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Stronger together: CMAP's annual report spotlights a thriving and resilient northeastern Illinois
The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is proud to share its 2023 annual report. It reflects our region's significant achievements over the past calendar year and spotlights a strong, thriving, and resilient northeastern Illinois.
To support our region's goal of advancing a transportation system that works better for everyone, CMAP:
CMAP did not do it alone. Thank you to our partners, stakeholders, and extraordinary award-winning CMAP team. This report and our shared successes demonstrate that through collaboration, we are stronger together.
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What are safety performance targets?
Earlier this month, CMAP’s MPO Policy Committee adopted the annual roadway safety targets. CMAP, in partnership with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), is required by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to report on five roadway safety metrics each year: total traffic fatalities, rate of traffic fatalities per vehicle-mile traveled, total serious injuries, rate of serious injuries per vehicle-mile-traveled, and the combined number of fatalities and serious injuries among pedestrians and bicyclists. The safety targets program is intended to help agencies like CMAP recognize and address traffic safety priorities.
Since the FHWA’s Safety Performance Management program began in 2016, Illinois has not met its targets related to traffic fatalities. The United States has seen a growing number of traffic fatalities. This alarming upward trend began in 2014 and has spiked further since 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic changed travel patterns so dramatically. The same is true for Illinois and the northeastern Illinois region.
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Looking ahead: Safety action plans in northeastern Illinois
The Safe Travel for All Roadmap (STAR) is taking an exciting next step – safety action planning efforts will kick off early this year. Six counties in the region (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will), as well as the Greater Ashburn community area in Chicago and the Town of Cicero, will develop safety action plans as part of STAR. The plans will identify context-specific strategies to improve roadway safety for all users, particularly for people walking, biking, or using a wheelchair.
STAR is implemented by CMAP and is primarily funded by a $5 million federal Safe Streets and Roads for All grant, with substantial financial support from IDOT and partner counties.
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You're invited: Help preserve your community's pavement
You are invited to pavement management system training ─ especially helpful for municipal and public works staff. CMAP will host the training for all past, current, and potential future participants of the municipal pavement management program.
Communities can extend the life of their pavement using preservation techniques such as crack sealing and patching, if the work is done correctly at the appropriate time. Pavement management programs help identify the right road, right treatment, at the right time.
The training, by CMAP and AECOM program managers and technical leads, will cover pavement management, pavement preservation, PAVER™ software, and more.
The training will be held in-person over two days on Tuesday, February 6, and Wednesday, February 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. There will be a virtual option for those who cannot attend in person, but we encourage in-person attendance to facilitate discussions and hands-on training. Please register by Monday, January 29.
Oakton College
Des Plaines Campus
1600 E. Golf Road
Des Plaines, IL 60016
If you have questions, email Bridget.Malinowski@aecom.com or Abbas.Kachwalla@aecom.com.
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New fare structure, and reduced fares, coming to Metra February 1, 2024
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), Metra, and Cook County announced the Access Pilot Program, which will extend reduced fares on the entire Metra system to riders experiencing low incomes regionwide. All Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipient household members living within the six-county region (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will) are eligible. The pilot will use the same pricing as the existing reduced fare and zone structure in Metra’s 2024 budget.
The Access Pilot Program will launch on February 1, and applications are available in person, by phone, and online at GetAccess.org. Fare affordability is one of the many recommendations put forth in the recently released Plan of Action for Regional Transportation (PART), Including establishing and funding low-income fare subsidy programs like the Access Pilot Program.
Additionally, Metra is making a series of changes to its fare structure, prices, and purchase channels, effective February 1. Metra's goal is to create a fare structure that customers can easily understand, that encourages ridership, simplifies onboard fare collections, and meets Metra's financial and technical constraints. Learn more about Metra's 2024 fare plan by visiting metra.com/2024FarePlan and by watching their informational video.
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Where there's a Will, there's a way: Help shape Will County's long-range transportation plan
Will County is launching its 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan: Our Way Forward. County officials are seeking input to define transportation priorities for the next 25 years — from investments in walking and biking to transit, and more.
You can provide feedback by taking the online survey. You can also meet with project team members at pop-up workshops or online virtual open houses.
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Apply by February 16: Safety grant opportunities from IDOT
IDOT has multiple funding opportunities available for the Illinois Traffic Safety Grants program. These grants, which are open annually, aim to improve traffic safety through training, education and enforcement efforts. The current grant opportunities are open for application until 4:00 p.m. on February 16, with one exception: the Cycle Rider Safety Training program closes March 4.
For assistance, contact Lindsay Bayley at lbayley@cmap.illinois.gov.
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Apply by February 28: Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity funding opportunity
The U.S. Department of Transportation has published a Notice of Funding Opportunity for $1.5 billion in grant funding through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program for 2024. The popular program helps communities around the country carry out projects with significant local or regional impact.
RAISE grants help project sponsors at the state and local levels, including municipalities and counties, complete critical freight and passenger transportation infrastructure projects. The eligibility requirements of RAISE allow project sponsors to obtain funding for projects that may be harder to support through other USDOT grant programs.
Examples of past projects funded with RAISE grant support in northeastern Illinois include the Pace Pulse Halsted Line, Englewood Line Trail, and Harvey Intermodal Center, to name a few.
For assistance, contact Tricia Hyland at thyland@cmap.illinois.gov.
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Coming in February: New Safe Streets and Roads for All funding opportunity
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) established the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary program with $5 billion in appropriated funds over 5 years, 2022-2026. The SS4A program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. Over $3 billion is still available for future funding rounds.
The SS4A program supports the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Roadway Safety Strategy and its goal of zero roadway deaths using a Safe System Approach.
Applications for the next round of SS4A grants are anticipated to open in February 2024.
For assistance, contact Lindsay Bayley at lbayley@cmap.illinois.gov.
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