Author: Steven Vance

CDOT launches pedestrian safety campaign

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Photo of attention-grabbing mannequins on Wacker Drive represent the 32 people in 2010 who, while walking, were killed by drivers and automobiles in Chicago. Photo by Kevin Zolkiewicz.

Grid Chicago reader Kevin Zolkiewicz has written about the City of Chicago’s campaign to reduce pedestrian fatalities to zero by 2020.

Among the most visible of the initiatives are 32 mannequins that have been installed along Wacker Drive between Wells Street and Michigan Avenue. Each mannequin represents a pedestrian killed in Chicago last year. Klein hopes that the mannequins, combined with other campaign ads that will be plastered on buses, street furniture, and trash bins throughout the city, will encourage drivers to stay alert for pedestrians.

CDOT’s pedestrian safety campaign will involve 15 different initiatives — ranging from awareness campaigns to enforcement — that the agency hopes will change driver behavior and make the city a safer place for pedestrians. Read the full article.

Grid Chicago’s John Greenfield also attended the press conference this morning at 10 AM at Wacker and Wabash and will be writing about it for tomorrow’s feature.

By my count, using data from the Illinois Department of Transportation, there were 3,064 reported crashes in which at least one person labeled a “pedestrian” was involved. There were several crashes where more than one pedestrian was involved, but I selected unique case numbers from the dataset. I was able to agree that there were 32 pedestrian fatalities in 2010. No crash had more than one pedestrian fatality.

There were no pedestrian fatalities in crashes where the “cause code” was “distracted by phone or electronic communication device” or “distracted by other electronic device (including DVD and GPS)”. Only 8 crashes had one of those cause codes.

According to the Chicago Department of Transportation on Twitter, the mannequins will be visiting other neighborhoods. 

The iPod has been affecting our commutes for 10 years now

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Two CTA passengers shared an iPod on the ‘L’. Photo by Erin Nekervis. 

I bought a two-year subscription to the Sunday Chicago Tribune. It’s given me a lot of tips and ideas for blog posts, especially when it comes to Metra and the Chicago Transit Authority. Sitting down and browsing through, page by page, is an easier way to consume all of the news: it’s impossible to find every article the same group published on their website for that day (at least I haven’t found a method).

Anyway, on the cover of the Arts & Entertainment section was a large representation of the famous iPod “click wheel”, the touch sensitive “wheel” (without moving parts on most models) that doubles as four buttons. Ah, the iPod has turned 10! Indeed, the Apple iPod came out in October 2001. I got one for Christmas – it was a big deal as it cost $399, or about $511 today.

The article was about how that little white brick started a revolution in how we acquire and listen to music. Author Greg Kot interviewed 13 people, including musicians, a college student, an MC, and a Los Angeles-based entertainment attorney, to get their take on the iPod’s impact: “wonderful and terrible” Kot summarized.

Continue reading The iPod has been affecting our commutes for 10 years now

Events for October to December 2011

We will update this page as we know more. Last updated 12-09-11.

December 2011

Thursday, December 1, 2011 (two events)

(1) Join the Metropolitan Planning Council for Better Commutes, Less Congestion: Employers Unlock the Region’s Gridlock, a roundtable discussion on how Commute Options are making a difference in solving the Chicago area’s commute challenges. Panelists will include participating employers describing their experiences with the pilot, and policymakers speaking about the regional benefits of the Commute Options program (including CDOT Commissioner Gabe Klein). Cost is $15 for current MPC donors, and $30 for all others.

12  to 1:30 PM
Metropolitan Planning Council
140 S Dearborn Street, Suite 1400
Chicago, IL 60603

(2) A public meeting to discuss the design of a new park at Milwaukee and Leavitt Avenues. This new park has been identified as a future access point for the Bloomingdale Trail. Sponsored by Trust for Public Land, Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail, Alderman Scott Waguespack (32), and the Chicago Park District.

6:30 PM
Holstein Park Auditorium
2200 N Oakley Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

Wednesday, December 7, 2011 (two events)

(1) Alderman Solis will discuss his recent fact-finding mission to one of the most bicycle-friendly countries in the world – the Netherlands – and share with us some of his observations that could be applied to Chicago’s bikeway network.

6 to 7:30 PM
Simone’s
960 W 18th Street
Chicago, IL 60608

(2) Get the first glimpse of how the planned multi-million-dollar overhaul of Daley Bicentennial Plaza is taking shape. Read more about this project at the Chicago Sun-Times.

6 to 8 PM
Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park, Gold Room
200 N Columbus Drive
Chicago, IL 60601

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Chicago bike writers Greg Borzo and John Greenfield celebrate the release of On Bicycles: 50 Ways the New Bike Culture Can Change Your Life, an anthology by Amy Walker, with a free book release party. Borzo and Greenfield will read their chapters on bicycle sharing systems and West Town Bikes, respectively. Afterwards they’ll sign copies while attendees mingle and enjoy soul-jazz piano by Seth Hitsky and a raffle for copies of the authors’ other books, plus other great bike-related prizes. The party doubles as a meet-up for the Active Transportation Alliance.

8-10 PM
Cole’s Tavern
2338 N Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

Friday, December 9, 2011

On Friday, December 9th, 2011 at 6:30 AM, participants will ride from Amling’s Cycle (8140 N Milwaukee) to Mystic Celt (3443 N Southport) to meet a waiting truck from the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign. We’ll then enjoy a hot breakfast courtesy of Mystic Celt.

6:30 AM
Amling’s Cycle
8140 N Milwaukee
Niles, IL 60714

Saturday, December 10, 2011 (two events)

(1) The first meeting of the Streets for Cycling Plan 2020 has been scheduled: it’s an open house that will have mapping activities, educational information about innovative bicycle facilities, and an opportunity to discuss biking in your neighborhood with CDOT staff.

10 AM to 4 PM
23 E Madison Street
Chicago, IL 60602

(2) Chrome Chicago shop will be hosting their last (free) Holiday Photo Booth session this Saturday! Everyone is welcome to come in with friends, or whatever variation of, to have their holiday photos taken on the set of Strange Brew’s “Great White North,” complete with snow, defunct Christmas tree and tons of holiday props (for the nice and naughty in us all). Chrome will provide drinks to those 21+.

2 to 5 PM
1529 N Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622

Tuesday, December 13, 2011 (three events)

(1) There is a zoning hearing at City Hall about Alderman Colón’s proposed ordinance, to strip “Pedestrian Street” designations from two segments of Milwaukee Avenue in Logan Square. Here’s the proposed ordinance and the hearing notice. What’s a “pedestrian street” designation? We’re still figuring that out. The Municipal Code has some insight.

10 AM
City Hall, 2nd floor council chambers
121 N LaSalle Street
Chicago, Illinois 60602

(2) A Bloomingdale Trail community meeting to learn about and discuss the progress of the framework plan for a park and trail on an elevated former train track.

6-8 PM
Saint Mary of the Angels School Auditorium
1810 N Hermitage Avenue
Chicago, Illinois  60622

(3) A meeting hosted by the Illinois Department of Transportation regarding the preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement for the Grand Crossing Rail Project. The purpose of the Grand Crossing Rail Project is to improve freight and passenger rail efficiency on Chicago’s South Side and enhance Amtrak’s on-time performance. An open house will be held between 4 PM and 6 PM where you can view an audio-visual presentation and project exhibits. The project team will also be available to discuss the project and answer questions. A formal session with questions and answers will then be held from 6 PM to 7:30 PM. (EveryBlock posting, official project website)

4 to 6 PM open house, 6 to 7:30 PM meeting with Q&A
Sherwood Park
5701 S Shields Avenue
Chicago, IL 60621

Wednesday, December 14, 2011 (two events)

(1) The final 2011 Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Council of 2011. Read recaps of past MBAC meetings.

3 to 4:30 PM
City Hall, Room 1103
121 N LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL 60602

(2) Join project consultants Active Transportation Alliance and Sam Schwartz Engineering for a presentation and discussion about making the 35th Ward a safer and easier place to walk and bike.

6 PM
Armitage Baptist Church
2451 N Kedzie Avenue
Chicago, IL  60647

Thursday, December 15, 2011

The Chicago Department of Transportation and Amtrak will host a public meeting from at Union Station to discuss possible improvements suggested by the Chicago Union Station Master Plan study. The meeting will be an open house, with experts and visuals explaining ideas to increase capacity for more trains, people, and traffic on nearby streets.  A narrated presentation will be made at 4:30 PM and again at 6 PM, allowing commuters to attend before boarding trains home.

4 to 7 PM
Union Station, Union Gallery (southwest corner)
210 S Canal Street
Chicago, IL 60606

Saturday, December 17, 2011

A fundraiser for West Town Bikes after the Afterglow Cyclocross race brought to you by Cuttin Crew and Robots <3. The first race category starts at 10 AM in Humboldt Park field house. Register online now.

2 PM
Division Street Bar and Grill
2525 W Division Stret
Chicago, IL 60622

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A bus on I-35W in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The bus driver is allowed to drive on the shoulder under certain traffic jam conditions. This will start in Chicago on November 14, on the Stevenson Expressway with Pace bus routes 755 and 855 from Plainfield, Illinois, to downtown Chicago. Photo by Aaron Brown.

October 2011

Monday, October 24, 2011

Pace Bus will hold a town hall meeting “to discuss the issue of buses that will be driving on the shoulder of Interstate Highway 55 [Stevenson] beginning November 14, 2011” (Chicago Tribune). See this video for how that will work. Pace warns drivers to not follow the bus(it’s illegal for private vehicles to be driven on the shoulder except under certain circumstances). More details on TribLocal Plainfield.

4:30 AM to 7 PM
Bolingbrook Village Hall
375 W Briarcliff Road
Bolingbrook, IL

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will hold 5 public meetings regarding the draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Chicago to St. Louis high-speed rail corridor. This EIS deals with double tracking the Union Pacific railroad south of Joliet and making other improvements north of Joliet to reduce transit times.  The goal for this project is a four hour trip time, with 9 daily round-trips. The nearest meeting to Chicago is in Joliet. See the other 4 events on the Midwest High-Speed Rail Association website.

Jacob Henry Mansion
Victorian Ballroom
15 S. Richards St
Joliet, IL

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

The Chicago City Council will hold a hearing about the Department of Transportation 2012 budget.

9 AM onward
City Hall
121 N LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL

Thursday, October 27, 2011

IDOT will hold an open house and formal public meeting about the 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project. It’s a project to improve rail and road congestion in a large area around 75th and Western and between Halsted and the Dan Ryan. Details are on the project website.

4 PM to 7:30 PM
Freedom Temple Church of God in Christ
1459 W 74th Street
Chicago, IL

Friday, October 28, 2011

The Chainlink, a forum for bicycling in Chicago, hosts a Halloween party. The party is sponsored by Half Acre Beer Company and features many raffle prizes from local businesses. Details on The Chainlink.

8 PM to 12:00 AM
Galway Arms
2442 N Clark Street
Chicago, IL

Monday, October 31, 2011

Two transportation committees will meet: Transportation and Public Way (12 PM) and Pedestrian and Traffic Safety (1 PM). The PTS committee meeting will likely discuss the recent trip to Amsterdam and other cities in the Netherlands taken by Alderman Solis and city staff sponsored by Bikes Belong.

12 PM, 1 PM
City Hall
121 N LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL

November 2011

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Mayor’s Pedestrian Advisory Council

3 PM
City Hall
121 N LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL

Friday, November 4, 2011

Bicycle Film Festival. There’s also a pre-BFF bike ride and post-BFF Goldsprints party.

Logan Square Auditorium
2539 N Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60647

Saturday, November 5, 2011 (two events)

Bicycle Film Festival. There’s an after party TBA.

Logan Square Auditorium
2539 N Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60647

We Role Cycle Works presents “Cycle More” classes, 12 PM to 2 PM

Growing Power Farm
3333 S Iron Street
Chicago, IL

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Bicycle Film Festival

Logan Square Skatepark
2430 W Logan Blvd
Chicago, IL 60647

Monday, November 7, 2011

Active Transportation Alliance holds their annual member meeting to give an overview of accomplishments and reveal the 2012 legislative agenda.

5:45 PM to 8 PM
American Dental Association
211 E. Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Green Opportunities Hack Salon. Apps for Metro Chicago will host “Go Green Hack Salon” at the Green Exchange-Greenhouse Loft (2545 W. Diversey Avenue) from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event will include experts discussing green ideas and sustainability concerns, group collaboration and app building. To attend, register on-line.

Monday, November 14, 2011

High Speed Rail Symposium. On November 14, Northwestern University will host the 2011 Lipinski Symposium “High Speed Rail: Perspectives and Prospects,” from 8:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

8:15 AM to 5:30 PM
Allen Center
2169 Campus Drive
Evanston, IL 60208

What is Page 2?

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The multi-modal Dan Ryan corridor features 16 lanes of automobile traffic and the Red Line train. Photo by Alton Parker. 

Page 2 is the “back page” of Grid Chicago. It contains articles that aren’t our daily featured articles. We try to post our daily feature article between 8 and 9 AM each weekday with some exceptions. Articles may appear on Page 2 at any time. Sometimes they’re supporting pieces to featured articles, and others are independent; you’ll even find some short opinion editorials in there. But they’re all worth checking out.

The Page 2 link is prominently featured in the top menu.

Recent articles include:

  • Today: Mia Birk’s full speech about combating misinformation (media backlash) about bike lanes. Read it.
  • A short review of what Mayor Emanuel said in his budget speech to City Council about a congestion premium tax on people who park downtown on weekdays. Read it.
  • Comparing three CTA transit trackers for Android devices. Read it.
  • A new train viaduct in the Englewood neighborhood will reduce Metra delays. Read it.
  • Let’s subsidize transit at the same rate we subsidize roads and see what happens. Read it.

Was Emanuel saying he would use congestion parking tax for bike lanes a fluke?

It’s been a week and a day since Mayor Emanuel gave a speech to Chicago City Council describing the 2012 budget his administration proposes. In that speech he proposed a $2 per weekday tax on people who park in garages downtown and in River North, in order to “invest in new and existing stations, and bus rapid transit stations, expand bike lanes, and other efforts to reduce congestion in the downtown area”.

In the past eight days, it’s been announced that this “congestion premium” would help pay to construct a new Green Line station at Cermark Road, within blocks of McCormick Place, and help launch a bus rapid transit (BRT) system.

But not a single repeat mention of bike lanes. It wasn’t in the press release, no newspaper is talking about it, and the mayor himself hasn’t mentioned it again. To make sure I wasn’t misreading things or hearing him say it wrong, I took a screenshot of the live transcript on the City Clerk’s website.

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Fourth line from the bottom and you see “bike lanes”. Right now the city is using general revenue funds to pay for the installation of protected bike lanes; using its own tax revenues for bikeways is something the city has rarely done – the bulk of all bikeway installation is paid for by federal (80%) and state funds.

It’s fare increase time again at Metra

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“It’s become a Chicagoland tradition that every year around this time, transit riders cross their fingers and hope they won’t be hit with service cuts and fare increases. Unfortunately, it looks like the tradition will continue this year.” -Lee Crandell to the Metra board on October 14, 2011. 

Lee Crandell is right, but the tradition is not something Metra, or any other Chicagoland transit agency, has much control over.

Metra staff has proposed fare increases to the board who have accepted the proposal and will submit them to public hearings in November (schedule at the end). The staff first proposed fare increases to the board on September 16, 2011. They proposed a revised fare increase at the October 14, 2011, meeting, at which Crandell spoke. The alternative to fare increase was one of two service reduction options.

Continue reading It’s fare increase time again at Metra