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View related pages:
- Bicycle & Pedestrian Task Force Page
- Bicycle & Pedestrian Task Force
Minutes & Agendas
Download related documents:
- Council of Mayors Calendar (PDF)
New and Upcoming
Pedestrian Safety Initiative
New 5/31/07: Pedestrian Crash Density Maps:
New 5/31/07: Community Program Brochure
Legal Issues under the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act: Transition Planning and Pedestrian Accommodation in Existing Facilities
Updated 5/31/07: At the 2005 Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP) conference in Chicago, a workshop session examined some of the legal issues regarding Transition Plans as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act, along with various design and planning issues related to pedestrian accommodations in existing facilities. The session titled, “Legal Issues under the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act” brought together four speakers to address these issues. Speakers included Lisa MacPhee, Attorney Advisor for the Federal Highway Administration; Matt Zoll, AICP, Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Manager for the Pima County (AZ) Department of Transportation; Gail Payne, AICP, a senior transportation consultant with Moore Iacofano Goltsman, Inc.; and Lois Thibault, Coordinator of Research for the U.S. Access Board.
The 3+ hour session began covered many issues regarding planning and programming projects to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act. Topics covered included transition plans, public right-of-way accessibility standards, programming, applicability to construction projects, and other topics. Since the session, the following resources are available:
Memorandum Clarifying FHWA's Oversight Role in Accessibility - The entire 2006 memo should be reviewed, but key points of this memo include the following:
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Planning: Title 23 requires that long-range transportation plans and transportation improvement programs, in both statewide and metropolitan planning processes, provide for the development and integrated management and operation of accessible transportation systems and facilities.
Additionally, State DOTs and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) must certify (at least biennially for State DOTs and annually for MPOs) that the transportation planning process is being carried out or conducted in accordance with all FHWA, Federal Transit Administration and other applicable Federal statutory and regulatory requirements [see 23 CFR 450.220 and 23 CFR 450.334, respectively]. Further, 23 CFR 450.316(b)(3) requires the metropolitan planning process to identify actions necessary to comply with the ADA and Section 504.
- Transition Plans: The ADA and Section 504 require State and local governments with 50 or more employees to perform a self-evaluation of their current services, policies, and practices that do not or may not meet ADA requirements. The public agency must develop a Transition Plan addressing these deficiencies. This plan assesses the needs of persons with disabilities, and then schedules the required pedestrian accessibility upgrades. The Transition Plan is to be updated periodically, with its needs reflected in the processes utilized by State DOTs, MPOs, and transit agencies to develop the Statewide Transportation Improvement Programs and metropolitan Transportation Improvement Programs.
In addition, draft public right-of-way accessibility guidelines, discussed at the workshop, have been promulgated. The guidelines are posted here.
2005 Soles and Spokes Workshops
Designing Pedestrian Facilities for Accessibility Workshop set for October 12.
The Chicago Area Transportation Study has begun registration for a workshop that will assist communities and transportation agencies in providing accessible facilities in the public right-of-way. The workshop, part of the CATS Soles and Spokes series, will include an overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and will teach participants how to apply guidelines and policies to the public rights-of-way, including the newest techniques and tools for providing access.
Here is a sample of the areas covered:
- Background to the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Legal requirements; US DOT and FHWA
policies and funding opportunities
- Accessible driveways and curb ramps
- Street crossings, including crosswalks,
overpasses and underpasses, medians
& islands
- Pedestrian signs and signals, including
accessible pedestrian signals (APS)
- Temporary facilities and construction
site safety
The teacher for the course is Michael Moule, P.E. Mr. Moule is the President of Livable Streets, Inc. in Tampa, FL. Prior to starting his firm, he was with the Oregon Department of Transportation and the City of Asheville, NC. Mr. Moule is familiar with both traditional transportation engineering and cutting-edge methods and technologies to provide mobility for people and accessibility for communities. He is a graduate of Princeton University.
Who should attend? Local, state, federal and consulting engineers and planners with responsibility for designing and/or building pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way, urban designers, public officials and interested citizens are encouraged to attend. Registration is limited to 40. The workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, October 12, 2005, at CATS. For detailed information and a registration form, click here (PDF) 102 KB.
Real Intersection Design Workshop
Thursday, March 31, 2005, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A final report on the workshop is being prepared. An interim document, in the form of a presentation posted below, was prepared by Michael King for discussion at the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation's Healthy Streets Conference. For more information, contact Tom Murtha, CATS, at 312-793-3466 during business hours.
Workshop Presentation (PDF) 9 MB
Bike Parking for Your Business (PDF) 1 MB
This brochure, produced for the CATS Council of Mayors and the City of Chicago by the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, explains types of bike parking, how to locate bicycle parking, and lists manufacturers with contact information. Printed copies of the brochure are available from CATS.
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Programs >> Bicycle and Pedestrian Issues
Walking and Biking Transportation in Northeastern Illinois
The Chicago Area Transportation Study (CATS) is the metropolitan planning organization for northeastern Illinois. CATS develops the region's long-range transportation plan and provides technical assistance to communities and public agencies in the Chicago metropolitan area. CATS recognizes the important roles walking and biking play in addressing the region's transportation challenges. These web pages describe pedestrian and bicycle-related planning activities, resources and events--information planners, engineers, and advocates can use to improve the walking and cycling environments in northeastern Illinois.
Get Involved
Attend Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force Meetings
For meeting dates, agendas, and minutes, see Bicycle and Pedestrian Issues Task Force Minutes & Agendas
Regional Transportation Planning
Soles and Spokes: The Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan for Chicago Area Transportation
This spring, CATS kicked off the planning process for the region's first comprehensive pedestrian and bicycle plan.
Shared Path 2030: Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) for Northeastern Illinois
The RTP guides decision-making and investments for surface transportation projects in our region: highways, transit, freight, walking and cycling.
Planning Assistance and Resources
Major state and regional sources for bicycle and pedestrian program funding are listed below, but all transportation agencies are also potential sources of funding. An extensive list of these resources are located on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Regional Directory.
a. Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program
Programming Agency: Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
Program Contact: Ross Patronsky, Senior Planner, 312-386-8796, rpatronsky "at" cmap.illinois.gov
Program Web Site: www.catsmpo.com/prog-cmaq.htm
Programming Cycle: Annual. A call for projects usually occurs in December, with approximately two months until proposals are due. A proposed program is subject to a public comment period during the summer, and a final announcement occurs in the fall.
A list of projects funded by CMAQ is posted at www.catsmpo.com/prog/cmaq/approved_cmaq_projects_fy92-07.pdf
b. Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program
Programming Agency: Illinois Department of Transportation
Program Contact: Keith Sherman, Chief of Planning and Systems, 217-782-0378, keith.sherman "at" illinois.gov
Program Web Site: www.dot.il.gov/opp/itep.html
Programming Cycle: Irregular
A list of FY 2004-2006 projects funded by ITEP is posted at www.dot.il.gov/opp/iteplist.pdf.
A CATS staff review of all proposals submitted is at www.catsmpo.com/bikeped/2006-march-att3.pdf.
Note: The Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force has suggested ways to make better ITEP programming decisions. Suggested process improvements include a regional suballocation, multi-year programming, and public involvement. See www.catsmpo.com/agenda/bikeped/attachments/nov-2006-3.pdf and www.catsmpo.com/agenda/bikeped/attachments/nov-2006-2.pdf
c. Illinois Department of Natural Resources Trails Grants Programs
Programming Agency: Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Program Contact: Tom DiLello, Division Manager, (217)782-7481, tom.dilello "at" illinois.gov
Program Web Site: dnr.state.il.us/ocd/newtrail2.htm
Programming Cycle: Program Cycle: Annual. Project submittals are typically due at noon on March 1, each year.
Planning Assistance and Resources
State Bicycle Plan Information:
- IDOT Presentation at Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove (PDF) 4 MB
- Comment Form (MS Word) 40 KB (comments due Feb. 25, 2005)
Palatine/Willow Road Corridor Study - a pedestrian and bicycle-focused transportation study being conducted by the CATS to identify strategies for accommodating walking and cycling along and across a regionally significant suburban arterial.
Great bike/ped resources are always available at www.walkinginfo.org and www.bicyclinginfo.org. More links are here.
Funding Sources - an overview of strategies that can be used for funding infrastructure improvements and other initiatives.
Regional Directory - a guide to area planners, engineers, implementers and advocates.
CATS Office Bicycle - example of an employer promoting cycling for transportation.
Improving Bicycling, Improving Your Community - free narrated slide show presentation on community bicycle planning.
Soles and Spokes Workshop Summaries: Over, Under and Across (PDF) 413 KB (December 10, 2001), Safe Routes to School (May 10, 2002)
Please direct feedback and questions to:
Tom Murtha, Chief Transportation Planner
Chicago Area Transportation Study
233 South Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago, Illinois 60606
phone: 312.386.8790
fax: 312.386.8791
tmurtha "at" catsmpo.com
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