Research Project
Technical Support for the Special Committee on Mass Transit for Northeastern Illinois
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.
- Principal Investigator
- McNeil, Sue
- Research Area(s)
- Data Development
- Demand Response
- Mobility
- Paratransit
- Funding Source
- Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
Abstract
UTC will determine the direction of the research and perform the following tasks:
- Synthesize and present the data to enhance understanding and ensure comparison of similar types of data.
- Document the use of performance factors in other regions for distribution of funds.
- Identify best practices for funding paratransit and other special needs services.
- Perform demographic analysis of the region based on forecasts provided by the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC) and the Chicago Area Transportation Study (CATS).
- Identify appropriate criteria for evaluation of alternative funding structures and the mechanism for distribution.
- Research and understand federal requirements and performance implications of the long-term viability of conversion of federal capital grants to operating costs.
- Analyze the spatial and temporal relationships between cost structures and funding streams of each of the service boards. Explore revenue increases and distribution strategies as they relate to agency performance, the demographics of the region and the quantifiable criteria for evaluation.