Chicago Area Transportation Study

The AQTM heard status reports on the Non-Central City Park n Ride Lot program’s award of a $350,000 CMAQ grant to initiate feasibility engineering for Phase 1 lot development; the submittal of a CMAQ grant application for FY 2006 by the UIC/UTC for initiation of a region-wide emergency ride home program; the progress being made by CATS staff on the traffic signal interconnect inventory; and the results of the kick-off meeting of the working group to develop a Transportation Management & Operations Specific Plan for the region. This kick-off meeting took place on March 29, with a review of the definition of TM&O to guide the planning process and the first draft of TM&O policies for consideration by the RTP Committee. Following these reports, Professor Joseph Schofer of Northwestern University reported on the NU Transportation Center’s research of variable speed limits to smooth traffic flows and improve expressway operations. Currently, NU is developing a demonstration project on this strategy with PennDOT.

The next meeting will be held on July 12, 2005.

BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN TASK FORCE
Also see: Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force Page

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Chair: Tom Rickert
CATS Contact Person: Tom Murtha

Meeting Date: Did not meet.

CMAQ PROJECT SELECTION COMMITTEE
Also see: CMAQ Project Selection Committee Page

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Chair: Don Kopec
CATS Contact Person: Patricia Berry

Meeting Date: Did not meet.

COMMUNITY MOBILITY TASK FORCE
Also see: Community Mobility Task Force Page

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Chair: Jacky Grimshaw
CATS Contact Person: Don Kopec

Meeting Date: March 15, 2005

Summary: The task force was updated on the status of the region’s JARC projects. Staff presented how environmental justice was addressed in the planning process. The task force agreed to meet with the Task Force for Seniors and People with Disabilities to address the need for a joint human services/job access transportation plan.

INTERMODAL ADVISORY TASK FORCE
Also see: Intermodal Advisory Task Force Page

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Chair: Tom Zapler
CATS Contact Person: Gerald Rawling

Meeting Date: March 24, 2005

Summary: Principal presenter was Jason Tai. Also presenting: Mi-Jack Corporation (on the Rail Thru-Port concept) and Gerald Rawling (the C4T project concept). 51 persons attending - new attendance record for IATF.

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
Also see: Management and Operations Committee Page

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Chair: Mark Pitstick
CATS Contact Person: Don Kopec

Meeting Date: Did not meet.

PRIVATE PROVIDERS TASK FORCE
Also see: Private Providers Task Force Page

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Chair: Phillip Paige
CATS Contact Person: William Kiley

Meeting Date: April 11, 2005

Summary: Private Providers met at RTA with Paula Thibeault and staff. Discussions were held concerning use of privates as a resource for transportation in the Chicago area. Some six RTA members and eight privates met for two hours plus, discussing options and concerns. Privates were represented by: Illinois/Cook, Illinois School Bus, ATC, Continental, MTA, CATS and Airport Express.

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT TASK FORCE
Also see: Public Involvement Task Force Page

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Chair: JoAnn Eckmann
CATS Contact Person: Jock Hardy

Meeting Date: March 23, 2005

Summary: The Communications Division provided updates on the spring pre-construction press conference, the 2005 kids’ poster contest, the CATS/NIPC Coordinating Committee meetings and all “Partners in Progress” public outreach meetings that had been held since the last PITF meeting. The task force requested that it be kept abreast via e-mail of all upcoming “Partners in Progress” meetings.

REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN (RTP) COMMITTEE
Also see: Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) Committee Page

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Chair: Mayor Rae Rupp Srch
CATS Contact Person: Kermit Wies

Meeting Date: Did not meet.

TIP PROCEDURES COMMITTEE
Also see: TIP Procedures Committee Page

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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

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Chair: Kerwin Terry
CATS Contact Person: Claire Bozic

Meeting Date: April 5, 2005

Summary: CATS staff reported on successful and planned senior service funding property tax referendums in McHenry County and Kane County. The IDOT representative informed the group that the 5310 van program was funded. The Metra representative reported that Metra was allowing bicycles on trains on a limited basis, mainly during off-peak hours. If a conflict for space arises between a wheelchair and bicycle user, the wheelchair user will have priority. Don Kopec provided a summary of the Community Mobility Task Force history and discussed the desirability of updating the JARC plan. The date for a joint meeting of CMTF and TFSPD was set. Don Kopec reported that it continues to appear that the JARC program will become a formula grant instead of mainly earmarks. CATS staff reported there were more Unified Planning Work Program projects submitted for funding than resources to fund them. IDOT was given the task of producing a list of recommended UWP projects, and the development of a regional Human Services Transportation Plan was not included on the list. The next task force meeting will be held on May 3, 2005 at 9:30 am.

UNIFIED WORK PROGRAM COMMITTEE
Also see: Unified Work Program Committee Page

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Chair: Gordon Smith
CATS Contact Person: Mark Thomas

Meeting Date: March 11, March 23, and April 8, 2005

The UWP Committee met to develop the FY 2006 Unified Work Program. Planning emphasis areas and federal requirements were analyzed in order to develop this year’s program. The committee is recommending a program to the Work Program Committee on April 29, 2005 and intends to initiate discussions on future program development cycles in the next couple of months.