Innovation, Coordination, and Enhancement (ICE) Projects

2021 funding will be for radio equipment to be purchased and installed on buses to enhance the existing Cradlepoint system to upgrade to 5G technology for vehicle to infrastructure communication (innovation and enhancement). 2022 funding will be used for TSP implementation along priority corridors as part of the Regional Transit Signal Priority Implementation Program and integration of regional traffic management centers. Funds from the 2022 ICE grant are intended to be used to connect Pace TSP central system to Lake County DOT Traffic Management Center (TMC) to achieve Centralized Transit Signal Priority Systems. Tasks include (but are not limited to) establishing a working group, developing system engineering management plan, systems/software development and integration, related equipment, proof-of-concept deployment, and a system evaluation report.

The scope includes the purchase and installation of real time next bus signs for bus shelters and transit centers in Pace's service area. The 2014 technical revision to the scope added the purchase of Trapeze licenses which will connect the data portion to the sign software. These signs would display the existing WebWatch information for those customers who are waiting at bus stops and do not have access to the internet on their mobile phones.

This project supports Pace's first arterial rapid transit line on Milwaukee Avenue, the first of seven priority corridors in the Pulse network. ICE funds will be used to support the operation of this line.

The scope includes replacement of the current IBS equipment, which includes 725 units of Intelligent Vehicle Logic Units (IVLU), Mobile Data Terminals (MDT), antennas, interface cabling, adapter cables, radio cables, and installation & conversion kits, replacement of 34 access points, and the purchase of two MCC-7100 dispatch radios. This project will be phased in over three years using ICE funding. Pace will award a single contract for the whole scope, but will award funding as it becomes available over the three year period.

The goal of the Milwaukee Avenue Transit Signal Priority Demonstration project is to test the integration of Transit Signal Priority (TSP) technology that will allow Pace and CTA buses to interact with multiple types of traffic signal systems located along the same corridor. It includes developing a message set and testing of TSP communication from Pace buses at two signalized intersections; programing of IBS/Trapeze to generate a priority request to send standard messages; and programming of existing signal controller for receipt and granting of TSP. The RTA ICE project will focus on signal coordination with the CTA/CDOT portion of Milwaukee Avenue.

This project will develop and use a combination of real-time bus arrival signs, Quick Response (QR) codes and a short (text) messaging service (SMS) to create access to real-time next bus information. The scope includes: purchase and installation of up to five real-time signs at five heavily used locations, up to 900 QR codes will be created, printed, laminated and affixed to information panels inside bus stop shelters, up to 15,000 unique code numbers will be created, printed and affixed to bus stop signs throughout the Pace service area. Pace anticipates using the labor of several interns to accomplish this project. This project will also provide funding for the purchase of supplies such as vinyl decals and lamination material.

A new electronic crew calling system will help Metra better comply with the Passenger Hours of Service (PHOS) regulation’s hours of the service reporting requirements. It would enable crew members to electronically sign their hours of service logs. In addition, the crew callers will be able to assign jobs based on the entries from the crew members and under the strict guidance of PHOS. The current crew calling system does have PHOS built in, but does not allow for crew members to log their time. The regulation has a set of guidelines that govern the ability for employees to sign up for an assignments based on previous assignments worked. The current employee logs are done on paper, are cumbersome, and are more difficult to audit. A new system could allow for assignment alerts and possibly not allow employees to be assigned to an assignment that could possibly violate the PHOS regulation. Purchase and implement a new train scheduling software. Metra’s current scheduling software is no longer supported by its distributer, and the replacement will be fully integrated with the ACORN system, currently in development. This scheduling software is necessary to provide General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) data for train announcements, delay information, and for real-time tracking data used by application developers. It also has the ability to perform equipment and crew analysis. Crew information can be entered into the system to calculate duty time. The analysis this software provides can help in monitoring crew duty times and creating crew assignments.

The scope of the project is to create a new pilot to increase on-board and in-station police and nonpolice personnel. The goal is to enhance the quality of the on-board experience of customers through the additional personnel and increase the overall safety environment through the additional police.

This project includes but is not limited to the implementation, launch, continuation, and improvement of mobile ticketing on the Metra system. This project may include the purchase of conductor handheld devices, as well as training. This project may include but not be limited to the costs involved with the contract with Cubic, the base cost, processing and monthly service fees, as well as all material purchases. All testing will be included in this project that will include but not be limited to on-board credit card sales and printers at home and other app testing. All trip planning is included in this project. Other elements that may be included in this project are marketing, service fees, attorney fees, testing. FY 2015, 2016 and 2017 ICE funds will be used for this project. The operating costs may eventually be offset by increased ridership from the convenience of mobile ticketing.