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Stronger together: Annual Report spotlights a thriving and resilient northeastern Illinois
The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is proud to share its 2023 Annual Report. This reflects our region’s significant achievements over the past calendar year and spotlights a strong, thriving, and resilient northeastern Illinois.
CMAP did not do it alone. Thank you to our partners, stakeholders, and our extraordinary CMAP team. This report and our shared successes demonstrate that we are stronger together.
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Federal Safe Streets and Roads for All grant application opening soon
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) anticipates opening applications for the next round of Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant funding this month. The SS4A program funds regional, local, and Tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries, including CMAP’s Safe Travel for All Roadmap program.
Need help understanding USDOT grants?
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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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Updated traffic control device rule now effective
The Federal Highway Administration’s (FWHA) new Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD) was updated in December 2023 for the first time since 2009 and went into effect January 18, 2024. The manual is the national standard for traffic signs, signals, and roadway markings. The updated version includes safety improvements, such as new tools that will make intersections and streets safer for pedestrians and stronger language on crosswalk markings and bike lane designation. States are required to adopt these standards within two years of the effective date, but safety professionals recommend adopting these new standards immediately to maximize safety for people walking, biking, and rolling.
Sign up for FWHA newsletters on MUTCD updates, webinars, official rulings, and more.
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New Safe System roadway design guide available
FHWA published a new Safe System Roadway Design Hierarchy guide that groups roadway design tools based on their alignment with the Safe System Approach and its goal of eliminating traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries. This guide is intended to help transportation agencies and traffic safety professionals identify and prioritize safe roadway designs in transportation projects.
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New federal resource highlights safety countermeasures in rural context
The FHWA developed a new resource, Proven Safety Countermeasures in Rural Communities. It provides information on 28 Proven Safety Countermeasures (PSCs) to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes on rural roads related to speed management, roadway departure, intersections, pedestrians and bicycles, and other cross-cutting issues. The PSCs support the Safe System Approach, which seeks to build and reinforce multiple layers of protection to both prevent crashes from happening and minimize harm when crashes do occur.
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USDOT report highlights safety improvements over the past two years
“Delivering Results for America,” USDOT’s progress report for 2021-2023, provides an update on the agency’s efforts to improve transportation infrastructure. Notable traffic safety accomplishments include:
- Publishing the comprehensive National Roadway Safety Strategy
- Improving roadway safety planning for over 70% of the U.S. population
- Funding safety improvements for 4,515 intersections
- Securing commitments from over 120 partners in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors who responded to USDOT’s National Roadway Safety Strategy call to action
- Advancing rules on automatic emergency braking in cars and trucks that would save over 500 lives a year
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Reduced Metra fare pilot program accepting applications
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), Metra, and Cook County launched the Access Pilot Program this month. The program 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.
Fare affordability is one of the many recommendations put forth in Plan of Action for Regional Transportation (PART), including establishing and funding low-income fare subsidy programs like the Access Pilot Program.
Additionally, Metra implemented 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 new fare structure and watch 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 through mid-February.
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Recommended traffic safety reading from the CMAP team
In case you missed it, traffic safety has been making headlines regionally and nationally. Here are a couple good reads on this critical topic:
- The Illinois Answers Project’s January 2024 article, “Evanston’s Streets Have Become Safer for Cyclists. What’s the Suburb Doing Right?,” explores how the city has seen significant declines in traffic injuries and fatalities after implementing complete streets programs and anti-speeding efforts. The article references CMAP’s traffic safety program, with comment from CMAP Senior Planner Victoria Barrett.
- The New York Times Magazine’s January 2024 article, “Why Are American Drivers So Deadly?,” offers a comprehensive analysis of traffic safety trends and history, as well as insights on the many factors contributing to our current traffic safety crisis – larger vehicles, distracted driving, and roadway design, to name a few.
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Online events
Equity in Roadway Safety Webinar Series
Host: FHWA
- March 27: Tools and Strategies for Equitable Design
- May 22: Equitable Data Analysis
- July 24: Roadway Safety for People Experiencing Homelessness
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