Chicago Gets In Front of Mobility With Task Force, 50 Recommended Improvements

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel recently released the New Transportation and Mobility Task Force report which includes more than 50 recommendations to improve city mobility –  including launching an e-scooter pilot and an autonomous vehicle (AV) pilot, establishing a governance framework for data sharing, and improving the availability and use of micro-mobility services.

The 20-member task force worked with over 40 industry experts and stakeholders to ensure it provided a comprehensive vision for the future of transportation in Chicago. They examined challenges within the city’s existing transportation network, such as accessibility concerns to the rise in ride-hailing trips and congestion issues, as well as the lack of sufficient funding for infrastructure.  The task force also looked at the future of transportation in the region – autonomous vehicles, electrification, new micro-mobility services, growth of freight delivery, and data collection and data sharing issues.

“Through Mayor Emanuel’s leadership, Chicago’s transportation system has become a model for the country,” said former US Department of Transportation secretary Ray LaHood. “This report doubles down on the investments already made to modernize the city’s mobility infrastructure and provides a vision for the future of transportation in Chicago.”

The Task Force report provides a set of principles to guide government leaders and stakeholders in policy development, infrastructure planning, the launch of new programs and pilot studies, and studies of new innovations and services, that includes:

  • a transportation system that is safe for all users;
  • mobility choices that are accessible, equitable, affordable and non-discriminatory;
  • economic development that is inclusive and innovative;
  • a city that is efficient, smart and reliable;
  • communities that are sustainable, healthy, and built using universal design principles;
  • data and information that is actionable, transparent, shared, and secure; and,
  • regulation of private providers that is guided by public benefits.

The city and Chicago Transit Authority will lead many of the next steps to be taken in partnership with task force members including City Tech. Working with government, university and industry organizations, City Tech will develop focused pilots to evaluate how a policy, technology, or new solution can contribute to solving mobility problems.

“Chicago has a world-class transportation system, and we must continue to modernize our mobility services and transit infrastructure to better serve residents, businesses, and visitors,” said mayor Emanuel. “With Ray LaHood’s leadership and expertise, we brought together the best and the brightest to help inform how Chicago can move forward and build on our status as a leader in transportation.”