In Chicago: Faster Trains, Faster Trips

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has eliminated 20 miles of slow zones since 2011.

1 minute read

February 28, 2016, 11:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Chicago El

Jess Kraft / Shutterstock

"The CTA's track modernization projects over the last four years have resulted in the lowest level of L slow zones since 1997 - just 5.5 percent at the end of 2015," reports Kevin O'Neill. In 2007, according to O'Neill, "more than 22 percent of the elevated tracks were designated slow zones."

All of those improved travel speeds mean improved travel times, which have improved between two to five minutes per trip on average. O'Neill also lists five of the recent projects. 

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