Innovation, Coordination, and Enhancement (ICE) Projects

This project will provide passengers with access to the train’s electrical system through the installation of 120V AC electrical outlets like those found in homes and offices. This will enable commuter to charge or directly use their portable electronic devices, such as mobile phones, laptops, and e-readers, while on-board Metra trains. Electrical outlets will be provided on up to 300 commuter cars, including cars on the Metra Electric District and trailer cars used on the other lines. The cost of installation is estimated to be approximately $3,000 per car. Outlets have been installed on 81 cars as part of a previous car rehabilitation project.

This project involves providing engineering field staff with electronic data collection devices for reporting incidents and conditions of the system. It will streamline data collection from paper to electronic, providing instant connection to 547. FY 2015 ICE funds will be used for this project.

Scope: This project is for a pilot program to guide the installation of Metra's Automated Passenger Count system. Metra will issue a LIQ (Letter of Inquiry) to retain a consultant that has knowledge of the state-of the art technology and data utilization. The project may have two components - one being camera driven and the other infra-red driven.

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.

Purchase and install Rocket Mobile Communications Devices on CTA buses. The CTA bus fleet is currently equipped with Rocket Mobile Communications Devices (“Rockets”). The Rockets power Bus Tracker, Transit Signal Priority, live video feeds, automatic stop announcements, automatic notification of on-bus failures, legal and claims data regarding vehicle location, and the bus arrival sign updates. The Rocket also currently provides GPS (VTRAK) on trains. The Rocket powers GPS tracking and connections to the CTA network (for transmission of both location and operational data) on non-revenue and supervisor vehicles through the use of Toughbooks and tablets.

This project involves the replacement of DVRs on Metra locomotives, cab cars, and EMUs with a new technology that is faster and less grainy. Inward facing cameras, as required by the Federal FAST Act will also be included.

Furnish and install a Network and Telephone Systems Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery system. This project will provide funding to meet control center requirements: a) Deploy Alternate Control Center: The alternate control center should include full functionality similar to the current primary CTA control center. The resources needed to perform the specified functions should be defined, documented, and included in the plan for the alternate control center. b) Information Technology Applications Required for Disaster Recovery: Assess current applications technology stack, address any required upgrades prior to implementing Disaster Recovery solutions, and propose alternative technology solutions for required field technology components (i.e. RF communications infrastructure cannot be duplicated).

The project will provide operating assistance (due to loss of revenue related to COVID-19) to CTA System-wide. Funds can be used for any operating shortfall.

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.

This project is for the purchase of software that uses train schedules to determine the minimum amount of crews members needed to operate service. This software will be used with the new electronic crew calling system that helps Metra better comply with Passenger Hours of Service (PHOS) regulation for hours of service reporting requirements.