Investments in Chicago regional transit service would create 13-times the return in value in household and travel times savings, according to Argonne-led research unveiled at the Chicago Transit Board of Directors’ monthly meeting, in September.
The research, led by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) found that a robust investment in transit service would result in a 53% increase in transit boardings in the region – CTA, Metra and Pace – with a 9% travel time savings and 11% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
“Transit has profound effects on the daily lives of Chicagoans, whether they travel by bus, rail or car. Investing in transit service supports equitable outcomes for Chicago’s diverse communities, spurring changes in activities, vehicle miles traveled and pollution reduction across the city’s neighbourhoods,” CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr., said.
ANL modelled policy changes and infrastructure investments along with an increase in transit service in line with the investment levels proposed by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s PART study. ANL considered changes in service such as completing the Red Line extension project in south Chicago, infrastructure supportive of transit (including bus rapid transit and bus priority lanes, speed policy), increasing overall service frequencies, and regional development (transit-oriented population shift). This new research shows that with additional funding, at amounts that are currently in discussion among state legislators, will grow transit ridership through added service while also reducing travel times for all travel modes, including cars.
“Transit ridership increase is critical in supporting the economy and improving mobility and equity. Considering the transport system as a whole, including technologies, policies, land use and travel behavior is necessary to help guide future decisions,” said Aymeric Rousseau, Argonne Vehicle and Mobility Systems Department Director.
The modelling has been presented that shows that a robust investment in Chicago regional transit creates a huge, generative effect for the region with nearly USD 19 billion in annual household savings, a 13-time return on the investment in service provided. The data additionally shows a 12% increase in activities in Chicago, 11% reduction in particulate matter emissions and a 15% reduction in regional vehicle miles travelled.
The analysis provides powerful conclusions, that it is possible to benefit all transport modes by investing in transit, which is a win for the mobility of everyone. ANL’s modelling showed a 43% increase in mode share for transit in the long term, with an additional 16% mode share for active mobility such as walking and biking and a 14% reduction in driving, dispelling the notion that investing in transit is to the detriment of other mobility choices.
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