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Data Suggests “Micromobility” May Alleviate Traffic Congestion; Serious Questions Linger Regarding Safety

September 25, 2019 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

A new report released by INRIX, a data analysis company that helps power the likes of Google Maps and Waze, suggests that Chicago may be one of the top cities to support “micromobility.” Many may be asking what “micromobility” even means, and for good reason. INRIX has actually coined the term and uses it to define modes of transportation, such as shared bikes, e-bikes, and e-scooters. The data company’s belief is that through the use and support of micromobility, cities may find a lot of potential in curbing traffic congestion in a cost effective and environmentally friendly way.

Supporting this idea and belief is data based on 50 million vehicles throughout the most congested cities in the United States, which found that 48% of all car trips are less than three miles long. INRIX’s belief is that this commuting length of less than three miles is precisely where micromobility can make a change on cities throughout the United States.

In using this initial data, INRIX then turned to cities throughout the States to see where they had the most potential. In doing so, the company found that Honolulu, New Orleans, Nashville, and Chicago rounded out the top 4 of the group. It was found that 22% of Chicagoans driving was to go no further than a mile, while 17% of trips were for 1-2-mile trips, and only 12% of trips were 2-3 miles in length.

At first, this data appeared to speak for itself. Not only does it suggest the long-held belief that the more we commute through public transportation or via alternative means other than automobiles, the better traffic and congestion will be, but that there are endless amounts of data to support such a notion. However, a closer look reveals several questions that must be answered. How does city landscape and terrain affect the potential for successful micromobility options? How does a city properly fund maintaining and regulating such options? And most importantly, how do cities keep their residents safe? The latter being the most pressing concern amid a push for increased transportation.

While the data presented may paint a picture that this is a common sense move that more cities need to continue adopting and build around, the reality is that establishing infrastructure such as this is incredibly dangerous. The argument can easily be made that driving a vehicle is just as dangerous, but as we have continuously covered since the adoption of these scooter programs, riders are not gaining insurance coverage, placing them in horrible situations if they are ever seriously injured. Those extra minutes of sitting in traffic are worth it, if it means you aren’t running the risk of being injured because the city has not properly provided the necessary safety precautions. And that is precisely what the issue is today. As this data from INRIX suggests that cities like Chicago and Nashville are in great positions to adopt micromobility programs and implement them, it doesn’t really factor in safety or landscape into its decision making.

Cities Come in all Shapes and Sizes

Having lived in Nashville, the argument is pretty easy to make that a city with a crumbling public transportation system, with the inability to properly establish bike lanes, should probably not be the poster child for a micromobility platform. This is not to say that Nashville has issues that cannot be resolved, but there is so much more that needs to be addressed before a city can adopt transportation platforms like INRIX proposes. Take away infrastructure concerns for a moment and look to the overarching safety concerns. Nashville actually tested its own scooter program a year ago and quickly shut it down as a man was tragically killed.

Incidents such as the one that occurred in Nashville are happening all over the place. In Chicago, we also have had our share of incidents that have really made city officials pause and analyze if the pilot program is worth it. Not only are these topics that need to seriously be addressed before programs adopting micromobility can be fully adopted, but for us, it really comes down to protection for riders. While city regulations and safety ordinances help establish rules of the road for micromobility users, none of that matters if the person riding is unable to have his medical bills paid for due to the scooter or bike-sharing company failing to provide any sort of adequate coverage. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed before cities even consider putting more people on the roads.

Although, we have serious reservations regarding any sort of implementation of these programs before coverage is provided for users, INRIX has provided its own Road Rules program that is meant to help cities navigate safe and efficient means to alleviate traffic congestion. Information such as this can be used to inform cities what is necessary to make micromobility a real factor throughout the States. The more information available for our city officials, the higher our safety standards for the place we call home should be.

In the News – Week of June 8th

July 12, 2019 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

City Seeking Feedback on Pilot Scooter Program

In light of the city’s recent start to its four-month pilot scooter program, the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) is asking for residents of Chicago to report any scooter issues they see. According to Curbed – Chicago, individuals may use the 311 website or mobile app to report their concerns. To report an issue, go to the website and find the “E-Scooter” category, from there you will be able to report your issue.

As we have previously written, the introduction of Chicago’s pilot scooter program has gotten off to a very troubled start. Not only have there been countless reports of misconduct with the scooters, but the scooters are already proving to be far more dangerous than many believe them to be. Last month, just within weeks of the launch of the scooter program, a pedestrian was actually hit by an e-scooter rider in the city. As a result of the accident, he was found unresponsive and now has trouble speaking after being forced to undergo a procedure to his jaw. Ultimately, this is to say that the scooters are continuing to pose a significant risk not only scooter riders, but pedestrians as well. Be sure to report if you see any issues in your neighborhood as the more we can make city officials aware of misconduct, the safer both riders and pedestrians will be.

Divvy Set to Expand to the Far South Side

As reported by the Chicago Tribune, Divvy bikes in now set to begin expanding to the Far South Side after Lyft invested $50 million into the bike-sharing system. In addition, Lyft has decided to add 10,500 new electric-assist bikes to the city. This is big news for the entire city as it means that bike-sharing will now seek to cover each area of the city, essentially providing forms of transportation sharing ranging from ride-share, bike-share, and more recently, scooter-share. What’s more, it appears the city is inclined to ensure that these bikes are appropriately placed and integrated into new areas throughout the city with specific intent, rather than just to provide a mere presence.

The Chicago Tribune had the opportunity to speak with Sue Hofer, a spokeswoman for the Chicago Department of Transportation. Sue stated, “We’re going to community meetings, where people will say, ‘I think it makes more sense in front of the grocery store than in front of the bar.’” Overall, we can hope that the more communities are involved prior to the installation of these docking stations, the safer the process will be. At this time, the initial community meetings have yet to secure select dates and times for the community to gather.

In the News this Week – June 7th 2019

June 7, 2019 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Ride-sharing No Longer Delivering on its Promise

On June 7^th, 2019, the Chicago Tribune reported on the impact that both Uber and Lyft have had on Chicago, specifically both companies’ initial promise to alleviate traffic congestion and provide another form of public transportation. The Tribune reviewed the trips taken in March of 2019 and found that “more than four of every 10 passenger pickups happened in five of the city’s community areas – the Loop, the Near North Side, the Near West Side, Lakeview and West Town.” In addition to the rides being concentrated within specific parts of the city, all within relatively close proximity to one another, those who have reviewed the data have also found that people are beginning to steer away from public transportation entirely and instead using rideshare services.

In March of 2015, there was a total of 15,078 drivers making 4 or more trips a month; however, this number has increased to 66,562 drivers in March of 2019. It’s easy to imagine how this increase in only a matter of years will continue to effect traffic congestion in the city, specifically its impact on the amount of crashes within Chicago and overall road safety. As of right now, the city does not place a cap on the number of ride-share drivers allowed within city limits, yet they have limited the amount of taxi drivers to 6,999. As the effects of ride-sharing companies become clearer, it will be interesting to see how the city responds to ensure traffic congestion is minimized and the roads remain safe.

Chicago Department of Transportation Offering Free Bicycle Classes

The Chicago Department of Transportation and Divvy have added more than 100 additional spots to the City’s free bicycle riding classes for adults this summer. As a way to get more vehicles off the streets of Chicago and encourage more residents to begin biking, these classes will be taught by CDOT Bicycling Ambassadors and help those who have never ridden a bike understand how to do so and how to navigate the roads of Chicago safely during the summer months.

Beginning June 10^th and running through August 31^st, the classes will be held at three locations. See more information for dates and locations below:

Mondays 6pm-8pm – Kennedy King College, 710 W. 65^th St.
- Dates: June 10, 17, 24; July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; August 5, 12, 19, 26
Thursdays 6pm-8pm – Seward Park, 375 W. Elm St.
- Dates: June 13, 20, 27; July 11, 18, 25; August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Saturdays 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm – Chicago Center for Green Technology, 445 N. Sacramento Ave.
- Dates: June 15, 29; July 6, 13, 20, 27; August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

Trucking Companies Expecting Major Tax Hikes – Looking Forward to Safer Roads

In light of the Illinois General Assembly passing a landmark $45 billion capital plan, Illinois Trucking companies have found themselves celebrating what appears to actually be a tax hike on the product their industry is most dependent on; fuel. As part of the new plan, which will help rebuild the state’s roads, bridges, and transit systems, a new gasoline tax has been passed which will raise the current tax rate from 19 cents to 38 cents per gallon. In addition, those who drive vehicles using diesel fuel will also experience a tax hike, increasing the rate to 45.5 cents per gallon. Although this new tax increase more than doubles the previous tax imposed upon commercial drivers, there are a variety of benefits that have many in the industry believing the upfront costs will be well worth it.

The tax increase will go into effect on July 1^st just in time for summer travel plans, so be prepared to see prices go up at the pump but anticipate major increases to road safety in the coming years as a benefit of the new taxes.

Boston inks deal to test self-driving cars. Is Chicago next?

September 14, 2016 by Brett Manchel Leave a Comment

The folks in Bean-town have peered into their crystal balls and one of the things they’re seeing is self-driving cars. The Boston Globe reported this morning that the city has struck a deal with a group of unnamed tech companies and manufacturers to test autonomous vehicles, beginning in a matter of months. Coincidentally Uber is set to unleash a fleet of autonomous cars (though this particular fleet will include an actual human behind the wheel for safety reasons) on the streets of Pittsburgh later today.

More from the Globe: “If this technology is going to yield benefits for the consumer, we want to make sure it works in the city of Boston,” said Chris Osgood, the city’s chief of streets. “We want to make sure we’re doing our due diligence and understanding what the implications are. How do we set up the right policies and take the right approach to this so it’s going to have the biggest net benefit?”

Counting Pittsburgh, it seems Boston is the second major city in recent months to commit to exploratory testing. Could Chicago be the third? Here are four reasons why it might.

The mayor is a big Uber fan

His brother, Ari, is also a big investor. Back in 2014 reports started swirling that Rahm’s younger brother stood to make nearly a billion dollars from his Hollywood agency’s dealings with the popular ridesharing company, which is venturing into autonomous territory. On top of that, David Plouffe, a strategist to then-Senator Obama’s presidential campaign in 2008 and former White House mainstay, now serves as one of Uber’s most prominent strategic advisors. The mayor has also favored rideshare-friendly legislation that keeps it at a premium in the Windy City (much to the consternation of the highly regulated limousine and cab service industry). Now that Uber has unleashed self-driving cars on the roads of Pittsburgh, it’s easy to imagine the company heading further west to a place that fits its self-driving test criteria and where it’s ostensibly been feeling the love.

Chicago has one of the largest populations in the country

This goes beyond the Uber and ridesharing craze. Chicago is a major city with a major population—nearly 2.7 million people to be more precise. That’s good enough for third on the national charts, behind only Los Angeles and New York. A study in 2015 by Zen99, a resource for folks who depend on 1099s, found that Chicago ranked ninth out of 70 U.S. markets that were favorable for ridesharing users. That’s not counting the untapped potential of autonomous ridesharing either. One could assume that a city that loves alternative modes of public transportation is bound to look closer at the ways self-driving cars impact the broader economy, both commercially and otherwise.

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is here

So is Allstate, based in Northbrook. They’re two of the biggest auto insurance companies in the country and the insurance industry has been wrestling with the notion that self-driving cars may reduce crashes and potentially eliminate them altogether. That poses big questions for State Farm, Allstate, Nationwide, and others, which will soon need to figure out how they’re business plays into the bigger picture. I’m not saying that either will be making a public relations push in favor of self-driving cars, but what better opportunity to do some experimentation while the guinea pig is rummaging around in your own backyard? Let’s assume the worst: self-driving cars get into tons of accidents. Maybe a public relations push on behalf of the insurance companies isn’t so far-fetched after all.

It’s the economy, stupid

The reality is this: Autonomous cars are the future of transportation. It’s not a matter of “if” but “when.” Rahm and others like to refer to Chicago as the Silicon Valley of the Midwest. If we’re to take that declaration at face value, we need to make the most of our opportunities, which could have huge economic benefits. Tech is big business and presenting Chicago as a tech-friendly hub feeds the narrative while drawing new talent to the city. Being labeled as a pioneer of autonomous transportation and the legislation that governs it has the potential to be hugely beneficial in the long run. I can already imagine Tim Cook pulling up to Apple headquarters in the West Loop. In a self-driving car no less.