Roadmap for the Future of Transportation and Mobility in Chicago, Illinois 2019

Chicago, as part of its transportation planning, created in September 2018 the New Transportation and Mobility Task Force. Chaired by former US Secretary of Transportation LaHood, the Task Force comprised more than 20 experts and thought leaders from the transportation, mobility, and technology sectors, including SUMC Executive Director Sharon Feigon.

The Task Force met monthly from October 2018 – February 2019, addressing the current state of mobility in Chicago (decreasing public transit ridership, the need for a fully accessible mobility network, a rise in lower-capacity, low-efficiency trips among others) as well as how to best integrate new mobility technologies that are changing our transportation landscape. Their report and plan, the Roadmap for the Future of Transportation and Mobility in Chicago, was released on March 14, 2019.  Key takeaways, from the full report, which is attached below, include:

Seven principles ground present and future mobility developments.

• A transportation system that is safe for all users
• Mobility choices that are accessible, equitable, affordable, and non-discriminatory
• Economic development that is inclusive and innovative
• A city that is efficient, smart and reliable
• Communities that are sustainable, healthy, and built using universal design principles
• Data and information that is actionable, transparent, shared, and secure
• Regulation of private providers that is guided by public benefits

Seven interdependent objectives provide a framework for the recommendations that follow and promote a safe, equitable, accessible, adaptable, and environmentally sustainable multi-modal transportation system in Chicago.

• Streamline governance and management of the transportation system and policies within and across city departments, agencies, and the private sector
• Develop uniform, detailed, and secure data sharing requirements between public and private entities
• Support investments in transportation infrastructure to meet the City’s mobility goals
• Encourage mode shift to right-sized capacity and increased passenger mile efficiency
• Build an accessible, affordable, and convenient multi-modal transportation system
• Advance a transportation and mobility system that promotes environmental health and sustainability and improves overall livability of the city
• Prepare Chicago for connected and automated vehicles

Over 50 recommendations are classified as action items, policy changes, or studies needed, and include:

• Increasing the State of Illinois’ Motor Fuel Tax to fund needed infrastructure improvements and looking at alternatives (such as Vehicle Miles Traveled tax) for future implementation
• Incentivizing businesses to provide public transit benefits to employees
• Determining a governance framework for uniform data sharing
• Investing in critical infrastructure, establishing data sharing requirements, and launching an autonomous vehicle pilot in Chicago
• Ensuring that micro-mobility services and new mobility options are accessible for all and do not impede the public way
• Requiring the City to lead in use of electric vehicles
• Conducting a scooter-sharing pilot in 2019
• Evaluating transportation-related taxes and fees to determine opportunities to restructure the rates to promote reduced reliance on single occupancy vehicles and encourage additional use of high-capacity, high-efficiency options (CTA, pool vehicles, shared vehicles, bikes, etc.)
• Establishing a Chief Mobility Officer to coordinate transportation policy across city departments and sister agencies, lead engagement with mobility providers, and stay abreast of domestic and global initiatives to determine applicability to Chicago

The most immediate outcome of this plan was an e-scooter pilot, which is marked as a related policy, below.

Updated May 2019