be a model for other cities," said Sen. Durbin.
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