traffic

Congestion Fees a Possibility for Chicago Drivers

October 2, 2019 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Chicago drivers may need to get ready for new fees–just for driving downtown.

On August 29th, mayor Lori Lightfoot said in her “State of the City” speech that she wants to make money for the city while reducing downtown congestion. To do so, she plans to work toward implementing congestion fees.

“We are exploring options to address rampant congestion that solves the problem of traffic, pollution, and other issues,” Lightfoot said, “while simultaneously bringing in a fair share of funding.”

Congestion pricing is a strategy that has been put in place in large cities such as London, Stockholm, and Singapore–it aims to target people driving in specific zones at certain times during the day.

By 2021, New York City drivers traveling below 60th Street in Manhattan will be electronically charged a fee through license plate photos or toll transponders–making it the first American city to enforce such fees.

This congestion pricing in New York is part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s $175 billion budget–with at least $1 billion coming from driving fees–and will apparently cost drivers over $10 a trip to visit the city’s busiest neighborhoods.

These fees are projected to raise around $15 billion in bonds to help solve problems in the subway system and limit traffic on streets that have become less than drivable.

But, will it work in our city?

The push in Chicago comes after many attempts to save city money and generate new revenue; in the address, Lightfoot mentions a city government hiring freeze–implemented August 20th, as well as measures to “crack down on departments that have significant unbudgeted overtime expenses.”

Lightfoot says that right now, we are walking into “a staggeringly large budget deficit for next year.” She hopes traffic fees will be a boost that has been proven helpful in other large urban areas.

Within a year of congestion pricing in London–put in place in 2003–traffic delays decreased by 30 percent and the number of vehicles entering London proper dropped by 18 percent. Air quality also improved, resulting in a 12 percent reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions.

In London, as well as Stockholm and Singapore, the fees from congestion pricing have raised millions of dollars for the betterment of transportation and infrastructure: new buses, bike lanes, and expanded public transit were put in place for those opting to commute sans-car.

For Chicago travelers, DePaul University transportation expert Joseph Schwieterman believes this strategy will be of great benefit.

“We’re seeing a surge in driving again,” he told WTTV News. “Transit [rates] are flat, fuel prices are down, vehicle ownership is up, and suddenly we have a quality of life issue that’s setting us back. We’re a great global city; we have to have some sort of reasonable amount of mobility on the streets.”

Schwieterman believes congestion pricing is an “untapped source” for local revenue, but one obstacle is figuring out how to determine the boundaries of what is considered a congestion zone. Most likely, it wouldn’t need to include the entirety of downtown Chicago, but would more reasonably focus on the roads that are most often overcrowded.

There are caveats, however. London saw drivers complaining as fees rose over time, eventually doubling in cost from when they first came into play.

Gridlock in London also ended up returning–reportedly due to the popularity of ride-share apps like Uber and Lyft.

There is also the question of who would be exempt from paying–such as low-income drivers, those with disabilities, and those who live within the congestion zone. Although London gives a discount of 90 percent for its zone residents, exemptions often mean higher tolls for all other drivers.

Those who will see the biggest benefit from congestion costs in Chicago: subway, commuter train, and bus riders, who will see more extensive and reliable service from the new investment. Cyclists will experience more room on the roads and cleaner air. Drivers will ideally see a decrease in time spent stuck in traffic as well is in gas costs.

“There are certain areas where congestion is getting intolerable,” Schwieterman says. “Along the river, the Magnificent Mile, parts of River North…and you have to do something. It’s just going to get worse, and congestion pricing is well-suited for that.”

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.

Tips for Driving in Stormy and Inclement Weather

September 17, 2019 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

As Hurricane Dorian begins to make its way into the southeast coast–after causing significant damage to homes and infrastructure in the Bahamas last Tuesday–The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has issued an emergency declaration for the states laying in the rest of the hurricane’s path.

The FMCSA is offering regulatory waivers to motor carriers participating in relief efforts in states and territories such as Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee and Puerto Rico. Dorian has reached a maximum sustained windspeed of 110 miles per hour, hitting the North Carolina coast Friday morning along with heavy rain.

Although the hurricane’s effects are not forecast to hit us here in Illinois, it may be possible we’ll get heavier wind and rain than is usual for this time of year. Not to mention, we all know we see our fair share of inclement and stormy weather, especially as we head into the fall and winter seasons.

Because of this, Online Drivers Ed has some helpful tips on how to stay safely driving on the roads should weather such as this occur–because “any type of severe weather can significantly increase a driver’s risk of an accident.” As you try to avoid a storm, so do all other drivers on the road, so extra caution is vital in all regards.

Strong winds can push vehicles off the road while blowing debris, trees, or even power lines in their way. Heavy rains can also make roads excessively slippery and reduce visibility.

So, how do you stay on the road safely if you do have to drive?

Driving in stormy weather:

Thunderstorms and severe weather can make for a very turbulent ride. If you must be on the road, follow these guidelines.

-Get rid of distractions–Don’t talk on the phone, text, or play music. You need to give driving conditions your full attention; however, it may be helpful to listen to storm updates via radio.

-Stay home–Try and wait for as much of the bad weather to clear as possible before leaving the house.

-Pull over–Consider pulling over if you can’t see more than a few yards ahead of you, if there is hail, or if you feel unsafe.

Driving in heavy winds:

Although you may not realize you should take precautions in windy weather, winds can cause injuries and accidents, especially in wide open spaces–like stretches of highway, on overpasses, and in tunnels.

-Anticipate wind gusts–Be cautious when driving somewhere prone to stronger winds, or when strong winds are forecast.

-Look out for larger vehicles–Tractor-trailers and recreational vehicles are particularly susceptible to heavy winds, so stay aware of those having trouble keeping in their lanes.

-Keep wheel firmly in your grasp–Wind can cause your vehicle to veer right or left, but you can maintain better control by keeping both hands on the wheel to steer. Be extra cautious if you’re driving a truck or large vehicle.

Driving in heavy rain:

Heavy rain reduces visibility for drivers, and gives cars and trucks an increased risk for hydroplaning–which can cause fatal accidents. Steering and braking can be especially difficult in these conditions, and cause you to lose control of your vehicle.

-Take your time–Slowing down may help you prevent hydroplaning.

-Avoid driving at beginning of rainfall–Oils from cars and trucks cause slick conditions right when rain starts.

-Turn headlights on–This will help other vehicles see you, and is even the law in many states during any kind of rainfall.

-Give other cars more space–Add a few extra seconds of following time to give yourself more time to react if needed.

Additionally, The National Safety Council suggests you perform routine maintenance ahead of time, before bad weather shows up:

-Tires expand in summer heat and then deflate when air cools. Make sure all tires are inflated properly, regularly rotated and have enough tread to work safely in suboptimal road conditions.

-Make sure windshield wiper fluid reservoirs are filled.

-Check air, fuel, cabin, and PCV filters more often when conditions are dusty or air quality is low.

-Have battery life checked by a professional.

-Ensure lights are clean and bulbs are replaced once burnt out.

-Examine exhaust system for leaks and floorboards for small holes.

It’s important to take time to understand how bad weather affects driving skills. Check forecasts before you hit the road, make sure your car is maintained and can operate properly, stay cautious and alert in any kind of inclement weather, and keep off the road in these conditions when possible.

In the News – Week of September 2nd

September 6, 2019 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

New Data Provides Further Insight on Chicago’s Scooters

A new study conducted by DePaul University researchers has discovered that the electric scooters the city recently adopted as part of a four-month long trial are now being used as legitimate choices for commuting during morning and evening rush hour periods. What was once deemed a fad that many cities throughout the United States were quickly shutting down due to safety hazards and an overall lack of regulations for the public has now shown that maybe they are more useful than originally thought. The study, which was done by the Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Planning, looked at 12 hours of data from a single day in the month of July. Ultimately, what this data was able to show was that in the roughly 2000 scooters trips that were taken in single day, a majority of the rides took place between 7-9am and 5-7pm.

As many in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs already know, traffic in the city can be grueling. Just like any large city, it seems that the traffic will simply never end. This new research seems to suggest that some individuals throughout the city may be turning from public transportation and vehicles altogether, and joining the scooter sharing fleet. Joseph P. Schwieterman, one of the researchers who conducted the study stated “I thought perhaps scooters were a novelty and people would use them in their leisure time, to make their social activities a little easier, but what we found is that rush hour is when most of the money is being made.” Such results from the pilot program are very important to note. While the scooters may seem like non-factor in the larger view of the city’s infrastructure as a whole, the reality is that people will go to great lengths to make their trips quicker in the morning and evening. While Chicago has clearly experienced the negatives associated with scooters, data such as this may begin changing people’s perspectives of the scooter sharing program altogether.

Of course, just because people are beginning to adopt the pilot program, does not mean it is in the best interest of city residents. As we have continuously covered, allowing scooters within city limits poses a severe risk to pedestrians and bicyclists in the city, as well as the scooter riders themselves. At this point, there have not been any developments regarding the most pressing issue – the fact that the scooter companies have failed to establish insurance coverage for riders. This effectively creates an insurance gap which could place riders in a dangerous and expensive situation if an accident were to occur. All of this is to say that while the scooters become more popular and the city becomes accustomed to seeing them, the city should also be making strides to make them much safer and establish further regulations that ensure that riders and the surrounding public are protected legally as well.

Lightfoot to Hold Town Hall on Budget Spending; Updates Expected Regarding the City’s Infrastructure

Mayor Lightfoot has announced that she will be holding several town hall meetings for Chicagoans in September 2019 to allow for open discussion regarding the City’s budget as a broader attempt to provide transparency to the city’s residents. One of the topics that will likely be discussed is how the city plans on spending the significant increase in funding it is set to receive as part of Governor Pritzker’s $45 billion capital plan that was announced in May of 2019.

We previously wrote on the plan’s overall impact on the crumbling infrastructure throughout the state, especially the roads and freeways connecting Chicago to the surrounding suburbs. Mayor Lightfoot’s townhall should hopefully provide some further updates on announced projects, such as the Kennedy Expressway reconstruction and the I-80 Ridge Road to Lincoln Highway rebuild. While these projects will likely take a significant amount of time to be completed, its important they are followed through as it was announced earlier in May that Illinois drivers were losing roughly $18.3 billion per year due to poor infrastructure and traffic.

Further, the City of Chicago has released a 2020 Budget Survey that asks city residents which areas of the budget should receive reduced or increased spending. If you are interested in attending any of the meetings, see below for further information:

6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 4 at the Copernicus Center on 5216 W. Lawrence Ave.
9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 14 at Roberto Clemente High School on 1147 N. Western Ave.
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 19 at Southeast United Methodist Youth and Community Center (The Zone) at 11731 S Ave.
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25 at Lindblom Math and Science Academy, 6130 S. Wolcott Ave.

As Labor Day Nears, Some Tips for Staying Safe and Avoiding the Dreaded Traffic

September 4, 2019 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Many throughout the United States will use the upcoming Labor Day Weekend to go on their last planned road trips and family outings prior to the holiday season. As we are all very much aware, Labor Day has a long history of being designated for such activities; one last opportunity to get out and enjoy the end of summer. However, with that excitement comes the downside of having to hit the road alongside what often seems like every other family in the city. As we would all like to believe that traveling over Labor Day Weekend will be a smooth and easy process, the reality is that Chicago has nearly three million residents and it will most certainly show this weekend. Not only will the traffic be far worse for those tempted to get out of the city and explore different parts of the region, but the drivers will be that much crazier and eager to get where they are going.

Similar to other summer holidays like Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, Labor Day has proven to be one of the riskiest times for a driver to be on the road. Ultimately, according to a survey of statistics available between 2011 and 2015, Value Penguin found Labor Day to be the second most dangerous holiday for drivers, with 308 fatal accidents per year. In comparison, the most dangerous holiday was found to be Memorial Day, which resulted in 312 accidents per year. To no one’s surprise, the cities that contributed the most to these alarming numbers were the likes of Houston and Los Angeles, where driving is essentially necessary anywhere you go. For a city like Chicago, where public transit is exceptional in terms of allowing residents to navigate downtown and the surrounding suburbs, this may not seem like as much of an issue; however, with so many people leaving and entering the city limits for their dose of late summer fun, the Illinois Tollway has stated that it now expects roughly 8 million vehicles to pass through the state freeway system, with around 2 million vehicles expected to be on the road on Friday. While those numbers seem almost comical, they present a harsh reality for those living in large metropolitan areas.

Patch Illinois recently wrote a piece on this same topic regarding the best and worst times to be on the roads for the upcoming weekend. The worst time to travel for drivers will be on Friday, August 30^th as most people use that day for travelling to their destinations and plan on doing so early in the morning. Unfortunately, the issue for those hoping to beat rush hour and leave early is that most people travelling are thinking of doing the exact same thing. To put it lightly, traffic will be bad, and it will cause some to drive dangerously. Fortunately, there are a variety of sources providing great tips on things drivers can do to make traveling during this time of the year much safer.

Staying Safe While Enjoying the Holiday

We all want to enjoy the extended weekend and while traffic certainly puts a damper on the experience, USA Today has provided several key tips that may help make your experience just a little better:

Staying Safe – USA states that “there are two major reasons for accidents on highways: losing concentration while driving and ignoring the risk of big trucks. While both factors are incredibly dangerous, the former poses even more risks to others on the roads. Many will be drinking and enjoying their extended weekend with family and friends, but it is necessary that you let others drive. Monitor yourself if you have been drinking and certainly don’t risk getting behind the wheel.
Getting Your Car in Shape – “A routine check of the engine, radiator and fluids will go a long way. Tires should be well inflated and wiper fluid should be replenished. Also, check that the steering wheel and brakes work properly.” Ensuring that your vehicle is running properly and is equipped with all the proper safety features and measures necessary to drive safely is essential. Not only will your drive be far more difficult if a mechanical issue occurs, but you become part of the problem when you are forced to pull over those three lanes of traffic in the middle of rush hour. Be sure to have your vehicle maintenance up to date and keep yourself going to your destination.
Avoiding the Madness – “The most important thing you can do is leave early. Take on the highways early Saturday morning or before rush hour on Friday. If you’re driving on Labor Day, follow the same rules. Most people will brave their return home in the early evening or late afternoon. Try getting to the highways before 4 p.m. or after 10 p.m. and you should be in much better shape.” Although we previously said that the traffic will be bad no matter what over the weekend, you really are putting yourself in a better situation as far as traffic and safety goes. City drivers are already notoriously “wild” in terms of following the laws of the road, the smaller number of drivers you can be around during one of the busiest traffic days of the year, the better.

Overall, we have a responsibility to keep ourselves and others safe, just like any other day of the year. Just know that there will be dangers out there and drivers will be incredibly eager to get to where they are going. Following these tips is just a start for making your Labor Day weekend that much better. Stay safe out there and enjoy the holiday!

As Traffic in Chicago Worsens, City and Trucking Companies Forced to Change Their Practices

August 23, 2019 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Recent reports conducted by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute and the 2019 Urban Mobility Report have discovered that Chicago is tenth in the nation regarding the number of hours that Chicagoans waste commuting, as well as ranking third in the total number of hours spent in traffic, resulting in 352 million hours. Looking at these numbers a little closer, the report suggests that due to traffic delays, commuters lose a total of $1,307 annually, a staggering number considering the cost of having a vehicle in the city and commuting to surrounding suburbs. As the Chicago Tribune reported this week on the new study, “more congestion is occurring at periods beyond what is traditionally considered “rush hour.” The author of the report, Bill Eisele, was also able to speak with the Tribune and noted that “a third of the area’s delays happened outside the peak morning and afternoon commuting times.” Why the sudden increase in traffic? While many in Chicago would agree that such circumstances have been a long time in the making, it turns out that the recent uptick in the economy is likely to blame for the increased amount of congestion. The report cites back to some of the initial data it compiled in 1982 and found that the total number of jobs has grown 50% since then, therefore meaning there are far more people not only living in the city but commuting for work as well.

Many people who already live in large cities around the United States may say that this is common sense and as jobs grow, so does the amount of people living and working in the city. To an extent, that is true; however, there are a multitude of outside factors that make traffic in cities like Chicago far worse. For instance, we previously wrote on Chicago’s history of infrastructure issues, specifically regarding crumbling roads and bridges, especially in rural Illinois. As much as we want to think those small potholes on the freeway are a very minor issue not worth dealing with, Chicago is the third largest city in the United States and should be capable of much more. It just so happens that factors such as these are exactly what the new Texas A&M study suggests are only fueling the fire that is the increase in traffic. In his interview with the Tribune, Eisele referred to a need for “squeezing more efficiency out of the system,” essentially ensuring that traffic lights are properly timed, crashes are cleared, and more efficient options, such as public transportation and working from home are provided by employers and the city.

Ultimately, the hope is that by doing what the city already is, but more efficiently, will ultimately curb this increase in traffic. Unfortunately, there is no silver bullet that will fix traffic. The City’s infrastructure can only maintain so many commuters and it needs to take this one step at a time to really begin making a difference.

Overall Effect on the Trucking Industry

As we are all well aware, the quicker truck drivers can reach their destination, the less money lost in the process. Situations such as the ones posed in Chicago and other big cities like Los Angeles and New York cost the economy and commuters a lot of money. For instance, the report cites that the total congestion cost for the freight industry in the region totals $6.53 billion annually. Not only does that truly exhibit the ramifications of traffic issues across the United States, but it shows why steps have recently been taken to help drivers reach their destinations quicker. We previously wrote on how the current administration is aiming to cut the federal drive-time regulations currently in place that protect drivers from driving while fatigued. Unfortunately, such actions as this one eventually establish greater dangers to the drivers and others on the road. So, what can actually be done to ensure that the roads stay safe for truck drivers and commuters, while limiting the amount of money lost?

Transport Topics recently reported on a study that was conducted that could help companies alleviate the affects at issue here. Overall, the study focused on nine motor carriers and their efforts to enhance their safety records. The report listed the following keys to success for companies to increase their driver safety:

Maintaining an open-door policy for drivers to discuss safety-related issues with management.
Sharing carrierwide safety indicators with management and drivers.
Improving hiring policies and training, as well as modifying driver scheduling to reduce fatigue.
Having a zero-tolerance policy for hours-of-service violations.
Informing drivers about the company’s safety culture during orientation, and having all employees participate in safety training and education programs.
The report’s authors acknowledge the industry faces significant challenges hiring and keeping drivers, but they stress companies should resist the temptation to hire drivers to fill a slot.

For further information on the findings of the study and additional tips on driver safety, click here. As traffic congestion grows, it is well known that the roads become less safe. It is important that both drivers and trucking companies do their part, then we can push on the city to keep up with the maintenance.