CMAP staff prepared a report on vehicle availability and related data for the Chicago region through 2007.  The report reviews data trends for household vehicle availability, driver licensing, and vehicle registrations, and compares counties and large communities over time.  Data used in the report indicates that household vehicle availability in the Chicago region recently increased from 1.54 vehicles per household in 2000 to 1.62 vehicles per household in 2007. In 2007, the number of vehicles per household was lower in the City of Chicago (1.15) than in the remainder of Cook County (1.69).  In the collar counties, there were nearly 2 vehicles per household as of 2007.

The report also looks at vehicle registration and driver licensing data.  Passenger vehicle registrations rose 4.2 percent from 2000 to 2007, slower than the 5.5 percent rate of population growth for the same time period. The rate of driver licensing, calculated using FHWA estimates, has been falling, particularly among young adults and 16-year-olds now subject to the new graduated driver license system.  Only one-third of 16-year-olds had driver licenses in 2008.  Lower licensing rates for 16- and 17- year olds points to the need to provide safe routes not just to primary schools, but to high schools as well.