Signs Coordinating Public Transit Organizations Could Save Chicago Money

Daniel Kay Hertz argues that, besides improving service, a little signage could save the city of Chicago billions of dollars in service expansion costs.

2 minute read

January 30, 2017, 2:00 PM PST

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


Chicago

Wrigley Field Transit Stop / Shutterstock

The city of Chicago recently received over a billion dollars in federal funding to expand service to its North Side Red, Brown and Purple Lines, Daniel Kay Hertz argues that "Making all of Chicago’s rail lines clear and viable options for public transit would be equivalent to spending tens of billions of dollars to expand the L," in an article for Chicago Magazine. Simply making signs that direct commuters on the way to get from one train to another could make a huge difference in how people travel through the city. Most commuters in Chicago are only familiar with the transit system, in part because a CTA map only shows the eight trains the CTA controls. "There are actually 20 rail lines that serve Chicago: eight CTA lines, 11 Metra lines, and the South Shore Line, a commuter railroad that runs into northwest Indiana," Daniel Kay Hertz writes in Chicago Magazine.

Chicago Transit organizations exist under the umbrella organization of the RTA which has begun to work toward this goal. "The RTA has created maps that show travelers all of their transit options, regardless of the agency that provides them, and is placing them at 14 more locations around Chicagoland, after beginning with just four in the last few years," Hertz writes. There's no reason that coordination needs to stop at signs, Hertz suggests that Chicago could follow Toronto's example and make their regional trains (a Metra equivalent) run more frequently so that riders could more easily transfer from the CTA. 

Thursday, January 26, 2017 in Chicago Magazine

stack of books

Planetizen’s Top Planning Books of 2023

The world is changing, and planning with it.

November 24, 2023 - Planetizen Team

Close-up of 'Red Line Subway Entry' sign with Braille below and train logo above text in Chicago, Illinois.

Chicago Red Line Extension Could Transform the South Side

The city’s transit agency is undertaking its biggest expansion ever to finally bring rail to the South Side.

November 24, 2023 - The Architect's Newspaper

Diagram of visibility at urban intersection.

How ‘Daylighting’ Intersections Can Save Lives

Eliminating visual obstructions can make intersections safer for all users.

November 27, 2023 - Strong Towns

Aerial view of San Jose, California downtown at night.

San Jose Affordable Housing Development Gains Approval

A proposed project is moving forward with reduced building heights and all-affordable units.

19 minutes ago - The Mercury News

Green painted bike lane protected by rown of parking.

Oklahoma City Begins Work on Parking-Protected Bike Lane

The project is part of the city’s broader plan to improve bike and pedestrian infrastructure and road safety.

1 hour ago - The Oklahoman

Blurred dense crowd of people with no recognizable faces walking in a busy city.

How Cities Can Avoid Perpetuating Segregation

Residents of big cities, known as the ‘melting pots’ of America, have fewer interactions with people outside their socioeconomic group than those in smaller communities, according to new research.

2 hours ago - Stanford News

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

"Rethinking Commuter Rail" podcast & Intercity Bus E-News

Chaddick Institute at DePaul University

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.