Innovation, Coordination, and Enhancement (ICE) Projects

This project includes operational improvements as follows: #4 - Selected trips to operate to and from 115th/Cottage Grove; #26 - Expanded hours of service and all trips will now begin and end at 103rd/Stony Island; #34 - More frequent midday and evening service; #71 - More frequent midday service with all trips operating to/from 112th/Torrence improving frequency of service south of 73rd Street; #95 - Routes 95E and 95W have been combined into a single route providing more convenient service for customers traveling along 95th Street; #119 - More frequent midday and evening service; and Green Line - More frequent service from Cottage Grove and 63rd/Ashland during AM and PM rush.

This project involves the replacement of the current GPS, which has exceeded its useful life. Metra will replace the GPS, on-board announcement system and signs on the entire fleet. Metra will also install automatic passenger counters and event recorders. The new system will maintain the necessary current functions, while potentially adding video surveillance, customer information displays and an information system.

The project funds will help ensure critical extra capacity will be provided throughout the CTA network, allowing CTA to address unsafe crowding as ridership continues to recover unevenly throughout the network. CTA will routinely modify/adapt these supplementary services to evolving ridership dynamics and crowding concerns related to the ongoing public health crisis. This project will be used to fund additional frequency of service in areas experiencing excessive crowding. All routes of the CTA bus system will be monitored for excessive crowding and additional service will be added as needed to address issues.

The project will provide funding for implementation systems for automated downloads of camera information at rail terminals, yards and bus garages. Automated downloads will provide better access to camera data without manual downloading (as is currently done) on an as-needed basis. Project costs will provide for hardware, software, site design, implementation and wireless network connections at terminals, yards and garages to facilitate the automated downloads.

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 scope of work being performed will vary by location, but includes deep clean power washing of all surfaces (all locations), station painting (all locations), lighting upgrades, improved platform amenities, renewal of finishes and fixtures, utility and plumbing line repairs, removal of outdated fixtures and equipment, permanent repair work and updating of old/damaged signage.

This project involves developing a vehicle replacement program that includes but is not limited to police cars, police SUVS, and other trucks that are used by the Mechanical Department. The less fuel efficient cars, such as Crown Victoria's and Ford SUVS will be replaced with hybrid models. Operating costs will be reduced by fuel savings.

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 current GE system that makes platform announcements is becoming outdated with no upgrade potential and has deficiencies. This project will allow for more timely information on arriving trains and allow for improvements including digital LCD displays and automated announcements. The displays could show train(s) arriving in the station, estimated time of arrival, stops made by the train, and any service alerts that may influence service. The screens would be connected to a server via a direct network that could push e-alerts, real time tracker information, advertising and other information to the screens to inform Metra customers.

This project involves improvements to the Blue Island, Vermont Street Interagency Transfer Station, in particular additional interagency signage at multiple locations, including both Metra stations. The commuter share represents 100% of the total project cost.