Chicago Bus Rapid Transit

Improving Transportation in Chicago is Making the Most of Every Option • Pedestrians – Countdown Signals, Safety Improvements

• Cyclists – Bike Sharing, Innovative and New Bikeways, Expand Parking

• Motorists – Use technology to improve Signal Timing and Traveler Info

• Freight Rail – CREATE Program to improve efficiency

• Transit – Rebuild systems, Improve Access, Implement Bus Rapid Transit

Chicago is Committed to BRT

Mayor Emanuel and Chicago are committed to BRT

• The Mayor campaigned to “add this service to the arsenal of transportation options currently available to all Chicagoans with a goal of using BRT to connect the City’s rail lines and neighborhoods”

• Mayoral transition plan calls for full BRT pilot completed within 2-3 years

Why BRT in Chicago ?• Not all neighborhoods equally served by premium transit service

• 26% of Chicago households do not own a car (transit dependent)

• BRT most cost effective way to increase service quality for all, regardless of economic status

– particularly during hard economic times

• Shifting commuters from car to bus relieves congestion on arterials and downtown streets Western Ave ADTs

Chicago’s BRT Advantages• Existing high bus ridership and patronage; well-established rail network to anchor bus network

• Existing articulated bus fleet

• Traffic Signal Priority already started on Western Avenue, with CMAQ-funded expansion scheduled in 2012

• Automated traffic enforcement experience

• Bus and Train Tracker systems already in place with plans for expansion to bus shelters

• Upcoming Open Fare system will provide opportunity for more experimentation with payment methods and enforcement

• Wide support from civic groups and other agencies

Chicago BRT ImplementationCentral Loop Transit Corridor Provides access via Washington and Madison between Union Station, North Michigan Avenue and Navy Pier (the State’s most popular tourist destination)

Western Corridor Western and Ashland Avenues Western is Chicago’s longest, continuous thoroughfare connecting the far south side with the far north side. Multiple rail connections.

Jeffery Boulevard Chicago’s first BRT – opening in late 2012. Provides access to CBD from south side via Lake Shore Drive Fully funded with Federal grant

Chicago Proposed BRT

Network

These three BRT projects are part of a larger proposed BRT network.

These proposed investments build onto and enhance Chicago’s robust rail network and lakefront express bus routes.

Central Loop BRT

Central Loop BRT

Western Corridor

BRT

Western Corridor

BRT

Jeffery BRT

Jeffery BRT

Central Loop BRT Overview

• Will enhance existing bus lanes improved engineering enforcement of bus lanes

• Customer amenities and an off-street bus terminal at Union Station

• Funded through $25M Federal grant

• Construction in 2013, opening in 2014

Central Loop BRT Scope• Two Miles of Bus Priority Lanes

Madison-Washington one-way pair Canal-Clinton one-way pair Video enforcement of bus-only use

• Branded, Enhanced Bus Service Rail terminals to/from N. Michigan Ave. & Navy Pier Enhanced Decaux shelters under consideration

Video screens with BusTracker and other travel info

• Transportation Center at Union Station Serves CTA buses and private shuttles Uses existing pedway under Jackson

• Improvements for Pedestrians & Cyclists e.g., Bike lanes on Madison, Washington

Central Loop BRTCentral Loop BRT

Central Loop BRTTransportation Center at Union Station (conceptual design, Union Station at right)

Western Corridor BRT MarketWestern & Ashland Avenues

Provides cross-town, non-CBD trips

Multiple connections to CTA and Metra rail network

Serves Illinois Medical District (IMD)

Existing High Ridership Corridors

Corridors connect various communities of diverse economic and ethnic backgrounds

Corridor RidershipAverage Weekday

Average Saturday

Average Sunday

Western 29,388 20,752 13,786

Ashland 30,941 23,026 16,269

Western Corridor BRT Implementation & Funding

• Federal grant received for Alternatives Analysis to study improvements on two north-south arterials: Western and Ashland Avenues

• Traditional Federal “Small Start” or “New Start” grant process – if awarded – would take many years to implement

• Other strategies are needed to implement BRT investments sooner, to provide more immediate results and to showcase BRT benefits

Public-Private Partnerships

Phased Implementation

Western Corridor BRT Opportunity:80% of the Bang for 20% of the Buck?

• Avoid lengthy process – results sooner rather than later

• Focus on treatments throughout corridor that are less capital-intensive

• Focus on “pinch-points”

• Quick-hit, low cost, yet visible and effective

Dedicated lanes

Automated enforcement

BusTracker

Limited stops

Distinctive Buses

Distinctive Shelters•New DeCaux design•Raised boarding platforms•Information Kiosks

Transit signal • Priority (CMAQ funded) • Queue jumps

Pre-paid fare pilot

Bumpouts

Bus pads

Chicago Bus Rapid Transit

Thank you

Chicago’s BRT Advantages• Existing high bus ridership and patronage; well-established rail network to anchor bus network

• Existing articulated bus fleet

• Traffic Signal Priority already started on Western Avenue, with CMAQ-funded expansion scheduled in 2012

• Automated traffic enforcement experience

• Bus and Train Tracker systems already in place; plans for expansion to bus shelters

• Upcoming Open Fare system will provide opportunity for more experimentation with payment methods and enforcement

• Wide support from civic groups and other agencies

DDOT Multi-modal Display