The city plans to test automated technology that will issue citations for blocking or parking in designated bike or bus lanes.
Two new pilot programs designed to deter drivers from blocking bike and bus lanes in Chicago were approved by the City Council this week, reports Michael Brady in Smart Cities Dive. “The technology will automatically issue tickets for parking or standing violations in areas with posted signs, such as bike lanes and commercial loading zones, according to a city press release.”
The programs are part of the city’s effort to reduce traffic fatalities, which rose by more than 50 percent between 2019 and 2021. “By deterring drivers from illegally parking in bike lanes, bus-only lanes, bus stops, and crosswalks, we create better streets for all road users. We look forward to implementing the Smart Streets Pilots to evaluate how these initiatives can work best on a citywide scale,” said Chicago Department of Transportation Commissioner Gia Biagi.
The launch date of the pilot programs is unclear, but they will run until June 2025.
FULL STORY: Chicago tests new parking enforcement tech, smart loading zones
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