Planning Programs and Projects

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.

The Regional Transit Coordination Plan is an ongoing multi-year program aimed at enhancing regional mobility by facilitating seamless travel on public transportation.

As part of the Market Identification and Sensitivity Analysis components of the plan, a transfer Location Study was completed in March 2001 in order to prioritize inter-agency transfer locations for further evaluation. The Location Study identified and classified approximately 300 existing locations throughout the region where it is possible to transfer between two or more transit operators. The study also evaluated another 50 potential locations where transfers could occur based on new rail stations or extensions. Based on the results of this study, three conclusions were established by the project team to guide further coordination efforts. First, it appears that existing transit connections already serve most travel markets to some extent. Second, downtown transfer locations play an important role in regional transit mobility. And third, the project team recommended prioritizing investments in existing locations that either have high rates of transfer activity, or provide critical local or regional connections.

To supplement the Location Study, a survey instrument was developed by the RTA to gauge residents¿ awareness and opinions regarding various aspects of transit coordination. Telephone interviews were conducted by the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Survey Research Laboratory during the second half of 2002. Responses were recorded from over 1000 residents, with approximately one-third each from the City of Chicago, suburban Cook County and the collar counties (DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will).

Kendall Area Transit is a demand responsive dial-a-ride service that serves primarily senior citizens and persons with disabilities in the urban portions of Kendall County. The service is also open to general public. Service is provided Monday-Friday from 6:00 AM -7:00 PM except certain holidays. The award includes the funding for Mobility Management.

The Regional Transit Coordination Plan is an ongoing multi-year program aimed at enhancing regional mobility by facilitating seamless travel on public transportation.

Recognizing that Information Coordination and Physical Coordination are complementary, the RTA initiated an effort to address both categories simultaneously for existing transfer locations. The information and physical coordination study included an assessment of current information practices targeted to transferring passengers and site visits to 75 priority transfer locations in order to determine necessary modifications in both categories. The focus was on content and specific placement of directional and service information, plus any physical site modifications necessary to improve connections. The results were presented to the RTA Board in February 2003.

The physical coordination component identified 17 interagency transfer locations where physical improvements would encourage travel by transit to regional activity centers. These priority transfer locations either have high rates of transfer activity or provide critical connections. Preliminary concept designs have been prepared for five representative locations.

The Ride in Kane project coordinates dial-a-ride services in Kane County 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 a position to lead mobility management efforts for Ride in Kane. This is an existing Section 5310 funded project.

The Regional Transit Coordination Plan is an ongoing multi-year program aimed at enhancing regional mobility by facilitating seamless travel on public transportation.

In accordance with the informal Management Plan, the Service Boards (the CTA, Metra and Pace) have been actively involved in every component of the plan, with overall program management provided by the RTA. Other agencies have been involved as appropriate. For example, the City of Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) has been an active participant in several components to date. Other municipalities and transportation agencies will be included as specific recommendations are considered and implemented.

The Regional Transit Coordination Plan is an ongoing multi-year program aimed at enhancing regional mobility by facilitating seamless travel on public transportation.

The Systems Analysis component, initiated in 2004, evaluated the combined impacts of improvements within all areas of coordination: physical, service, fare and information. Major steps included identifying existing regional travel patterns, characterizing major activity centers, and addressing gaps between travel demand and travel supply.

Phase VI 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.

The Regional Transit Coordination Plan is an ongoing multi-year program aimed at enhancing regional mobility by facilitating seamless travel on public transportation.

Recognizing that Information Coordination and Physical Coordination are complementary, the RTA initiated an effort to address both categories simultaneously for existing transfer locations. The information and physical coordination study included an assessment of current information practices targeted to transferring passengers and site visits to 75 priority transfer locations in order to determine necessary modifications in both categories. The focus was on content and specific placement of directional and service information, plus any physical site modifications necessary to improve connections. The results were presented to the RTA Board in February 2003.

The information coordination component recommended modifying existing maps, schedules and signs to clearly emphasize interagency transfer opportunities and better direct transferring passengers. The study also proposed new way-finding signage between boarding areas, new local area maps at interagency locations, and a new rail-to-rail connections map showing both Metra and CTA rail lines and stations. To gage customer response for these recommendations, a second round of focus groups was conducted in June of 2002. The results of the focus groups are documented in the Way-Finding Focus Group Report.