Data Development

The objective behind the research was to provide IDOT with clear recommendations on how best to improve its public engagement practices

The objectives of this study were to better understand the commuting patterns of the workforce in healthcare institutions, explore the factors that impact commuting behavior and environmental impacts, identify opportunities for reducing transportation-related environmental impacts, and suggest policy interventions that aim to reduce transportation-related emissions inherent in health care provision

Driver’s license data sets were obtained from the Illinois Secretary of State’s office. The approximately seven million records received provide three critical pieces of information, height, weight and address. The height and weight allows a computation of the BMI index.

The objective of this report is to provide IDOT with the process, tools, and substance (e.g. Framework) to consistently -- yet flexibly -- discuss and evaluate any transportation policy, investment, or project and based on an adjustable mix of performance-data and local input.

This research is presumed to create viable contributions to transportation industry leaders interested in developing new ways of creating public/private support and ways of obtaining funding for passenger rail projects that have been successful in other projects and are referenced in the insights and data provided.

The research team scanned the published literature on data integration to understand the progress made and the challenges faced in integrating data. This was followed with a needs analysis of stakeholders to get a listing of databases, the various queries/uses of databases, gaps in knowledge about existing data, all with an eye toward integrating the available data.

An analysis of state departments of transportation with a focus on the planning departments.

Technical assistance has been or is currently being provided to over twenty localities in the state of Illinois. Recommendations to improve service, funding and administration have been made to improve their welfare to work programs. Two components of the statewide database are being developed for use by IDOT; an operating funding and capital asset components. These will facilitate the coordination of funding of transportation by state transportation, social service and economic development agencies.

Study to address the impact of the pandemic on inter city bus service.

The new American Community Survey is the replacement for the long form from which the Census Transportation Planning Package (CTPP) is derived. In contrast to the decennial census, the ACS allows a substantial increase in the number and types of inquiries that can be addressed. The ACS is a new product with many questions about its use. While some of these have been raised and answered, there is considerable merit to identifying the major unanswered questions regarding the use and value of the ACS. This effort to identify the important questions regarding the ACS will constitute the early focus of the study.

To assist the staff of the Champaign, Illinois MPO in tasks related with enhancing the transportation models maintained in the region.

To respond to the recommendations of the Northeastern Illinois Regional Transportation Task Force with respect to organizational changes in the regional transit system. To review mass transit funding issues following a Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) plan to seek $134.5 million in state revenue for Pace, Metra and the Chicago Transit Authority.

The output of the project is a paper entitled “The Burnham Transportation Plan of Chicago: 100 Years Later.” Presentations of the paper were given at the ITE Midwest Annual Conference in Chicago, the Transportation Research Forum Annual Meeting in Portland, OR, the UIC College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs Friday Forum and the Chicago Chapter of the TRF Luncheon.

The results of the whitepaper provide a viable argument for advancing the proposed Connector transit line in Chicago’s central area.

The paper summarizes the history of the evolution of public transit serving the Chicago’s Central Area from the 1850s to 1990s.

The goal of the site is to provide Illinois veterans, their families and the general public with an online resource offering a wide range of transportation options that can be accessed through “one-click” navigation and drop-down menu options

The objective of this study was to research housing foreclosures and transportation expenditures in the Chicago area and the 50 largest metropolitan areas in the United States using Census and the American Community Survey data.

The expected results are an improvement in the organization and appearance of the website, improved functionality in accessing and maintaining the statewide provider inventory, improved functionality in the GIS application, and an update to all of the existing databases.

The focus here is to examine the population growth in the Chicago area during the beginning of the millennium (2000-2005) to ascertain the size of the exurban growth in contrast to growth in traditional suburban counties. At the same time, Cook County has been identified as the county with the largest population decline in the nation. We find this to be misleading largely because Cook County is the second largest county and even a small percentage swing in population, whether it be up or down, is likely to be sizable.