Capital Streets’ Post

After researching, discussing, and analyzing Chicago's Park & Ride availability disparity, patterns have been discovered, the issue has been defined, and a policy memo portraying potential solutions has been drafted. Attached, find the actual memo for the details. Even though mailed, I am hoping this reaches Tom Carney and this unfortunate situation gets looked at and enhancements get implemented. In summary: The disparity in Park & Ride availability on the South Side Red Line leaves commuters struggling for parking spaces. Despite high passenger volume, the CTA's (Chicago Transit Authority) parking options fall short compared to major cities like Amsterdam. Current policies do not ensure equitable access to public transportation. Proposed policy measures aim to address these disparities by expanding Park & Ride facilities in Chicago's South Side. Implementation involves policy approval, coordination with IDOT for funding, refinement with CMAP (Chicaco Metropolitan Agency for Planning), and CTA-led assessments and construction of new facilities. Success depends on stakeholder collaboration and commitment to improving transportation access for underserved communities, enhancing equity in public transit.

We now depart from our regular programming (discussions around inclusion, labor markets, etc.) for me to (once again) geek out about a favorite topic of mine: public transit and urban development. TLDR: sustainable, increased funding in public transportation fosters better ridership, resulting in more resilient cities, major reductions in carbon footprints, and helping to bridge racial and economic disparities in our urban hubs. Transit should not exclusively cater to 9-5 ridership. Sidebar: I only really started consistently riding the T in Boston after seeing a billboard on I-93, which regularly clogs with some of the nation's worst traffic, encouraging traffic-stricken drivers like me to skip the congestion and ride the T instead. I'd now describe the billboard placement as "almost sarcastically effective." I followed the suggestion, didn't look back. Now that I'm in the Bay, I'd love to see more significant investment in our regional transit, especially BART, and collaboration among areas with significant transit gaps like San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. Check it out: https://lnkd.in/gqEKcr4S

Traffic safety is a pressing issue worldwide, and Jacksonville, Florida, is no exception. With some of the fastest roadways in the U.S. and a troubling record of pedestrian and bicycle fatalities, the city needed bold action to protect its residents. That’s where the 20 is Plenty Speed Reduction Study comes in. Partnering with the City of Jacksonville, we helped design a comprehensive plan to reduce speed limits, enhance roadway safety, and foster community engagement. This initiative not only lowers speed limits but also integrates roadway upgrades, public awareness campaigns, and Vision Zero strategies to create safer, more vibrant neighborhoods. The study, which earned the 2024 Award of Excellence for Innovation in Planning for All Ages from Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA Florida), is a testament to the power of grassroots advocacy and innovative urban planning. Learn more from Rebecca Dennis, AICP, about how 20 is Plenty is setting a new standard for safety and sustainability in our latest blog: https://lnkd.in/eV4NbYRH #TrafficSafety #UrbanPlanning #SustainableCommunities #EngineeringaBetterFuture

“You ought to go look at 5 o'clock or 8 o'clock in the morning traffic. I represent the entire city that has to go to work and school...The folks that want to experiment with people's mobility have a challenge on their hands.”--Mayor Whitmire. I'm willing to bet that a huge portion of the traffic stacked up on Shepherd and Durham is from folks that don't live in the Heights and are using the neighborhood as a passthrough to try and avoid 610 and I-45. Full sympathy to them. But as this happens, it just means that longstanding problems on arterial roadways are getting offloaded onto adjacent neighborhoods. We as a city must urgently create better transit options so there are choices beyond "which road do I want to sit in a traffic jam on?" To the mayor's remark, a good way to "represent the entire city" would be to build a #Houston #subway system. Much better to spend some funds on that than constant freeway expansions that don't address root causes. If folks could trade 45 minutes in the car for a more predictable 15-20 min subway ride and avoid expensive Downtown parking, many would take that offer up. I love my truck, but deal me in as a subway early adopter if we can build one. Houston is about thinking big and then translating ideas into action--a philosophy worth re-absorbing as we consider these traffic situations. Pedestrian and bike friendly + real public transit options (a/k/a not buses that slow traffic down even more) is a more viable and livable path forward than continually expanding roads without rethinking our fundamental human movement architecture. #betterhouston #transportation #traffic #emissions #environment https://lnkd.in/eQHnuKnT

June 4th 6pm-8pm CSPS Hall - 383 W Michigan Street St. Paul, MN 55102 West 7th neighbors: you are invited to a structured conversation with neighbors about the future of West 7th and the Riverview Corridor project. We want to capture & share the values of our West 7th neighbors and advocate for what’s important to our community, regardless of the mode of transit chosen. Your feedback will be recorded, summarized, and shared with the Riverview Corridor Team, Councilmembers, and other parties. Join us: - Open house style - Rich conversation with neighbors - Share your perspective and what matters to you Our intention is not to agree on a preferred alternative (streetcar vs. bus), but rather listen to what folks value about West 7th (pedestrian safety, local businesses, parking etc.) so we can maintain and enhance the best things about West Seventh.

In this Newcity article by Mary Wisniewski I join State Rep. Kam Buckner, Jim Merrell of Active Transportation Alliance and Micheál Podgers of Better Streets Chicago in asking Illinois Department of Transportation to honor the promise of the 10-year process behind “Redefine the Drive” and remake North DuSable Lake Shore Drive into a boulevard for all Chicagoans. The current proposal harms public health, climate and equity goals by denying dedicated Chicago Transit Authority bus lanes, limiting pedestrian access, and encouraging high car speeds leading to deadly crashes. We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acknowledge and correct the mistakes we made in the past and show the world that the City of Chicago is a global metro for the 21st century: let’s not squander it. 🌊🚶♂️🌳 🚍 🚘 🌳 🚴♀️🚶♂️ 🌳 #transportation #traffic #equity #urbanplanning #transit #pedestrian

“The systemic problem is that we keep building cities for cars first—that’s what drives the whole thing,” says Roberto Requejo, a transit advocate and CTA Board member. “I think it’s a good moment to stop and reflect before we go any further. Are we building for the Chicago of fifty years from now or for the Chicago of fifty years ago?” This quote sums up the core issue here. Major infrastructure projects like this must be future oriented. The new way to build is toward multi-modal approaches that prioritize pedestrians, bikes, and public transit and this way is only going to continue and grow stronger. The cities that shape themselves toward it are the cities that will flourish going forward.

"I would love to drive less; a lot of people would love to drive less and be more connected to the places that they live. So I went to Rochester, N.Y., which filled in part of its Inner Loop, and walking around the former footprint of that highway was so inspiring to me. You can forget that it was ever there. There's housing on it; it's a contiguous city grid; people are biking in the bike lane, there's a brewery with people are sitting outside, it's a gorgeous summer evening. But in a place like Austin, instead there's this massive, polluting scar right through our city. And that's a policy decision; we could tear that down. We could spend money on transit so that I can just hop on a bus us to get where I need to go. I could ride my bike and feel safer, and feel more connected to my city and the people who live in it with me. So the vision is a place where we're just like not spending so much money on these things. It's not just that they exist and they're bad; it's that in every city in America, we are spending billions of dollars to make the problem worse. Like let's spend that money differently, to build cities that like serve the people who live in them." https://lnkd.in/eXh6Q6m6

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Let's shine a light on the outstanding achievement of the City of Douglas, Arizona, celebrated as another one of our esteemed #ThrivingCommunities! Their remarkable success in securing the $23,518,381 #RAISE grant for the Commercial Transportation Infrastructure Enhancement Project: Addressing Safety, Equity, and Connectivity calls for jubilation. Positioned as a rural disadvantaged area, this project stands as a beacon of hope, poised to revolutionize the very essence of this border community. This groundbreaking initiative will sow the seeds of transformation through the funding of a Complete Street study, coupled with the design and execution of recommended Complete Street enhancements and state-of-the-art repair interventions covering approximately 7.8 miles across ten pivotal roadways within the City. The comprehensive improvements encompass a spectrum of enhancements, ranging from pavement resurfacing to the installation of pedestrian facilities, safety measures, traffic flow optimization, and drainage upgrades. By championing Complete Streets solutions, this project will fortify the safety of both motorized and non-motorized travelers, significantly reducing fatalities and severe injuries, particularly amidst the bustling truck traffic navigating downtown streets to and from the existing Port of Entry at the U.S./Mexico border. The strategic redirection of truck routes away from the city center is poised to not only bolster safety but also lay the foundation for a vibrant, pedestrian-centric downtown renaissance. Furthermore, this endeavor will enhance air quality in a region grappling with elevated asthma rates, while championing environmental preservation through the reclamation of old mining landfills. The multifaceted improvements will revolutionize mobility within the city's transportation ecosystem, with bilingual signage serving as a testament to inclusivity and community cohesion. With unwavering pride, the City of Douglas embarks on a transformative journey toward safety, equity, and interconnectedness, setting new standards of excellence for all to admire. Our Team (The Ray Highway, Arcadis, InfraStrategies LLC, and Beverly A. Scott, Ph.D. ) was proud to support you on this initiative through the #USDOT Thriving Communities program. #bettertogether #transportation #mobility #inclusivity #completestreets #connectivity #safety #grants #funding #portofentry #bordertown