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Events >> Summary of Recent Committee & Task Force Meetings
September 17, 2004 through December 9, 2004
On this page:
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY TASK FORCE
Also see: Advanced Technology Task Force Page
Chair: Dave Zavattero & Duana Love
CATS Contact Person: Mark Thomas
Meeting Date: November 17, 2004
The task force was presented with the work that has been completed on the update to the ITS Deployment Plan, which maps out the region’s ITS goals for the next fifteen years. A full draft version of the report will be presented at the January meeting. The task force was also briefed on a study being conducted by staff from the US Government Accountability Office regarding the extent and impact of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) deployments around the country. Members were also informed of a project being undertaken at the University of Illinois at Chicago to develop a methodology and tool to help prioritize ITS projects.
AIR QUALITY AND TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT TASK FORCE
Also see: Air Quality Transportation Management Task Force Page
Chair: Mike Rogers
CATS Contact Person: Tom Vick
Meeting Date: October 13, 2004 (AQTM)
The AQTM met and heard reports on the following items. The Non Central City Park n Ride Lot Program . CATS reported that the phase 1 program to develop 5 lots focusing on the Schaumburg Core was put on a priority list for CMAQ Funding for engineering feasibility analysis. Pace reported that it has identified a number of locations for park n ride lots for mitigation of expressway reconstruction activities programmed along the I 57 and Bishop Ford / I 394 expressway corridors. Pace is planning to present these proposals to IDOT and ISTHA in the near future. TM&O Specific Plan . The Task Force was presented with the draft web pages for installation on the CATS web page for this planning effort. Within this package were two immediate requests. Initial activities for this plan will focus on creating a state of the art perspective on TM&O planning and implementation and the solicitation proposed plans, programs, projects and protocols that should be considered for evaluation and inclusion in the plan. This planning effort supports the RTP 2030 update, and is to be substantially complete by March of 2005. Emergency Ride Home . See Working Group report below. Projects of Air Quality Benefit . Staff presented the Task Force with an in progress of draft of this document which replaces the past Transportation Control Measures process. This annual planning effort is anticipated to be substantially complete by January of 2005. TDM Annex . See Working Group report below. The next meeting of the AQTM is scheduled for January 19, 2005.
Emergency Ride Home Working Group Meeting – 9/8/2004. This WG meet at the Prairie Stone TMA office to review the initial efforts of the UIC / UTC team who is responsible for the development of this regional program to encourage carpool, vanpool and bus transit by providing the item viewed by SOV commuters as necessary for them to change mode. The UIC / UTC team is currently developing 3 business models for how this program will function when implemented.
TDM Annex Work Group – 10/7/2004 Meeting. This WG, who reports to both the AQTM and the Traffic Committee of the Illinois Terrorism Task Force met to review the first draft of the TDM Annex to the Chicago Evacuation Plan. The TDM Annex is to define those actions the private sector may be requested to take to minimize demand on the transportation system in the case of a major terrorism incident. The draft plan approved address actions to be taken for the 3 areas of effect – immediate, secondary and tertiary – during the 3 phases of an incident – the incident, recovery and reconstruction. The draft plan stress communications between the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and the private sector and preplanning/practice exercises by the private sector. The TDM Annex plan includes the following elements – Shelter in Place, Managed Release, Transit and HOV Prioritization, Telecommuting, and Pedestrian / Bike as appropriate actions. This WG is composed of both representative of operating agencies and the private sector including non central area TMA’s.
BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN TASK FORCE
Also see: Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force Page
Chair: Tom Rickert
CATS Contact Person: Tom Murtha
Meeting Date: November 3, 2004
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force’s agenda includes membership changes, federal activities related to safety, a presentation regarding Metra’s recent bicycle parking inventory, Chicago’s South Lakefront Access Study, a working group proposal for a program of training workshops, receiving various Soles and Spokes Plan reports and a status report, and a request regarding CMAQ project programming.
CMAQ PROJECT SELECTION COMMITTEE
Also see: CMAQ Project Selection Committee Page
Chair: Don Kopec
CATS Contact Person: Patricia Berry
Meeting Date: November 5, 2004
The CMAQ Project Selection Committee met to consider the approval schedule for the FY 2006 CMAQ program, and modifications to the FY 2006 application forms and instructions. The Committee also reviewed the status of previously-approved projects that were selected for follow-up in 2004. Finally, the Committee reviewed a request for a cost increase for one previously-approved project.
COMMUNITY MOBILITY TASK FORCE
Also see: Community Mobility Task Force Page
Chair: Jacky Grimshaw
CATS Contact Person: Don Kopec
Meeting Date: October 27, 2004
The task force reviewed the status of the Job Access and Reverse Commute Program and was brought up to date on the activities of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Transportation. CATS staff presented the current work of the Task Force for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force.
INTERMODAL ADVISORY TASK FORCE
Also see: Intermodal Advisory Task Force Page
Chair: Tom Zapler
CATS Contact Person: Gerald Rawling
Meeting Date: Did not meet.
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
Also see: Management and Operations Committee Page
Chair: Mark Pitstick
CATS Contact Person: Don Kopec
Meeting Date: Did not meet.
PRIVATE PROVIDERS TASK FORCE
Also see: Private Providers Task Force Page
Chair: Phillip Paige
CATS Contact Person: William Kiley
Meeting Date: September 30, 2004
An ad-hoc steering committee meeting was held to determine the goals and requirements of the Private Provider Task Force for 2005.
Discussions centered on progress with PACE and the need to produce viable transportation alternatives for underserved routes and customers such as The College of DuPage campuses and various employment centers and office parks.
Commuter Center technology was discussed as a tool to offer travelers. VSPI has successfully integrated this technology in several areas. Future meeting topics were discussed. It was suggested that the Private Providers invite representatives from the Dept of Aviation, UIC and Northwestern, the Dept. of Tourism, and others to address the group as to possible business opportunities. Airport shuttle service is outsourced to private providers, while campus transport at UIC is done with university staff and equipment.
Maintenance programs were discussed. The possibility of “bundling” maintenance requirements of a large number of fleet providers may result in long term, cost effective programs for operators. Maintenance is not a revenue stream for transportation providers.
It was decided to contact the Dept. of Consumer Services to discuss opportunities, taxi fare hike possibilities, use of London Taxis, and other issues.
CTA was again discussed. Legal roadblocks remain in place due to contract verbiage, discouraging private provider partnership. It was pointed out that the CTA currently outsources ADA transit at a cost of $29 per ride. CTA’s costs 15 years ago exceeded $50 per ride. Privates are convinced that they can be a valuable asset to the CTA, especially in these times of budget constraints.
Bill Kiley will follow up on these suggestions and prepare an agenda for our next meeting to be held this fall.
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT TASK FORCE
Also see: Public Involvement Task Force Page
Chair: Laura Guillot Wilkison (acting)
CATS Contact Person: Jock Hardy
Meeting Date: September 22, 2004 and October 24, 2004
The task force listened to presentations by CATS staff about several projects that are currently in progress. The next scheduled meeting will be held on Wednesday December 8, 2004 at 9:00AM.
REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN (RTP) COMMITTEE
Also see: Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) Committee Page
Chair: Mayor Rae Rupp Srch
CATS Contact Person: Kermit Wies
Meeting Date: September 23, 2004 and October 22, 2004
At its September meeting, the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) Committee continued its debriefing process for the Shared Path 2030 process, reviewed public involvement efforts, and heard reports on plan implementation efforts. At its October meeting, the committee discussed addressing safety in the context of the RTP with a representative of the Federal Highway Administration and reviewed the results of executive discussions with Shared Path 2030 participants. The committee also heard updates regarding NIPC Common Ground activities and plan implementation efforts, including the status of the RTA’s Cook-DuPage Corridor Study.
TIP PROCEDURES COMMITTEE
Also see: TIP Procedures Committee Page
Chair: Jack Groner
CATS Contact Person: Patricia Berry
Meeting Date: Did not meet.
TASK FORCE FOR SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Also see: Task Force for Seniors and People with Disabilities Page
Chair: Kerwin Terry
CATS Contact Person: Claire Bozic
Meeting Date: October 5, 2004
Joe DiJohn of the University of Illinois gave a presentation describing his transportation funding database. The database was funded with grants from the Illinois Department of Human Services and Job Access and Reverse Commute. The database should be used to eliminate duplication, identify funding gaps, identify barriers to coordination, and allow more efficient use of limited resources.
Regional Updates
Lake County Paratransit Coordinating Committee created a paratransit user survey in English and Spanish.
Kane County has created a transportation resource guide, which it has posted on its Website.
Mather Lifeways provided information about a transportation initiative on the northwest side of Chicago. An effort is being made to determine what services are available, coordinate service providers, conduct community forums and obtain feedback from users, decision makers and transportation providers.
Evanston Transportation Futures is involved in assisting Pace and CTA in determining service needs and identifying gaps in services.
A recent legislative forum of Kane County social services agencies explored issues of importance to senior citizens and people with disabilities. Affordable housing, transportation, jobs and respite care were the major topics explored.
Mary Keating provided a progress report on Ride DuPage. Ms. Keating said that the project was a partnership between DuPage County and Pace whose objective is to coordinate service within DuPage County. The partnership, which currently has 8 funding sources, provides 200 daily trips. The next steps are to add more funding sources and taxi providers.
Paratransit Service/Coordination Board Concept
Current regional discussions regarding the provision of public transportation were discussed, as well as a concept for a regional coordination board. IDOT's representative suggested that individuals and organizations should contact legislators and other key decision makers as a way to have input to the process. Ms. Keating of DuPage County Human services stated that it needs to be made clear that the transportation issues that affect senior citizens and disabled citizens are an important part of the larger public transportation agenda for the region. IDOT's representative suggested that the RTP process should be considered as a strategy for addressing some of the concerns expressed during the discussion of the paratransit service/coordination board concept.
UNIFIED WORK PROGRAM COMMITTEE
Also see: Unified Work Program Committee Page
Chair: Gordon Smith
CATS Contact Person: Ryan Herren
Meeting Date: Did not meet.
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