Web Content Display
New! Selected Performance Measures for the Region's Transit Systems
CMAP compiles regional indicators, including several transportation system performance measures. Recently compiled data includes "transit passenger miles per vehicle revenue hour." This data, from the National Transit Database, is derived from information provided by transit agencies on an annual basis to the Federal Transit Administration. The measure is sensitive to both operational efficiency and passenger travel.
Highlights from the most recent data for 2010 indicate that, despite curtailed service, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) rail travel increased, resulting in an increase from 321.8 passenger miles travelled per vehicle revenue hour in 2009 to 372.6 in 2010. On the other hand, a decrease in ridership from 2009 to 2010 resulted in the measure falling from 1188.7 to 1151.1 for Metra rail operations. For bus operations, the performance measure rose from 105.5 to 118.8 amid curtailed bus operations at CTA, but fell from 140.9 to 133.8 for bus services operated by Pace Suburban Bus Service.
Passenger Miles Travelled per Vehicle Revenue Hour, Selected Directly-Operated Services
| System, Mode | 2000 | 2005 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
| Chicago Transit Authority Heavy Rail | 371.6 | 307.3 | 310.5 | 321.8 | 372.6 |
| Chicago Transit Authority Bus | 124.2 | 115.9 | 110.8 | 105.5 | 118.8 |
| Metra Commuter Rail | 1,361.4 | 1,251.2 | 1,264.5 | 1,188.7 | 1,151.1 |
| Pace Bus | 144.4 | 163.6 | 167.5 | 140.9 | 133.8 |
Additional passenger miles per vehicle revenue hour data is available in a pdf-format summary or in Microsoft Excel, showing all modes and services for regional agencies from 2000 to 2010. This data is also available on MetroPulse at www.metropulsechicago.com.
Updated! CMAP Arterial Congestion Estimate 2010 Map (October, 2011)
Using IDOT hourly speed data collected as part of the traffic count process, CMAP has estimated regional afternoon congestion levels on monitored roadways. Broad coverage is provided for Cook, McHenry, and Kane Counties, while state highways are monitored for DuPage, Kendall, Lake, and Will Counties. The map depicts the travel time index, which is the ratio of the estimated afternoon peak travel time to the free flow travel time. The map also includes a table of the AM and PM travel time index for each county in the region weighted by vehicle miles traveled. All monitored roadways were used in this analysis.
This map displays the most complete regional arterial data set available. However, not every location's congestion shown will match the user's experience. Known data limitations include the limited location of the measurements. The data represents measurements on only one sample day, though many thousands of vehicles are typically measured. The map also notes other caveats.
2010 CMAP Arterial Congestion Estimate Map - 2010 Update (pdf, 3.8 MB; viewing suggestions: on-line: 100% zoom; print: E-sized sheet).
Updated! CMAP Arterial Congestion Estimate by Township 2010 Map (October, 2011)
Using IDOT hourly speed data collected as part of the traffic count process, CMAP has estimated regional morning and afternoon congestion levels by township on monitored arterials. The map depicts the AM (6:00-8:59 am) and PM (4:00 – 6:59 pm) peak period travel time indices. The travel time index is the ratio of the estimated peak travel time to the free flow travel time weighted by vehicle miles traveled. The map also includes a table with the AM and PM travel time index for each county in the region weighted by vehicle miles traveled. Only monitored arterial streets were used in this analysis.
2010 CMAP Arterial Congestion Estimate by Township Map - 2010 Update (pdf, 1.6 MB)
Updated! Vehicle Miles Traveled on Expressways in the Chicago Region (August, 2011)
This brief paper summarizes vehicle miles travelled (VMT) trends and identifies factors that may have caused recent changes in VMT on expressways in metropolitan Chicago. The paper analyzed trends up to 2009.
Vehicle Miles Traveled on Expressways in the Chicago Region: Recent Trends - 2011 Update
Updated! Regional Bridge Conditions Report (Revised, August, 2011)
Bridge conditions, while improving overall, vary greatly by owner and geography. This report provides an updated analysis of regional trends and summary information for regional bridges from several perspectives. The report also explains the bridge condition rating system, allowing policy personnel and the public to understand this important issue.
Bridge Conditions in the Chicago Region, 2010 (pdf, 5 MB)
New! Transit On-Time Performance Charts (April, 2011)
As part of the Regional Indicators project, the Congestion Management Process is collecting information on transit on-time performance, among other measures. Following are charts of some of the on-time data collected. For more regional indicators, see http://www.metropulsechicago.com.
CTA On-time Performance, 12-month Moving Averages, 2008-2011
Improvements in CTA on-time performance during 2009 have leveled off.
Metra On-time Performance, annual, 2002-2009:
South- and Southwest-Oriented Services
West-Oriented Services
North- and Northwest-Oriented Services
Metra's Electric Service is Metra's highest on-time service, since it does not have any freight interference and the Electric Service power may also be more reliable than other services' diesel locomotives. On the other hand, the Heritage Corridor suffers from frequent freight interference, and has Metra's worst on-time performance. The North Central Service, subject to improvement last decade, improved its on-time performance dramatically over the past decade.
Amtrak On-Time Performance, 12-month moving averages, 2008-2011:
Short-distance Services
Western-oriented Services
Eastern-oriented Services
Amtrak on-time performance is very sensitive to freight interference. During the recent recession, when freight volumes and delays were low, Amtrak performance improved.
New! Intermodal Freight Connectors: Pavement Condition 2009 Update (January, 2011)
An update of an earlier report on data available in 2006, this report provides a summary of pavements conditions for the National Highway System's intermodal freight connectors. Intermodal connectors provide access between regional intermodal terminals and the remainder of the National Highway System. The report demonstrates serious pavement condition issues on the connector highways, but also shows some improvements from the previous report completed with 2006 data.
Intermodal Freight Connectors: Pavement Condition: 2009 Update (pdf, 1.2 MB)
- Appendix A (pdf, 0.3 MB)
- Appendix B (pdf, 6.0 MB)
Speed Limit Compliance on Arterials and Collectors in the Chicago Region, as of 2007. (December, 2010)
This report explores potential speed limit compliance performance measures for arterial and collector roadways in the seven-county Chicago region. The report includes map exhibits showing geographic distribution of traffic count locations, and summary observations by speed limit class. Caveats regarding use of the data as a performance measure are included.
Speed Limit Compliance on Arterials and Collectors in the Chicago Region as of 2007 (pdf, 1.7 MB)
Appendices (11.3 MB)
Controlling highway speed is an important strategy to improve highway safety. Understanding compliance with speed limits is important to undertand the effectiveness of such regulations in controlling highway speed. One of the potential speed limit compliance performance measures reviewed relates to the 85th percentile speed for a roadway. We note that John LaPlante, PE, PTOE, stated in his speech accepting the Theodore M. Matson Memorial Award that the 85th percentile speed had been widely misused in setting speed limits (ITE Journal, October, 2010 p. 21). However, the data posted here (though admittedly problematic) seem to indicate that at lower speed limits, compliance is not high in this region. However, this should not be seen as endorsing higher highway speeds, but as a recognition that speed limits are not sufficient to control vehicle speed. Rather, appropriate design is critical. As Mr LaPlante noted, in planning and designing roads, "our goal should be to select an appropriate target speed for the safety and comfort of all of the road users, as well as the urban context of that road, then design the roadway for that speed. Once the redesigned road is in operation, we can use the 85th percentile speed to see how well we did and then employ additional speed control measures until we reach our target speed" (ibid.).
Trips Underway by Time of Day by Travel Mode and Trip Purpose. (August, 2010)
This report uses 2007 Travel Tracker household travel inventory data to compile a picture of weekday travel underway in the Chicago region. The report contains numerous charts illustrating regional household travel behavior by mode, purpose, and time of day.
Trips Underway by Time of Day by Travel Mode and Trip Purpose for Metropolitan Chicago: Weekday Accumulations of Trips in Motion (pdf, 1.53 MB)
Chicago Regional Household Travel Inventory: Mode Choice and Trip Purpose for the 2008 and 1990 Surveys (June, 2010)
This report examines household travel within the northeastern Illinois region and attempts to determine how trip making may have changed since 1990. The main source of data for this analysis is the 2008 Travel Tracker household travel survey which was conducted for the northeastern Illinois region during 2007 and 2008. This survey data was weighted to represent the population of the entire region. The 2008 survey data was compared to the 1990 northeastern Illinois household travel survey, 1990 and 2000 decennial census data, and the 2005-2007 American Community Survey (ACS).
Chicago Regional Household Travel Inventory: Mode Choice and Trip Purpose for the 2008 and 1990 Surveys (pdf, 1.86 MB)
Vehicle Availability in the Chicago Region, 2007 (March, 2010)
CMAP Staff has prepared a report on vehicle availability and related data for the Chicago region up to 2007. The report reviews Census data trends for household vehicle data availability, Illinois Secretary of State and Federal Highway Administration data on driver licensing, and Illinois Secretary of State data on vehicle registrations. The report compares counties and large communities over time.
Vehicle Availability in the Chicago Region, 2007 (pdf, 1.2MB)
Updated! Recent Trends in Northeastern Illinois Expressway Vehicle Miles Traveled (January, 2010)
CMAP staff has prepared an update of a report on vehicle miles traveled on the region's expressways and tollways. The report examines data through 2008. The data showed continuing moderation in historical VMT growth. Factors affecting regional expressway VMT are explored, including Tollway reconstruction and pricing changes; recent Southland road improvements; regional variations in growth and employment; motor fuel costs; changes in travel mode share; and recent high unemployment.
Recent Trends in Northeastern Illinois Expressway Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) (pdf, 500KB)
Highway Ride Quality in the Chicago Region as of 2006 (November, 2009)
CMAP staff has prepared an analysis of highway ride quality for the expressway and principal arterial systems in the Chicago region. The data is further analyzed by county-level geography. The data shows improvement in the expressway system, but deterioration in the principal arterial system. The report provides insight into current conditions, national comparisons, and historic trends.
Highway Ride Quality in the Chicago Region as of 2006 (pdf, 736KB)
Appendices (pdf, 5.6MB)
CMAP Freeway Congestion Scans and Performance Measure Web Pages (September, 2009)
The CMAP congestion scans/performance data web is now easier to use. Each freeway segment we analyze has been assigned a separate web page. These pages are listed and linked from a window pane on the right of every segment's page. Visit the introductory page.
CMAP Arterial Congestion Estimate Map (August, 2009)
Using IDOT hourly speed data collected as part of the traffic count process, CMAP has estimated regional afternoon congestion levels on selected arterials. Broad coverage is provided for Cook County, while state highways are analyzed for DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties. The map depicts the ratio of the estimated afternoon peak travel time to the travel time corresponding to the 85th-percentile speed.
This map is experimental. We know that not every location's congestion shown will match users' experience. Known limitations include the limited location of the measurements. The data represents measurements on only one sample day, though many thousands of vehicles are typically measured. The map also notes other caveats. Nonetheless, the map shows the first large-scale regional portrait of arterial congestion using field data.
Questions or comments on this experimental map can be addressed to Tom Murtha, tmurtha "at" cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8649. Special thanks to IDOT for assistance in this project.
CMAP Afternoon Peak-Period Arterial Congestion Map (pdf, 2.5MB; viewing suggestions: on-line: 100% zoom; print: E-sized sheet).
CMAP Regional Bridge Conditions Report (July, 2009)
Bridge conditions, while improving overall, vary greatly by owner and geography. This report shows regional trends and summary information for regional bridges from several perspectives. The report also explains the bridge condition rating system, allowing policy personnel and the public to understand this important issue.
This report was revised from the May, 2009 version to include an evaluation of movable bridges in the region. These bridges tend to have very high maintenance and construction costs, while the analysis shows that a large percentage of them are in need of work.
Bridge Conditons in the CMAP Region, 2007 (pdf, 5.7MB)
Overview: Why Congestion Management Needs Performance Measurement (June, 2009)
This page provides links to studies conducted in support of the performance measurement aspects of the CMAP Congestion Management Process. The studies provide both detailed reviews of data depicting transportation system conditions as well as information about recent trends. Having this base of information allows us to monitor the effects of transportation projects, policies, as well as land development and market factors over which we have very limited or no control.
The data available has demonstrated that infrastructure projects can alleviate highway congestion. For example, the data below show average travel times and crashes for the Eisenhower Expressway before and after a project to alleviate a bottleneck in Hillside. Travel times have improved and there have been fewer crashes (though this may not have been caused by the improvement project). We need such data, collected over long periods, to measure impacts (or lack of impacts) of projects and strategies and to find congestion and safety concerns.
Travel Times on I-290 Before and After Hillside Bottleneck Elimination: Improvement
The data below show that there was substantial improvement in travel times for some travel periods and directions for the Eisenhower. Travel time measurements were collected for 1995 and 2007 for the 31-mile segment from the Circle Interchange (I-90/94 in Chicago) to the Jane Addams Tollway (I-90) in Schaumburg.
Weekday Travel Time Summary, Before and After Bottleneck Elimination, I-290 from Circle Interchange to Jane Addams Tollway
| Direction | Time of Day | 1995 Travel Time | 2007 Travel Time |
| East-bound | 5 am - 10 am | 50.2 | 47.4 |
| East-bound | 2 pm - 7 pm | 53.4 | 53.5 |
| West-bound | 5 am - 10 am | 47.4 | 41.0 |
| West-bound | 2 pm - 7 pm | 57.2 | 52.6 |
Source: CMAP analysis of IDOT data
Over this same time period, traffic volumes through the improvement area have increased. From 1995 to 2007, eastbound volumes at Wolf Rd. (in the project area) have risen from 78,000 to 102,000. Westbound volumes rose from 90,000 to 100,000 vehicles per day over the same time period. By contrast, traffic volumes on the Eisenhower in the still-constricted area west of Austin Boulevard have not risen much since 1995, in fact having fallen from 97,000 to 90,000 for eastbound traffic and risen from 93,000 to 94,000 for westbound traffic (source: CMAP Expressway Atlas Data).
Crashes on I-290 and I-88 Before and After Hillside Bottleneck Elimination: Equivocal Evidence
The data below show reductions in the numbers of crashes after the bottleneck elimination project. However, the data do not demonstrate cause and efffect. Indeed, the analysis of six years of crash data shows the level of reduction in crashes was no greater on the improved section of I-290 than the unimproved section of I-290. Nonetheless, the 63% reduction in crashes on I-88 on the west side of the bottleneck elimination project stands out. In addition, the number of fatalities fell from 2.3 per year before the improvement to 1.0 per year after the improvement in the improved segment. No change in fatalities was seen in the control segment.
Crash Summary, Before and After Bottleneck Elimination, I-88 and I-290
| Measure | I-88 from Cook-DuPage County Line | I-290 from Vallette Street | I-290 from 25th Avenue |
| Average Crashes, 1997-1999 (Before Improvement) | 99 | 636 | 534 |
| Average Crashes, 2005-2007 | 36 | 493 | 410 |
| Percent Change in Crashes | -63% | -22% | -23% |
Source: CMAP analysis of IDOT data.
Previously Published Reports
The 2006 Congestion Management System Status Report (PDF 1.54MB) uses data collected from roadway sensors to analyze current operating conditions on selected expressway and tollway corridors. Forecast conditions for 2030 are also examined.
The 2002 Congestion Management System Status Report (PDF 886KB) includes an evaluation of the roadway network performance in the 1990's and projects performance measures forward to the year 2020. An historical perspective of the CMS is also presented.
