Planning Programs and Projects

This project proposes a planning study to determine if there are efficiencies to be achieved by consolidating or coordinating service delivery and support services associated with the transportation programs of eight human service agencies (Ray Graham, Little City, CTF Illinois, Clearbrook, New Star Services, Park Lawn Services, Sertoma Center and Blue Cap). This is a new project proposal and is directly derived from the HSTP goals.

The RTA assisted the DuPage County Department of Transportation to develop its first county-wide mobility framework plan. The plan offers a muti-modal analysis of the County’s existing transportation network and presents a framework of themes, goals, and strategies that the County can use to improve the connectivity and convenience of transit, pedestrian, and bicycle networks. Some of the goals contained in the plan include responding to the changing transportation market and addressing the needs of employers and residents in the County to attract and retain employees and residents.

Phase VIII of Pace's Regional Call Center takes reservations for dial a ride and demand response services to seniors and individuals with disabilities.  The Call Center provides comprehensive mobility management services that improve the coordination and operation of transportation services and supports county-led coordination services funded by Section 5310

This project will create various pedestrian and access improvements to and around the Aurora Transportation Center including entrance modifications at the intersection of Spring Street and the creation of a Kiss and Ride area for passenger drop off. Other improvements include the installation of real time message boards on the platform to indicate train departure/arrival time and track location, installation of bike shelters on the east side of the Metra tracks and at the existing bike racks located along the west side of the platform, and installation of decorative monument signs at the Spring Street and Broadway Avenue entrances. Finally, four commuter transit shelters with heaters will be installed on the platforms and bike lanes along Spring Street, running east and west will be installed to improve access for people using bicycles to access the station.

The RTA convened a Developer Discussion Panel to assist the Village's efforts to attract transit- oriented development (TOD) at a vacant ~6-acre site located directly adjacent to the Metra Electric Ashland Avenue station. The Village will benefit from developer expertise on how to attract and consider development proposals that optimize the neighboring transit asset and align with local and regional goals.

The RTA assisted the City to update its TOD Plan that was completed in 2005 for areas surrounding the Pace Harvey Transportation Center, including the Metra station, the Pace Transportation Center, the adjacent civic campus and points west to connect to residential areas and the University of Chicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Hospital. The plan addresses population loss and ways to leverage improvements underway at the Metra station and Transportation Center to rebuild the downtown population through higher-density, transit-supportive, quality infill development.

CTF Illinois provides transportation support to children and adults with diverse disabilities.  The door-to-door transportation services are vital to allow persons enrolled at CTF greater access to their daily supports including vocational, community employment, educational, fine arts, and advocacy.  This award includes funding for GPS fleet tracking devices to provide precise travel data.

Little City continues to provide transportation to seniors and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who are enrolled with Little City to places of employment, community-based programs, Special Olympics regional competitions, and medical appointments. 

The RTA is assisting the CTA with developing a strategy for bus route enhancements that will address slow zones along CTA Bus Route #8 - Halsted Street. The strategies are being developed in coordination with other transportation analyses along the corridors. The improvements will work to speed bus operations in persistent congested areas and accommodate expected growth in the North Branch area with improved transit service.

The Ride in Kane project coordinates dial-a-ride services in Kane County into a centralized system that optimizes transportation resources for older adults and persons with disabilities.  The sponsors of this project include multiple private non-profit organizations and local units of government.  The award includes funding to support 1.5 positions at the County to lead mobility management efforts for Ride in Kane.